Trafalgar
OFFER ID 1478063
Best Of France
Expect only the best on one of our favorite France trips, beginning and ending in Paris. Spend the night as a French lord or lady in an elegant Loire Valley chteau, be inspired like Cezanne was, by the beauty of Provence and visit the playground of Monaco.
Dining Summary
12 nights from $4,675 per person
Trafalgar Tours: Best of France
Day 1 - Bonjour Paris
All the flavors of France come to life on this unforgettable journey, which kicks off in Paris, the 'City of Light'. Spend your day strolling past its iconic landmarks in search of hidden treasures, before joining your fellow travelers and Travel Director for a Welcome Reception and an orientation drive through the city.
Accommodations: Mercure 17 Batignolles
Meals: Dinner
Day 2 - Journey through Burgundy to Lyon
We travel south to Burgundy and on to the medieval town of Beaune. On a visit to Hospices de Beaune admire the colorful geometric roof tiles of the 15th century. Next we continue to Lyon, the gourmet capital of France. Consider spending your evening delving into the epicurean delights for which Lyon is justifiably famous. Why not wander up the city's narrow lanes lined with pastel pink and yellow fa??ades in search of a cozy bouchon for a tasty dinner with newfound friends?
Accommodations: Mercure Center Saxe Lafayette
Meals: Breakfast
Day 3 - Onwards to Avignon, Monaco and the French Riviera
Today we journey to the city of Avignon at the heart of Provence. See the Papal Palace and the bridge made famous by the song - Sur le Pont d'Avignon. Continue through the Provençal countryside to Monaco. Upon arrival we'll view the cathedral where Prince Rainier and Princess Grace were married, where we will enjoy a Regional Dinner in Monaco before continuing along the Riviera to our hotel.
Accommodations: Holiday Inn Nice
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 4 - The French Riviera Your Way
The sun-kissed shores of the French Riviera are yours to explore today. Consider relaxing on the beach with your fellow sun-worshippers or an Optional Experience could see you visit the hilltop town of Saint-Paul-de-Vence, consistently named the most beautiful hilltop town in this region. In your free time, soak up the fresh sea air and perhaps indulge in a delicious Salade Niçoise.
Accommodations: Holiday Inn Nice
Meals: Breakfast
Day 5 - Admire Arles and Continue to Carcassonne
Visit Arles with its honey-colored façades, Roman ruins and Camargue culture, and enjoy some time at leisure to explore this beautiful city. Alternatively, choose an Optional Experience to gain a deeper understanding of Vincent van Gogh and local history with our resident expert before winding your way to the fortified city of Carcassonne. A guided exploration of this exquisite, ancient town will reveal the Cité, its double ring of ramparts and 52 towers.
Accommodations: Mercure La Cité
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 6 - Pilgrimage to Lourdes and on to Biarritz
We drive toward the Pyrenees this morning and arrive in Lourdes, the global center of the Marian pilgrimage. You will have an opportunity to see the Basilica, perched atop St. Bernadette's Grotto, where the young girl, turned saint, is said to have seen visions of the Virgin Mary. Then, travel west to the Basque Coast, where we spend the night.
Accommodations: Novotel Anglet Biarritz.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 7 - Venture to Bordeaux
This morning, perhaps join an Optional Experience across the border into Spain to discover more about the Basque Country. Later, after journeying through Les Landes, we arrive in the wine capital of Bordeaux, whose stunning Garonne riverfront and Age of Enlightenment history and architecture have made it one of France's most visited cities. Bordeaux wine has been produced in the region since the 8th century and the biannual wine fair attracts buyers from all over the world. Spend some time seeing the sights during your orientation of the city.
Accommodations: Mercure Center Ville
Meals: Breakfast
Day 8 - Discover Beautiful Saint-Émilion
Lush green valleys and wine hills take center stage today during a scenic half-day included excursion to Saint-Émilion, whose wine heritage dates back to Roman times. You will also have free time to explore Bordeaux and perhaps tease your taste buds with delicious Bordelaise cuisine or stroll through the city's historical center admiring its beautiful architecture.
