14-Nights Ultimate Southern France with Paris Extension
Frolic in France and Monaco on this 15-day guided tour. In spectacular Saint-Tropez, a Local Expert will guide you along the coastal town’s ancient walls for stunning views of the sea below. See three architecture styles beautifully combine at the Aix-en-Provence Cathedral. Slide into the passenger’s seat of a vintage car for a drive through the countryside, then sip on wine at a countryside winery. Watch as lights dance across a limestone quarry at the Carrières de Lumières show. In Avignon, feast on French food at the Michelin-starred La Vieille Fontaine. In Paris, take your two-day museum pass to the city’s most incredible sights, including the Louvre and the Musée d’Orsay.
Dining Summary
- 4 Dinner (D)
- 14 Breakfast (B)
- 4 Lunch (L)
- Choose between two carefully selected activities
- Chateau La Coste: On this MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience sample the estate’s organic wines and visit their one-of-a-kind contemporary wine cellar. In 2009, the wines of Chteau La Coste were labeled "Organic Agriculture", a label which recognizes respect for the land as well as the methods, in perfect harmony with nature.
- Chateau La Coste: Join a Local Expert for a relaxed walk among olive groves and woods to discover the installations created by the best modern artists and architects.
- Choose between two carefully selected activities
- Bordeaux: Take a relaxing bike tour around the City of Bordeaux. Enjoy a beautiful loop of the Garonne river, pass through the Chartrons district and stop in the picturesque park Jardin Public. See the Palais Gallien and the grand shopping centrer, Glace des Grands Hommes.
- Bordeaux: Join a Local Expert to discover the best sights in Bordeaux. See the beautiful Gothic cathedral, the famous Water Mirror, the stunning neoclassic theatre and the modern architecture of the Cité du Vin.
- : You will be escorted by one of our fine Travel Concierges, handpicked to serve as your expert guide, consummate organiser, and friend overseas.
- : Personal radio headsets give you the freedom to wander during visits to famous highlights, without missing any of your Local Expert's fascinating commentary, available on departures with 15 or more guests.
- : At every hotel, you'll be treated to seamless baggage handling, with prompt delivery inside your room.
- : Hotel and restaurant tips are included - you'll never have to worry about how much to give, nor search for foreign currency. We also include all taxes and porterage charges at hotels.
- : Stay connected with friends and family with our complimentary coach and hotel Wi-Fi (where available).
- : Complimentary airport transfers are included on start and end dates and when additional accommodation has been booked through Luxury Gold. Guests will be transferred with fellow Luxury Gold Travellers that arrive on the same flight. Complimentary, private train station transfers are included when train travel is included within the itinerary. Transfers to train stations or alternate hotels, in the same start or end city of the itinerary, may be requested but are not guaranteed.
- Aix-en-Provence: At your fun cooking class learn how to make a seasonal and classic French dessert.
- Cassis: Indulge in a divine seafood dinner in the charming fishing village of Cassis.
- Cavaillon: Visit the acclaimed winery, Domaine de la Citadelle, for a tour of its grounds and a picnic lunch. Savour a selection of Provençal favourites paired with local wine.
- Avignon: Indulge in a superb dinner at the Michelin-starred La Vieille Fontaine. The elegant Provençal restaurant serves modern cuisine for a gourmet affair to remember.
- Bordeaux: Conclude your journey with a superb dining experience at the historic Chteau du Ferrand, where you toast to your travels during your Celebration Dinner. Learn how the estate is working towards a more environmental future by using organic fertilizers, protecting local fauna and harvesting by hand.
- Monaco City: Join your Travel Concierge for guided sightseeing of glamourous Monaco. See the Grand Prix circuit – famous for hosting the annual Formula One Monaco Grand Prix – explore the old town, and admire the Royal Palace where the Grimaldi family lives. Wander along the yacht-filled harbour and see the cathedral, which houses the tombs of the late Prince Rainier and Princess Grace.
- Nice: Join a Local Expert to take a walk through the charming streets of Old Nice and see the Opera, the antique market, and the St. Reparate Cathedral.
- French Riviera: Join a Local Expert to visit the opulent Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild and its gardens. Built by the passionate art collector Madame Ephrussi, she gathered the best from each era including delicate pieces of furniture once belonging to Marie Antoinette.
- Saint-Tropez: Take in the best of Saint-Tropez as a Local Expert guides you through the remains of the ancient landmark Notre-Dame-de-l’Assomption and its colourful bell tower. Afterward, taste the local Saint-Tropez tart pastry in the bakery where it was first created in the 1950s.
