Highlights of France
Highlights of France
Highlights of France
13 Days Starting in Paris and ending in Paris
Visiting: Paris, Beaune, Lyon, Aix-en-Provence, Monaco City, French Riviera, Arles, Avignon, Carcassonne, Lourdes, Biarritz, Bordeaux, Saint-Émilion, Tours, Chenonceaux, Amboise, Chambord, Mont Saint-Michel, Omaha Beach, Deauville, Honfleur, Rouen
Tour operator:
Tour code:
FHIGZN19
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
15 - 45
Age range:
5-99
Special diets catered:
Please Advise Request
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
It won’t take long for France to touch your heart, but in 13 days it will capture it outright. Surrender to the allure of the Loire Valley, the sophisticated French Riviera and historic villages, towns and cities from Beaune to Bordeaux. You’ll explore a hidden realm of scenic vineyard-clad landscapes, admire the medieval facades of Carcassonne and get your WWII history fix in Normandy, where the humbling tales of the D-Day Landings come to life.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrive Paris
Location: Paris
Accommodation: Novotel Porte d'Orléans
Accommodation Name: Courtyard by Marriott Paris La Defense West - Colombes
It's time to explore Paris’s grand past, its dynamic present and exciting future. This is one capital city that doesn’t hold back and doesn’t expect you to either. Dive right into the history, culture and culinary delights of this extraordinary city, from the iconic Iron Lady to croque monsieurs, lazing on the banks of the Seine, or visiting museums and monuments. After checking in there’s time to relax or explore the city your way, but you might like to get a head start on your sightseeing by joining an Optional Experience - a Seine cruise and scenic drive taking in many of the major sights.
Day 2 : Paris Sightseeing And Free Time
Location: Paris
Accommodation: Novotel Porte d'Orléans
Accommodation Name: Courtyard by Marriott Paris La Defense West - Colombes
Meals Included: Breakfast
The Parisians know a thing or two about beauty, elegance and a life well lived, which your full day in Paris will deliver in abundance. Hit the grand boulevards on a city sightseeing tour through the heart of the city conducted by your Travel Director. See the Arc de Triomphe and Champs Élysées then perhaps choose to tread in the footsteps of Picasso and Dalà during an optional visit to Montmartre, exploring the cobbled streets and Artist’s Square. This evening, consider a trip to one of the city's renowned cabarets.
Day 3 : Paris – Beaune – Lyon
Location: Paris, Beaune, Lyon
Accommodation: Axotel Perrache
Accommodation Name: Hotel Chromatics
Meals Included: Breakfast
Au revoir Paris. The City of Light will keep shining, but for now our sights are set on medieval Beaune where the official raison d'être is the local wine. The beautiful marketplace and 15th-century Hôtel-Dieu are yours to explore before later continuing your journey to Lyon. Get your bearings during an orientation tour, then perhaps consider joining an Optional Experience delving into the rich history of the city and the classical French cuisine that helped make it famous.
Day 4 : Lyon – Aix-En-Provence – Monaco – French Riviera
Location: Lyon, Aix-en-Provence, Monaco City, French Riviera
Accommodation: Campanile Nice Aéroport
Accommodation Name: Ibis Cannes Mandelieu
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Follow the Rhône Valley south and enjoy some free time in the Provençal town of Aix-en-Provence, founded by the Romans over natural hot springs. The last leg of your journey southwards stretches out to the shimmering Mediterranean coast, where the Principality of Monaco and the Côte d'Azur await. Keep your cameras at the ready as you drive along its elegant boulevards and attempt to capture the sophistication that seems to ooze from every corner.
Day 5 : French Riviera Free Day
Location: French Riviera
Accommodation: Campanile Nice Aéroport
Accommodation Name: Ibis Cannes Mandelieu
Meals Included: Breakfast
Ooh là là ! A full free day on the French Riviera. There’s no shame in spending the day sprawled out on a sun-lounger with a cocktail, but if you can pull yourself away from the beach you’ll want to join your fellow travelers for an optional exploration of Saint-Paul-de-Vence. Life is rather idyllic in this enchanting walled hill-town and, like some of its famous residents, you’ll want to linger here a little longer. You never know who you might spot seated in those sleek Ferraris and private yachts that dot the French Riviera.
