Magnificent France
Duration
10 Days
Physical rate
Moderate
Starting city
Paris
Available
April 2024 / March 2025
Cities to visit: Paris; Blois; Tours; Villandry, Centre; Amboise, Centro Valle de Loira; Chenonceaux, castle; Chambord; Limoges; Sarlat-La-Caneda; Beynac Et Cazenac; Rocamadour; Padirac, Midi-Pyrénées; Collonges La Rouge; Saint Emilion; Bordeaux; Lourdes; Carcassonne; Foix; Marseille, Provenza Alpes Costa Azul; Arles; Avignon; Lyon, Ródano Alpes; Tournus; Savigny Castles; Beaune, Burgundy; Dijon, Burgundy; Abbey Of Fontenay; Semur-En-Auxois; Vezelay
Detailed day by day description
Introduction
This tour is part of our flexible coach touring range, guaranteed with a minimum of 2 people. Once the tour is booked, it is guaranteed so it will definitely go ahead, and will never cancel.
This tour is guided in English only. Please note if English speaking attendance numbers are low, the tour can become bilingual either accompanied by two tour leaders, one for each language, or a single tour leader providing explanations in both languages.
The tour offers flexibility, allowing you to customize it to your preferences. By clicking 'Quote or Book,' you will have the choice to select your desired start and end dates and destinations within the tour's defined parameters. Given this flexibility, it's important to note that the same people, tour guides or drivers may not be on your entire journey.
Day
Total distance: 335 km.
Note: If we count with very few English speaking passengers on board, the guide assigned to the journey between Paris and Tours may not be fluent in English.
08:00 hrs. - París - Departure (departure time may vary depending on the hotel).
10:30 hrs. - Blois -Arrival in this lively town dominated by its castle in the heart of the Loire Valley. We recommend a stroll through its charming centre.
11:45 hrs - Blois -Departure.
12:15 hrs- Tours -Arrival-. Brief stop for lunch.
15:30 hrs - Tours –Departure-.
16.00hrs - Villandry. Tickets included to the gardens of this great palace . Considered some of the most beautiful gardens in France.
17:30 hrs - Villandry –Departure-.
18:15 hrs - Amboise – Arrival in this picturesque town on the banks of the Loire Valley with a very interesting mediaeval quarter. In the Clos Luce castle, Leonardo da Vinci spent the last 3 years of his life until his death. Dinner and accommodation included.
Note: If we count with very few English speaking passengers on board, the guide assigned to the journey between Paris and Tours may not be fluent in English.
08:00 hrs. - París - Departure (departure time may vary depending on the hotel).
10:30 hrs. - Blois -Arrival in this lively town dominated by its castle in the heart of the Loire Valley. We recommend a stroll through its charming centre.
11:45 hrs - Blois -Departure.
12:15 hrs- Tours -Arrival-. Brief stop for lunch.
15:30 hrs - Tours –Departure-.
16.00hrs - Villandry. Tickets included to the gardens of this great palace . Considered some of the most beautiful gardens in France.
17:30 hrs - Villandry –Departure-.
18:15 hrs - Amboise – Arrival in this picturesque town on the banks of the Loire Valley with a very interesting mediaeval quarter. In the Clos Luce castle, Leonardo da Vinci spent the last 3 years of his life until his death. Dinner and accommodation included.
Total distance: 310 km.
Scenery: The River Loire scattered with beautiful villages and castles marks our route. Have your cameras ready, we will pass alongside the River Loire and see some castles along the way.
We will see the Loire region in a little more depth. In the morning, a stroll in Amboise, to the castle of Clos Luce where Leonardo da Vinci spent his last 3 years before his death (entrance not included).
10:30 hrs – Amboise. – Departure.
11:00 hrs – Chenonceau –Arrival. Many believe this is the most beautiful castle on the Loire, in the form of a bridge over the river Cher, a tributary of the Loire. Its interior is also magnificently preserved. Tickets included.
12:30 hrs – Chenonceau –departure. We continue along pretty local roads to Chambord.
13:30 hrs – Chambord –Arrival. Time to see the park of this immense castle on the Loire and for lunch.
15:30 hrs – Chambord. - Departure. We travel towards the centre of France, going through picturesque villages on our way.
