Itinerary
- Day 1
Paris
Paris - Day 2
Paris
Paris- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided bus tour of Paris with iconic highlights including Notre-Dame Cathedral and Arc de Triomphe
- Seine River cruise past Eiffel Tower and riverside landmarks
Optional Activities
- Self-guided exploration of Paris heritage, arts, cuisine and café culture
Landmarks Notre-Dame Cathedral Arc de Triomphe Eiffel Tower Seine River - Day 3
Paris to Vernon
Paris to Vernon- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 4
Vernon
Vernon- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Giverny Gardens and Monet's home with self-paced exploration of tranquil spaces and Water Garden with Japanese bridge
Optional Activities
- Guided e-bike tour of Giverny (approximately 5km each way on flat cycle path with river views)
- Paint Like Monet (extra expense)
- Rouen by Night (extra expense)
Landmarks Giverny Gardens Monet's House Water Lilies Pond - Day 5
Rouen
Rouen- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided walking tour of Rouen's medieval centre including Old Marketplace, Cathedral district, and Saint Maclou Quarter with Viking and Joan of Arc history
Optional Activities
- Active walk in Rouen through historic streets and cobbled laneways (more energetic pace)
- World War II lecture on board about Normandy's role and D-Day Landings
Landmarks Rouen Cathedral Old Marketplace Saint Maclou Quarter - Day 6
Honfleur
Honfleur- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Historic Normandy: full-day war-themed tour of Allied Landing Sites including D-Day beaches, memorials, and museums honoring World War II sacrifice
Optional Activities
- Calvados Immersive experience - tasting experience exploring apple brandy cider-making and distillation (3 hours, easy activity level, extra expense)
Landmarks D-Day Landings Beaches - Day 7
Honfleur
Honfleur- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Honfleur with exploration of St. Catherine Church (largest wooden church in France) and fresh oyster tasting with local flavours
Optional Activities
- Guided e-bike tour of Honfleur through main sights, waterfront, and cobblestone squares with local stories and history
Landmarks St. Catherine Church - Day 8
Les Andelys - La Roche Guyon
Les Andelys - La Roche Guyon- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Exclusive local cider farm visit with tasting of authentic local products
- Hike to Château Gaillard with guided exploration of 12th-century medieval fortress ruins and panoramic views across River Seine
Landmarks Château Gaillard - Day 9
La Roche Guyon
La Roche Guyon- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit to Château de La Roche-Guyon and gardens featuring 14th-century fortified castle with meticulously maintained gardens and elegant period rooms with antique furnishings
Optional Activities
- Kayak on the Seine with calm waters ideal for paddling past the town, lush greenery, and limestone cliffs
- In the footsteps of Van Gogh - walking tour of Auvers-sur-Oise village visiting artist's last residence and resting place (3 hours, moderate activity level, extra expense)
Landmarks Château de La Roche-Guyon Vexin National Park - Day 10
Paris - Lyon
Paris - Lyon- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 11
Lyon
Lyon- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided coach tour of Lyon starting at Fourvières Hill with views of ancient Roman Theatre, Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière, and walks through Renaissance passageways (traboules) and Renaissance-era houses
Optional Activities
- Guided e-bike tour of Lyon including Parc de la Tête d'Or (largest urban park in France with over 15,000 plant species), zoo, greenhouses, former vet school and courthouse, and Confluence district (requires good fitness and confident cycling)
- Excursion to Pérouges - guided walking tour of medieval walled town on hill overlooking Ain River valley with 15th-century fortified church, former residence of Savoy princes, and Maison du Sergent de Justice (3.5 hours, moderate activity level, extra expense)
Landmarks Roman Theatre of Fourvières Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière Parc de la Tête d'Or - Day 12
Mâcon
Mâcon- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Beaujolais wine tasting at local vineyard with guided experience of winemaking process and sampling of wines from the Beaujolais region
- Day 13
Tournon
