Itinerary

Day 1 Paris

Paris is confident that it's the world's most beautiful, fashionable and artistic capital. After visiting the city you will no doubt find it hard to disagree. Paris is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, with over 30 million foreign visitors per year. Three of the most famous Parisian landmarks are the twelfth century cathedral Notre Dame de Paris on the Île de la Cité, the nineteenth century Eiffel Tower, and the Napoleonic Arc de Triomphe. The city's most prized museum is the Louvre, though there are dozens of other important ones.

Enjoy a private airport transfer in Paris in a private vehicle with a professional driver.

Discover Paris in a truly original and personalised manner aboard your very own 2CV. The 2CV, the quintessential symbol of the “French touch”, thanks to its convertible, soft top roof offers a magnificent panoramic view. You will be driven by a knowledgeable, English speaking chauffeur, and discover the most famous, beautiful and elegant monuments of Paris including: Eiffel Tower, Champs-Elysées, Arc de Triomphe, Louvre, La Madeleine, Palais de l’Elysée, Invalides, Grand Palais, Opera Garnier, Place Vendôme, Notre-Dame de Paris, Champs de Mars, Musée d’Orsay, Ile de la Cité, Place de la Concorde, Trocadero and Petit Palais. The 2CV cars can hold up to 3 people. If there are more in your group additional cars will be arranged so you can travel in convoy. (Includes hotel pick up and drop off in central Paris). Consider a longer tour of 3 hours to see more gems in the city. Please speak to your Sales Advisor if you are interested in this.

Enjoy dinner at leisure. Here are a few suggestions; In the Latin Quarter (5th): Le Petit Pontoise bistro, 9 Rue Pontoise (Metro: Maubert Mutualite) Tel: 0143292520.This restaurant is nestled in a discreet and quite street, 10 minutes walk from Notre Dame Cathedral. Reservation for the dinner is recommended. By the Arc de Triomph and Parc Monceau (17th): Chez Les Anges, Paris, 54 Boulevard de La Tour-Maubourg (Metro: La Tour-Maubourg). Tel: 01 47 05 89 86. Cool jazz on the sound system, a sunny veranda, and a cool, modern bar. This is pure market cuisine, the daily changing menu punctuated by fabulous wild fish, wild mushrooms, and seasonal game. Closed Sat. & Sun. In the Trocadero area (16th): Astrance, Paris. 4 Rue Beethoven (Metro: Passy). Tel: 01 40 50 84 40. For fashionable foodies, a meal at this small, split-level dining room with silver-painted walls on a quiet residential street near the Trocadero is guaranteed Nirvana. Book a month in advance. Closed Sat. Sun. & Mon.

The Aubusson Hotel (4*) is a fully refurbished 17th Century French mansion in the historical district of Saint Germain Des Pres, in the heart of Paris. The hotel is just a stone’s throw from Paris Notre Dame Cathedral, the Louvre museum, the Orsay museum, and the Luxemburg Garden. It is ideally located around Saint Germain Des Pres and the Latin Quarter to discover the famous Parisian art galleries, antique shops and finest designer's boutiques. The hotel offers 50 air-conditioned and soundproofed rooms, all equipped with private facilities. The hotel also offers a main lounge with a stone fireplace, a business space with Internet connection, an inner courtyard, a bar, a store laundry and dry-cleaning service, room service and an underground private car park. There is also a bar where live jazz music is often performed on Friday and Saturday evenings. A hot buffet breakfast is served in an elegantly decorated, high ceilinged room on the ground floor.

Overnight at Aubusson (4*).

Day 2 Paris

See all of the sites that are of personal interest to you while availing of the metro system (within zones 1 - 3) with your two day (consecutive) pass. The Paris Pass is a smartcard offering free access to 65 attractions in Paris such as the Louvre, the Arc de Triomphe, Orsay museum, Musee Rodin, commented cruise with Bateaux Parisiens and Pompidou museum. With this pass, you have access to 22 museums, 24 historical monuments, 15 art galleries, 3 tourist attractions, 1 cruise and special offers in shops and restaurants.

Overnight at Aubusson (4*).

Day 3 Paris

Enjoy a half day visiting the Palace of Versailles with a private car and English speaking driver. A superb Baroque palace known to the world as a symbol of civilization and pleasure, the Palace of Versailles dates back to 1038, and was the official residence of the Kings of France from 1682 until 1790. Used by Louis XIV initially as a hunting lodge he had the property expanded to become the magnificent site of French classical architecture complete with extensive manicured gardens that it is today. The interior showcases magnificent examples of baroque furnishings, a rare collection of objects d'art and houses special exhibitions. At the end of the tour you will be dropped back to your accomodation or in a central place of your choice in the city. (Includes entrance). Please let your Advisor know if you would like to have a Guide accompany you for this excursion and this tour can be re-priced for you.