Day 6 : French Riviera – Arles – Pont Du Gard – Avignon
Location: French Riviera, Arles, Avignon
Accommodation: Ibis Avignon Sud
Accommodation Name: Hotel Ibis Avignon Sud
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Fuel up on a characteristically French breakfast of croissant and coffee before embarking on your next adventure. Today we travel west to the Camargue center of Arles, where Vincent Van Gogh found inspiration for so many of his paintings. Next, you'll view the magnificent Pont du Gard, an aqueduct carefully constructed in the first century to supply fresh water. Continue to the heart of Provence and the city of Avignon which features one of the world's most incredible religious architectural legacies.
Day 7 : Avignon – Carcassonne – Lourdes (1 Night)
Location: Avignon, Carcassonne, Lourdes
Accommodation: Mercure Imperial
Accommodation Name: Hotel Mercure Lourdes Impérial
Meals Included: Breakfast
Like a scene straight from the pages of a children’s storybook, Carcassonne stands proudly on a hillside behind fortified stone walls. Its undeniable charm is evident when you come across the town’s 12th century architecture and turreted medieval castle. From fairy tales to the foothills of the Pyrénées, your next stop is the town of Lourdes where you’ll tread in the footsteps of the millions of pilgrims, who have made the journey to pay homage to St. Bernadette and view the basilica on top of the Grotto where she is said to have seen visions of the Virgin Mary. This evening presents an opportunity to join a procession by torchlight with the pilgrims – a truly magical and moving experience.
Day 8 : Lourdes – Biarritz – Bordeaux
Location: Lourdes, Biarritz, Bordeaux
Accommodation: Ibis Centre Meriadeck
Accommodation Name: Ibis Bordeaux Center Meriadeck
Meals Included: Breakfast
The beach is back on the agenda today, so get your hat and sunglasses ready for a trip to the glamorous seaside town of Biarritz on the Atlantic coast. There’s no need to think about what to do next. Take your cue from the European royals who have been visiting this resort town since the 1800s and find your new favorite spot on a wicker chair in the sun. If watching local surfers perform their stunts isn’t enticing enough, you could choose an Optional Experience into the Basque country. After a good dose of sun, sea and lofty peaks, it’s back into the rolling countryside of Les Landes and onwards to our final destination of the day, Bordeaux.
Day 9 : Bordeaux – Saint-Émilion – Tours
Location: Bordeaux, Saint-Émilion, Tours
Accommodation: Ibis Styles Sud
Accommodation Name: Ibis Styles Tours Sud
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
After a night sampling Bordeaux blends and the city’s eclectic mix of street life and well-preserved 18th century architecture, a new adventure awaits. The hilltop village of Saint-Émilion is an appealing stop for red wine lovers. This is château country and there’s no better way to explore it than joining an optional wine tasting at an historic vineyard. Continue to your hotel by the city of Tours, known as the gateway to the Loire Valley.
Day 10 : Loire Valley And Châteaux Excursion
Location: Tours, Chenonceaux, Amboise, Chambord, Tours
Accommodation: Ibis Styles Sud
Accommodation Name: Ibis Styles Tours Sud
Meals Included: Breakfast
Indulge your inner king or queen when you embark on a whimsical tour to Chenonceau with a Local Specialist. This enchanting, fairy-tale château straddling the Cher River is the most photographed sight in the Loire Valley and it’s easy to see why. Explore its priceless collections of Renaissance art and furniture and stroll through the exquisite landscaped gardens before continuing to the royal town of Amboise where Leonardo da Vinci is said to be buried. Your encounter with French nobility not quite at its end, you’ll view the splendid Château de Chambord, one of the world’s most remarkable châteaux. Make the most of your last night back in Tours with an Optional Experience to visit the Old Town and enjoy Touraine cuisine in a traditional restaurant.
Day 11 : Tours – Mont Saint-Michel – D-Day Landing Beaches (Omaha) – Deauville
Location: Tours, Mont Saint-Michel, Omaha Beach, Deauville
Accommodation: Ibis Centre
Accommodation Name: Ibis Deauville Center
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Only the epic sight of a medieval town rising out of the sea could compete with the beauty of the Loire Valley and your visit to Mont Saint-Michel will certainly not disappoint. Hear how the Archangel inspired the Bishop of Avranches to build a church atop this rocky outcrop, then continue your journey to the iconic D-Day landing beaches where thousands of Allied soldiers first landed on French soil, in what became the largest seaborne invasion in history. After a poignant stop at the Normandy American Cemetery at Omaha Beach, you’ll continue on to your hotel in Deauville. This elegant resort is renowned for its racecourse, harbor and high-profile international film festival held in September.