Accommodations: Mercure Center Ville
Meals: Breakfast
Day 9 - Explore a Chteau in the Loire Valley Stays With Stories
Today we journey to the renowned Loire Valley, known as the 'Garden of France'. Along the way, we will stop to Connect With Locals over a light lunch and unique Be My Guest experience. Next we Dive Into Culture and visit the remarkable gardens at Chteau de Villandry where you will see an array of beautiful gardens; such as the Water Garden which is filled with spectacular ponds and fountains. Later, arrive at our special hotel for the night - one of Trafalgar's Stays With Stories.
Accommodations: Chteau de Beauvois
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 10 - Off to Mont-Saint-Michel and the Normandy Beaches
We travel through the patchwork landscapes of Brittany, to the island settlement of Mont-Saint-Michel on the Normandy coast, where we visit the island town and view the impressive Norman Benedictine Abbey. Follow the Liberty Highway to St. Lô and on to Omaha Beach. Reflect on the bravery of the young men who sacrificed their lives for freedom and visit the D-Day Landing Zone to learn how the operation was planned and executed. Arrive later at your hotel where you dine tonight.
Accommodations: Mercure Omaha Beach
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 11 - Journey to Paris
We travel east towards Paris, stopping at Giverny to visit the house and gardens that once inspired Claude Monet's exquisite Impressionist works of art. This evening, consider a trip to one of the city's renowned cabarets.
Accommodations: Mercure 17 Batignolles
Meals: Breakfast
Day 12 - Discover the Delights of Paris
Join your Local Specialist on a journey through the historic neighborhoods of Paris to see where the locals live and shop. View the remarkable church of Saint-Sulpice. Spend the rest of the day enjoying the sights on your terms. Enjoy a leisurely café au lait in quiet surrounds or consider an Optional Experience to the opulent Palace of Versailles. This evening, we celebrate an epic adventure with your Travel Director and newfound friends at a Farewell Dinner.
Accommodations: Mercure 17 Batignolles
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 13 - Farewell Paris
For now it's time to bid a fond au revoir to the Best of France and your fellow travelers at the end of a magical and memorable holiday.
Meals: Breakfast
Nice: Picturesque Towns of the Cote d’Azur – 8 hours
No visit to the stunning Cote d'Azur would be complete without a visit to Nice's wonderful Old Town and the charismatic village of Saint-Paul-de-Vence. Begin with a warm welcome from your driver-guide who will be delighted to discuss the local culture, history and lifestyle of the area. Discover the historic atmosphere of Nice's Old Town whilst taking in the aromas of its bustling market.
Continue on a scenic journey to the medieval village of Saint-Paul-de-Vence. This charming village, with its bohemian atmosphere, is a mecca for artists and here you have time for lunch at leisure (payable locally). Later this afternoon, stop at the wonderful Rosary Chapel, considered by Henri Matisse to be his finest work. After your tour you will be privately transferred back to your cruise ship.
Highlights:
Nice - Shore Excursion - Discovery of Saint-Paul de Vence, Haut de Cagnes & Gourdon - 8 hours
Nice Shore Excursion - Discovery of Nice, Eze & Monaco - 8 hours
Meet your private English speaking driver guide who will wait for you with a nominative board at the main exit of your ship and depart for a visit of Nice, Eze & Monaco.
HIGHLIGHTS
Nice Shore Excursion - Discovery of Grasse, Cannes & Antibes - 8 hours
Meet your private English speaking driver guide who will wait for you with a nominative board at the main exit of your ship and depart for a visit of Grasse, Cannes & Antibes.
HIGHLIGHTS
Nice - Full Day Tour - 8 hours
Nice Shore Excursion. This excursion will give you a wonderful glance at the beautiful city of Nice on the Riviera. You will be impressed by the colors of its market and during the afternoon you could visit Matisse Museum showing an important collection of the painter.
