9 Day France Tour to Paris, Lyon, the French Riviera and Avignon

Combine the glamorous French capital with centuries of history and glorious sunsets on the French Riviera. This favorite French tour delivers it all in just nine days, from strolling around the Pont du Gard to soaking up the sun-kissed charm of St. Tropez and Monaco in France’s glorious south.

Travel: 9 days, 2 countries and 9 cities
Accommodations: 8 nights

Meals: 8 Breakfasts, 1 Lunch, 3 Dinners

Sightseeing highlights

  • Explore Paris and Arles with a Local Specialist
  • Discover Beaune, Lyon, Aix-en-Provence, Monaco and Avignon
  • Visit Saint-Sulpice church in Paris and Pont du Gard
  • View the Eiffel Tower and the Champs-Élysées, Place Bellecour and the Basilica of Notre Dame in Lyon, the Royal Palace and Cathedral in Monaco and the Palace of the Popes in Avignon
  • Scenic Cruise to St. Tropez
  • Scenic Train Ride from Avignon to Paris

Travel highlights

  • An expert Travel Director and professional Driver
  • Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
  • All porterage and restaurant gratuities
  • All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
  • Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals
  • Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras
  • Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing
  • Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
  • TGV Express train between Avignon and Paris.
  • Optional Experiences and free time
  • On occasion, hotels of similar standard and location may be utilized.

Itinerary

Day 1

Bonjour France

Discover romance, sophistication and French joie de vivre in Paris – the launch pad to a memorable journey through the French countryside. Explore the grand boulevards and picturesque avenues of the ‘City of Light’, before meeting your Travel Director and companions for a Welcome Reception. We take to the streets this evening to see some of the city’s most iconic sights, including the Champs-Élysées and Arc de Triomphe, standing in all its glorious splendor for you to admire.

Arrival Transfer

Depart from Charles de Gaulle airport at 08:00, 11:00, 14:00

Accommodation: Renaissance Paris La Défense

Included Meals: Dinner

Day 2

Discover the Delights of Paris

Join a Local Specialist to explore the Latin Quarter, a vibrant student hotspot and home to the Sorbonne University. View the remarkable church of Saint-Sulpice, then soak up the authentic atmosphere and local day-to-day life of the Parisians as you stroll through historic neighborhoods. Spend your evening embracing the pageantry of Paris and perhaps experience a traditional Parisian Cabaret.

Accommodation: Renaissance Paris La Défense

Included Meals: Breakfast

Included Experiences

Day 3

Journey through Burgundy to Lyon

Travel through the picture-perfect Burgundy wine region and stop in its walled regional capital, Beaune – most famous for the colorful geometric-tiled Hôtel-Dieu. We continue to the gastronomic capital of Lyon, where we spend the night. Discover the historic treasures of its well-preserved Old Town or perhaps indulge in delicious Beaujolais flavors in a local bouchon – the choice is yours.

Accommodation: Hotel Charlemagne Lyon

Included Meals: Breakfast

Day 4

Continue to Monaco and the French Riviera

Follow the Rhône Valley south, enjoying some free time in Aix-en-Provence for lunch and perhaps a taste of the sweet flavors of calissons. Continue to the glamorous Principality of Monaco, one of the smallest and wealthiest nations on earth. View the palace, home to the Grimaldi family since the 13th century, and the cathedral where Princess Grace and Prince Rainier were married. Enjoy a delicious Regional Dinner together in Monaco before traveling further along the sun-kissed shores of the French Riviera to our hotel, where we’ll spend the next two nights.

Accommodation: Novotel Nice Center Vieux Nice

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 5

The French Riviera Your Way

The sun-kissed shores of the French Riviera are yours to explore today. Consider relaxing on the beach with your fellow sun-worshippers or an Optional Experience could see you visit the hilltop town of Saint-Paul-de-Vence, a popular haunt for actors seeking a relaxing retreat. In your free time, you have the opportunity to soak up the fresh sea air and perhaps indulge in a delicious Salade Niçoise.

Accommodation: Novotel Nice Center Vieux Nice

Included Meals: Breakfast

Day 6

On to Saint-Tropez and Avignon

We arrive by boat in glitzy Saint-Tropez for a leisurely morning sojourn to soak up our fashionable surrounds. Continue on to the ancient city of Avignon, once the seat of the Papacy, where we will spend the next two nights. Our orientation of this extraordinary historic city includes views of the imposing Palace of the Popes and the famous ruined bridge straddling the Rhône, which inspired the French song, Sur le Pont d’Avignon.

Accommodation: Mercure Avignon Gare TGV

Included Meals: Breakfast

Day 7

Explore Ancient History in Pont du Gard and Arles

This morning we visit the impressive Pont du Gard – an ancient Roman aqueduct bridge, still standing since the 1st century AD, before continuing to Western Europe’s largest river delta region – the Camargue. Here we will Connect With Locals for a home cooked Be My Guest lunch of original, regional dishes made with produce from local farmers and markets. After lunch we make our way to Arles to admire its Roman theater and arena – once the site of bloody battles and exhilarating chariot races. Tread in the footsteps of Vincent van Gogh with your Local Specialist, exploring the heritage of this town where he was inspired to produce more than 300 paintings and drawings. Later we make our way back to Avignon to enjoy an evening at leisure.”

Accommodation: Mercure Pont d’Avignon Center Hotel

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 8

Travel By High-Speed Train to Paris

The French countryside is your companion as you take the high-speed TGV train through the heart of France, past Auxerre and the vineyards of Burgundy, back to Paris where you’ll have the rest of the afternoon to explore the city on your own. This evening, enjoy market-fresh produce and seasonal cuisine at Maison Plisson celebrating an unforgettable sojourn through France during a Farewell Dinner and MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience that advances Global Goal 12: Responsible Production and Consumption.

Accommodation: Evergreen Laurel Hotel Paris

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 9

Au Revoir Paris

This morning after breakfast, it’s time to bid Paris a fond au revoir as our fascinating journey through France comes to an end.

Departure Transfer

Arrive at Charles de Gaulle airport at 08:00, 11:30

Included Meals: Breakfast