- Cassis: Board your private cruise through the Calanques National Park to admire the towering limestone cliffs and the long, narrow and deep fjord-like inlets.
- Lourmarin: Visit the tree lined avenues of Lourmarin and explore the lively market featuring crafts, clothing and local delicacies.
- Provence: Take a seat in your chauffeured Citroen 2CV and embark on a drive through the hilly countryside passing fields of lavender.
- Les Baux-de-Provence: See the fantastic light and sound show in an abandoned limestone quarry and a nod to an ever-changing selection of g...
Itinerary
Featured Destinations
Paris
Paris, world capital of art and culture, gathers some of the most famous museums and monuments in the world. Like all the world's great capitals, Paris lives at a fast pace, by day, by night and especially at rush hours. Bear in mind that museums and monuments are often less crowded during the week. Sights that should not be missed include: The Louvre and the Musee d'Orsay. Visit any of the many others according to your tastes and interests: the Musee Picasso, Musee Rodin, Musee Carnavalet, Musee Marmottan and the Arab Institute are just a few. Essential Paris monuments are the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame cathedral, the Arc de Triomphe or the Grande Arche de la Defense.
Bordeaux
Surrounding Bordeaux are world-renowned vineyards and châteaux. Visitors from all over the globe come here to learn about the winemaking process - from growing grapes to harvesting, fermenting and bottling these top-quality wines. Here in the wine region the title of château can mean anything from a palatial residence to a basic winery. There are thousands of châteaux that rank from very modest family establishments to large famous properties where grapes are raised, fermented and then matured to produce the area’s famous wines. Visit Rue Ste. Cathérine - a half-mile-long pedestrian street leading through the Old Town’s major shopping area and marking the beginning of the elegant 18th-century city. - and Musée des Beaux Arts -- a museum with a large collection of 17th-century paintings by Flemish, Dutch and Italian masters as well as works by Delacroix.
Monte Carlo
Monaco is famous as Côte d’Azur’s playground. With spacious beaches, elegant hotels and lively nightlife, this tiny domain is a jet set favorite and home to some of the world's most expensive real estate. In addition to luxury hotels and beautiful beaches, Monaco is noted for mild climate and magnificent scenery. Monaco and Monte Carlo rank high on every visitor’s must-see list. Monaco-Ville is the old city and seat of Monaco’s government. The 19th-century Romanesque cathedral Prince's Palace contains impressive works of art and the tomb of Princess Grace, while the Parliament building and Oceanographic Museum, under the auspices of the Jacques Cousteau Society, offer additional sights. Monte Carlo spells sophistication, elegance, and glamour. Every year the rich and famous gather here to bask in the sun, gamble at the world’s most opulent casino and attend spectacular parties. The most splendid hotels, several fine theaters, museums and excellent restaurants cater to the elite. Nothing typifies more the elegant lifestyle of the Côte d’Azur than glamorous Monte Carlo.
Avignon
Visitors to Avignon won't want to leave, and the town is too interesting to leave. Avignon is ancient, full of history, life, youth, art, music and activity. Just to "see" the town itself, a visitor could wander the narrow streets inside the fortified walls for days without tiring of them.
Aix-en-Provence
Known for 'one thousand fountains' and intimately-shaded squares, Aix-en-Provence was an is an inspiration to artists and poets alike. Visit Atelier de Cezanne, Paul Cézanne's studio that has been preserved in its original form.
Carcassonne
Carcassonne is a French town in the Languedoc-Roussillon region of southern France. The fortified town sits at a rocky hilltop. Settlement was first discovered in 3500 BC however by the 6th century during the Iron Age, when the Romans were conquering Europe, trade became rampant that the Romans decided to secure the hilltop for better defenses. The fortress is designed with two outer walls and 53 towers to prevent sieges or attacks.
Visitors can stroll across the castle drawbridge through the medieval rustic town of La Cite. The walls within the stoned walls have centuries old of stories upon which may be watched at the theater grounds. This spectacular fairy-tale fortress in the French countryside is waiting to be explored!
Departure Dates & Pricing
Terms & Conditions:
Price are per person, based on double occupancy, and subject to availability and change without notice. Prices reflect land only accommodations, airfare is additional. Blackout dates/seasonal supplements may apply.
Information and pricing is subject to change without notice. While we do our very best to ensure that information and pricing appearing in this website is complete and accurate, we cannot be responsible for incomplete and inaccurate representations, which may or may not be under our control. In the event of a pricing error, misrepresentation or omission, we reserve the right to adjust the pricing or make any other corrections.