18:45 hrs - Limoges –Arrival to this city known for its porcelain-. We recommend a stroll around the Cathedral district.
Scenery: The River Loire scattered with beautiful villages and castles marks our route. Have your cameras ready, we will pass alongside the River Loire and see some castles along the way.
We will see the Loire region in a little more depth. In the morning, a stroll in Amboise, to the castle of Clos Luce where Leonardo da Vinci spent his last 3 years before his death (entrance not included).
10:30 hrs – Amboise. – Departure.
11:00 hrs – Chenonceau –Arrival. Many believe this is the most beautiful castle on the Loire, in the form of a bridge over the river Cher, a tributary of the Loire. Its interior is also magnificently preserved. Tickets included.
12:30 hrs – Chenonceau –departure. We continue along pretty local roads to Chambord.
13:30 hrs – Chambord –Arrival. Time to see the park of this immense castle on the Loire and for lunch.
15:30 hrs – Chambord. - Departure. We travel towards the centre of France, going through picturesque villages on our way.
18:45 hrs - Limoges –Arrival to this city known for its porcelain-. We recommend a stroll around the Cathedral district.
Total distance: 222 km.
Countryside: Small roads, mediaeval villages. Very beautiful scenery of the Dordogne Valley. We recommend comfortable footwear (visit to the caves).
08.00 hrs - Limoges –Departure-. We go on our way to the Dordgne region, pretty hillside scenery and charming villages on our way. –
09.15 hrs- Lascaux, we will include admission to the museum and replica of the caves , where we will learn about the site’s prehistory with the magnificent cave paintings.
11.15hrs.- Lascaux. Departure-.
13.00 hrs.- Sarlat – Time in this World Heritage town. The Renaissance historic centre is magnificently well preserved. Time for lunch and a stroll.
15.15 hrs – Sarlat – departure. Pleasant scenery and vineyards en route.
15.30 hrs.- – Beynac – We include tickets to this magnificently well preserved mediaeval castle. You will admire the views of the Dordogne Valley and we will hear more about life in the Middle Ages.
16:30 hrs - Beynac –Departure-.
18.00 hrs – Rocamadour - Arrival. - We are in an important sanctuary town overlooked by its castle, considered one of the most beautiful towns in France. Don’t miss a stroll around its charming streets and we suggest a walk down the via crucis and coming back up in the lift. Our guide will accompany you to the entrance to the mediaeval village before giving you your rooms in the hotel. Dinner included.
Countryside: Small roads, mediaeval villages. Very beautiful scenery of the Dordogne Valley. We recommend comfortable footwear (visit to the caves).
08.00 hrs - Limoges –Departure-. We go on our way to the Dordgne region, pretty hillside scenery and charming villages on our way. –
09.15 hrs- Lascaux, we will include admission to the museum and replica of the caves , where we will learn about the site’s prehistory with the magnificent cave paintings.
11.15hrs.- Lascaux. Departure-.
13.00 hrs.- Sarlat – Time in this World Heritage town. The Renaissance historic centre is magnificently well preserved. Time for lunch and a stroll.
15.15 hrs – Sarlat – departure. Pleasant scenery and vineyards en route.
15.30 hrs.- – Beynac – We include tickets to this magnificently well preserved mediaeval castle. You will admire the views of the Dordogne Valley and we will hear more about life in the Middle Ages.
16:30 hrs - Beynac –Departure-.
18.00 hrs – Rocamadour - Arrival. - We are in an important sanctuary town overlooked by its castle, considered one of the most beautiful towns in France. Don’t miss a stroll around its charming streets and we suggest a walk down the via crucis and coming back up in the lift. Our guide will accompany you to the entrance to the mediaeval village before giving you your rooms in the hotel. Dinner included.
Total distance: 295 km Countryside: Very beautiful scenery in the Dordogne region. We recommend comfortable footwear (visit to the caves).
08:30 hrs - Rocamadour –Departure-. Beautiful countryside of the Dordogne.
