From Paris to Nice

10 Days /9 Nights
1 night Transatlantic Flight,

3 nights Paris, 2 nights Avignon, 3 night Nice
9 Breakfasts, 9 Dinners

Day 1: DEPARTURE CITY - PARIS

Overnight flight to Paris.
 

Day 2: PARIS

Transfer to your centrally located hotel. After a short break We start with a guided tour of Paris. See: the Eiffel Tower, Old Opera, Place de la Concorde, Place de la Republique, the Obelisk, Notre Dame Cathedral (inside visit), Champs Elysees, Ecole Militaire, Tuileries Gardens, Opera, and more. Join your tour director on a walking tour to Basilica Sacre Coeur and through the narrow streets of Montmartre, full of young artists, souvenir shops and Parisian crepe food outlets. Dinner and Overnight at the Hotel.

Day 3: PARIS - VERSAILLES - PARIS

After breakfast we will take a short ride to Versailles to visit the lavish palace of Louis the XIV, the Sun King. Visit the Royal Cambers, Hall of the Mirrors, Drawing Rooms, Royal Chapel and other rooms. After visiting the castle spend some time in the village of Versailles. In the afternoon return to Paris and walk to Pont Alma where you will board the Bateaux Mouches for an exciting cruise on the Seine River. Dinner and Overnight at the Hotel.

Day 4: PARIS - LOIRE VALLEY CASTLES - PARIS

After breakfast we drive to the Loire Valley and we start the tour with a  visit to Chambord Castle, the largest of the Loire Castles. You will admire the great work of François I. This castle was built as his own personal hunting grounds. You walk up to the terraces with the famous “double revolution” staircase attributed to Leonardo Da Vinci. You move on to Cheverny Castle, widely acknowledged as the most beautifully furnished Castle of the Loire. It is still inhabited. You will be stunned by its genuine charm and magnificent decorum. The tour breaks for lunch and some free time in the Cheverny village. The last castle to be visited is Chenonceau Castle, also known as the "Chateau des Dames" or "Ladies Castle" in the history of France. It was built in 1513 by Catherine Briçonnet, then embellished by Diane de Poitiers and Catherine de Médicis, and later Madame Dupin managed to save it from the ravages of the revolution. Indeed, Chenonceau owes most of its charm to women. Dinner and Overnight at the Hotel.

Day 5: PARIS - AVIGNON

After breakfast we will walk to the Louvre where we will have a guided tour led by the professional guide from the museum. Explore the tremendous collection of sculptures and paintings, including the Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci, the Venus de Milo, and the Winged Victory of Samothrace. In the afternoon we transfer to the train station to board the TGV (train à grande vitesse, or “fast train”) to Avignon, capital of the Provence region. Spend the night in this vibrant land, which also beckoned Picasso, Cocteau and van Gogh.  Dinner and Overnight at the Hotel.

Day 6: AVIGNON - NIMES - AVIGNON

After breakfast we will drive to Pont du Gard to see the astonishing aqueduct. Dating back 2,000 years, it once supplied Roman villas with running water. We then continue to Nîmes where you will have the opportunity to visit an ancient Roman amphitheatre, originally built to accommodate thousands of spectators. We then return Avignon to visit the Popes’ Palace, Pope Clement V, a native of France who moved the seat of the papacy to Avignon in 1309. Stroll through the splendid Popes’ Palace in which he and six successive popes resided. View the stunning Italian frescoes in the chapel, step in-side the papal vestry and see the hidden vaults where the church’s riches were stored.  Dinner and Overnight at the Hotel.

Day 7: AVIGNON - SAINT TROPEZ - CANNES - NICE

Breakfast.  This morning we travel to the French Riviera resort of Saint Tropez, which became "St. Trop" when the show business people, artists and writers all fell under the spell of this charming little port in the 1950's. In the summer one could bump into Picasso, Francoise Sagan, Jacques Prévert and many others, With the arrival of Brigitte Bardot in the 6O's the myth was installed for good. Since then St. Tropez has become the in vacation spot for chic Parisians and the international Jet Set. We then continue to Cannes, the "star" of the French Riviera, famous for the International Film Festival and the glamorous life style. It would be a shame to visit the South of France without experiencing the city for yourself. Late afternoon transfer to Nice. Dinner and Overnight at the Hotel.

Day 8: NICE - EZE - MONTE CARLO  - NICE

After breakfast we start with a short ride to the cliff village of Eze for a guided tour of the Galimard perfume factory. Then continue to Regal Monaco. See the Royal Palace and the changing of the guards, Botanical Gardens and the world famous Monte Carlo Casino. Later visit the J. Cousteau Oceanographic Museum, one of the best aquatic museums in the world with huge tanks displaying sharks and other species. Later, return to Nice. Dinner and Overnight at the Hotel.

Day 9: NICE

After breakfast we enjoy a walking tour along Avenue Medicin, the main artery of the city to the fish market full of local vendors and merchants. We then continue to Promenades des Anglais, one of the most famous promenades in the world. Later we climb to the top of the Chateau for an unforgettable view of the Riviera. Late afternoon free time. Dinner and Overnight at the Hotel.

Day 10: DEPARTURE

Transfer to the airport for your flight home.