Day 12 : Deauville – Honfleur – Rouen – Paris
Location: Deauville, Honfleur, Rouen, Paris
Accommodation: Novotel Pont de Sèvres
Accommodation Name: Courtyard by Marriott Paris La Defense West - Colombes
Meals Included: Breakfast
You’ll wish you had the talents of Monet during your brief visit to the colorful port town of Honfleur. It’s easy to see why this 'most ravishing spot in the world' was immortalized on canvas by many of the world’s greatest artists. Next head to Rouen, where Joan of Arc was burned at the stake. Despite this tragic episode, there’s much to fall in love with here, from the cobbled streets to Gothic churches and the impressive cathedral. After a busy day engaging with all that history, return to the glittering French capital for the final evening of your adventure. Consider joining an Optional Experience dinner for a celebration of your memorable journey with new friends.
Day 13 : Depart Paris
Location: Paris
Meals Included: Breakfast
And just like that, you’ve seen all the highlights of France. From Paris and beyond, you’ll be finishing your trip this morning with a lifetime’s supply of memories. Say a fond au revoir to your Travel Director and newfound friends.
What's Included
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Cherry-picked hotels
Stay in cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted for a comfortable stay.
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Expert Travel Director and Driver
An expert Travel Director and professional Driver will guide you throughout your journey.
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Meals
Enjoy many meals including daily breakfasts throughout your holiday.
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City orientation tours
Get to know the cities through orientation tours included in your package.
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Audio headsets
Audio headsets are provided throughout your holiday to enhance your included sightseeing experiences.
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Luxury air-conditioned coach
Travel in comfort in a luxury air-conditioned coach equipped with Wi-Fi in most countries.
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Optional Experiences
Choose from a variety of Optional Experiences to add to your journey.
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Choice Optional Experiences
An extensive variety of Choice Optional Experiences are available for you to choose from.
What's Not Included
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Flights
International flights and airport transfers are not included
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Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is not included but recommended
Mode of Transport
Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries
Accommodation
Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
Check out our Q&As
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What countries does the Highlights of France tour visit?
The Highlights of France tour visits France and Monaco.
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What are some highlights of the tour?
Some highlights of the tour include viewing the Champs-Élysées, Arc de Triomphe, and Eiffel Tower on a sightseeing tour, visiting the charming town of Beaune, exploring the gastronomic city of Lyon, viewing the Palace of the Popes and the Pont d'Avignon, visiting the Principality of Monaco, searching for inspiration in the footsteps of Vincent Van Gogh in Arles, exploring the beautifully preserved walled city of Carcassonne, visiting the magnificent Château de Chenonceau with a Local Specialist and viewing the Châteaux at Amboise and Chambord, hearing about the D-Day Landings at Omaha Beach, and visiting the island town of Mont Saint-Michel and viewing the abbey.
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What type of accommodations can I expect?
You can expect to stay in cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted for a comfortable stay.
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Are meals included in the tour?
Yes, many meals including daily breakfasts throughout your holiday are included in the tour.
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What type of transport will be used?
Transport will be in a luxury air-conditioned coach equipped with Wi-Fi in most countries.
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What is the primary tag of the tour?
The primary tag of the tour is Coach tours (worldwide).
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Are flights included?
No, international flights and airport transfers are not included.
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Is travel insurance included?
No, travel insurance is not included but recommended.
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What is the starting location of the tour?
The starting location of the tour is Paris.
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What is the ending location of the tour?
The ending location of the tour is Paris.
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
The beauty and joy of taking a guided vacation with Costsaver is that you get to meet, travel and make friends with people from all over the world.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Costsaver is part of The Travel Corporation, which has been in business for over 100 years.
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Costsaver is proud to be a founding partner of the TreadRight Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation started in 2008. To date the charity has donated over US$2 million to assist underprivileged communities and support sustainable tourism initiatives around the globe.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of costsaver charges.
Up to 91 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 90 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 29 days before tour starts: Forfeit 80% of booking price.
At 1 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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