French Impressions
Start: France Finish: Monaco
Duration: 0 Nights
Physical rating: 2
Tour Operator: Collette
Prices From:
Tour Overview
Venture from coastal Nice to provincial Provence to cosmopolitan Paris as you take in timeless French art, cuisine and culture. Your tour begins in Nice where you can witness the splendor of the Principality of Monaco as you start your French journey. Then spend three nights in charming Aix-en-Provence. Enjoy a tasting of Provençal wines while taking in commanding views of Mont Sainte-Victoire at a vineyard in Provence. Get lost in the winding streets and breathtaking views of St. Paul de Vence. Head to the world’s cultural capital – Paris by crossing the countryside aboard the high speed TGV Train. Embark on a romantic dinner cruise on the Seine River. Visit the magnificent palace and gardens of Versailles. Now’s your chance to experience the inimitable je ne sais quoi of France.
Highlights
Embark on a walking tour of the historic walled city of Avignon.- Whisk through the French countryside aboard the high-speed TGV Train.
- Tour the <i>atelier</i> (workshop) of the famous painter, Paul Cézanne.
- Enjoy a tasting of Provencal wines while taking in commanding views of Mont Sainte-Victoire at a vineyard in Provence.
- Stroll through the hillside village of Gordes.
- Tour the glamorous Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild and the lush gardens that surround it.
- Enjoy a typical French lunch in the tea room of the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild.
- Explore Monaco and take in iconic sites such as the Casino of Monte Carlo and the Cathedral of Monaco.
Itinerary
Day 1
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Nice, France - Tour Begins
Location: Nice
Accommodation: Splendid Hotel & Spa
Meals: Dinner
Your tour opens in Nice, the renowned playground of the rich and famous. Tonight, enjoy a welcome dinner to celebrate the start of your adventure in France!
Day 2
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Nice - Monaco - Monte Carlo - Nice
Location: Nice
Accommodation: Splendid Hotel & Spa
Meals: Breakfast
Today, witness the splendor of Monaco, the dazzling gem of the Riviera. A panoramic tour highlights the famous and extravagant Casino of Monte Carlo and the spectacular 13th-century Prince’s Palace. Pause to see the Cathedral of Monaco, where Prince Rainier III and Princess Grace are buried.
Day 3
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Nice - Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat - Nice
Location: Nice
Accommodation: Splendid Hotel & Spa
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
This morning you’ll feel like a local as you stroll through the colorful and fragrant flower market in Nice.* Continue to Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat and visit the luxurious apartments of the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild. Explore the lush gardens with magnificent views of the Mediterranean Sea. Your visit to the villa is complete with a light lunch served in the charming tea room. The remainder of your day is free to discover Nice’s Place Massena and the lively seafront Promenade des Anglais. Partake in world-class shopping, sample the many French delicacies found in the south of France, or simply relax and take in the laid-back atmosphere along the Riviera.
Day 4
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Nice - Grasse - St. Paul de Vence - Aix-en-Provence
Location: Nice
Accommodation: Grand Hotel Roi Rene
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
This morning, journey to the world’s perfume capital, Grasse, and learn the secrets of perfume making, from extraction to distillation, while visiting one of the region’s famous parfumeries. Next, travel to the hilltop village of St. Paul de Vence. Enjoy some free time to explore charming sun-dappled streets, elegant fountains and breathtaking views. Continue to Aix-en-Provence, a lovely town once frequented by Hemingway and the inspiration to many artists. This evening, enjoy Provençal cuisine at your hotel’s elegant restaurant.
Day 5
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Aix-en-Provence
Location: Aix-en-Provence
Accommodation: Grand Hotel Roi Rene
Meals: Breakfast
This morning a local expert takes you on a tour of Aix-en-Provence. This charming city is full of lively streets, squares and fountains. Walk in the steps of Cézanne when you visit his atelier (workshop) and enter the artist’s most private space. The afternoon is yours to continue to discover the city’s many secrets.
