The Côte d'Azur, Provence & Paris Awaits
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Tauck’s enticing weeklong tour of southern France takes you from the turquoise shades of the Côte d’Azur to the pastel palette of Provence to glittering, romantic Paris. Visit trendy Cannes and Nice; explore historic Avignon, Arles, and Aix-en-Provence, and see firsthand what inspired van Gogh in St-Rémy and Cézanne at Mont Ste-Victoire. Enjoy a tour and folkloric dinner at Moulin Castelas, an award-winning olive oil producer in Maussane les Alpilles; a guided adventure walk on the Pont du Gard; a locally guided visit inside Palais des Papes; and a high-speed rail journey to Paris for a three-night stay highlighted by a guided tour of the Louvre and dinner at a popular restaurant. There’s no better way to experience France’s many charms in one week!
Highlights
- TAUCK’S YELLOW ROADS! Travelling along the back roads of Provence is a vivid contrast of lush forests, olive groves, deep valleys & ancient villages splashed with sepia tones
- TAUCK EXCLUSIVE - Exclusive after-hours visit to the Louvre Museum on select departures! Tours of April 21, May 26, August 25, September 1 & 29 and October 6 will enjoy a private after-hours visit to the Louvre on the evening of Day 5 - without crowds!
- A guided adventure walk on the Pont du Gard
- Tour and folkloric dinner at Moulin Castelas, an award-winning olive oil producer in Maussane les Alpilles
- A guided tour of Musée du Louvre to see the Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo
- Inside visit to the Palais des Papes in Avignon with a local guide
- Wine tasting at a château near St-Rémy-de-Provence
- Airport transfers upon arrival and departure
- 14 meals (7 breakfasts, 2 lunches & 5 dinners), service charges, gratuities to local guides, admission fees, taxes and porterage
Itinerary
Day One
Arrive in Cannes on the Côte d’Azur
Tour begins: 6:30 PM, JW Marriott Cannes. A transfer is included from Nice Côte d’Azur Airport to the JW Marriott Cannes. Join us for a welcome cocktail reception and dinner this evening at your contemporary luxury hotel on Cannes’ celebrated Croisette boulevard facing the Bay of Cannes, on one of the most famous waterfronts on the French Riviera. Please join us tonight for a welcome reception and dinner at your seaside hotel.
Meals Included: Dinner
Accommodation: JW Marriott Cannes
Day Two
Cannes, a cruise to Nice & more
A marvellous day in southern France begins with a walking tour of Cannes – a popular Mediterranean resort for more than a century, and home to the world-famous annual Cannes International Film Festival since 1946. Then head off on a cruise along the Riviera (weather permitting) to seaside Nice for an orientation walk through the old city that recalls the days when aristocrats and royals spent their winters here. Enjoy some free time to explore as you please before an afternoon visit to Musée Marc Chagall, a national museum spotlighting religious-inspired works by the Russian-born painter who made France his home. Return to your hotel in Cannes for an evening spent as you please.
Meals Included: Breakfast & Lunch
Accommodation: JW Marriott Cannes
Day Three
Artistic Aix, a château winery & van Gogh’s St-Remy
Imagine great artists like Paul Cézanne at work amidst the spectrum of colours found in Provence as you view Mont Ste-Victoire and join your local guide for a walking tour among the fountains, squares and medieval center of lovely Aix-en-Provence. After free time for lunch in Aix, visit Domaine de Valdition for an afternoon wine-tasting. Continue on to St-Rémy-de-Provence, where Dutch artist Vincent van Gogh spent one year of his life at a monastery that served as an asylum; his stay here resulted in a period of creativity that produced 150 of his most beloved paintings including Starry Night, Wheat Field with Cypresses and Irises. You, however, will spend two nights in town at charming Le Vallon de Valrugues & Spa.
Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner
Accommodation: Le Vallon de Valrugues & Spa
Day Four
Lovely Arles, the Pont du Gard & olive oil
No journey in southern France is complete without exploring the Provençal landscapes that inspired van Gogh, where olive groves, cypress trees, and flowers the colours of the rainbow greet you. Travel today to ancient Arles, exploring the historic Old Town noted for its narrow streets, medieval stonework and lingering evidence of its ancient Roman residents. Then take an adventurous guided walk on the famous Pont du Gard, an ingenious 2,000-year-old Roman aquaduct spanning the River Gardon, before visiting Moulin Castelas, an award-winning olive oil producer in Maussane les Alpilles; their product is a delight, as you’ll discover on a tour of their orchards. Travel a short distance for a Provençal evening – enjoy a Provence-style dinner and a presentation of Provençal folklore.
Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner
Accommodation: Le Vallon de Valrugues & Spa
Day Five
The ancient walls of Avignon & a fast train to Paris
Avignon has reigned as one of Europe’s most beautiful medieval cities since the 14th century, when it was briefly the capital of Christendom and the home of the popes. A visit inside the fortress-like Palais des Papes with a local guide reveals the treasures and lifestyles of the pontiffs who reigned in Avignon for almost 70 years. Explore more of the walled city on your own, before travelling first class this afternoon on the high-speed TGV train to inimitable Paris. This evening, you’re in for a culinary treat – dinner at Aux Lyonnais, the popular Alain Ducasse bistro in Paris.
Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner
Accommodation: Sofitel Paris le Faubourg
Day Six
Bonjour la Cité… exploring the sights of Paris
A guided orientation tour today gives you a great overview of Paris and includes the Arc de Triomphe, Champs Élysées, Place de la Concorde, the Eiffel Tower and Cathedral of Notre Dame. Join us for a lunch affording memorable views of landmark sights, then explore the city as you wish for the rest of the day and evening.
Meals Included: Breakfast & Lunch
Accommodation: Sofitel Paris Le Faubourg
Day Seven
The treasures of the Louvre & a grand farewell to Paris
Join our local guide this morning for a visit inside the legendary Musée du Louvre, where you’ll view some of the world’s most famous art masterpieces, including the Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo. Spend the afternoon at leisure and join us for our farewell dinner tonight at a well-known brasserie, Les Ombres, with spectacular views of the Eiffel Tower – and bid adieu to Paris with gourmet food and wine.
Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner
Accommodation: Sofitel Paris le Faubourg
Day Eight
Journey home
Tour ends: Paris. Fly home anytime. Your transfer is included from Sofitel Paris le Faubourg to Charles de Gaulle International Airport, Orly Airport or a Paris train station. You should allow a minimum of 3 hours for flight check-in.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Departures & Rates
Small Group Departures – Select small group departures, averaging 24 Tauck guests, are priced from AUD $6,490 per person double; specific dates apply – ask one of our Travel Specialists for more information.
Special Solo Traveller Savings – on select special departures you save AUD $250 on the single room price; specific dates apply – ask one of our Travel Specialists for more information.
Private Evening Visit to the Louvre on Select Departures – Specially priced from AUD $5,990 per person double
In Paris, Tauck guests skip the lines – and the general public – on a Tauck Exclusive private after-hours visit to Musée du Louvre on the April 21, May 26, August 25, September 1 & 29 and October 6 departures. See Mona Lisa smile, fall in love with Venus de Milo, meet Bernini’s sleeping beauty, mingle with Monets, Michelangelos, Rembrandts and Renoirs… without crowds!
Ask one of our Travel Specialists about Packaging Flights with your Tour and Save
*Rates are person based on twin share. Single Supplements apply, for more information please speak to one of our Travel Specialists.
*Rates are subject to availability and seasonality and may change without notice. Rates are based on two adults sharing. For solo travellers or single person occupancy rates or further information on terms and conditions, please contact our Travel Specialists at time of booking.