09.00hrs - Padirac Cave. - Considered the most impressive caves in France. We include tickets and a visit to these impressive caves, 3 lifts will take us to an underground river that we will see in a boat. NB: The caves may be closed from November until the end of March in certain weather conditions. -
11.15 hrs- Padirac- Departure.-
12.00 hrs- Collonges la Rouge. - A small village full of charm built with red stone on the Way of St James. Time for lunch and to take a stroll.
14:30 hrs - Collonges la Rouge –Departure-.
17.00 hrs - Saint Emilion. This beautiful mediaeval village has based its wealth for more than 2000 years on its winemaking. Interesting stroll where the wine culture blends with the stones of the place.
18:00 hrs - St. Emilion –departure.
19:00 hrs – Bordeaux – Arrival, accommodation. We recommend a stroll around the classic centre of this city on the banks of the River Garonne.
08:30 hrs - Rocamadour –Departure-. Beautiful countryside of the Dordogne.
09.00hrs - Padirac Cave. - Considered the most impressive caves in France. We include tickets and a visit to these impressive caves, 3 lifts will take us to an underground river that we will see in a boat. NB: The caves may be closed from November until the end of March in certain weather conditions. -
11.15 hrs- Padirac- Departure.-
12.00 hrs- Collonges la Rouge. - A small village full of charm built with red stone on the Way of St James. Time for lunch and to take a stroll.
14:30 hrs - Collonges la Rouge –Departure-.
17.00 hrs - Saint Emilion. This beautiful mediaeval village has based its wealth for more than 2000 years on its winemaking. Interesting stroll where the wine culture blends with the stones of the place.
18:00 hrs - St. Emilion –departure.
19:00 hrs – Bordeaux – Arrival, accommodation. We recommend a stroll around the classic centre of this city on the banks of the River Garonne.
Total distance covered: 270 km
Countryside: Pleasant vineyard scenery.
The entire centre of Bordeaux has been declared a world heritage site. You will be amazed by the “water mirror” and stroll through the old town with its pedestrian streets and 11th century cathedral. We will include admission (free visit with audio information in Spanish, French or English) to the CITE DU VIN, an impressive interactive museum that recounts the history of the wine and its production; wine tasting included at the viewpoint over Bordeaux. You will have free time later to stroll and have lunch on the banks of the Garonne River, an area full of small restaurants.
14:30 hrs Departure from Bordeaux. We venture into the wine producing region of Bordeaux.
18.00 hrs - Lourdes –Arrival-. Time to visit the Sanctuary. We recommend you attend the candle procession, which normally takes place at 9 PM from the end of March to late October. Dinner included.
Countryside: Pleasant vineyard scenery.
The entire centre of Bordeaux has been declared a world heritage site. You will be amazed by the “water mirror” and stroll through the old town with its pedestrian streets and 11th century cathedral. We will include admission (free visit with audio information in Spanish, French or English) to the CITE DU VIN, an impressive interactive museum that recounts the history of the wine and its production; wine tasting included at the viewpoint over Bordeaux. You will have free time later to stroll and have lunch on the banks of the Garonne River, an area full of small restaurants.
14:30 hrs Departure from Bordeaux. We venture into the wine producing region of Bordeaux.
18.00 hrs - Lourdes –Arrival-. Time to visit the Sanctuary. We recommend you attend the candle procession, which normally takes place at 9 PM from the end of March to late October. Dinner included.
Total distance: 580 km.
Landscapes: Pyrenees Mountain range and arrival in Mediterranean landscapes.
08:00 hrs. –Lourdes –departure – We travel to the south of France. Passage through the metropolis of Toulouse. 11:30 hrs. – Carcassonne – Arrival at “la cite”, the medieval walled city. Time for lunch and get to know this beautiful town famous for its medieval walls, its impressive castle and the picturesque historic neighborhood "La Cité".
14:00 hrs.– Carcassonne – departure.
15:00 hrs. - Narbonne - a time to walk through this historic Occitan city with a picturesque historic center, where its great cathedral of Saints Justo and Pastor stands out and where we can still see, in the large central square, the "via domitia", built by the Romans to unite Italy with Hispania.
16:00 hrs. – Narbonne - departure. We continue along the coast towards the Côte d´Azur.
19.15 hrs- Marseille - arrival to the second city of France, located on the Côte d´Azur. We recommend you to have a walk through its "Vieux Port" (old port) full of life and small restaurants.