One of the best ways to see the city of Paris is by night. Enjoy a drive past the floodlit famous monuments of Paris (with recorded commentary) by coach on a shared tour, delight at the illuminated landmarks such as the Champs-Elysees, the Arc De Triumph, the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre Pyramid and many more. This will be followed by a prestigious and exciting cabaret show at the Lido, 'Bonheur' (unescorted). Enjoy the show while sipping a glass of champagne. Please note that formal dress is required and that you must report to your departure point 15 minutes prior to your pick up time. At the end of the tour, you will be returned to close proximity of your hotel in Paris. Please note that recorded commentary will only be during the Illuminations tour and the Lido show will be unescorted.

Overnight at Aubusson (4*).

Day 4 Aix en Provence

Aix-en-Provence is a city in southern France, some 30 km north of Marseille, in the region of Provence and is often referred to as the city of a thousand fountains. The old town; contains wide but irregular streets and houses many old mansions dating from the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries. It has a vibrant market in the center of the old town, and the surrounding blocks are full of shops, cafes, art galleries and boutiques. Aix-en-Provence invites a full day of strolling and exploring the sights and smells of this famous region.

Transfer using a local taxi (available and economical).

Enjoy the train ride from Paris to Aix en Provence. The train ride requires a connection in Marseille. The duration is approximately 3 hours and 10 minutes to Marseille and 45 minutes to Aix en Provence.

Transfer using a local taxi (available and economical).

Enjoy your time at leisure strolling through Aix en Provence. Known as a town of water and culture, its history has been shaped by its spas and by the arts. Whether in the narrow streets of the old town, in the moss of its 101 fountains, on the pediments of mansions or in the surrounding countryside, the glorious past of Provence's former capital has been miraculously preserved.

Hotel Le Pigonnet (4*) is an enchanting small luxury hotel just a stone’s throw from the centre of Aix-en-Provence. This elegant stone combines 18th century décor with touches of Provençal chic to provide a serene and luxurious experience. Guests can wander through the hotel’s delightful gardens or gaze at the majestic Mont Sainte Victoire from the terrace.

Overnight at Le Pigonnet (4*).

Day 5 Aix en Provence

Enjoy time at leisure strolling around Aix. Be sure to wander down the broad Cours Mirabeau. This idyllic shady promenade is planted with old plane trees and in the middle of the roadway stand three beautiful fountains. There are several impressive buildings in the street, among them the Hôtel des Villiers (No. 2; 1710), the Hôtel d'Isouard de Vauvenargues (No. 10; 1710), the Hôtel d'Arbod Jouques (No. 19; early 18th C.), the Hôtel de Forbin (No. 20; 1656) and the Hôtel de Maurel de Pontèves (No. 38; 1647-50; now the offices of the Principal of the University). At the east end of the Cours Mirabeau stands the Fontaine du Roi René, the work of David d'Angers (19th C.) and the Chapelle des Oblats, part of the Carmelite Monastery designed by a pupil of Puget and restored about 1700. The "Deux Garçons" cafe dates from the 18th C. North of the Cours Mirabeau the Old Town extends as far as the Hôtel de Ville (Town Hall) and is largely a pedestrian precinct. Be sure to wander down the Rue Gaston de Saporta - An ancient (pedestrianised) street which houses four superb mansions from the 17th and 18th centuries.- No.23, the Hotel Maynier d'Oppede, and at No.. 21, The Hotel Boyer de Fonscolombe, No. 19, The Hotel de Chateaurenard, No. 17, The Hotel d'Estienne de Saint Jean.

Enjoy time at leisure to explore at your own pace, or relax at your hotel.

Overnight at Le Pigonnet (4*).

Day 6 Nice

Nice is the capital of the French Riviera and a glittering jewel of the Côte d'Azur. It is a city built on wealth and prestige, and not a little pretension. Head away from the Promenade and you'll find a different, more thoughtful Nice. History shows itself in the Roman and Grecian ruins in the Parc du Château, art manifests itself in the form of the outstanding Chagall and Matisse collections, and the old town simply oozes Mediterranean charm.

Transfer using a local taxi (available and economical).

Enjoy the train ride along the Mediterranean from Aix en Provence to Nice. Train duration is approximately 3 .5 hours and often requires a change in Marseille.

Transfer using a local taxi (available and economical).

