Magnificent France | 10 Days

First a stroll through Amboise in the early hours to the Clos Lucé mansion where leonardo da Vinci spent the last 3 years of his life. Exploring the Loire region in a little more depth, we visit Chenonceau Castle (tickets included), built like a bridge over the River Cher. We continue to Chambord, the largest castle of Loire (entrance to the park included). We will then travel to the center of France. Limoges, a city known for its porcelain, where we recommend a stroll in the center to see its cathedral.

Meals Included:

Breakfast

We will leave Limoges for the Dordogne. Few regions contain so many villages full of charm and unforgettable countryside. We arrive at Lascaux, we will include admission to the museum and replica of the caves, we will learn about the site’s prehistory with the magnificent cave paintings. After that we see Sarlat-la-Canéda, a world heritage town with an incredibly well-preserved Renaissance historic centre, where there will be time to stroll and have lunch. In Beynac-et-Cazenac we see a medieval castle overlooking the river (admission included). Rocamadour, a beautiful medieval village with an important sanctuary “hung” over a ravine; we suggest you walk down the via crucis and come back up in the lift. Dinner included.

Meals Included:

Breakfast, Dinner

We will go to the impressive Padirac caves, where we include a boat ride on the river 75 metres underground. A stop at Collonges-la-Rouge, a very picturesque village built with red stone on the Way of St James. Time for lunch. After lunch we travel to Saint-Émilion, at the heart of the Bordeaux wine producing region. Time for a stroll. Bordeaux, arrival at the end of the afternoon.

Note: The caves may be closed from November until the end of March due to the weather conditions.

Meals Included:

Breakfast

The entire centre of Bordeaux has been declared a world heritage site. You will be amazed by the “water mirror” and stroll through the old town with its pedestrian streets and 11th century cathedral. We will include admission (free visit with audio information in Spanish, French or English) to the Cite du Vin, an impressive interactive museum that recounts the history of the wine and its production; wine tasting included at the viewpoint over Bordeaux. You will have free time later to stroll and have lunch on the banks of the Garonne River, an area full of small restaurants. We continue our way towards the Pyrenees, arriving to Lourdes in the mid-afternoon. We have time to see the sanctuary (we recommend attending the candle procession). Dinner included.

Meals Included:

Breakfast, Dinner

We travel through the south of France and stop in Carcassonne, a city surrounded by the most beautiful walls in Europe. Time to walk. After lunch we will continue to Narbonne, free time to get to know this historic Occitan city with its picturesque historic center. At the end of the afternoon we arrive in Marseille, the second city of France. We recommend a walk through its vibrant “Vieux port”, full of life and small restaurants.

Meals Included:

Breakfast

Villages, landscapes, history, today we see some of the most beautiful places in Provence. Arles, a world heritage city, shows us its legacy of the Roman and medieval times and reminds us of Van Gogh. In Les Baux-de-Provence, we have the chance to visit this small medieval village and we will include admission to the Carrières de Lumières, an impressive show of art, image and sound underground, in some former quarries. Time for lunch and stroll in Avignon, with its immense Palais des Papes. We continue to Lyon, where we can walk through the World Heritage Site old town and we will include the cable car to climb Notre Dame de Fourviere, a huge basilica from where we have a great view over the city.

Meals Included:

Breakfast

We will set off from Lyon and head to the Burgundy region. We stop at Tournus, a quaint little town with an imposing stone gate and a large abbey. After that, we will travel to Beaune. Time to have lunch and explore a bit through the wine capital of Burgundy. We recommend you to visit the wine museum or the historic hospice. Next, we will visit the Castle of Savigny situated in the heart of this winemaking region. The castle was built in the 15th century and houses some extraordinary museums (museum of motorbikes, racing cars, planes and helicopters!). We continue to Dijon, capital of Burgundy, which boasts of lively streets as well as numerous medieval and Renaissance buildings, among which, the palace of the dukes stands out.

Meals Included:

Breakfast

We leave Dijon for Fontenay Abbey, a world heritage site, where we include admission to this Cistercian centre. After this, a stop in Semur-en-Auxois, a medieval city surrounded by impressive walls. Still in Burgundy, we will have time for lunch and a stroll in Vézelay, one of France’s most beautiful villages, where its immense basilica was one of the starting points of the Way of St James. In the afternoon we continue our route to Paris. Arrival in the evening.

Meals Included:

Breakfast

After breakfast, end of our services.

Meals Included:

Breakfast

English speaking guide

Touring as per itinerary

9 Buffet Breakfasts, 3 Dinners

Transportation by air-conditioned vehicle

Arrival transfer

Ticket admission: Villandry gardens, Chenonceau castle, Castle park of Chambord, Museum and replica of Lascaux caves, Beynac castle, Beynac castle, Padirac caves, Cité du Vin in Bordeaux, Carrieres de Lumiere show, Savigny Medieval Castle and Fontenay Abbey

Basic travel insurance

Boat: Padirac Caves

Funicular: Lyon

Passport or visa fees

Other meals, snacks and drinks

Departure transfer

Pre and post tour accommodation

Any other items of personal nature