9:00 am: Be met at the foot of your cruise ship.
Everything is emphasized in Nice; the bright sunlight makes the colors flash. The green pines happily rub shoulders with the blue of the Mediterranean Sea and that of the sky. It is easy to see why the Côte d’Azur fascinates so many people. Many of the artists, painters, writers, sculptors and musicians who contributed to the city’s fame, have museums here, dedicated to their works.
In the morning, the Cours Saleya has daily flower and food markets. Low buildings border the length of Cours Saleya, separating it from the sea.
You will view the luxurious Belle Époque-style residences, including the fabulous Négresco palace, built on the sea front. The Négresco, whose dome can be admired from the Promenade des Anglais, is the finest example of Belle Époque architecture. Visit the Russian Church (open from Tuesdays to Sundays from 9:00 am to 12:00 and from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm. Closed during religious ceremonies).
Enjoy a walking tour of the old town. The old town’s soul and history are reflected in the narrow streets and alleys that curve, in an irregular fashion, among old buildings and red-tiled roofs. Give your taste buds a new experience and enjoy some socca with a glass of wine. Socca is a local specialty made from chickpea flour, and a trip to Nice would not be complete without having tasted it! Enjoy lunch at leisure in a typical restaurant in Nice. During the afternoon you could visit Matisse Museum. Situated on the hill of Cimiez, it displays an important monographic collection of works.
5.00 pm: return to your Hotel.
Tour Duration: 8 hours.
Tour can operate: Any Day
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes.
Physical Activity Level: Moderate.
Included:
Deluxe minivan that can carry up to 6 passengers
Professional English-speaking guide-driver who will chauffeur you on your sightseeing-tour and is licensed to guide and accompany you on walking tours as well as into museums and monuments.
24-hour assistance available during your stay
All taxes
Free entrance to Matisse Museum
(Matisse Museum is open every day except on Tuesdays from 10:00 to 6:00 pm)
Not Included:
Tips
Lunch or dinner
Nice & Cannes - Full Day Tour - 8 hours
Nice and Cannes Shore Excursion. This excursion is perfect for those who wish to discover the chic French Riviera: in Nice, you will be impressed by the colors of its market and during the afternoon pursue this excursion with the beautiful city of Cannes, famous for hosting every year the Film Festival.
9:00 am: Be met at the foot of your cruise ship.
Drive to Nice. Everything is emphasized in Nice; the bright sunlight makes the colors flash. The green pines happily rub shoulders with the blue of the Mediterranean Sea and that of the sky. It is easy to see why the Côte d’Azur fascinates so many people. Many of the artists, painters, writers, sculptors and musicians who contributed to the city’s fame, have museums here, dedicated to their works. You will view the luxurious Belle Époque-style residences, including the fabulous Négresco palace, built on the sea front. The Négresco, whose dome can be admired from the Promenade des Anglais, is the finest example of Belle Époque architecture. Visit the Russian Church (not available on Sunday mornings). Enjoy a walking tour of the old town. Enjoy lunch at leisure in a typical restaurant.
During the afternoon, drive to Cannes. Your guide will escort you to visit the city main points of interest:
Old town— The usual narrow winding streets filled with restaurants and souvenir shops. Covered Market (Marché Forville)— For a spectacular eating and viewing food experience, no other market in Cannes beats this for scale and variety.
Palais des Festivals— Down La Croisette is the famous Palais des Festivals, where stars of the screen gather and watch films screened during the festival. Irresistible not to pose for a photograph on the 22 steps leading up to the entrance.
Port— Admire the yachts of the rich and possibly famous - though true mega-yachts will be found at the International Yacht Club down the coast in Antibes.
La Croisette— Cannes catwalk beside the sea, it is the center of the city's tourist activity and known for its luxury hotels and boutique shops.
5.00 pm: return to your Hotel.
Tour Duration: 8 hours.
Tour can operate: Any Day
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes.
Physical Activity Level: Moderate.
