Romantic France
Duration
9 Days
Physical rate
Moderate
Starting city
Paris
Available
April 2024 / March 2025
Cities to visit: Paris; Tours; 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
Welcome to Europamundo! Transfer to a hotel and free time. You will receive information for the beginning of your tour in the afternoon, or through the information signs, located at the hotel reception.
IMPORTANT:
- Remember that hotels check-in time is usually at 14:00 hrs. If you require more hours of room availability, consider booking an additional night at the beginning of your trip.
- IF YOU REQUESTED ADDITIONAL NIGHTS upon arrival at the hotel, you would have your room booked, but your trip guide would normally contact you at the beginning of the included activities. At the reception you can also find an informative sign, indicating the telephone number and hours of assistance of our staff. YOUR TIME THEREFORE BEFORE THIS MOMENT IS FREE. The hotel staff can help you with all the information you need.
Note: The schedules that you will find in this itinerary are indicative. The guide, depending on the situation and in order to improve the development of the trip, may adjust the schedules.
IMPORTANT:
- Remember that hotels check-in time is usually at 14:00 hrs. If you require more hours of room availability, consider booking an additional night at the beginning of your trip.
- IF YOU REQUESTED ADDITIONAL NIGHTS upon arrival at the hotel, you would have your room booked, but your trip guide would normally contact you at the beginning of the included activities. At the reception you can also find an informative sign, indicating the telephone number and hours of assistance of our staff. YOUR TIME THEREFORE BEFORE THIS MOMENT IS FREE. The hotel staff can help you with all the information you need.
Note: The schedules that you will find in this itinerary are indicative. The guide, depending on the situation and in order to improve the development of the trip, may adjust the schedules.
Total distance covered: 80 km
07:45 hrs. - Paris – departure.
08:30 hrs. - Versailles – Arrival to the Palace of Versailles (admission not included, long waits for tickets due to influx on some occasions). Immense Palace that belonged to the French kings; a good way to get acquainted with the culture and history of France.
11:30 hrs. - Versailles – departure - (the departure might be later in case of a long wait to enter the palace). Upon returning to Paris we head to Montmartre and taking a small cable car (included) we go up to this bohemian artists´ neighborhood to see the Basilica of the Sacred Heart and take a walk through its square and alleys.
15:00 hrs. - With a local guide we will begin the city tour of Paris lasting 2 and a half hours. During the visit you will be able to see the Arc de Triomphe, Champs Elysées, Madelaine, Place de la Concorde, Opera, Louvre Museum, Tower St. Jacques, town hall, Ile de la Cite with the Notre Dame cathedral, Latin quarter, Pantheon, Sorbonne, Luxembourg gardens, Invalides, Military School, Champ de Mars-Eiffel Tower, banks of the Seine. We will make brief stops near the Invalides and the Champ de Mars. At the end of the city tour, we will return to the hotel, making a stop in the city center, so that people who still want to take advantage of their free time in Paris can get off the bus.
In the end of this very complete day, optionally, the guide will suggest you attend a cabaret or variety show in the evening, the Moulin Rouge or the Paradis Latin.
Note: due to the tourist complexity of Paris, the order of the services offered in the city may vary.
07:45 hrs. - Paris – departure.
08:30 hrs. - Versailles – Arrival to the Palace of Versailles (admission not included, long waits for tickets due to influx on some occasions). Immense Palace that belonged to the French kings; a good way to get acquainted with the culture and history of France.
11:30 hrs. - Versailles – departure - (the departure might be later in case of a long wait to enter the palace). Upon returning to Paris we head to Montmartre and taking a small cable car (included) we go up to this bohemian artists´ neighborhood to see the Basilica of the Sacred Heart and take a walk through its square and alleys.
15:00 hrs. - With a local guide we will begin the city tour of Paris lasting 2 and a half hours. During the visit you will be able to see the Arc de Triomphe, Champs Elysées, Madelaine, Place de la Concorde, Opera, Louvre Museum, Tower St. Jacques, town hall, Ile de la Cite with the Notre Dame cathedral, Latin quarter, Pantheon, Sorbonne, Luxembourg gardens, Invalides, Military School, Champ de Mars-Eiffel Tower, banks of the Seine. We will make brief stops near the Invalides and the Champ de Mars. At the end of the city tour, we will return to the hotel, making a stop in the city center, so that people who still want to take advantage of their free time in Paris can get off the bus.
