Eight days in France takes you from the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre in Paris through the palace gardens of Versailles, down to the sun-soaked Riviera coast at Nice and Cannes, and along the lavender fields and medieval villages of Provence. France is the country that invented the idea of living well and every day here proves it.
Eight days in France takes you from the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre in Paris through the palace gardens of Versailles, down to the sun-soaked Riviera coast at Nice and Cannes, and along the lavender fields and medieval villages of Provence. France is the country that invented the idea of living well and every day here proves it.
Arrive at Charles de Gaulle Airport and transfer to your Paris hotel. Afternoon walk to the Eiffel Tower for the view from the Champ de Mars lawn and optional ascent to the second floor. Walk along the Seine past the Pont des Arts and Notre Dame Cathedral, currently restored after the 2019 fire. Evening in Montmartre, the hilltop artists' quarter, for dinner at a bistro on the Place du Tertre. Overnight Paris.
Morning at the Louvre, the world's largest art museum, for the Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, and Winged Victory of Samothrace - arrive at opening to beat the crowds. Walk across the Seine to Notre Dame Cathedral, now reopened after its restoration. Afternoon in the Latin Quarter's narrow medieval streets and the Saint-Germain-des-Pres neighbourhood for the best bookshops and cafes in Paris. Evening Bateaux Mouches Seine cruise with the city illuminated at night. Overnight Paris.
45-minute train to the Palace of Versailles, the most extravagant royal residence ever built. Walk through the Hall of Mirrors where the Treaty of World War I was signed. Explore the 800-hectare gardens designed by Le Notre with their fountains, parterres, and the Grand Canal. Visit the Petit and Grand Trianon, the private retreats of Marie Antoinette, away from the main palace crowds. Return to Paris for evening. Overnight Paris.
Morning at the Musee d'Orsay, the Impressionist masterpiece collection in a converted railway station with Monet, Renoir, and Van Gogh. Afternoon in the Marais, Paris's most beautiful neighbourhood, for the Place des Vosges and the Jewish Quarter. Optional stop at Pere Lachaise cemetery for Jim Morrison, Oscar Wilde, and Edith Piaf. Evening TGV high-speed train to Lyon, France's gastronomic capital. Overnight Lyon.
Morning in Lyon's UNESCO old town exploring the traboules, the secret covered passageways that connect the silk workers' buildings behind the facades. Visit the ancient Roman amphitheatre on Fourviere Hill. Afternoon train 2.5 hours to Nice on the French Riviera. Evening walk along the Promenade des Anglais as the Mediterranean turns gold at sunset. Overnight Nice.
Morning in Nice's old town for the Cours Saleya flower and produce market, the best in the south of France. Visit the Matisse Museum in Cimiez where Henri Matisse spent his final years. Afternoon drive along the Corniche to Cannes for the Croisette promenade and the famous Palais des Festivals. Stop at the charming medieval old town of Antibes with Picasso's studio. Return to Nice. Overnight Nice.
30-minute train to Monaco, the world's second smallest country. Morning at the Prince's Palace for the changing of the guard at 11:55 AM and views over the Mediterranean harbour packed with superyachts. Visit the extraordinary Oceanographic Museum founded by Jacques Cousteau, built into the cliff face above the sea. Afternoon walk through the Casino de Monte-Carlo gardens and look inside the legendary gaming rooms. Return to Nice. Overnight Nice.
Morning drive up to the medieval hilltop village of Eze perched 430 metres above the Mediterranean with extraordinary Riviera views. Drive to Grasse, the world capital of perfume, for a workshop at one of the historic perfume houses creating your own fragrance. Transfer to Nice Airport for your return flight. End of tour.
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