DAY 1 – MONTE CARLO
Transfer to your hotel before dining waterside at Fontvieille marina. Enjoy an evening drive along the legendary Formula 1 Grand Prix circuit to the Grimaldi Palace.
Magnificent Stay: Fairmont Monte Carlo
Meals Included: Dinner
DAY 2 – NICE / MONTE CARLO
In Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, join a Local Expert touring the opulent Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild. Continue to Nice where joining a Local Expert on a walk through the streets of Old Nice viewing the opera house, admire the Sainte-Réparate Cathedral and maybe taste some socca at the colorful food market on the Cours Saleya.
Magnificent Stay: Fairmont Monte Carlo
Meals Included: Breakfast
DAY 3 – ST. TROPEZ / AIX-EN-PROVENCE
Step into the glamour of the French Riviera in St. Tropez with a Local Expert. Taste the local Tarte Tropézienne at the bakery where it was originally created.
Magnificent Stay: Château de Fonscolombe
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 4 – AIX-EN-PROVENCE
Follow the footsteps of Paul Cézanne along the Old Town and tree-lined boulevard of Cours Mirabeau and enjoy a French pastry and coffee in one of the most prestigious residences. Then curate your visit at the stunning Château La Coste winery and open-air museum. Or, join a Local Expert for a relaxed walk among the installations created by the best modern artists and architects.
Magnificent Stay: Château de Fonscolombe
Meals Included: Breakfast
DAY 5 – CALANQUES NATIONAL PARK
Today is ripe with adventure as you journey through traditional French hilltop villages and stop in the quaint cobbled town of Le Castellet en route to Cassis and board your private cruise to Calanques National Park. Journey past towering, reddish-brown limestone cliffs looming over turquoise waters, narrow and deep fjord-like inlets, and hidden beaches. In the afternoon, relax at your boutique hotel by strolling or cycling in the Château gardens, trying your hand at the classic French game of pétanque on the lavish grounds – glass of pastis at hand or lounging by the pool. This evening, indulge in a 3 Course Dinner at the beautiful Chex Gilbert.
Magnificent Stay: Château de Fonscolombe
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 6 – LOURMARIN / NIMES
Visit the village of Lourmarin to browse the stalls of its famous market. Take a seat in your vintage Citroen 2CV and embark on a chauffeured drive through the Luberon mountains, through lush vineyards and scenic villages arriving at the Domaine de la Citadelle winery to taste its wines with a picnic prepared by local chef Madame Dromer.
Magnificent Stay: Maison Albar L’Imperator, Nimes
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
DAY 7 – LES BAUX-DE-PROVENCE
Visit the renowned Pont du Gard, a well-preserved Roman aqueduct. Observe how this three-level, 900-footlong bridge was built out of soft yellow limestone blocks from a nearby quarry. Stop in Avignon and admire the Palace of the Popes, the famous broken bridge and beautiful squares shaded by leafy platanes. Continue through the Alpilles National Park to the village of Les Baux-de-Provence.
Magnificent Stay: Maison Albar L’Imperator, Nimes
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 8 – ARLES / CARCASSONNE
Journey on to the fortified city of Carcassonne, one of the largest surviving medieval walled cities in Europe. Explore Van Gogh’s town of Arles and visit the Roman Amphitheater with a Local Expert. Journey through Camargue to your hotel in Carcassonne in the heart of the city.
Magnificent Stay: Hôtel de la Cité Carcassonne – MGallery
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 9 – CARCASSONNE / LANGUEDOC REGION
After exploring Carcassonne venture into the rolling countryside to the village of Lastours overlooked by its four Cathar castles. Meet Jean-Marc Boyer, the Michelin-starred Chef of Le Puits du Trésor where you enjoy a traditional French cooking class and savor the food you have prepared accompanied by local wine. Relax on our evening cruise of the Canal du Midi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Magnificent Stay: Hôtel de la Cité Carcassonne – MGallery
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
DAY 10 – BORDEAUX / ST. ÉMILION
Journey to the enchanting city of Bordeaux where you will have time to have lunch and explore this elegant, 18th century jewel on the banks of the Garonne. Refreshed and ready to explore further afield, visit the nearby, charming town of St. Émilion, regarded as one of the most beautiful in France and one of UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites. After time visiting its winding cobbled streets and 12th-century monolithic church, drive through the lush vineyards to Château de Ferrand, home to Madame Bic and Monsieur Chandon. Here we enjoy a tour of the winery followed by a tasting of some of its fine vintages and an exclusive dinner in a wonderful setting.
Magnificent Stay: Hôtel Burdigala, Bordeaux
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 11 – BORDEAUX
Learn about the 18th-century architecture of Vieux Bordeaux with a Local Expert. Or set off on a leisurely bike ride around the Garonne River before ending at the picturesque Jardin Public.
Magnificent Stay: Hôtel Burdigala, Bordeaux
Meals Included: Breakfast
DAY 12 – PARIS
After a leisurely breakfast, board your high-speed train that whisks you through the French countryside to Paris, the most romantic city in the world. Enjoy lunch in the Montparnasse district before setting off to see the landmark sights of the capital city including Notre Dame, the Arc de Triomphe, the Champs-Élysées and the Eiffel Tower. Enjoy an evening at leisure in this dazzling city.
Magnificent Stay: Hôtel Napoléon, Paris
Meals Included: Breakfast
DAY 13 – PARIS
Join a Local Expert to discover the artists of Montmartre or explore the hidden squares and galleries of Paris. Tonight, the climax of your French trip will be a celebration dinner on the glittering Eiffel Tower: a chance to bid a fond farewell to your fellow travelers and this wonderful city.
Magnificent Stay: Hôtel Napoléon, Paris
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 14 – DEPART PARIS
Enjoy a relaxed breakfast before your private transfer to the airport for your onward journey.
Meals Included: Breakfast
