Classic France

France, 9 Nights

Highlights:

• Grand Tour of France
• Papal stronghold of Avignon
• Belle Epoque style of Nice
  

Day 1 - London/Paris
Fly with British Airways from London-Heathrow to Paris and transfer to one of our recommended hotels for a three night stay.

Day 2 - Paris
Why not take advantage of our expert local guides and enjoy an orientation tour. The tour will include a behind the scenes Eiffel Tower visit, the Arc de Triomphe, the Champs Elysées and the Ile de la Cité, where you will visit the beautiful Notre Dame Cathedral and the Sainte Chapelle, a pearl of Gothic architecture. Alternatively enjoy a private guided tour of the Opera de Paris housed in Garnier Palace since its completion by architect Garnier in 1875 following the orders of Napoleon III.

Day 3 - Paris
With a wealth of world-renowned museums on offer no visit to Paris would be complete without a visit to the Musée d'Orsay and the Louvre. The Louvre is housed in a magnificent building, which was originally built for use as a royal palace for King Francis I. It is home to one of the most important art collections in the Western world, spanning the period from remotest antiquity, through to about 1850. Housed in a converted railway station, the Musée d'Orsay's main attraction is its collection of works by the Impressionists: Renoir, Sisley, Pissarro and Monet are all well-represented.

Day 4 - Paris/Avignon
Travel by TGV train from Paris to Avignon and enjoy the beautiful French countryside en route. Transfer into the heart of the town for your three night stay at Hotel la Mirande nestled in the shadow of the imposing Palais des Papes.

Day 5 - Avignon
Why not enjoy a walking tour of Avignon with one of our local guides. Visit the Clock Square before entering the huge Palais des Papes, where seven exiled popes lived between 1309 and 1377 and where the main rooms are decorated with some excellent 14th Century frescoes. Head for the coast in the afternoon and immerse yourself in the Camargue National Park with its wild white horses and black bulls, abundant bird life and flocks of elegant flamingos.

Day 6 - Avignon
To gain a real feel of Provence take a trip in a legendary Citroën 2CV driven by an English driver-guide. Discover the narrow streets of Avignon or explore St-Rémy-de-Provence. Make a day of it and visit the Pont du Gard for a swim if it takes your fancy, Les Baux-de-Provence to enjoy the sun while walking through olive trees, Gordes to see cypresses and lavender fields and Roussillon to enjoy a picnic.

Day 7 - Avignon/Nice
Transfer to Nice perhaps stopping en route in Aix-en-Provence to see the old centre, the tree-lined boulevards, colourful markets and 101 fountains. Check-in to the Hotel La Perouse for your final three nights.

Day 8 - Nice
Today why not meet a private guide for a half day sightseeing. Explore the beautiful Old Town, the colourful open-air market and take the lift up to the Castelle area for unrivalled views of the city. Make time to visit the Roman ruins at Cimiez and the inland village of Eze.

Day 9 - Nice
Travel inland to the perfume capital of the world Grasse and try your hand at making your own scent. Take a trip along to the coast to the principality of Monaco and delight in glitzy Monte-Carlo.  Alternatively visit the hilltop village of St Paul de Vence, with a 12th to 17th Century Gothic church with many works of baroque art and a mecca for artists.

Day 10 - Nice/London
Drive to Nice airport in your hire car for your British Airways flight to London-Heathrow.