Easy Pace France 11 Day tour from $2498     an Insight Vacations luxury tour

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Tour Highlights

Hotels

All three hotels are modern with the Sofitel Forum Rive Gauche located on a tree lined boulevard on the Left Bank of Paris, the Imperator Concorde situated in the heart of Roman Nimes and the Radisson SAS located on the Promenade des Anglais in  Nice.

Fellow Passengers

This tour does attract the first time visitor to France, but it is primarily suitable for the returning traveller who wants to revisit three of the most beautiful  regions of France. It also appeals to passengers who really want to have the time to explore in depth.

Highlights

The glittering beauty of Paris by night, the delight of taking the high speed  TGV train southwards along the Rhone valley to Nimes, the chance to admire  the breathtaking Roman Pont du Gard, the perfumed beauty of the unique Cote D'Azur.

Excursions & Sights

• See Notre Dame Cathedral, courtyard of the Louvre and Place de la Concorde in Paris
• Drive up the Champs Elysees to the Arc de Triomphe and the Eiffel Tower
• Luberon excursion & little train ride in Avignon seeing  the Pope's Palace and the bridge
• See the Roman Theatre in Orange and enjoy wine tasting at Chateauneuf-du-Pape
• See the Roman aqueduct of Pont du Gard & the Maison Carree and Arena in Nimes
• Visit charming Aix-en-Provence
• Excursion to Monaco seeing the Royal Palace, Cathedral and harbour
• Drive along the Grand Prix Circuit in Monaco and see the Casino of Monte Carlo

Guided City Tours

In depth sightseeing tours in Paris

Orientation tour in Nimes, Avignon and Nice

Insight's First Class Services

• Escorted by a professional Tour Director
• Luxury air-conditioned coach with onboard toilet
• Train journey by TGV from Paris to Nimes
• First  Class hotels with all service charges, taxes and porterage
• Complimentary arrival transfer on Day 1 and departure transfer on Day 11

Quality Dining

Highlight Dinner in a typical Parisian Bistro

Highlight Dinner of local Nicoise dishes on the Cote D'Azur

10 buffet breakfasts and 3 three course table d'hote dinners, or buffets, plus tea or coffee

Tour Itinerary

Tour Pace

The pace is exactly as it says in the title - Easy! With three nights in  Paris, four nights in Nimes & three nights in Nice - the pace is yours  to set! You can use your free time to relax, explore or join optional excursions  organised by your Tour Director.

DAY 1 SAT - PARIS AT LEISURE

Welcome to Paris! On arrival at Charles de Gaulle Airport there are complimentary  transfers to the tour hotel. This afternoon is at leisure to relax and settle in. This evening, join your fellow passengers and Tour Director for a Welcome Drink. Afterwards, we enjoy a highlight dinner at a typical Parisian Bistro. We round off the evening with a sparkling illuminations tour of the 'city of light.' Hotel: Sofitel  Forum Rive Gauche. (HD)

DAY 2 SUN - PARIS SIGHTSEEING

Our guided tour shows us Notre Dame Cathedral, the courtyard of the Louvre and Place de la Concorde. We then drive along the Champs Elysees to the Arc  de Triomphe and Eiffel Tower. Now we embark on a relaxing River Seine cruise and  conclude with a visit to the gilded Eglise du Dome to see Napoleon's tomb. This  afternoon there is time to admire the impressionist paintings in the Musee  d'Orsay or take an optional excursion to Monet's house and garden in Giverny? (BB)

DAY 3 MON - PARIS AT LEISURE

There is certainly no shortage of things to do and see in this great capital city! Perhaps meet the enigmatic Mona Lisa in the Louvre? Ascend the Eiffel Tower  by elevator, or the hill of Montmartre by mini-train, for superb panoramic views? Don't miss the chance for a shopping spree in the Galleries Lafayette or the elegant  designer boutiques of the Left Bank. By night why not try one of the world famous  cabaret shows, for an evening of excitement and glamour? (BB)

DAY 4 TUE - PARIS - NIMES

This morning we transfer to Paris train station to board our comfortable TGV train. Our journey takes us southwards through fertile vineyards, and rich agricultural lands to arrive at the old Roman city of Nimes. We transfer to our hotel where the rest of the day is at leisure. Hotel: Imperator Concorde. (BB,D)

DAY 5 WED - LUBERON AND AVIGNON EXCURSION

First we travel into the Luberon, made famous by Peter Mayle in his book "A Year in Provence". Our excursion takes us past Cavaillon, Menerbes, Bonnieux and the  National Park before arriving in Avignon. A little train ride gives us an overview  of this papal city, with its medieval battlements and 39 towers. We pass the old Palace of the Popes, and the four remaining arches of the Bridge of St. Benezet, the Pont D'Avignon of the famous song. After some time at leisure we return to Nimes.  (BB)

DAY 6 THU - COTES DU RHONE EXCURSION

Today we admire the Roman legacy of this region! We first visit the quaint Provencal town of Orange to see its fine Roman theatre. After some time to explore we head  towards the Rhone river and the village of Châteauneuf-du-Pape where we taste  the renowned wine. Now we see the greatest of the Roman remains, the incredible  three tiered Pont du Gard. Our Roman discovery concludes back in Nimes where  we see the Roman Arena and the 2,000 year old Maison Carree temple. Time now  to shop for fragrant Provencal souvenirs or take an optional excursion to the Camargue  with its unique landscape of lagoons, white horses, bulls and flamingos? (BB)

DAY 7 FRI - NIMES AT LEISURE

Today is at leisure to relax or explore. Perhaps visit the shady Jardin de la  Fontaine or one of the town's museums? Maybe just soak up the atmosphere at an outdoor cafe by the Maison Carree? Alternatively, why not take the option to visit the old hill top village of Les Baux de Provence and a local olive oil mill? (BB)

DAY 8 SAT - NIMES - NICE

We take the smooth motorway to "the most beautiful town in France after Paris",  Aix-En-Provence. After some time to appreciate the elegant mansions and bustling cafes of the Cours Mirabeau, we continue to the fantastic Cote D'Azur and its  capital city of Nice. On arrival we enjoy an orientation tour before checking into our hotel - our home for the next three nights! Hotel: Radisson SAS. (BB)

DAY 9 SUN - MONACO EXCURSION

During our relaxed stay on the Riviera, we take an excursion to Monaco, ruled  by the Grimaldi family since the 13th century. We see the Royal Palace, home of  Prince Rainier, the yacht-filled harbour and the Cathedral, housing the late Princess Grace's tomb. We also drive along part of the Grand Prix circuit to see the Monte  Carlo Casino before returning along one of the 'Corniche' roads to Nice. The rest  of the time is at leisure to spend on the beach, shop in the elegant boutiques and  sample the excellent cuisine at one of the seaside restaurants. (BB)

DAY 10 MON - NICE AT LEISURE

Relax and enjoy a day on the legendary Cote D'Azur! Take a stroll along the Promenade  des Anglais, walk through the shady gardens or visit the superb Museum of Modern Art. Perhaps take a tour to one of the nearby hilltop villages or fashionable Cannes?  Tonight join your new found friends for a farewell dinner of local Nicoise dishes.  (BB,HD)

DAY 11 TUE - NICE

Our tour ends after breakfast today with a transfer to Nice Airport. (BB)