Day 6
:
Aix-en-Provence - Luberon - Gordes - Aix-en-Provence
Location: Aix-en-Provence
Accommodation: Grand Hotel Roi Rene
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Visit the Musee du Calisson, a confectionery factory where you will discover the unique taste of a calisson. This delicacy–a mix of almonds, candied melon, orange blossom fragrance and marzipan–is a local specialty. Delve into the Provençal landscape during a visit to the picturesque region of Luberon, known for its beautiful lavender fields.** Take time in the hilltop village of Gordes to explore its charms. Visit the Lavender Museum and learn about this precious plant, its unique distillation process and its uses throughout history. You are in for a treat this evening when you stop at a local vineyard with commanding views of Mont Sainte-Victoire and enjoy a tasting of their delicious wines before indulging in a sumptuous Provençal meal.
Day 7
:
Aix-en-Provence - Avignon - TGV Train - Paris
Location: Aix-en-Provence
Accommodation: Le Meridien Etoile
Meals: Breakfast
This morning visit Avignon with a delightful tour of this historic walled city. Often called the “City of Popes,” Avignon acted as a center of European religion for 70 years when the Papacy moved there in 1309. A visit to the Palace of the Popes brings this history to life. Early this afternoon, climb aboard the high speed TGV Train and “fly” through the beautiful French countryside on your way to Paris.
Day 8
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Paris
Location: Paris
Accommodation: Le Meridien Etoile
Meals: Breakfast
Come to know Paris your way. It’s your choice! Take a splendid panoramic coach tour featuring the breathtaking architecture of the Arc de Triomphe, Place de la Concord, Place Vendome, the Champs-Elysees and the Notre Dame Cathedral -OR- enter the world of Impressionism with a visit to the Musée D’Orsay with its magnificent French Impressionist art collection. Live out your own Parisian adventure during a free afternoon. Perhaps you will join an optional excursion to the world-renowned Louvre, home to the iconic Mona Lisa. This evening, an optional dinner and show at Paris’ oldest cabaret, the Paradis Latin, is offered.
Day 9
:
Paris - Versailles - Giverny - Paris
Location: Paris
Accommodation: Le Meridien Etoile
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Explore the history, architecture and gardens of Versailles, one of the world’s most magnificent royal palaces and finest, most complete examples of 17th century architecture. Your local guide will recount the history of the palace and lead you through the various rooms of the State Apartments. Discover its immeasurable opulence and see its treasures including the Queen's bedchamber and the famous Hall of Mirrors. You then have time to explore the incredible gardens, some of the most famous in the world, which took over 40 years to complete. This afternoon, Claude Monet’s famous paintings come to life with a visit to the artist’s lovely home and enchanting gardens in the village of Giverny. This evening enjoy romantic dinner cruise along the Seine River. Set against Paris' glittering skyline, under a glass canopy, experience a local and authentic dining experience.
Day 10
:
Paris - Tour Ends
Location: Paris
Meals: Breakfast
Your tour ends today, leaving you with many wonderful memories.
Experiences
- Whisk through the French countryside aboard the high-speed TGV Train.
- Tour the atelier (workshop) of the famous painter, Paul Cézanne.
- Stroll through the hillside village of Gordes.
Options
Join us for a spectacular evening in one of Paris’s most beloved institutions, the famous Paradis Latin. Situated in a building associated with Napoleon and rebuilt by Gustav Eiffel himself, the Paradis has been running here since 1889. Enjoy a sumptuous dinner with wine, then bring on the champagne and let the show commence! Duration approximately 5 hour(s). Transportation is included. A minimum of 10 passenger(s) is required to operate this option. Note that as a typical Parisian cabaret, the show does contain some tasteful nudity and may be considered unsuitable for children — consult with your Tour Manager.
Price: £127
Your Peace of Mind Options
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Low Deposit
Collette requires a deposit of 20% to secure a place on this tour, and the final balance is not due till 56 days before departure..
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Secure payments
All payments to TourHub are deposited into an externally regulated Trust account.