Landscapes: Pyrenees Mountain range and arrival in Mediterranean landscapes.
08:00 hrs. –Lourdes –departure – We travel to the south of France. Passage through the metropolis of Toulouse. 11:30 hrs. – Carcassonne – Arrival at “la cite”, the medieval walled city. Time for lunch and get to know this beautiful town famous for its medieval walls, its impressive castle and the picturesque historic neighborhood "La Cité".
14:00 hrs.– Carcassonne – departure.
15:00 hrs. - Narbonne - a time to walk through this historic Occitan city with a picturesque historic center, where its great cathedral of Saints Justo and Pastor stands out and where we can still see, in the large central square, the "via domitia", built by the Romans to unite Italy with Hispania.
16:00 hrs. – Narbonne - departure. We continue along the coast towards the Côte d´Azur.
19.15 hrs- Marseille - arrival to the second city of France, located on the Côte d´Azur. We recommend you to have a walk through its "Vieux Port" (old port) full of life and small restaurants.
Total distance: 380km
Scenery: Villages, landscapes, and history, today we see some of the most beautiful places in Provence.
08.00 hrs. Marseille, departure.
09.15 hrs.- Arles . Stop to visit this World Heritage city that shows us its legacy of Roman and medieval times. Its light captivated great painters, such as Van Gogh, who immortalized it in some of his canvases.
10.30 hrs- Arles Departure.
11.00 hrs- In Les Beaux , we get to know this small medieval village and we will include the entrance to Carrieres de Lumiere , an impressive show of art, image and sound underground, in some of its old quarries.
12.15 hrs- Lumiere carriers, departure
13.00 hrs.- Avignon - A time to have lunch and walk in this small walled city of Provence on the
banks of the Rhône that was the seat of the Catholic Popes, becoming the second Rome, until in 1791 when it was integrated into France. Its immense Palace of the Popes reveals its past.
15.30 hrs- Avignon. Departure to the interior of France.
18.15 hrs. Lyon , Arrival in the third city of France, with a remarkable historical past preserved that make it proud. We will be able to walk through the old quarter declared a World Heritage Site and we will include a funicular ride to climb to Notre Dame de Fourviere, an immense basilic from where we have a great view over the city.
Note: When due to closure or influx of public it is not possible to obtain tickets for the show of Carrieres de Lumière, as an alternative there will be a transfer to the Roman aqueduct of Pont du Gard.
Scenery: Villages, landscapes, and history, today we see some of the most beautiful places in Provence.
08.00 hrs. Marseille, departure.
09.15 hrs.- Arles . Stop to visit this World Heritage city that shows us its legacy of Roman and medieval times. Its light captivated great painters, such as Van Gogh, who immortalized it in some of his canvases.
10.30 hrs- Arles Departure.
11.00 hrs- In Les Beaux , we get to know this small medieval village and we will include the entrance to Carrieres de Lumiere , an impressive show of art, image and sound underground, in some of its old quarries.
12.15 hrs- Lumiere carriers, departure
13.00 hrs.- Avignon - A time to have lunch and walk in this small walled city of Provence on the
banks of the Rhône that was the seat of the Catholic Popes, becoming the second Rome, until in 1791 when it was integrated into France. Its immense Palace of the Popes reveals its past.
15.30 hrs- Avignon. Departure to the interior of France.
18.15 hrs. Lyon , Arrival in the third city of France, with a remarkable historical past preserved that make it proud. We will be able to walk through the old quarter declared a World Heritage Site and we will include a funicular ride to climb to Notre Dame de Fourviere, an immense basilic from where we have a great view over the city.
Note: When due to closure or influx of public it is not possible to obtain tickets for the show of Carrieres de Lumière, as an alternative there will be a transfer to the Roman aqueduct of Pont du Gard.
Total Distance: 220 km
Scenery: Burgundy’s wine region with exceptional vineyards.
08.30 hrs.- After breakfast, we will leave Lyon and go towards Burgundy .
10.00 hrs.- Tournus . Time for walking throughout the pleasant small town with picturesque alleys behind an immense stone gate and its large abbey, one of the largest Romanesque monuments in France.
