Indulge in the finest experiences on one of our most beloved journeys through France, beginning and ending in the timeless elegance of Paris. Spend a night in regal splendor as a guest in a Loire Valley château, and let the enchanting landscapes of Provence stir your soul, just as they once inspired Cézanne. Complete your escape in the glamorous playground of Monaco, where sophistication meets sun-drenched coastal beauty.
Includes
13 Day Trafalgar Guided Holiday
12 Nights in cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
12 Breakfasts, 1 Lunch, 6 Dinners
Scenic Drive through the Dordogne and the Loire Valley
Transport by luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
All porterage and restaurant gratuities
All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras
Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing
Optional Experiences at an additional cost during your free time
Sightseeing Highlights
Explore Carcassonne and Paris
Discover Lyon, Avignon, Monaco, Arles, Lourdes, Bordeaux and Nice
Visit the Hospices de Beaune, Château de Villandry, the American Cemetery at Omaha Beach and Claude Monet's home at Giverny and much more!
Excludes
Flights
Arrival/ departure transfers
Visas
Travel Insurance
Spending money and items of a personal nature
Extras
On occasion, hotels of similar standard and location may be utilised
Optional Experiences available at an additional cost
Not all departure dates are definite at time of loading, please enquire with one of our agents
Highlights
12 Nights in cherry-picked hotels
19 Meals
Scenic Drive through the Dordogne and the Loire Valley
Itinerary
Day 1: Bonjour Paris
All the flavours of France come to life on this unforgettable journey, which kicks off in Paris, the 'City of Light'. Spend your day strolling past its iconic landmarks in search of hidden treasures, before joining your fellow travellers and Travel Director for a dinner and an orientation drive through the city.
Accommodation: Hotel Mercure Paris 17 Batignolles
Included Meals: Dinner
Day 2: Journey through Burgundy to Lyon
We travel south to Burgundy and on to the medieval town of Beaune. On a visit to Hospices de Beaune admire the colourful geometric roof tiles of the 15th century. Next we continue to Lyon, the gourmet capital of France. Consider spending your evening delving into the epicurean delights for which Lyon is justifiably famous. Why not wander up the city's narrow lanes lined with pastel pink and yellow façades in search of a cosy bouchon for a tasty dinner with newfound friends?
Accommodation: Hotel Mercure Lyon Centre Saxe Lafayette
Included Meals: Breakfast
Day 3: Onwards to Avignon, Monaco and the French Riviera
Today we journey to the city of Avignon at the heart of Provence. See the Papal Palace and the bridge made famous by the song - Sur le Pont d'Avignon. Continue through the Provençal countryside to Monaco. Upon arrival we'll view the cathedral where Prince Rainier and Princess Grace were married, where we will enjoy a dinner in Monaco before continuing along the Riviera to our hotel.
Accommodation: Holiday Inn Nice
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 4: The French Riviera Your Way
The sun-kissed shores of the French Riviera are yours to explore today. Consider relaxing on the beach with your fellow sun-worshippers or an Optional Experience could see you visit the hilltop town of Saint-Paul-de-Vence, consistently named the most beautiful hilltop town in this region. In your free time, soak up the fresh sea air and perhaps indulge in a delicious Salade Niçoise
Accommodation: Holiday Inn Nice
Included Meals: Breakfast
Day 5: Admire Arles and Continue to Carcassonne
Visit Arles with its honey-coloured façades, Roman ruins and Camargue culture, and enjoy some time at leisure to explore this beautiful city. Alternatively, choose an Optional Experience to gain a deeper understanding of Vincent van Gogh and local history with our resident expert before winding your way to the fortified city of Carcassonne. A guided exploration of this exquisite, ancient town will reveal the Cité, its double ring of ramparts and 52 towers.
Accommodation: Mercure Carcassonne La Cité
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 6: Pilgrimage to Lourdes and on to Biarritz
We drive toward the Pyrenees this morning and arrive in Lourdes, the global centre of the Marian pilgrimage. You will have an opportunity to see the Basilica, perched atop St. Bernadette's Grotto, where the young girl, turned saint, is said to have seen visions of the Virgin Mary. Then, travel west to the Basque Coast, where we spend the night.
Accommodation: Novotel Anglet Biarritz
Included Meals: Breakfast
Day 7: Venture to Bordeaux
This morning, perhaps join an Optional Experience across the border into Spain to discover more about the Basque Country. Later, after journeying through Les Landes, we arrive in the wine capital of Bordeaux, whose stunning Garonne riverfront and Age of Enlightenment history and architecture have made it one of France's most visited cities. Bordeaux wine has been produced in the region since the 8th century and the biannual wine fair attracts buyers from all over the world. Spend some time seeing the sights during your orientation of the city.
