Journey 16-day 'Tour de France' exploring Monaco's Grand Prix circuit and the fortified city of Carcassonne. Try your hand at pétanque in Avignon and savor a farm-to-table dinner in Sarlat-La-Caneda. In Paris, witness iconic landmarks like the Eiffel Tower and Louvre, concluding with a drive down Champs Elysées to Napoleon's Arc de Triomphe. Immerse yourself in the best of France on this guided adventure.
Includes
16 Day Insight Vacations Guided Holiday
15 Nights in stylish, hand picked hotel accommodation
Authentic dining inclusive of 15 Breakfasts, 7 Dinners with Wine
Enjoy the comfort of Insight's luxury, air-conditioned coach
An expert Insight Travel Director
From time to time, your Travel Director will enchant you with an Insight Flourish, which is a local specialty representing the destination
Baggage handling everywhere, we include all taxes and porterage charges at hotels
Hotel and restaurant tips are included
Personal radio headsets, gives you the freedom to wander during visits to famous highlights without missing any of your local expert's fascinating insights and commentaries
Additional experiences during your free time that can be purchased at an additional cost
Top Rated Highlights
Explore Dijon with your Travel Director to learn all about the history of this fascinating city, famous for its mustard and wines.
Visit Monaco and Monte Carlo, St Paul de Vence, the Pont du Gard, Carcassonne walled city, and the prehistoric caves of Lascaux.
Reims orientation of the city provides insight into this cultural and economic hub.
Enjoy free time in the Little Venice area. and much more!
Unique Insight Experiences
Join a Petanque Player for a Game in Saint Paul de Vence: Join a pétanque player to learn the secrets behind this traditional French discipline. Steady your hand and get ready to test your newfound skills in a game. End with a glass of pastis, a French apéritif.
Make Travel Matter Experiences
Chateau Le Luc: The Fabre family has been producing wine since the 17th Century. At the heart of their passion lies a strong commitment to protect the natural environment of the region and produce complex yet sustainable wines.
Excludes
Flights
Transfers not mentioned
Visas
Travel Insurance
Items of a personal nature
Extras
On occasion, hotels of similar standard and location may be utilised.
Additional experiences that have been curated by your Travel Director from their own in-depth local knowledge can be signed up for on tour at an additional cost.
Airport Transfers: If your arrival and/or departure flights are as per the itinerary start and end dates, then transfers are available at scheduled times. If your flights are outside these times, or you have booked additional nights accommodation with Insight Vacations, you may purchase transfers or make your own way from/to the airport.
Smaller coaches without extra legroom or onboard washroom may be used.
Please note some departures are not definite departures.
Highlights
15 Nights in stylish hotel accommodation
22 Meals
Unique Insight Experiences
Itinerary
Day 1: Welcome to Paris
Meet your Travel Director and fellow guests at the hotel before joining a Welcome Dinner at Brasserie Bofinger, a local restaurant with cuisine inspired by country recipes.
Welcome Meeting: Meet your Travel Director at 17:30
Accommodation: Grand Hotel Chicago
Included Meals: Dinner with Wine
Day 2: Champagne Region and on to Dijon
Journey to historic Reims where an orientation by your Travel Director reveals the charming architectural diversity of the city. Stop to savour a taste of champagne before travelling past the Champagne region en route to Dijon.
Accommodation: Grand Hotel Dijon La Cloche
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Day 3: Free Time in Dijon
Enjoy the Burgundy capital of Dijon. Its many handsome buildings recall the time when the Dukes of Burgundy were more powerful than the Kings of France. Perhaps take the opportunity to visit the wine capital of Burgundy, Beaune? In the evening, don't miss the chance of an optional Burgundy wine tasting and traditional dinner in the Premier Cru village of Fixin.
Accommodation: Grand Hotel Dijon La Cloche
Included Meals: Breakfast
Day 4: Chamonix
Travel towards the Mâconnais and Beaujolais before turning east into the Alps. A scenic symphony awaits you as you ascend into the high Alps and climb towards Mont Blanc, Western Europe’s highest mountain. Your destination is the fashionable ski resort of Chamonix. Take in panoramic views of the mountain peaks and valley below from the Chamonix cable car. In the evening you may choose to try a local pierrade at a local trendy eatery in a traditional chalet. This Optional Experience provides the chance to try a typical regional meal, cooked on a table barbecue using on a hot stone.
Accommodation: Alpina Eclectic Hotel
Included Meals: Breakfast
Day 5: Lakeside Annecy and Grenoble
In the morning, embark on a beautiful journey to the lakeside town of Annecy, dramatically situated between lake and mountains, it's a medieval spectacle and a summer getaway for the French and the Swiss locals. Enjoy free time for lunch in Little Venice, aptly named for the network of canals criss-crossing through the Old Town. Explore the city’s many lovely bridges at your leisure. Continue on to your hotel in Grenoble. This evening, savour a delicious dinner at a local restaurant.
Accommodation: Park Hôtel Grenoble-MGallery
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Day 6: The French Riviera to reach Nice
Glorious mountain scenery will be yours to enjoy as you travel along a spectacular route, used by the Emperor Napoleon when he returned from his first exile to try to take the throne of France once more. Continue to the French Riviera to reach the elegant resort of Nice. The rest of the afternoon is free for you to explore as you wish. In the evening, why not walk through old town Nice, ending in Cours Saleya where dinner is at your leisure at one of the many lovely bistros?