In the end of this very complete day, optionally, the guide will suggest you attend a cabaret or variety show in the evening, the Moulin Rouge or the Paradis Latin.
Note: due to the tourist complexity of Paris, the order of the services offered in the city may vary.
Total Distance: 240 km Scenery: green hills along the Loire Valley.
08.30 hrs.- Departure from the hotel. We go to the Eiffel Tower, we include the ticket to go up to the second floor of this impressive metal monument (in some cases there are long waits to gain access due to massive influx). The second floor is considered to be the one with the best view, due to the optimal altitude in relation to the buildings below (on the third floor, they are less visible) and the general perspective (obviously more limited on the first floor). When the weather permits, it is estimated that it is possible to see up to 70 km away. After descending the tower we include a boat trip along the Seine River. Magnificent views of the main monuments and bridges of Paris on the majestic river.
17.30 hrs- Departure from Paris and travel to the Loire Valley.
20.30 hrs- Tours - Arrival in the beautiful provincial capital of the Loire. We recommend going out for dinner and a stroll in the beautiful old town area.
Note: in some cases the waits to go up the Eiffel Tower are long. Thus the climb may take place at a different time (or on Sunday), if it is considered convenient for organizational reasons.
08.30 hrs.- Departure from the hotel. We go to the Eiffel Tower, we include the ticket to go up to the second floor of this impressive metal monument (in some cases there are long waits to gain access due to massive influx). The second floor is considered to be the one with the best view, due to the optimal altitude in relation to the buildings below (on the third floor, they are less visible) and the general perspective (obviously more limited on the first floor). When the weather permits, it is estimated that it is possible to see up to 70 km away. After descending the tower we include a boat trip along the Seine River. Magnificent views of the main monuments and bridges of Paris on the majestic river.
17.30 hrs- Departure from Paris and travel to the Loire Valley.
20.30 hrs- Tours - Arrival in the beautiful provincial capital of the Loire. We recommend going out for dinner and a stroll in the beautiful old town area.
Note: in some cases the waits to go up the Eiffel Tower are long. Thus the climb may take place at a different time (or on Sunday), if it is considered convenient for organizational reasons.
Total distance covered: 615 km.
Scenery: Beautiful French countryside.
08:00 a.m. - Departure. We’ll continue our tour, heading to the south of France through vineyards.
12:00 p.m. - Bordeaux. Its town center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You’ll have time for lunch and to explore. We suggest visiting the Port of the Moon and the Cathedral of St. Andrew.
02:30 p.m. - Departure from Bordeaux, continuing south towards the Pyrenees.
06:00 p.m. - Lourdes. Arrival in the late afternoon. Our guide will introduce you to this beautiful mountain town, renowned worldwide as a Catholic pilgrimage site due to the Marian apparitions at its Sanctuary. We recommend attending the candlelight procession, which typically takes place at 9:00 p.m. (until the end of October) and visiting the various places of worship. Dinner in the hotel is included for all travelers.
Scenery: Beautiful French countryside.
08:00 a.m. - Departure. We’ll continue our tour, heading to the south of France through vineyards.
12:00 p.m. - Bordeaux. Its town center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You’ll have time for lunch and to explore. We suggest visiting the Port of the Moon and the Cathedral of St. Andrew.
02:30 p.m. - Departure from Bordeaux, continuing south towards the Pyrenees.
06:00 p.m. - Lourdes. Arrival in the late afternoon. Our guide will introduce you to this beautiful mountain town, renowned worldwide as a Catholic pilgrimage site due to the Marian apparitions at its Sanctuary. We recommend attending the candlelight procession, which typically takes place at 9:00 p.m. (until the end of October) and visiting the various places of worship. Dinner in the hotel is included for all travelers.
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 2,133