Best of France 2009

Sample a local wine in Lyon, relax in lovely Nice, and see the gorgeous city of Paris from the second level of the Eiffel Tower. You can never get enough of the gourmet food, fine wine, and beautiful locales during this travel experience.

Highlights

  • Beaune
  • Avignon
  • Nice
  • Monaco
  • Cannes
  • Carcafessonne
  • Lourdes
  • Bordeaux
  • St. Emilion
  • Dordogne Valley
  • La Roque-Gageac
  • Les Eyzies
  • Limoges
  • Loire Valley
  • Mont St. Michel
  • Liberty Highway
  • Normandy
  • Giverny
  • Paris

    Whats Included

    Sightseeing Highlights

  • Beaune: Visit the medieval town. Wine-tasting at a local wine cellar.
  • Avignon: See the Papal Palace.
  • Nice: See the Promenade des Anglais and Place Massena.
  • Cannes: Drive along the Croisette.
  • Carcafessonne: Guided tour of this walled city.
  • Lourdes: See St. Bernadette's grotto.
  • Bordeaux: Orientation includes the Esplanade des Quinconces.
  • St. Emilion: Visit the wine village.
  • Dordogne Valley: See Chateau of Beynac, Chateau of Castelnaud and Chateau des Milandes.
  • La Roque-Gageac: Visit this charming village.
  • Les Eyzies: Visit the town of Cro-Magnon man.
  • Limoges: Renowned for porcelain manufacture.
  • Loire Valley: Visit fairytale Chenonceau cafestle.
  • Mont St. Michel: Visit the island-town and view the abbey.
  • Liberty Highway: Drive along this historic route.
  • Normandy: Visit the D-Day landing beaches and the new D-Day museum.
  • Giverny: Visit Claude Monet's home.
  • Paris: Ascend the Eiffel Tower and view Champs Elysees and Notre Dame, plus Les Invalides visit.
  • Loire Valley: Visit fairytale Chenonceau Castle.
  • Monaco: See the Palace, the cathedral and the Monte Carlo Casino.

    Dining Highlights

  • 12 hot buffet breakfasts.
  • 4 three-course dinners.
  • Local highlight restaurant dinner with wine in Nice.
  • "Be My Guest" speciality restaurant dinner with wine in our Chateau-hotel.
  • Farewell Dinner with wine in Paris.

    19 meals in total (see day-by-day itinerary)

    First Class Travel Highlights

  • All hotel service charges and tips, baggage handling fees and local taxes included.
  • Touring by luxury air-conditioned coach with reclining seats and a washroom onboard.
  • The services of one of Trafalgar's top professional multi-lingual Tour Directors.
  • Stay in twin-bedded rooms with private facilities.
  • A qualified local city guide in Paris and Carcafessonne.
  • Airport transfers are provided on Day 2 and Day 14.
  • A stylish wallet, tour documents and map book journal.

    • Call 800-747-0368 for more information or to book today! Mention code 8202149

    Tour Operator
    Trafalgar Tours
    Duration
    14 Days
    Escorted
    Escorted - Yes
    DayDestinationDescription
    Day 1Depart USADepart USA :
    Overnight flight to Paris.
    Day 2ParisArrive Paris :
    Welcome to Paris, capital city of France! After check-in you are free to explore this beautiful city or just relax. Tonight, enjoy a Welcome Drink with your Tour Director and fellow travellers.

    Hotel: Novotel Tour Eiffel
    Day 3LyonParis - Beaune - Lyon :
    We drive southwards into Burgundy wine country and past the Cote d'Or vineyards of Gevrey-Chambertin and Nuits St. Georges to the medieval town of Beaune. Here we sample some of the regional wines at one of the local wine cellars before we head to Lyon for the night. Tonight, why not try out some of the gourmet specialities for which Lyon is justifiably famous?(Buffet breakfast)

    Hotel: Novotel Gerland
    Day 4NiceLyon - Avignon - Nice (2 nights) - Monte Carlo Excursion :
    Our Tour Director will show us a Hidden Treasure today! But first to Avignon where we see the Papal Palace and famous bridge. Then through the Provence of Van Gogh and Cezanne to the tiny but incredibly wealthy Principality of Monaco, which we visit and remember the late Prince Rainier and his beautiful wife, Princess Grace. Later we enjoy a Highlight Dinner in a local restaurant. (Buffet breakfast / Highlight Dinner)

    Hotel: Ellington (2 nights)
    Day 5NiceNice at leisure :
    After breakfast you'll have a full day at leisure to enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of the Cote d'Azur. Perhaps lounge on the beach, shop in the elegant boutiques or maybe visit the hilltop town of St. Paul de Vence. This evening, why not dine in one of the many pleasant seaside restaurants?(Buffet breakfast)
    Day 6CarcafessonneNice - Nimes - Carcafessonne :
    Today our drive takes us through sophisticated Cannes on this magnificent coast where we see the Film Festival Centre on the Boulevard de la Croisette. Then we drive on, passing Alaric's Mountain to reach the walled city of Carcafessonne where we enjoy a guided tour of this magical city on arrival. The fortified city, which was thoroughly restored in the 19th century, was added to the UNESCO list of Wold Heritage Sites in 1997.(Buffet breakfast / Dinner)