Included:
Deluxe minivan that can carry up to 6 passengers
Professional English-speaking guide-driver who will chauffeur you on your sightseeing-tour and is licensed to guide and accompany you on walking tours as well as into museums and monuments.
24-hour assistance available during your stay
All taxes
Not Included:
Tips
Lunch or dinner
Nice, Villefranche & St Jean Cap Ferrat - Half Day Tour - 4 hours
Nice, Villefranche and St Jean Cap Ferrat Shore Excursion. You will be impressed by Nice’s lights and colors. In Villefranche you will have the opportunity to see the Chapelle Saint-Pierre which was restored by Jean Cocteau. Then, visit St. Jean Cap Ferrat, an exceptional site on the Mediterranean coast.
9:00 am or 2:00 pm: Be met at the foot of your cruise ship or your hotel.
Everything is emphasized in Nice. In this natural, rocky setting, the sun highlights the yellow shades of flowers and the ochre-colored houses. It is easy to see why the Côte d’Azur fascinates so many people. Many of the artists, painters, writers, sculptors and musicians who contributed to the city’s fame, have museums here dedicated to their works. You will view the luxurious Belle Époque-style residences, including the fabulous Négresco palace that is built on the sea front. The Négresco, whose dome can be admired from the Promenade des Anglais, is the finest example of Belle Époque architecture. In the morning, the Cours Saleya has daily flower and food markets. There are scores of stands, and you will find everything from professional merchants with their well-displayed wares to farmers that offer their fresh produce and live fowl on folding tables. Low buildings border the length of Cours Saleya, separating it from the sea.
Continue on to Villefranche and visit the Chapel Saint Pierre. This old "Norman" style chapel, devoted to St-Pierre, the patron saint of fishermen, was completely restored and decorated by Jean Cocteau. The artist wanted to decorate the chapel and make it into a place of worship, dedicated to the fishermen from Villefranche, Beaulieu and St-Jean-Cap-Ferrat. Jean Cocteau wanted his artwork to evoke certain episodes in the Saint's life in a way that would be comprehensible to all.
Time permitting, continue your trip and drive towards St. Jean Cap Ferrat, an exceptional site on the Mediterranean coast. Its tranquility and warm climate make it a well-known vacation spot.
1:00 pm or 6:00 pm: Return to your ship or to your hotel.
Tour Duration: 4 hours.
Tour can operate: Any Day
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes.
Physical Activity Level: Moderate.
Included:
Deluxe minivan that can carry up to 6 passengers
Professional English-speaking guide-driver who will chauffeur you on your sightseeing-tour and is licensed to guide and accompany you on walking tours as well as into museums and monuments.
24-hour assistance available during your stay
All taxes
Not Included:
Tips
Lunch or dinner
Bordeaux - About Grape Varietals… - 8 hours
Bordeaux - Wine Architecture in Saint-Emilion - 8 hours
Bordeaux - Gourmet tour - 8 hours
Bordeaux - Cultural tour - 8 hours
Bordeaux -Saint Emilion Wine Tour - 8 hours
Bordeaux - A Wine, a Vintage, a Tasting… - 8 hours
A Wine, a Vintage, a Tasting…
Taste and identify the differences between the great Bordeaux wines, according to the vintage…
Wine experts give a great importance to Vintages. Why is it so important? How to recognize the quality of the vintage? How to guess the vintage? Should we agree or is it a matter of taste? Let us taste 4 vintages from the same wine property and comment. The expert guides you and shares his knowledge while you comment and learn tricks of the trade.
Château Grand Vertical Tasting Workshop
The privilege of tasting 6 great vintages dating back as far as 20 years:
• Château de Ferrand 1988 & 1989
• Château de Ferrand 1998 & 1999
• Château de Ferrand 2008 & 2009
This workshop includes a private tour, an initiation into aromas, a tasting of 6 vintages, and a food/wine pairing with our “Assiette Gourmande”.