Accommodation: FirstName Bordeaux
Included Meals: Breakfast
Day 8: Discover Beautiful Saint-Émilion
Lush green valleys and wine hills take centre stage today during a scenic half-day included excursion to Saint-Émilion, whose wine heritage dates back to Roman times. You will also have free time to explore Bordeaux and perhaps tease your taste buds with delicious Bordelaise cuisine or stroll through the city's historical centre admiring its beautiful architecture.
Accommodation: FirstName Bordeaux
Included Meals: Breakfast
Day 9: Explore a Château in the Loire Valley
Today, journey to the renowned Loire Valley, known as the ‘Garden of France’. Along the way, you’ll stop for a light lunch with the de Montferrier family on their farm during a unique Be My Guest experience. Appetites satisfied, it’s time to explore the stunning gardens of Château de Villandry during a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience with Elise, Local Specialist and environmental educator, learning how organic gardening techniques support biodiversity. Stroll through the estate’s beautifully designed spaces, from the tranquil water garden, with its shimmering ponds and fountains, to the intricate ornamental gardens. Later, arrive at our special hotel for the night — one of Trafalgar’s Stays with Stories.
Accommodation: Château de Beauvois
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 10: Off to Mont-Saint-Michel and the Normandy Beaches
We travel through the patchwork landscapes of Brittany, to the island settlement of Mont-Saint-Michel on the Normandy coast, where we visit the island town and view the impressive Norman Benedictine Abbey. Follow the Liberty Highway to St. Lô and on to Omaha Beach. Reflect on the bravery of the young men who sacrificed their lives for freedom and visit the D-Day Landing Zone to learn how the operation was planned and executed. Arrive later at your hotel where you dine tonight.
Accommodation: Hôtel Mercure Omaha Beach
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 11: Journey to Paris
We travel east towards Paris, stopping at Giverny to visit the house and gardens that once inspired Claude Monet's exquisite Impressionist works of art. This evening, consider a trip to one of the city's renowned cabarets.
Accommodation: Hotel Mercure Paris 17 Batignolles
Included Meals: Breakfast
Day 12: Discover the Delights of Paris
Join your Local Specialist on a journey through the historic neighbourhoods of Paris to see where the locals live and shop. View the remarkable church of Saint-Sulpice. Spend the rest of the day enjoying the sights on your terms. Enjoy a leisurely café au lait in quiet surrounds or consider an Optional Experience to the opulent Palace of Versailles. This evening, we celebrate an epic adventure with your Travel Director and newfound friends at a dinner.
Accommodation: Hotel Mercure Paris 17 Batignolles
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 13: Farewell Paris
For now it's time to bid a fond au revoir to the Best of France and your fellow travellers at the end of a magical and memorable holiday.
Included Meals: Breakfast
Terms & conditions
Prices are per person twin share, include discounts, and are subject to availability and rate of exchange changes. Offers above are a guide only and will vary depending on departure date. Our guide price is based on the cheapest departure within the stipulated season, availability is correct at time of loading and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Visas may be necessary and insurance is essential. Pentravel and Tour Operator terms and conditions apply, and may be found on our website. Package excludes extra nights’ accommodation, optional extensions, airfares, taxes and fees, flight supplements, surcharges and airport transfers. You can do optional free-time add-on experiences in your free time and pay for them as you travel (additional costs apply). Valid on new bookings made between 15 December 2025 and 27 February 2026. Deposit is required at the time of booking; full payment is due 90 days prior to departure, or immediately if booking within 90 days. Savings are not valid on airfares or extra night accommodations. Offers are subject to availability and may be withdrawn without notice. Minimum guest numbers are required for departures. If guests change to a tour or date not included in the sale, they are responsible for any price difference and new payment conditions. Discounts are non-transferrable. Deals may be combined with the 5% Global Tour Rewards past guest savings only, and are not combinable with other promotions, group discounts, custom group bookings, or Future Travel Credit carry-forward discounts. Website availability may briefly display sold-out departures. Additional conditions may apply. R3000 per person deposit required at time of booking. Supplier and tour operator is not responsible for technical or system errors that may interfere with or otherwise prohibit the use of promotion or sale. Tour operator reserves the right to withdraw promotional offers and adjust savings anytime without notice. At time of loading this may not be a definite departure, please contact a travel consultant for more info. Other conditions may apply. These packages are based on CASH price. E&OE;.
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