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Insight - Country Roads of France - Small Group (04/2023 - 07/2023) (SE723ZN18)

16 Days From Paris to Paris 
Tour Style: Country Roads
Insight Brochure Price from $6,050.00
Brochures: Europe & Britain Premium 2023 v2, Europe & Britain Premium 2024 v1
Visits: France, Monaco

Consider this your ‘Tour de France’ — a 16-day guided tour that embraces the best of the country, from fortified towns and fine wines. Drive along the Grand Prix circuit in Monaco, stopping to step inside its cathedral, where Princess Grace has been laid to rest. In Avignon, play pétanque, a bocce-like sport, then celebrate your new skills with a fine French aperitif. Travel to Carcassonne, a fortified city complete with ramparts and a medieval keep. Drive through the Valley of the Dordogne, then feast on a farm-to-table dinner paired with regional wine in Sarlat-La-Caneda. In Paris, embrace the City of Light’s most beloved sites: marvel at the Eiffel Tower, gaze at Louvre's glorious facades, and be driven down the posh Champs Elysées to Napoleon's Arc de Triomphe.
Choice Highlights
  • Choose between two carefully selected activities
  • Paris: Shop in quaint boutiques like a true Parisian with your Local Expert.
  • Paris: Join an avid local foodie on a walk through the streets of Paris. Visit a variety of patisseries, boulangeries and chocolatiers and sample local treats and delicacies along the way.

Top Rated Highlights
  • : Celebrated across France on 14 July, Bastille Day commemorates the end of the French monarchy. On select departures, witness the remarkable display of fireworks lighting up the warm summer sky and perhaps join in one of the traditional balls.
  • Dijon: Explore Dijon with your Travel Director to learn all about the history of this fascinating city, famous for its mustard and wines.
  • Chamonix: Stay in France's mountaineering capital.
  • Annecy: Enjoy free time in the Little Venice area.
  • Nice: Enjoy exploring the beautiful coastal town of Nice on the French Riviera.
  • Eze: Visit a perfumery to learn about the French perfume industry and discover your signature scent.
  • Monaco City: Explore inside Monaco Cathedral.
  • Monaco City: Enjoy a drive along part of the Grand Prix circuit and wander the old town with your Travel Director to see the Royal Palace and the yacht-filled harbour.
  • Saint-Paul-de-Vence: Discover the beauty of this hilltop town and why it became a refuge for artists.
  • Aix-en-Provence: See the mansions of the Cours Mirabeau, a lively thoroughfare in Aix-en-Provence.
  • Pont du Gard: See the ancient Roman bridges of Pont du Gard that cross the Gardon River.
  • Avignon: View the Pont d'Avignon and walk the medieval narrow streets of the Old Town to the Palais des Papes.
  • Arles: Hear more about the city that is famed for being the inspiration behind the Van Gogh paintings during a city orientation.
  • Cite de Carcassone: Enjoy an orientation of this fortified town and see the fortress, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
  • Albi: This is the birthplace of artist, Toulouse-Lautrec. Walk the town and marvel at the awe-inspiring cathedral.
  • Sarlat-la-Caneda: Explore the cobbled streets of Sarlat-la-Canéda and see the historic golden limestone buildings.
  • Montignac: These caves contain some of the oldest and finest prehistoric art in the world. For preservation reasons, they have been replicated in all their glory.
  • Paris: With a Local Expert, explore the iconic sights and streets of Paris. See famous landmarks including Notre Dame Cathedral, the Eiffel Tower and the facades of the Louvre. Stroll the banks of the River Seine and admire romantic bridges, and enjoy a drive along the Champs Elysées to the Arc de Triomphe.
  • Paris: Shop in quaint boutiques like a true Parisian with your Local Expert.

Well-being
  • : Enjoy the comfort of Insight's luxurious, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and onboard washroom. Our customized luxury coaches are sanitized before the start of your tour and are maintained to very high standards. Physical distancing measures have been implemented on our customized luxury coaches.
  • : Experience enhanced hygiene protocols to align with the latest guidance following COVID-19.All Travel Directors, Well-Being Directors and Drivers have completed training in enhanced well-being and hygiene protocols.
  • : We only work with establishments we are confident will consistently adhere to our high well-being standards, which include hotels, restaurants and sight-seeing venues.
  • : Hand sanitizer is freely available on board for you to use throughout the day.

Travel Director
  • : "I love to see how guests react to Paris because, despite its fame, it still surprises. It’s a majestic city, which shines in the daytime and sparkles at night."
  • : "I decided to become a Travel Director because I love the joy of discovery. When people see a place they've dreamed about, tasted something they've only read about, and hear the music and stories of a place they're exploring, we all share a joyful creation of lifelong memories."
  • : "Paris is truly a delight to all the senses – seeing the iconic architecture, hearing about the history, smelling the wonderful bakeries and tasting the local specialties during our foodie walk."