Enjoy a private half day tour (4hrs) of Nice with your own English speaking guide and vehicle. Places of interest that you may like to visit include the Castel Park overlooking the Bay of Angels and Old Town - site of the trading town founded by the Greeks 2700 years ago. Drive along the harbour and admire the Turin style buildings. Contemplate the Old in Place Garibaldi and the New along Promenade des Arts (Modern Art Museum, Sosno’s library, Acropolis congress center...). Arrive in Cimiez, winter home of Queen Victoria. Stop at the Roman Arenas of Cemenelum. Enjoy the Matisse Museum or walk among the olive trees’ garden and the 15th c. garden of the Franciscan Monastery. Visit the extraordinary Russian Cathedral, the largest and most beautiful one outside Russia. Return by the Promenade des Anglais passing its famous landmarks and “Belle Epoque” buildings and possibly end the tour with a visit to the flower market (morning only) in the Old Town. At the end of the tour you canopt to be let off in the city centre or returned to your accommodation. (entrances not included).

Enjoy lunch and dinner at leisure in Nice - there are lots of places to choose from.

La Perouse (4*) hotel, part of the Small Leading Hotels of the World, is situated at the end of the Quai des Etats Unis just below the castle and a couple of minutes walk from the old town with it's fashionable restaurants and cafes and the famous Flower Market. This is a modern building, built into the Castle hill, and overlooks the Bay of Angels. A few steps lead from the hotel entrance to a small cosy lobby with large windows offering a magnificent view of the sea. On the hotel's top floor there is a magnificent terrace surrounded by the gardens of the Castle Hill, with whirlpool, jacuzzi and fitness centre, allowing you to keep fit or simply relax enjoying the unhindered endless views of the turquoise sea.

Overnight at La Perouse (4*).

Day 7 Nice

Enjoy a full day exploring the Cote d’Azur on a shared tour. Enjoy a panoramic city tour of Cannes before continuing on to Antibes. Founded by the Greeks in the 4th century, the town of Antibes has fortified walls and a fortress which date back to the 17th century.

Enjoy lunch at leisure in Nice.

In the afternoon, enjoy the stunning coastal views as the tour departs for Monaco passing by Villefranche / Cap Ferrat with its beautiful bay, considered the first port of Nice. Once in the principality of Monaco, enjoy a panoramic visit of the city with the Prince’s palace, the cathedral (which houses Princess Grace Kelly’s grave). From here, the tour continues on to the city of Monte Carlo – known for it’s formula one “circuit”. Enjoy some free time in the main square to see the highlights : the famous casino. A different route is taken on the return to Nice (the middle road) and a stop is made in the beautiful medieval village of Eze to visit at the perfume factory Fragonard. Enjoy some free time before the return journey to Nice.

Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant (not included in tour price). Here are a few suggestions: Les Viviers- An elegant dining room with light wood panelling or a 1900s-style bistro: two decors but the same cuisine, based on fish, seafood and dishes of the day. Classic cuisine with prices approximately 38€ (weekday lunch)/85€ - Menu: 39€/90€. Closed 21 July-18 August, Saturday lunch and Sunday. Brasserie Flo - A parterre of tables and troop of waiters at the ready: the bell rings and the deep-red curtain goes up on the kitchens of this brasserie housed in a 1930 theatre. Meals - 23€ - 30€ incl. drinks (lunch)/55€ - Menu: 32€/67€.Stephane Viano - Easily recognisable by its long veranda furnished with Provençal-blue chairs, this fashionable restaurant also has a dining room with a vaulted ceiling and black and white decor. Typical Nice dishes given a modern twist. Meals - 32€/58€ - Menu: 42€/58€. Closed on Sundays.

Overnight at La Perouse (4*).

Day 8 Nice

Spend the day on a shared tour taking in the chic coastal town of Saint Tropez and an afternoon cruise. Exit the motorway and drive through the Maure Forest, stopping at Port Grimaud – “Little Venice”. Admire its canals, bridges, boutiques, and charming houses. Meander through the little canals of Port Grimaud by boat. Drive or sail to St Tropez – 20’ – across the stunning bay.

You will have free time for lunch, and the afterwards, mount the steps to the pretty medieval village or visit the Annonciade Museum or the Citadel with its naval museum. You will return with a spectacular coastal drive through typical Ste Maxime, St Raphaël and the Golden Corniche.

Overnight at La Perouse (4*).

Day 9 Nice

Airport transfer with private vehicle and English speaking driver. (A supplement for transfer between 8pm and 7am may be charged).

Depart from Nice airport - end of itinerary.

Overnight at Depart.

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