Tauck Luxury Escorted Tours – A Week In…Paris and Provence Tour 2010
A Week In…Paris and Provence Tour
Tauck’s enticing week-long France tour takes you from the turquoise shades of the Côte d’Azur to the pastel palette of Provence to glittering, romantic Paris. Visit charming Monaco; explore historic Avignon, Arles, and Aix-en-Provence, and see firsthand what inspired van Gogh in St-Rémy and Cézanne at Mont Ste-Victoire. Enjoy an olive oil tasting and lunch in Mas des Barres; a guided adventure walk on the Pont du Gard; and a high-speed rail journey to Paris for a three-night stay highlighted by a guided tour of the Louvre and a dinner cruise on the River Seine. There’s no better way to experience France’s many charms in one week!
Itinerary
| Day 1 | Arrive Nice on the Côte d’AzurYour France tour begins at 6:00 PM at Hôtel Negresco in Nice, France.* A transfer is included from Nice Côte d’Azur Airport to your 5-star luxury hotel, Hôtel Negresco. Welcome to Nice, the glamorous capital of the French Riviera. Join us for a welcome cocktail reception and dinner this evening at your historic hotel overlooking the Bay of Angels, within walking distance of the beach.
*Please note that April – June departures will follow a slightly different itinerary for the first two days, staying at the Fairmont Monte Carlo in Monte-Carlo, Monaco on nights 1 and 2. Meals: Dinner Lodging: Hôtel Negresco, Nice, France / Fairmont Monte Carlo, Monaco (April – June only)* |
| Day 2 | From medieval Eze to glittering Monte-Carlo in MonacoTauck’s southern France tour begins with a visit to the medieval village of Eze en route to a glimpse of how the rich, the famous, and the royal live and play in the Principality of Monaco. Explore the area of the famed Prince’s Palace in Monaco-Ville before lunch on the terrace of the Fairmont Monte Carlo; spend the rest of the afternoon and evening as you please in Nice.
*Please note that April – June departures will follow a slightly different itinerary for the first two days, staying at the Fairmont Monte Carlo in Monte-Carlo, Monaco on nights 1 and 2, and visiting Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild in St-Jean-Cap-Ferrat on day 2 Meals: Breakfast, lunch Lodging: Hôtel Negresco, Nice, France / Fairmont Monte Carlo, Monaco (April – June only)* |
| Day 3 | Artistic inspirations amidst the treasures of ProvenceImagine great artists like Paul Cézanne at work amidst the spectrum of colors found in Provence as you view Mont Ste-Victoire and join your local guide for a walking tour among the fountains, squares and medieval center of lovely Aix-en-Provence. Discover the private Baux Valley estate and winery of Château d’Estoublon on an afternoon visit. Continue on to St-Rémy-de-Provence, where Dutch artist Vincent van Gogh spent one year of his life at a monastery that served as an asylum; his stay here resulted in a period of creativity that produced 150 of his most beloved paintings including Starry Night, Wheat Field with Cypresses and Irises. You, however, will spend two nights in town at the charming Hostellerie du Vallon de Valrugues.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner Lodging: Hostellerie du Vallon de Valrugues, St-Rémy-de-Provence, France |
| Day 4 | Lovely Arles, a famous aqueduct and olive oil galoreA southern France tour isn’t complete without exploring the Provençal landscapes that inspired van Gogh, where olive groves, cypress trees, and flowers the color of the rainbow greet you. Travel today to ancient Arles, exploring the historic Old Town noted for its narrow streets, medieval stonework and lingering evidence of its ancient Roman residents; enjoy lunch on your own. Then take an adventurous guided walk on the famous Pont du Gard, an ingenious 2,000-year-old Roman aquaduct spanning the River Gardon, before visiting Mas des Barres, an award-winning olive oil producer in Maussane les Alpilles. Their product is a gourmet delight you’ll discover on an insider tour of their orchards and production process, with an olive oil tasting and dinner accompanied by a presentation of Provençal folklore.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner Lodging: Hostellerie du Vallon de Valrugues, St-Rémy-de-Provence, France |
| Day 5 | The ancient walls of Avignon and a rail excursion to ParisThe medieval walled city of Avignon, where popes reigned from 1309 until 1376, is one of the most interesting places in France. A visit to the Palais des Papes reveals the Gothic glories with which the popes of Avignon surrounded themselves. Board the TGV, one of Europe’s fastest trains, bound for Paris and an unforgettable three-night stay in the very heart of the inimitable French capital.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner Lodging: Hotel du Louvre, Paris, France |
| Day 6 | Bonjour la Cité – the France tour continuesA morning tour of enchanting Paris encompasses some of this legendary city’s best-known landmarks. See the Champs Élysées, the Arc de Triomphe, Place de la Concorde, the Eiffel Tower, and inspiring Notre Dame Cathedral. Spend the rest of the day as you wish – your stylish, elegant boutique luxury hotel is ideally located in the heart of the city looking out over four Parisian landmarks – Musée du Louvre, the Opera Garnier, the Comédie Français, and Place du Palais Royal.
Meals: Breakfast Lodging: Hotel du Louvre, Paris, France |
| Day 7 | Musée du Louvre and a romantic Seine River cruiseOnce a royal residence, today the Musée du Louvre houses some of the world’s best-known artistic masterpieces in its extensive collections of paintings, sculpture, and antiquities. Enjoy a guided tour of this celebrated institution just steps from your hotel before spending some free time discovering more of Paris as you please. Join us this evening for a farewell dinner cruise on the River Seine, gliding slowly past the illuminated beauty of Paris. Such a memorable evening is certain to be a highlight of your France tour with Tauck!
Meals: Breakfast, dinner Lodging: Hotel du Louvre, Paris, France |
| Day 8 | Journey homeTauck’s southern France tour ends in Paris. Your transfer is included from the Hotel du Louvre to Charles de Gaulle International Airport. You should allow a minimum of 2 1/2 hours for flight check-in.
Meals: Breakfast |
Price Guide
8 Days from $2,990
| 2010 Price per Person | Double | Single | Triple |
| April | $2990 | $4240 | $2940 |
| May, June and October | $3490 | $4740 | $3440 |
| July – September 5 | $3290 | $4540 | $3240 |
| September 6 – 26 | $3590 | $4840 | $3540 |
All prices are per person in U.S. dollars.
About The Tauck Luxury Escorted Tours Experience