Authentic Dining
  • Paris: Join your Travel Director and fellow guests at a local restaurant in the heart of Paris for a delightful Welcome Dinner, served with wine.
  • : Journey through the Champagne region and stop for a taste of the bubbles.
  • Grenoble: Enjoy a delicious dinner in Grenoble.
  • Cahors: See the Pont Valentré as you enjoy a tasting through the markets.
  • Sarlat-la-Caneda: Enjoy a delicious farm-to-table dinner, prepared with locally sourced ingredients, and served with wines from the local region.
  • Paris: Join an avid local foodie on a walk through the streets of Paris. Visit a variety of patisseries, boulangeries and chocolatiers and sample local treats and delicacies along the way.
  • Paris: Rendezvous with your friends at a typical French bistro for a rousing Celebration Dinner with wine. Bon Appetit!
  • Dining Summary: 7 Dinner with Wine (DW), and 15 Breakfast (B)

Insight Experiences
  • Saint-Paul-de-Vence: Join a pétanque player to learn the secrets behind this traditional French discipline. Steady your hand and get ready to test your newfound skills in a game. End with a glass of pastis, a French apéritif.

Make Travel Matter
  • Provence: Taste renowned wines and gastronomic olive oils at Domaine de la Vallongue. Set in the heart of the Alpilles the estate plants vines that have been organically grown since 1985 and harvests using traditional, sustainable methods.