    Hotel: Mercure Porte De La Citi
    Day 7BiarritzCarcafessonne - Lourdes - Biarritz :
    This morning we wind our way through the Corbieres Hills and 'Cathar' landscapes toward the Pyrenees and the pilgrimage site of Lourdes. Here we will see the Basilica on top of St. Bernadette's grotto en route to Biarritz. There is time for a walk along the renowned surfing beach where the Atlantic waves come crashing in, before we reach our hotel for dinner and overnight stay.(Buffet breakfast / Dinner)

    Hotel: Novotel Anglet Aeroport
    Day 8BordeauxBiarritz - Bordeaux :
    We leave Biarritz and cross the country of Les Landes to the classical town of Bordeaux. Here an orientation tour shows us the magnificent Esplanade des Quinconces and the banks of the Gironde. Then take some time at leisure to explore in the old quarter.(Buffet breakfast / Dinner)

    Hotel: Novotel Centre Meriadeck
    Day 9Dordogne ValleyBordeaux - St. Emilion - Dordogne Valley :
    Our first stop is at St. Emilion, famous for its red wines. Here we will be able to wander through the winding streets, admire the ancient architecture and perhaps buy some fine wine. Then through the Dordogne, we travel via Bergerac to see the cafestle of Beynac, the fortress of Castelnaud and Josephine Baker's Chateau of Les Milandes. Next via La Roque-Gageac, with its quaint houses clinging to the Dordogne cliffs. From here we continue via Les Eyzies, 'the cradle of pre-history' before arriving at our Chateau-hotel in the Dordogne Valley. Tonight, we will enjoy a gourmet dinner in the elegant dining-room of this 19th century Chateau.(Buffet breakfast / 'Be My Guest' Dinner)

    Hotel: Chateau Des Reynats
    Day 10ToursDordogne Valley - Loire Valley - Tours :
    Our journey takes us through Limoges, renowned for the manufacture of delicate porcelain. Then we stop to visit the beautiful fairytale Palace of Chenonceau in the Loire Valley before reaching our hotel in Tours. This evening, why not take the opportunity of dining in the old town.(Buffet breakfast)

    Hotel: Mercure Tours Nord
    Day 11Omaha BeachTours - Mont St. Michel - Omaha Beach (Bayeux) :
    This morning we continue our journey into Brittany, to visit the island-town of Mont St. Michel with its picturesque streets and abbey. From here we travel along the Liberty Highway to St. Lo and the D-Day landing beaches. Here we have the chance to see where this momentous event took place
    and to remember the lives that were touched by this conflict. Then we have the chance to visit the new D-Day museum which recalls the events in every detail and is such a poignant reminder of this recent history. Then we continue to our hotel for dinner and overnight stay.(Buffet breakfast / Dinner)

    Hotel: Mercure Omaha Beach
    Day 12ParisOmaha Beach - Giverny - Paris (2 nights) :
    This morning we set off towards the valley of the River Seine to make a stop in Giverny. Here we visit the house and gardens of Claude Monet - inspiration for his water-lily paintings. Next we continue to lively Paris for two nights.(Buffet breakfast)

    Hotel: Novotel Tour Eiffel (2 nights)
    Day 13ParisParis sightseeing & at leisure :
    Today's sightseeing tour with a local guide includes the ascent of the Eiffel Tower to its second level for wonderful views over the city. Other highlights include views of Notre Dame Cathedral, the Arc de Triomphe, Place de la Concorde and the Champs Elysees. Our main highlight will be a stroll through the gardens of Les Invalides where we will visit the tomb of the Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte, housed in the magnificent golden domed church. The rest of the day is at leisure. Later we will enjoy a Farewell Dinner together with our Tour Director and new-found friends.(Buffet breakfast / Farewell Dinner)
    Day 14Return USAParis - USA :
    This morning, after breakfast, it is "au revoir" to our Tour Director and fellow travelers as we transfer to Paris Charles de Gaulle airport for our return flight to America. (Buffet breakfast)
    Dates/Pricing

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    Disclaimer
    * This list indicates brochure rates and dates.
    ** For single travellers purchasing the twin-share option, please note that there is a no smoking policy in all shared rooms.
    For details on discounts that apply to this tour please refer to a brochure or see your Travel Agent.
    The displayed prices are based on twin-share accommodation. A single supplement price is available on request.

    - These prices are correct at the time of the website going live, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking.
    - All tour information is correct at time of tours going live, however is subject to change, please confirm all details at time of booking.
    - For full terms and conditions, please refer to our Conditions page.