Accommodation: Radisson Blu Hotel
Included Meals: Breakfast
Day 7: Nice - Principality of Monaco - Nice
Wake up ready to rub shoulders with the jet-set on the glamorous Côte d’Azur. Unlock the secrets of the French perfume industry with a visit to a perfumery, where fragrance experts waft exclusive scents from stoppered bottles. Then enjoy a drive along part of the Grand Prix circuit in Monaco and with Insight Choice enter the Oceanographic Museum dedicated to the concept of the Mediterranean Science Commission or visit the Royal Palace of Monaco and Monaco Cathedral, housing the tomb of Princess Grace. The rest of the day is set aside for you to enjoy the French Riviera at your own pace. Perhaps join an Optional Experience to visit to the medieval village of Eze and its hill-top Botanical Gardens for a spectacular view of the coastline?
Accommodation: Radisson Blu Hotel
Included Meals: Breakfast
Day 8: Picturesque Provence
Visit the medieval village of Saint-Paul de Vence, perched high above the Riviera beaches. A walk through its winding streets reveals elegant fountains, vine-covered stone walls and views of mountains and sea. Enjoy a lesson in the French sport of pétanque. Steady your hand and get ready to test your newfound skills as you take part in a game, completed by a glass of pastis, a French apéritif. Continue to Aix-en-Provence to see the sumptuous mansions lining the Cours Mirabeau and on to your hotel.
Accommodation: Aquabella Hotel & Spa
Included Meals: Breakfast
Day 9: Avignon and Pont du Gard
Head to beautiful Arles and learn about its historical connection to Vincent Van Gogh. After, journey to Pont du Gard to see the magnificent ancient Roman aqueduct bridge. Continue on to Avignon to enjoy views of the remaining arches of the Pont d'Avignon and the fortified Papal Palace.
Accommodation: Aquabella Hotel & Spa
Included Meals: Breakfast
Day 10: Carcassonne and to Albi
A scenic drive through the Alpilles takes you to Chateau De Luc, for a wine tasting and MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience. Cross the fertile Languedoc region, before journeying inland to the fortified town of Carcassonne. Travellers are often amazed at their first sight of this medieval gem, known for its fortress - a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with a complete set of ramparts and a medieval keep. Travel to Albi, the birthplace of Toulouse Lautrec. During your orientation with your Travel Director, marvel at iconic sites including the views of Toulouse Lautrec Museum and the famous awe-inspiring cathedral, before spending the remainder of the day at leisure.
Accommodation: Hôtel Saint Antoine
Included Meals: Breakfast
Day 11: Free Time in Albi
Enjoy a full day at leisure, to relax and soak up the atmosphere of Albi. This evening savour a delicious dinner of carefully selected fresh ingredients, at a local restaurant.
Accommodation: Hôtel Saint Antoine
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Day 12: Cahors and Rocamadour
Stop in Cahors, famous for its Black Wine, and see the Pont Valentré. You'll also have the opportunity to explore the open air market - full of fresh, seasonal produce and local delicacies, it's an experience to delight all of the senses. Travel to Rocamadour and enjoy free time to explore this medieval town perched on a cliff side above the Alzou River and known as a resting place for pilgrims on their way to Spain. Continue to the beautiful town of Sarlat-la-Canéda, its medieval core blessed with fine historic golden limestone houses.
Accommodation: Hotel Le Perigord
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Day 13: Exploring the Dordogne Valley
Start the day with a morning drive into the stunning Valley of the Dordogne to visit Lascaux II, where the world-famous prehistoric cave paintings have been faithfully reproduced. Enjoy a delicious Farm-to-Table Dinner, prepared with locally sourced ingredients and served with wines from the region.
Accommodation: Hotel Le Perigord
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Day 14: Paris, The City of Light
Travel onwards to immerse yourself in the beautiful city of Paris where on arrival you are free to explore this fascinating city as you wish. As evening descends, the City of Light lives up to its name as the monuments, buildings and bridges are lit up in all their glory. For that special touch of excitement and glamour don't miss the chance to join an Optional Experience to one of the world-famous cabaret shows.
Accommodation: Le Méridien Etoile
Included Meals: Breakfast
Day 15: Romantic Capital on the Seine
During your time in Paris, see the impressive Eiffel Tower, the imposing facades of the Louvre, the Luxor obelisk in the centre of the Place de la Concorde and enjoy a drive along the Champs Élysées to Napoleon's Arc de Triomphe. Today enjoy an Insight Choice experience. Choose to explore community life in the picturesque Montorgueil district. Alternatively, join a Local Expert, an avid foodie, as you head into areas where Parisians go about their daily lives to explore small shops and sample local treats and delicacies. You are in for a memorable evening starting with a delicious Celebration Dinner at the historic restaurant La Coupole, serving delicious French cuisine and wine.
Accommodation: Le Méridien Etoile
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Day 16: Au Revoir Paris
Today, bid farewell to your journey along the country roads of France as you transfer to the airport.
Departure Transfer - 08:00, 11:00
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 and availability is correct at time of loading. Visas may be necessary and insurance is essential. Pentravel and Tour Operator terms and conditions apply, and can be requested. Excludes flights, transfers, visas, travel insurance and anything not mentioned. Savings are not valid on all itineraries and/or departure dates, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. High season supplements and block out dates may apply, pricing varies pending departure date. Package excludes flights. You can do optional free-time add-on experiences in your free time and pay for them as you travel (additional costs apply). Insight Vacations reserves the right to withdraw promotional offers and adjust savings anytime. All savings / discounts mentioned have already been included in the advertised price. Pentravel and Tour Operator reserves the right to withdraw or amend promotional offers at any time. Full payment due 120 days prior to departure or at time of booking if booked within 120 days of departure; whichever comes first. R3000 per person deposit required at time of booking for Level 1 tours to hold space; some trips require payment in full at time of booking. Advertised price is based on 5 April 2025 departure. At time of loading this may not be a definite departure. Savings are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. These packages are based on CASH price. E&OE;.
Contact Us