Insight Tour Itinerary

Day 1Welcome to Paris
On arrival at Charles de Gaulle Airport, transfers leave for the hotel at 09:00, 11:30 and 14:00. After checking in, the capital’s grand boulevards and world-famous landmarks are yours to explore. At 17:30, meet your Travel Director and fellow guests at the hotel before joining a Welcome Dinner at Brasserie Bofinger, a local restaurant with cuisine inspired by country recipes.
Visits: Paris
Meals: Dinner with Wine
Accommodation: Pullman Paris Centre Bercy.
Day 2Champagne Region and on to Dijon
Journey through the Champagne region. Stop to savour a taste of champagne, for which this region is world famous. Continue on to your hotel in Dijon.
Visits: Paris, Troyes, Dijon
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Accommodation: Grand Hotel Dijon La Cloche, Dijon.
Day 3Free Time in Dijon Relaxed Start
Enjoy the Burgundy capital of Dijon. Its many handsome buildings recall the time when the Dukes of Burgundy were more powerful than the Kings of France. Perhaps take the opportunity to visit the wine capital of Burgundy, Beaune? In the evening, don't miss the chance of an optional Burgundy wine tasting and traditional dinner in the Premier Cru village of Fixin.
Visits: Dijon
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Grand Hotel Dijon La Cloche, Dijon.
Day 4Chamonix
Travel towards the Mâconnais and Beaujolais before turning east into the Alps. A scenic symphony awaits you as you ascend into the high Alps and climb towards Mont Blanc, Western Europe’s highest mountain. Your destination is the fashionable ski resort of Chamonix. In the evening you may choose to try a local pierrade at a local trendy eatery in a traditional chalet. This Optional Experience provides the chance to try a typical regional meal, cooked on a table barbecue using on a hot stone.
Visits: Chamonix
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel Mercure Chamonix.
Day 5Lakeside Annecy and Grenoble Relaxed Start
In the morning, embark on a beautiful journey to the lakeside town of Annecy, dramatically situated between lake and mountains, it's a medieval spectacle and a summer getaway for the French and the Swiss locals. Enjoy free time for lunch in Little Venice, aptly named for the network of canals criss-crossing through the Old Town. Explore the city’s many lovely bridges at your leisure. Continue on to your hotel in Grenoble. This evening, savour a delicious dinner at a local restaurant.
Visits: Chamonix, Annecy, Grenoble
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Accommodation: Park Hôtel Grenoble-MGallery.
Day 6The French Riviera to reach Nice
Glorious mountain scenery will be yours to enjoy as you travel along a spectacular route, used by the Emperor Napoleon when he returned from his first exile to try to take the throne of France once more. Continue to the French Riviera to reach the elegant resort of Nice. The rest of the afternoon is free for you to explore as you wish. In the evening, why not walk through old town Nice, ending in Cours Saleya where dinner is at your leisure at one of the many lovely bistros?
Visits: Grenoble, Nice
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Radisson Blu Hotel, Nice.
Day 7Monaco and the Côte d’Azur
Wake up ready to rub shoulders with the jet-set on the glamorous Côte d’Azur. Unlock the secrets of the French perfume industry with a visit to a perfumery, where fragrance experts waft exclusive scents from stoppered bottles. Then enjoy a drive along part of the Grand Prix circuit in Monaco and walk with your Travel Director through the old town to see the Royal Palace and yacht-filled harbour. Your exploration continues as you visit inside Monaco Cathedral, housing the tomb of Princess Grace. The rest of the day is set aside for you to enjoy the French Riviera at your own pace. Perhaps join an Optional Experience to visit to the medieval village of Eze and its hill-top Botanical Gardens for a spectacular view of the coastline?
Visits: Nice, Monaco City
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Radisson Blu Hotel, Nice.
Day 8Picturesque Provence
Visit the medieval village of Saint-Paul de Vence, perched high above the Riviera beaches. A walk through its winding streets reveals elegant fountains, vine-covered stone walls and views of mountains and sea. Enjoy a lesson in the French sport of pétanque. Steady your hand and get ready to test your newfound skills as you take part in a game, completed by a glass of pastis, a French apéritif. Continue to Aix-en-Provence to see the sumptuous mansions lining the Cours Mirabeau and on to your hotel.
Visits: Nice, Saint-Paul-de-Vence, Aix-en-Provence
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Aquabella Hotel & Spa, Aix-en-Provence.
Day 9Avignon and Pont du Gard
Journey to Pont du Gard to see the magnificent ancient Roman aqueduct bridge. Continue on to Avignon to enjoy views of the remaining arches of the Pont d'Avignon and the fortified Papal Palace.Stop at the beautiful Domaine de la Vallongue for a tasting of its renowned wines and gastronomic olive oils. A MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, the estate uses traditional practices throughout, creating a sustainable business for future generations.
Visits: Pont du Gard, Avignon, Aix-en-Provence
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Aquabella Hotel & Spa, Aix-en-Provence.
Day 10Carcassonne and to Albi
Head to beautiful Arles and learn about its historical connection to Vincent Van Gogh, who produced over 300 artworks during his time in the city. Cross the fertile Languedoc region, before journeying inland to the fortified town of Carcassonne. Travellers are often amazed at their first sight of this medieval gem, known for its fortress - a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with a complete set of ramparts and a medieval keep. Travel to Albi, the birthplace of the Toulouse Lautrec. During your orientation with your Travel Director, marvel at iconic sites including the views of Toulouse Lautrec Museum and the famous awe-inspiring cathedral, before spending the remainder of the day at leisure.
Visits: Aix-en-Provence, Arles, Carcassonne, Albi
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hôtel Saint Antoine, Albi.
Day 11Free Time in Albi
Enjoy a full day at leisure, to relax and soak up the atmosphere of Albi.This evening savour a delicious dinner of carefully selected fresh ingredients, at a local restaurant.
Visits: Albi
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Accommodation: Hôtel Saint Antoine, Albi.
Day 12Cahors and Rocamadour Relaxed Start
Stop in Cahors, famous for its Black Wine, and see the Pont Valentré. You'll also have the opportunity to explore the open air market - full of fresh, seasonal produce and local delicacies, it's an experience to delight all of the senses. Travel to Rocamadour and enjoy free time to explore this medieval town perched on a cliff side above the Alzou River and known as a resting place for pilgrims on their way to Spain. Continue to the beautiful town of Sarlat-la-Canéda, its medieval core blessed with fine historic golden limestone houses.
Visits: Albi, Cahors, Rocamadour, Sarlat-la-Caneda
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Accommodation: Hotel Le Perigord, La Roque-Gageac. , Hotel Anne d'Anjou, Saumur.
Day 13Exploring the Dordogne Valley
Start the day with a morning drive into the stunning Valley of the Dordogne to visit Lascaux II, where the world-famous prehistoric cave paintings have been faithfully reproduced.Enjoy a delicious Farm-to-Table Dinner, prepared with locally sourced ingredients and served with wines from the region.
Visits: Sarlat-la-Caneda, Lascaux
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Accommodation: Hotel Le Perigord, La Roque-Gageac. , Hotel Anne d'Anjou, Saumur.
Day 14Paris, The City of Light
Travel onwards to immerse yourself in the beautiful city of Paris where on arrival you are free to explore this fascinating city as you wish. As evening descends, the City of Light lives up to its name as the monuments, buildings and bridges are lit up in all their glory. For that special touch of excitement and glamour don't miss the chance to join an Optional Experience to one of the world-famous cabaret shows.
Visits: Sarlat-la-Caneda, Paris
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Le Méridien Etoile, Paris.
Day 15Romantic Capital on the Seine
During your time in Paris, see the impressive Eiffel Tower, the imposing facades of the Louvre, the obelisk in the centre of the Place de la Concorde and enjoy a drive along the Champs Élysées to Napoleon's Arc de Triomphe. Today enjoy an Insight Choice experience. Choose to shop in quaint boutiques like a true Parisian for fashion, perfume or cosmetics with your Local Expert. Alternatively, join a Local Expert, an avid foodie, as you head into areas where Parisians go about their daily lives to explore small shops and sample local treats and delicacies. You are in for a memorable evening starting with a delicious Celebration Dinner at the historic restaurant La Coupole, serving delicious French cuisine and wine.
Visits: Paris
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Accommodation: Le Méridien Etoile, Paris.
Day 16Au Revoir Paris
Your departure transfer will arrive at Charles de Gaulle Airport at 08:00 or 11:00.
Visits: Paris
Meals: Breakfast


Available Room Types: Single, Triple, Twin, Twinshare
Child: ages 5 to 17

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