Discover the Essence of France: Paris, Bordeaux & South of France Tour
5 nights in Paris, 2 nights in Bordeaux, 2 nights in Aix-en-Provence, 2 nights in Nice
Immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of France’s history, art, and culture. Begin in the heart of Paris, the city of lights, where iconic landmarks, gourmet delights, and the elegant Seine river await your exploration. Dive deep into the luxurious world of macarons, the art-laden Louvre, and the royal grandeur of Versailles. Transition to Bordeaux, a gem of architectural beauty, and indulge in the famed wines of Saint Emilion. As you head south, breathe in the Provencal air in Aix-en-Provence, relish the fragrances of Grasse, and bask in the Riviera charm of Nice. Every day unfolds a new chapter of French allure. Join us on a journey of unparalleled experiences and enchanting destinations.
Suggested Itinerary
Day 1 Arrival
Welcome to France. Upon your arrival at Paris CDG airport, meet your driver and transfer to your accommodation. Overnight in Paris.
Day 2 Private Paris sightseeing tour + Small group Macaron cooking class
This morning meet your driver-guide at the hotel for your sightseeing tour of Paris. From the comfort of your seat, see all the top Paris attractions while hearing about the city’s distinctive history and culture from your driver-guide. Pass along the Champs-Élysées, seeing its luxury boutiques and incredible monuments such as the Arc de Triomphe, which was built to honor fallen French soldiers. At the end of the Avenue is Place de la Concorde, Paris’ largest central square, home to an eye-catching obelisk, given to the French by the Egyptians as a gift. Pass everyone’s favorite architectural icon – the Eiffel Tower – and see UNESCO World Heritage-listed, Notre Dame Cathedral, saved from the flames in 2019. Get a glimpse into upmarket Parisian life while traveling through the streets of swanky Saint-Germain des Prés.
In the early afternoon make your way to a cooking school for a French cuisine culinary experience. When it comes to French pâtisserie, most of us would agree that macarons are in a league of their own. This French macaron class combines technique and precision in creating perfect meringue “cookies”, filled with classic and innovative fillings to give a sweet and delicate result! You will finish with a cup of tea or coffee, share your impressions with the chef and ask all you need to succeed at home. Overnight in Paris.
Day 3 Small group Louvre tour
Meet your guide at a designed meeting point. Your guide will lead you through the galleries of this extraordinary French institution and explain the changing face of the Louvre through its architecture and design. You will marvel at the iconic glass pyramid and admire masterpieces from artists such as David, Géricault, Delacroix and Leonardo da Vinci himself. You will see the most famous artworks: the Venus de Milo, the Winged Victory of Samothrace and the Mona Lisa, painted by da Vinci at the beginning of the 16th century. Overnight in Paris.
Day 4 Dinner river cruise with musical entertainment
This evening, your driver will pick you up at your hotel and drive you to the designated pier to board a glass-encased boat for a quality dinner on the river Seine. You will be served an all-inclusive menu (aperitif, starter, main dish and dessert) with wines. During this charming dinner, you will be cruising around 2.5 hours on the river Seine to admire the illuminated monuments and bridges of the city of lights. You will have an exceptional position at a window table. At the end, private transfer back to your hotel. Overnight in Paris.
Day 5 Versailles
Meet your guide at a designed meeting point. You will be taken back to the Golden Age of France with a morning at the Palace of Versailles. The chateau and gardens count among the most prestigious monuments of the world’s artistic heritage and are certainly the finest and most complete achievement of 17th-century French art. Former residence of the ‘Sun King’ Louis XIV, this sumptuous royal palace was home to three of France’s most illustrious Kings for over 100 years. The guided tour of the palace includes the State Apartments of the King and Queen and Hall of Mirrors, a richly decorated gallery that boasts 357 mirrors, french bay windows, and crystal chandeliers. At the end of your visit, you will have some free time to discover the famous gardens à la française, a park designed by André le Notre with its magnificent groves, statues, and fountains. Overnight in Paris.
Day 6 Paris to Bordeaux
Meet your driver outside your hotel and transfer to Paris railway station. Take a train to Bordeaux. Upon arrival, private transfer to your next accommodation. Overnight in Bordeaux.
Day 7 Bordeaux walking tour & St Emilion wine tour
Today, discover Bordeaux, the Sleeping Beauty, with your private guide. Bordeaux is one of the most fascinating French towns classified as a “City of Art and History” and home to one of Europe’s largest collections of 18th-century architecture. After meeting your guide at your hotel, start this 3-hour walking tour of the town. Discover an impressive architectural ensemble that includes the neoclassical Grand Theater, the Golden Triangle district and the Rohan Palace that is today’s Bordeaux Town Hall—Admire Place de la Bourse, with its sculptured décor and water mirror.
In the early afternoon, your driver will pick you up at your hotel for a half-day excursion to the Saint Emilion wine-producing region. Your tour includes a stop to visit one of the local wine estates, where you will get to taste different vintages in a carefully selected domain. A local guide will reveal all the steps in the wine production process for you and share some historical details about the estate. Following your wine-tasting session, continue with a guided walking tour of the eponymous village. Stroll through the quaint, cobbled streets of this medieval town while your guide recounts local history, from the days of the 8th-century hermit Emilion to the 19th-century mining galleries, which still lie beneath the village. Overnight in Bordeaux.
Day 8 Bordeaux to Aix-en-Provence
Meet your driver and transfer to Bordeaux airport to catch your flight to Marseille. Upon arrival, private transfer to your hotel in Aix-en-Provence. Overnight in Aix-en-Provence.
Day 9 Provence wines and Luberon villages
Meet your driver-guide at a designated meeting point. After a 30-minute drive east of Aix-en-Provence, you will reach the vineyards at the foot of the Sainte-Victoire Mountain, a site of outstanding beauty that inspired the works of Impressionist painter Cézanne. Here, you will visit a family-run winery and sample exquisite red and elegant rosé wines. Afterwards, you will embark on a scenic drive through the Luberon region to explore its most beautiful villages. You will have free time in Lourmarin, one of the most beautiful villages in France, famous for its Renaissance castle. Visit the medieval village of Bonnieux, with a splendid 12th-century church, stunning views over the surrounding valley, and the spectacular cliff-lined road called Combe of Lourmarin. The tour will continue to the colorful village of Roussillon and the pretty hilltop village of Gordes, featuring a cluster of magnificent stone buildings and scenic alleys. Overnight in Aix-en-Provence.
Day 10 Aix-en-Provence to Nice with stop in Grasse / Perfume factory group visit
Check out and meet your driver to transfer to your next accommodation on the French Riviera. Before arriving at your destination, stop in Grasse and visit the famous Fragonard perfume factory. A local guide, trained by a professional perfume maker, will tell you all about the history of the trade. After exploring the manufacturing techniques and the history of the precious fluids, test your nose with a free olfactory game at the end of the tour. Overnight in Nice.
Day 11 Small group Antibes, Cannes, and Saint Paul de Vence
Meet your driver guide and start your tour from Nice. Following the coast road, drive to the old Antibes, the incredible harbor, and its ramparts. It’s got an enchanting old town, a marina filled with superyachts, and a renowned Provencal market packed with fabulous regional products. Reach Cannes by driving by Croisette Boulevard to the film festival Palace and feel like a star walking up the world-known steps. On the way back, join the charming medieval village of Saint Paul De Vence, whose relaxing atmosphere has been attracting artists for centuries, from Picasso to Matisse. Its cobblestone streets are a joy to explore, with many art galleries, pretty cafés and unique shops. Overnight in Nice.
Day 12 Departure
Meet your driver and transfer to Nice airport.