11.00 hrs- Tournus, departure.
11.45 hrs- Beaune . Stop to visit and have lunch in the wine capital of Burgundy. You can
visit the wine museum or the historic hospice.
14.30 hrs- Beaune, departure.
15.00 hrs- Savigny Castle – In the center of this wine region, we will visit the Savigny Castle, built in the fifteenth century, and where some extraordinary museums are located (such as motorcycle, race cars, airplanes and helicopters museums!).
16.30 hrs- Savigny Castle, departure.
17.30 hrs- Dijon , arrival in the capital of Burgundy, with lively streets and atmosphere. This city that was the capital of a powerful duchy at the end of the Middle Ages, it preserves a great
architectural heritage of medieval and Renaissance buildings where the palace of the dukes stands out.
Scenery: Burgundy’s wine region with exceptional vineyards.
08.30 hrs.- After breakfast, we will leave Lyon and go towards Burgundy .
10.00 hrs.- Tournus . Time for walking throughout the pleasant small town with picturesque alleys behind an immense stone gate and its large abbey, one of the largest Romanesque monuments in France.
11.00 hrs- Tournus, departure.
11.45 hrs- Beaune . Stop to visit and have lunch in the wine capital of Burgundy. You can
visit the wine museum or the historic hospice.
14.30 hrs- Beaune, departure.
15.00 hrs- Savigny Castle – In the center of this wine region, we will visit the Savigny Castle, built in the fifteenth century, and where some extraordinary museums are located (such as motorcycle, race cars, airplanes and helicopters museums!).
16.30 hrs- Savigny Castle, departure.
17.30 hrs- Dijon , arrival in the capital of Burgundy, with lively streets and atmosphere. This city that was the capital of a powerful duchy at the end of the Middle Ages, it preserves a great
architectural heritage of medieval and Renaissance buildings where the palace of the dukes stands out.
Total Distance: 387km
Scenery: small villages in the Dordogne among relaxing landscapes of hills and vineyards.
08.30 hrs- Dijon, departure. We continue touring Burgundy.
10.00 hrs- Abbey of Fontenay. We include an entrance to visit this abbey, masterpiece of the Cistercian order, today a Unesco World Heritage Site.
11.00hrs- Fontenay, departure.
11.30 hrs. Semur in Auxois. Stop to get to know this charming medieval town of alleys, palaces and half-timbered houses surrounded by impressive walls that will make you travel back in time.
12.30 hrs.- Semur in Auxois. We continue touring the interior of Burgundy.
13.30 hrs.- Vezelay . Time for lunch and stroll in one of the most beautiful villages in France. Its immense basilica was one of the starting points of the Way of St James.
16.00 hrs.- Vezelay. Departure. 19.00 hrs- Paris. Arrival.
Scenery: small villages in the Dordogne among relaxing landscapes of hills and vineyards.
08.30 hrs- Dijon, departure. We continue touring Burgundy.
10.00 hrs- Abbey of Fontenay. We include an entrance to visit this abbey, masterpiece of the Cistercian order, today a Unesco World Heritage Site.
11.00hrs- Fontenay, departure.
11.30 hrs. Semur in Auxois. Stop to get to know this charming medieval town of alleys, palaces and half-timbered houses surrounded by impressive walls that will make you travel back in time.
12.30 hrs.- Semur in Auxois. We continue touring the interior of Burgundy.
13.30 hrs.- Vezelay . Time for lunch and stroll in one of the most beautiful villages in France. Its immense basilica was one of the starting points of the Way of St James.
16.00 hrs.- Vezelay. Departure. 19.00 hrs- Paris. Arrival.
After breakfast, end of our services.
Note: Remember that hotels check-out time is usually at 10.00 hrs. In most cases, you can leave your luggage at the hotel reception at check-out time, so you can enjoy the city and pick it up at the time you require that same day. If you need more time to use your room, please consider booking an additional night at the end of your tour.
Note: Remember that hotels check-out time is usually at 10.00 hrs. In most cases, you can leave your luggage at the hotel reception at check-out time, so you can enjoy the city and pick it up at the time you require that same day. If you need more time to use your room, please consider booking an additional night at the end of your tour.
From
AUD 2,451