Meet us for a rendez-vous to revel in the rues of Paris, the riverside where Jules Verne dreamed of deeper waters, and the royal chateau where cognac flows. Make a French connection from the City of Light to the dappled vineyards of Bordeaux. Break away from the ordinary with dreamy days in Marseille, Aix-en-Provence, and the French Riviera in Nice. Try your luck at the tables in Monte Carlo and get the royal treatment in Monaco with 11 fantastic days in France. From cathedral halls to fortress walls; from Medieval treasures to Mediterranean pleasures, this vacation in France is a rendez-vous you won’t want to miss.
PLUS, your tour includes your choice of an excursion in Bordeaux so you can plan your day your way.
French Rendez-VousDay 1:
ARRIVE IN PARIS, FRANCE Welcome to Paris! At 5 pm, meet your Tour Director and travel companions for a welcome drink.
Day 2:
PARISJ’adore Paris Wake up in Paris with a free morning to explore on your own or join an exciting optional excursion. This afternoon, join an included guided walk to discover one of Paris’s iconic quarters. Later, enjoy a dinner cruise on the Seine with incredible views of the city.* (B,D)
* For operational reasons, changes to the Paris program cannot be excluded.
LOCAL FAVORITE
As the song goes, we love Paris in the springtime; we love Paris in the fall - but no matter the season, we fall in love anytime we visit the most romantic city in the world. What better way to complete your visit to Paris than with a dinner cruise along the Seine. Gaze at the City of Light from your ship while indulging in French fare and wine. Bon Appétit!
Day 3:
PARIS–NANTESVoyages Extraordinaires Bid au revoir to Paris and drive to Nantes, situated on the Loire River. Join your Local Guide for a walking tour, which includes sights of the Château des Ducs de Bretagne, Ile Feydeau, Place Royale, and Passage Pommeraye. Free time this evening to explore more of the city and perhaps try some of the seafood specialties for dinner. (B)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
The once busy port of Nantes influenced the young Jules Verne, who was born and raised there, to become attracted to the sea and travel. His books about voyage and exploration have been translated all over the world and have led him to often be regarded as the “Father of Science Fiction.” In Nantes he is said to be one of the inspirations for “Les Machines de l’Ile” project that includes a “Marine Worlds Carousel” and a 12-meter-high, mechanical “Great Elephant” that walks around the exhibition area carrying passengers.
Day 4:
NANTES–COGNAC–BORDEAUXLocal Spirit En route to Bordeaux, stop in Cognac for a [LF] guided visit of the Château Royale du Cognac and a cognac tasting. Continue to Bordeaux, known as a City of Art and History, but more famously recognized as the Global Capital of Wine, producing around 960 million bottles of wine each year! This evening free time to start discovering the city. (B)
LOCAL FAVORITE
The Dutch started to distill French wines into brandy in the 16th century as a means of preserving their much-treasured purchases for the journey back home. During your visit of the Château Royale discover the history of its inhabitants and the origins of Cognac. Then raise your glass to discover why it is worth all the effort.
Day 5:
BORDEAUXSpend Your Day Your Way in Bordeaux Explore more of Bordeaux with your choice of an included Globus Choice excursion. (B)
Cité du Vin Museum and a Glass with a View
Discover the world of wine at Bordeaux' Cite du Vin Museum through fascinating themed exhibits illustrating the history of wine and global wine culture. Drink in the panoramic 360° views of Bordeaux and the Gironde River with a glass of wine in The Belvedere.
We love you so, Bordeaux!
Love Bordeaux for the legendary wine; love it all the more for its legendary art and history with a guided walking tour to see La Grosse Cloche, the mesmerizing Miroir d'eau (reflecting pool) at the Place de la Bourse, and much more. Taste the sweeter side of Bordeaux with a canelé and dune blanche pastry tasting!
:
BORDEAUX–CARCASSONNEMedieval Battle Sites Today, journey south to reach Carcassonne, a fortified city that never fails to impress! Take an orientation walk by the ancient battlements. Enjoy free time to explore this delightful medieval town, browse the inviting stores, and discover the local products. (B,D)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
Visit the ancient city of Carcassonne and see its pre-Roman settlement complete with a medieval castle and dramatic defensive walls. It’s described by the UNESCO World Heritage Convention as one of the finest remains of medieval fortifications in Europe. Stunning!
Day 7:
CARCASSONNE–NIMES–LE BAUX DE PROVENCE–MARSEILLERoman Influences Your first encounter today is with the warm and colorful region of Provence. Stop in Nimes, once a Roman stronghold, and enjoy an orientation walk to admire the Roman amphitheater and the Maison Carrée, an ancient Roman temple. Continue to Le Baux de Provence to visit an authentic local Olive Oil Mill and sample the oil during a tasting. Reach Marseille, a vivacious city on the Mediterranean Sea. During your free time this evening, why not try some of the local specialties for dinner? (B)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
One of the Mediterranean’s most appreciated and treasured products, olive oil, often referred to as “green gold,” dates back thousands of years to ancient civilizations such as the Romans. The olive oil produced at the mill in Le Baux-de Provence has a real local taste, being produced solely from the olives harvested in the surrounding area.
Day 8:
MARSEILLEMusical Marches Join your Local Guide for a sightseeing tour of Marseille, featuring a walk in the city’s oldest district – Le Panier, a visit to the Cathédrale La Major and the Old Port, and a scenic drive along the panoramic waterfront road. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant in the old port area. This afternoon and evening are yours to continue exploring more of the city. (B,L)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
This bustling seaport city is a melting pot of cultures. Founded by the Greeks around 600 BC and continuously inhabited since then, it is the oldest city in France. The city’s population actively supported the French Revolution, and when 500 volunteers marched on Paris to defend the Revolutionary Government, the song they sang en route became known as “La Marseillaise.” It was later adopted as the French National Anthem.
Day 9:
MARSEILLE–AIX-EN-PROVENCE–NICEBeautiful Boulevards This morning, visit the elegant city of Aix-en-Provence. See the fashionable Cours Mirabeau during an orientation walk of the city. During your free time, why not sample one of the city’s most famous products, the delicious calisson pastries? Continue to Nice, the iconic seaside resort on the Côte d'Azur. Enjoy an evening at leisure for independent exploration, or join a sensational optional excursion to Monte Carlo. (B)
ENHANCE YOUR FREE TIME
Take advantage of an optional excursion to the Principality of Monaco. Wine and dine in Monte Carlo, the glamorous millionaires’ playground. See the Royal Palace and Cathedral as you discover the Old Town. Try your luck at the famous Grand Casino or sit in a local café and watch the world go by.
Day 10:
NICELa Belle This morning, follow your Local Guide for a walking tour through the old town, characterized by narrow cobblestone streets, charming squares, and Baroque churches. Enjoy free time in the afternoon for a spot of last-minute sightseeing or shopping. This evening, enjoy a farewell dinner at a local restaurant. (B,D)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
One of Nice’s most iconic symbols is “La Chaise Bleu”, the blue chairs that are dotted along the Promenade des Anglais, one of France’s most famous boulevards. They provide inspiration for local artists, a place of relaxation for the locals, and taking a photo sitting on one is considered “a must do” for visitors - so take a seat and admire the stunning views of the bay.
Day 11:
NICESafe travels until we meet again! Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)