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 covered: 335 km.
Note: If we have 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 a.m. – Departure from Paris (time may vary depending on the hotel pick up points).
10:30 a.m. - Blois. Arrival in the center of the Loire Valley, a lively town dominated by its stunning castle. We recommend a stroll through its charming center.
11:45 a.m. - Departure from Blois.
12:15 p.m. - Tours. Brief stop for lunch.
03:30 p.m. - Departure from Tours.
04:00 p.m. - Villandry. Admission included to the gardens of this magnificent castle, considered the most beautiful gardens in France.
05:30 p.m. - Departure from Villandry.
06:15 p.m. - Amboise. Arrival in this picturesque town on the banks of the Loire Valley where Leonardo da Vinci spent the last three years of his life in the Clos Lucé Castle. Dinner included.
Note: If we have 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 a.m. – Departure from Paris (time may vary depending on the hotel pick up points).
10:30 a.m. - Blois. Arrival in the center of the Loire Valley, a lively town dominated by its stunning castle. We recommend a stroll through its charming center.
11:45 a.m. - Departure from Blois.
12:15 p.m. - Tours. Brief stop for lunch.
03:30 p.m. - Departure from Tours.
04:00 p.m. - Villandry. Admission included to the gardens of this magnificent castle, considered the most beautiful gardens in France.
05:30 p.m. - Departure from Villandry.
06:15 p.m. - Amboise. Arrival in this picturesque town on the banks of the Loire Valley where Leonardo da Vinci spent the last three years of his life in the Clos Lucé Castle. Dinner included.
Total distance covered: 310 km.
Scenery: Get your cameras ready as we cruise along the scenic River Loire, dotted with picturesque villages and stunning castles along our route.
Today, we will explore the Loire Valley region in greater depth.
08:00 a.m. - First thing in the morning, after a walk in Amboise, you´ll have some free time to explore the area around Château du Clos Lucé, where Leonardo da Vinci spent his last three years (admission not included).
10:30 a.m. – Departure from Amboise.
11:00 a.m. – Chenonceau. Spanning the river Cher like a bridge, many consider this to be the most beautiful castle in the Loire Valley. Its interior is also splendidly well-preserved. Tickets included.
12:30 p.m. – Departure from Chenonceau. We will continue our journey along charming local roads towards Chambord.
01:30 p.m. – Chambord. Time available to explore the park of this immense Loire castle and have lunch.
03:30 p.m. – Departure from Chambord. We will travel towards the center of France, passing through picturesque villages on our way.
06:45 p.m. - Limoges. Arrival in the city renowned for its long tradition in porcelain production. We recommend taking a stroll through the cathedral district.
Scenery: Get your cameras ready as we cruise along the scenic River Loire, dotted with picturesque villages and stunning castles along our route.
Today, we will explore the Loire Valley region in greater depth.
08:00 a.m. - First thing in the morning, after a walk in Amboise, you´ll have some free time to explore the area around Château du Clos Lucé, where Leonardo da Vinci spent his last three years (admission not included).
10:30 a.m. – Departure from Amboise.
11:00 a.m. – Chenonceau. Spanning the river Cher like a bridge, many consider this to be the most beautiful castle in the Loire Valley. Its interior is also splendidly well-preserved. Tickets included.
12:30 p.m. – Departure from Chenonceau. We will continue our journey along charming local roads towards Chambord.
01:30 p.m. – Chambord. Time available to explore the park of this immense Loire castle and have lunch.
03:30 p.m. – Departure from Chambord. We will travel towards the center of France, passing through picturesque villages on our way.
06:45 p.m. - Limoges. Arrival in the city renowned for its long tradition in porcelain production. We recommend taking a stroll through the cathedral district.
Total distance covered: 222 km.
Scenery: Small roads and mediaeval villages. Beautiful views of the Dordogne Valley. We recommend comfortable footwear since we plan on visiting the caves.
08:00 a.m. - Departure from Limoges. We’ll head towards the Dordogne region, home to one of the great historic rivers in central France. Few regions contain so many charming villages and enchanting landscapes.
09:15 a.m. – Lascaux. We’ll visit the museum and the replica of the caves (tickets included) and learn about the site’s prehistoric times with its magnificent cave paintings.
11:15 a.m. – Departure from Lascaux. We’ll head south with pretty hillside scenery and charming villages on our way.
01:00 p.m. – Sarlat. We´ll arrive in this city, considered one of the most beautiful in France and recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its incredibly well-preserved medieval and Renaissance historic center. We´ll have time to stroll through its picturesque streets and enjoy lunch.
03:15 p.m. – We´ll depart from Sarlat, enjoying the pleasant scenery and vineyards along the way.
03:30 p.m. – Beynac. A few minutes from Sarlat in the heart of the Dordogne valley, we’ll stop in this beautiful medieval village. Set atop one of the most impressive cliffs in the valley, overlooking the river, is its magnificent castle (entrance fee included). You´ll admire the stunning views over the Dordogne Valley and learn more about life in the Middle Ages.
04:30 p.m. – Departure from Beynac.
06:00 p.m. – Rocamadour. We´ll visit this 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 walking down the Via Crucis and taking the lift back up. Our guide will accompany you to the entrance to the medieval village before giving you your rooms in the hotel. Dinner included.
Scenery: Small roads and mediaeval villages. Beautiful views of the Dordogne Valley. We recommend comfortable footwear since we plan on visiting the caves.
08:00 a.m. - Departure from Limoges. We’ll head towards the Dordogne region, home to one of the great historic rivers in central France. Few regions contain so many charming villages and enchanting landscapes.
09:15 a.m. – Lascaux. We’ll visit the museum and the replica of the caves (tickets included) and learn about the site’s prehistoric times with its magnificent cave paintings.