Tournon- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided walking tour of Tournon through local history, viticulture traditions, Roman ruins, Renaissance monuments, and world's oldest suspension bridge with cables
Optional Activities
- Guided hike through surrounding vineyards known for Syrah, Marsanne, and Roussanne with spectacular Rhone River views and optional chocolate maker tasting and shopping
Landmarks Tournon Castle - Day 14
Viviers
Viviers- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Viviers following heritage discovery trail with iconic monuments including Maison des Chevaliers with lavishly decorated Renaissance façade
Optional Activities
- Visit to Caverne du Pont-d'Arc Museum - guided tour through world's largest decorated cave replica with ancient canvases (2.5 hours, moderate activity level, extra expense)
Landmarks Viviers Cathedral Maison des Chevaliers - Day 15
Avignon
Avignon- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Provençal dinner hosted by Top Chef finalist Fabien Morreale with authentic regional dishes)
Included Activities
- Guided walking tour of Avignon through cobbled alleyways featuring UNESCO World Heritage Palais des Papes, 12th-century Pont d'Avignon, and medieval architecture
Optional Activities
- Canoeing excursion - paddle north of Avignon along calm Rhône River waters back towards town, paddling beneath famous Pont d'Avignon
- Provençal dinner on board hosted by Top Chef finalist chef Fabien Morreale with authentic regional dishes celebrating Provençal flavours and fresh produce
- Classical concert in historic chapel with local trio performing timeless works with atmospheric stone acoustics
- Guided tour of Pont du Gard - UNESCO World Heritage 275-metre three-level Roman aqueduct (48 metres high) with visit to small Roman town of Uzès and local restaurants (4.5 hours, easy activity level, extra expense)
- Visit to Châteauneuf du Pape with wine tasting - famous wine appellation known for warm red blends and creamy whites with curated vineyard tasting and picturesque 14th-century castle ruins (3.25 hours, moderate activity level, extra expense)
Landmarks Palais des Papes Pont d'Avignon Pont du Gard - Day 16
Arles
Arles- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided walking tour of Arles with visit to Roman Amphitheatre, ancient forum, and Roman baths through one of France's best-preserved ancient cities with stories of emperors and gladiators
Optional Activities
- Excursion to Les Baux de Provence - UNESCO World Heritage site and 'one of the most beautiful villages in France' in Alpilles Regional Natural Park with narrow cobblestone streets, grey medieval stone buildings, and Château-Fortress des Baux with incredible views (4 hours, difficult/active level, extra expense)
- Lavender Distillery - Provençal soap-making workshop hands-on experience learning traditional techniques with olive oil, lavender, and local botanicals to create artisanal soap (3 hours, easy activity level, extra expense)
- In the footsteps of Van Gogh with painting workshop - explore landscapes inspiring Van Gogh's iconic works then participate in painting workshop to recreate vibrant scenes and take home your masterpiece (3 hours, moderate activity level, extra expense)
Landmarks Roman Amphitheatre of Arles - Day 17
Arles to Nice
Arles to Nice- Meals
- Breakfast
- Day 18
Nice - Monaco
Nice - Monaco- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- City tour of Monaco and Monte Carlo including Principality of Monaco (world's second smallest country) with Prince's Palace of Monaco (former Genoese fortress and home of Princess Grace Kelly) and famous Grand Prix track
Optional Activities
- Tastes of Nice - guided walking tour through Old Town with Neoclassical Place Massena, Baroque chapels, art galleries, Lascaris Palace, Cours Saleya market, and Nice Opera House including Matisse inspiration and local legends (2.5 hours, moderate activity level, extra expense)
Landmarks Prince's Palace of Monaco Monte Carlo Grand Prix Track Promenade des Anglais - Day 19
Nice
Nice- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Visit to Saint-Paul-de-Vence - guided tour of medieval village in Alpes-Maritime along French Riviera, 'one of the prettiest hilltop towns of Provence' with cobbled streets, centuries-old buildings, quaint squares, vaulted passageways, and ancient fountains (4 hours, easy activity level, extra expense)
- Day 20
Nice
Nice- Meals
- Breakfast
