Country Roads of France 16 Day tour from $3139    an Insight Vacations luxury tour

click to enlarge map

Tour Highlights

Hotels

A varied selection of modern hotels like the Radisson SAS in Aix-les-Bains and those which combine both historic and modern like the Chateau de Terrides in Moissac  & the Sofitel de la Cloche in Dijon.

Fellow Passengers

This tour attracts the experienced traveller who wishes to delve deeper into the diversity of France and its way of life – with special emphasis on the  delights of French cuisine and wine.

Highlights

The scenic mountain splendour of Chamonix in contrast with the bright light and  sunshine of the French Riviera. The magnificent scenery of the Dordogne, followed  by the super-fast TGV train ride on return to Paris.

Excursions & Sights

• Visit medieval Vezelay, Champagne capital of Troyes &  the wine village of Chablis
• Stay in alpine Chamonix and visit lake side Annecy and Aix-les-Bains
• Excursion  to medieval hill top St Paul de Vence
• Visit charming Aix-en-Provence
• Little train ride in Avignon seeing the Pope's Palace and the famous bridge
• See the Roman aqueduct of Pont du Gard
• Visit the Roman Amphitheatre in Arles
• See the Maison Carree & Arena in Nimes
• Visit Stes Maries-de-la-Mer in the Camargue
• Walking tour of Carcassonne
• Visit cliff top Rocamadour
• Visit  lovely Cahors
• Visit the medieval town of Sarlat la Caneda
• Visit a Limoges  porcelain showroom
• See Notre Dame & Eiffel Tower
• Wine tasting in Burgundy & Chateauneuf-du-Pape

Scenic Drives Burgundy, High Alps, Route Napoleon, French Riviera, The Luberon National Park, Camargue, Dordogne Valley

Guided City Tours

In depth sightseeing tour in Paris

Orientation tours in Troyes, Dijon, Nice, Aix-en-Provence, Avignon, Nimes, Carcassonne & Moissac

Insight's First Class Services

• Escorted by a professional Tour Director
• Luxury air-conditioned coach with onboard toilet
• First Class hotels with all service charges, taxes and porterage
• Train journey by TGV from Poitiers to Paris
• Complimentary arrival transfer on Day 1 and departure transfer on Day 16

Quality Dining

Highlight Dinner of local specialities in Brive la Gaillarde

15 buffet breakfasts and 6 three course table d'hote dinners, or buffets, plus tea or coffee

Tour Itinerary

Tour Pace

Well paced tour with two night stays in five out of nine cities, with the opportunity  for some leisurely later morning departures. Plus the journey by TGV train is a relaxing way to return to the glittering city of Paris!

DAY 1  SAT - PARIS AT LEISURE

Welcome to Paris! On arrival there are complimentary transfers from Charles de Gaulle Airport to your Insight hotel. Now relax or perhaps start exploring this romantic city? Why not take some time to browse among the boutiques of Faubourg St. Honore and dream of your own designer wardrobe? This evening, we get together with our Tour Director for a Welcome Drink. Hotel: Sofitel Forum Rive Gauche.

DAY 2 SUN - PARIS - DIJON

We head to the ancient capital of the Champagne region, Troyes. Its magnificent  centre of medieval buildings is appropriately shaped like a champagne cork! We continue  into Burgundy, famous for its fine wines. We stop in the famous wine village of Chablis where we have a chance to taste the local nectar! Now on to Dijon, our home  for two nights. Hotel: Sofitel La Cloche. (BB,D)

DAY 3 MON - VEZELAY EXCURSION

Today we see some of the leafy Burgundian countryside with road signs that read  like a wine list. We drive to Vezelay, built along a rocky ridge among the  northern Morvan foothills. Tradition has it that Mary Magdalene was buried here and from the famous basilica, Richard the Lionheart set off for the Crusades. Later  we return to Dijon, where we enjoy some time at leisure. (BB)

DAY 4 TUE - DIJON - CHAMONIX

A scenic symphony awaits us today as we head into the high Alps, and climb towards Mont Blanc and the fashionable ski resort of Chamonix. Hotel: Alpina. (BB)