11:15 a.m. – Departure from Lascaux. We’ll head south with pretty hillside scenery and charming villages on our way.
01:00 p.m. – Sarlat. We´ll arrive in this city, considered one of the most beautiful in France and recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its incredibly well-preserved medieval and Renaissance historic center. We´ll have time to stroll through its picturesque streets and enjoy lunch.
03:15 p.m. – We´ll depart from Sarlat, enjoying the pleasant scenery and vineyards along the way.
03:30 p.m. – Beynac. A few minutes from Sarlat in the heart of the Dordogne valley, we’ll stop in this beautiful medieval village. Set atop one of the most impressive cliffs in the valley, overlooking the river, is its magnificent castle (entrance fee included). You´ll admire the stunning views over the Dordogne Valley and learn more about life in the Middle Ages.
04:30 p.m. – Departure from Beynac.
06:00 p.m. – Rocamadour. We´ll visit this 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 walking down the Via Crucis and taking the lift back up. Our guide will accompany you to the entrance to the medieval village before giving you your rooms in the hotel. Dinner included.
Total distance covered: 295 km.
Scenery: Very beautiful scenery in the Dordogne region. We recommend comfortable footwear since we´ll be visiting the Padirac cave.
08:30 a.m. – Departure from Rocamadour. Beautiful views of the Dordogne countryside.
09:00 a.m. – Padirac Chasm. We´ll include tickets to visit this impressive cave, regarded as the most significant in France. The visit will include a boat ride, facilitated by three lifts descending to its underground river.
Note: The Padirac Chasm may be closed from November until the end of March due to weather conditions.
11:15 a.m. – Departure from Padirac.
12:00 p.m. - 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 p.m. – Departure from Collonges-la-Rouge.
17:00 p.m. - Saint-Emilion, at the heart of the Bordeaux wine-producing region, is a beautiful medieval village that has derived its wealth from wine production for over 2000 years. You will have time to explore and stroll through its picturesque streets.
06:00 p.m. – Departure from Saint-Emilion. We’ll travel towards Bourdeaux, admiring the vineyard landscapes throughout the journey.
07:00 p.m. - Bordeaux – Arrival, accommodation. We recommend taking a stroll around the historic center of this city, situated on the banks of the River Garonne.
Scenery: Very beautiful scenery in the Dordogne region. We recommend comfortable footwear since we´ll be visiting the Padirac cave.
08:30 a.m. – Departure from Rocamadour. Beautiful views of the Dordogne countryside.
09:00 a.m. – Padirac Chasm. We´ll include tickets to visit this impressive cave, regarded as the most significant in France. The visit will include a boat ride, facilitated by three lifts descending to its underground river.
Note: The Padirac Chasm may be closed from November until the end of March due to weather conditions.
11:15 a.m. – Departure from Padirac.
12:00 p.m. - 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 p.m. – Departure from Collonges-la-Rouge.
17:00 p.m. - Saint-Emilion, at the heart of the Bordeaux wine-producing region, is a beautiful medieval village that has derived its wealth from wine production for over 2000 years. You will have time to explore and stroll through its picturesque streets.
06:00 p.m. – Departure from Saint-Emilion. We’ll travel towards Bourdeaux, admiring the vineyard landscapes throughout the journey.
07:00 p.m. - Bordeaux – Arrival, accommodation. We recommend taking a stroll around the historic center of this city, situated on the banks of the River Garonne.
Total distance covered: 270 km.
Scenery: Picturesque vineyard landscapes.
Take time to savor the center of Bordeaux, which has been recognized as a World Heritage Site. You´ll marvel at the "Water Mirror" and stroll through the old town with its pedestrian streets and 11th-century cathedral. Admission to the Cité du Vin is included (with audio tour in English, Spanish or French), offering an immersive experience into the region´s wine history and production, complete with a wine tasting at the viewpoint overlooking Bordeaux. Later, you´ll have free time to stroll and enjoy lunch along the banks of the Garonne River, a charming area filled with small restaurants.
02:30 p.m. Departure from Bordeaux. We will continue our journey towards the Pyrenees.
06:00 p.m. - Arrival in Lourdes. Time to visit the Sanctuary. We recommend attending the candlelight procession, typically held at 9 p.m. from late March to late October. Dinner included.
Scenery: Picturesque vineyard landscapes.
Take time to savor the center of Bordeaux, which has been recognized as a World Heritage Site. You´ll marvel at the "Water Mirror" and stroll through the old town with its pedestrian streets and 11th-century cathedral. Admission to the Cité du Vin is included (with audio tour in English, Spanish or French), offering an immersive experience into the region´s wine history and production, complete with a wine tasting at the viewpoint overlooking Bordeaux. Later, you´ll have free time to stroll and enjoy lunch along the banks of the Garonne River, a charming area filled with small restaurants.
02:30 p.m. Departure from Bordeaux. We will continue our journey towards the Pyrenees.
06:00 p.m. - Arrival in Lourdes. Time to visit the Sanctuary. We recommend attending the candlelight procession, typically held at 9 p.m. from late 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, our journey will come to an end, leaving you with wonderful lasting memories.
Note: Please be aware that the hotel check-out time is usually 10:00 a.m. You can leave your luggage in reception upon check-out, allowing you to explore the city without carrying your bags. You can retrieve your luggage at your convenience later in the day. If you require additional time to use your room, we recommend booking an extra night at the end of your tour.
Note: Please be aware that the hotel check-out time is usually 10:00 a.m. You can leave your luggage in reception upon check-out, allowing you to explore the city without carrying your bags. You can retrieve your luggage at your convenience later in the day. If you require additional time to use your room, we recommend booking an extra night at the end of your tour.
From
AUD 2,451