Schedule:
09:00am - Departure from the harbor of Bordeaux
10:00am - First winery tour such as Château Faugères
11:30am - Discover the enchanting medieval village of Saint-Emilion, classified by Unesco in 1999. A luminous, ochre-colored jewel built of limestone and Roman roof tiles, it is perched on a plateau and completely surrounded by a sea of vineyards.
The steep and narrow cobblestone streets are lined with remnants of monasteries and convents dating from the 11th to 18th centuries that tell the story of the village. A Unesco World Heritage-inspired scavenger hunt will bring you face to face with the art, wine and stunning landscapes of Saint-Emilion.
12:30pm to 02:00pm - Time to stroll and have lunch
02:30 pm - Wine tasting at Chateau La Dominique
05:00pm - End of the tour
Tour Duration: 8 hours
Wheelchair Accessible: NO
Physical Activity Level: Light,
Package price includes
Le Havre - Shore Excursion Etretat / Fecamp - 8 hours
Meet your private English speaking driver guide who will wait for you with a nominative board at the main exit of your ship and depart for a visit of Etretat & Fecamp
HIGHLIGHTS:
Etretat is found in the Seine-Maritime department of Normandy, 20 kilometres north of Le Havre. The town is on the Normandy coast, and is renowned for its 70 metre high picture postcard white cliffs, and the arches and tunnels in the cliffs that jut out to sea, and a large rock needle. Both the cliffs and village are the scenic highlight of the region and not to be missed if you visiting this part of Normandy.
Fecamp is situated between cliffs and has a medium sized pleasure boats harbor and a fishing harbor. There are several shopping streets, museums, restaurants and a cathedral.
End of the tour at your ship
Tour Duration: 8 hours
Wheelchair Accessible: NO
Physical Activity Level: Light
Package includes
Le Havre - Shore Excursion Flower Coast - 8 hours
Meet your private English speaking driver guide who will wait for you with a nominative board at the main exit of your ship and depart for a visit of the Flower coast
HIGHLIGHTS
You will take the coast road out of the town and pass through the seaside villages along the way, complete with their old whaling stations, such as Trouville, Villers sur Mer and Houlgate. If you wish you can follow in the footsteps of the American Film Festival at the “Planches de Deauville”, or visit the sumptuous casino to be found in this holiday town.
A visit to Honfleur is in itself a complete history lesson, from the 100 years war, through the voyages of discovery to the New World during the 17th century to the art of the impressionists. As a defense against invasion by the English the town was walled and fortified during the second half of the 14th century.
End of the tour at your ship
Tour Duration: 8 hours
Wheelchair Accessible: NO
Physical Activity Level: Light'
Package includes
- English speaking licensed driver guide with a deluxe car with AC at disposal
- All entrance fees
- All tax and Vat
Does not include
- Lunch
- Gratuities
- Travel insurance and personal expenses
Departure dates : all day , all year
May 1st - due to French law, cost double
Le Havre - Shore Excursion Normandy Landing Beaches - 8 hours
Meet your private English speaking driver guide who will wait for you with a nominative board at the main exit of your ship and depart for a visit of the Normandy Landing Beaches
HIGHLIGHTS
Departure for a full day to relive all instants that made Normandy, on June 6th, 1944, the most important battlefield of the 20th century history. From Bloody Omaha to Gold Beach, you will get your fill of emotions, through various sites, on the roads taken by our liberators during the Overlord Operation, while appreciating the story of our guides.
The Pointe du Hoc battlefield, which remained intact after the rangers’ assault, will carry you away to the heart of the fierce battle conducted by the first wave on the orders of the colonel Rudder.
End of the tour at your ship
Tour Duration: 8 hours
Wheelchair Accessible: NO
Physical Activity Level: Light
Package includes
- Transportation: pick up/drop off at the Port
- English speaking licensed driver guide with a deluxe car with AC at disposal
- All entrance fees
- All tax and Vat
Does not include
- Lunch
- Gratuities
- Travel insurance and personal expenses
Departure dates : all day , all year
May 1st - due to French law, cost double
All fares are quoted in US Dollars.
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