DAY 5 WED - CHAMONIX - AIX-LES-BAINS

After breakfast this morning we take a breathtaking drive to the lake-side town  of Annecy. There's time here to perhaps have lunch in the Little Venice area or take a boat trip? Finally it's off to our hotel in the spa town of Aix-les-Bains,  situated on the edge of France's most celebrated lake, Lac du Bourget and overlooked by Mt Revard. Hotel: Radisson SAS. (BB,D)

DAY 6 THU - AIX-LES-BAINS - NICE

Today we travel in the footsteps of Napoleon as he made his victorious return  from Elba. It's a scenic, rugged landscape that leads from the Alps, down to the French Riviera and elegant Nice. Hotel: Splendid. (BB)

DAY 7 FRI - NICE AT LEISURE

On this morning's sightseeing tour, we journey to the Principality of Monaco.  We see the Grimaldi Palace and visit the cathedral, burial place of Princess Grace.  We then enjoy a drive on the Grand Prix circuit and views of the port with its luxury yachts. The rest of the day is at leisure to enjoy the French Riviera. (BB)

DAY 8 SAT - NICE - AVIGNON

We visit the medieval town of St Paul de Vence this morning, sitting high above  the Riviera beaches. There is time to explore before we continue to Cezanne's  home town of Aix-en-Provence. This afternoon we journey into the Luberon, made famous by Peter Mayle. We pass Bonnieux, La Coste and Cavaillon en route to our hotel in Avignon. Hotel: Grand. (BB,D)

DAY 9 SUN - RHONE EXCURSION

A short distance from Avignon we see perhaps the greatest legacy of the Romans'  presence; the Pont du Gard. Then we head towards the Rhone river and Chateauneuf-du-Pape, where we taste some of the wine. This afternoon, back in Avignon, we take a little train ride for an overview of the town and then there's time to relax, visit the Papal Palace, or dance on the 'Bridge'? (BB)

DAY 10 MON - AVIGNON - NIMES

Today we visit Arles, one time home to Van Gogh and Roman legionnaires. We visit the amphitheatre before driving through the Camargue to Stes Maries-de-la-Mer where  gypsies gather annually to honour their patron saint. You may see flamingos and wild horses on the way to Nimes. On arrival, our orientation tour shows us  the Roman Arena and 2,000 year old Maison Carree temple. Hotel: Imperator Concorde. (BB)

DAY 11 TUE - NIMES - MOISSAC

After breakfast, we cross the Languedoc for a walking tour of the unspoilt medieval walled town of Carcassonne. Later, we continue past the commercial city of Toulouse to Moissac, near the meeting of the Tarn and Garonne Rivers. Don't forget to try the dessert wine made from white Chasselas grapes that grow here in abundance. Hotel: Chateau de Terrides/Le Moulin de Moissac. (BB,D)

DAY 12 WED - MOISSAC - BRIVE LA GAILLARDE

We stop in Cahors famous for its 'Black Wine' before continuing to Rocamadour, perched on the cliff side. There's time to explore this beautiful medieval town and its sanctuary, before heading on to Brive la Gaillarde. Tonight, we enjoy a  magnificent highlight dinner of local specialities. Hotel: La Truffe Noire. (BB,HD)

DAY 13 THU - DORDOGNE VALLEY EXCURSION

This morning's drive takes us into the stunning Valley of the Dordogne where we visit the town of Sarlat-la-Caneda with its fine historic golden limestone  houses. Now we make our way to the prehistoric site at Lascaux. After viewing the world famous cave paintings we return to Brive La Gaillarde. (BB,D)

DAY 14 FRI - BRIVE LA GAILLARDE - PARIS

Our first stop today is at the town of Limoges, where we visit a porcelain showroom. Then on to Poitiers to board our TGV train for the fast and comfortable journey to Paris. Hotel: Sofitel Forum Rive Gauche. (BB)

DAY 15 SAT - PARIS SIGHTSEEING

With a local guide we see Notre Dame Cathedral before driving past the Louvre  and along the Champs Elysees to the Arc de Triomphe. We also stop for a photo of the Eiffel Tower before enjoying a scenic cruise along the River Seine. Our tour concludes with a visit to Napoleon's Tomb in the gilded Eglise du  Dome. Tonight, perhaps join a Farewell bistro dinner? (BB)

DAY 16 SUN - PARIS

Our tour ends with a transfer to Paris airport. (BB)