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France

Grand Tour of France

 
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20262027
Duration
14 days
From per person
$5,499 $4,999
Tour code
FGT26
Mobility Rating 4
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Travel among a group of like-minded travelers led by a professional tour manager
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Travel from Lyon to Paris via beautiful Nice on the Côte d'Azur, historic Provence, and the beloved Bordeaux wine region.  Perfect for travelers eager to experience all that France has to offer in one remarkable journey, this tour combines elegant four-star stays with immersive cultural and culinary discoveries

Embark on a journey for the senses, delving into the flavors, scents and famous views of France.

Find yourself enveloped in history and in awe of beauty at every turn while traveling from the gastronomic capital, Lyon, to the City of Lights, Paris.

On this grand tour, uncover beautiful Nice on the Côte d'Azur, learn the art of perfume-making in Provence, and step back in time in Avignon, Carcassonne and Toulouse. After exploring the beloved Bordeaux wine region, the iconic sights of Paris round out this expedition.

Unforgettable Experiences

Marveling at the grand Palace of Versailles
Marveling at the grand Palace of Versailles
Witness one of France’s most iconic royal homes while touring the Palace of Versailles, a UNESCO World Heritage site whose rooms and gardens symbolized the grandeur of the French monarchy in the 18th century.
Indulging in a lunch cruise through UNESCO-listed Bordeaux
Indulging in a lunch cruise through UNESCO-listed Bordeaux
Savor a delicious lunch of regional flavors while drifting along the Garonne River, with views of Bordeaux’s beautiful bridges and the city’s architecture framing the riverbanks.
Visiting the exquisite Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild
Visiting the exquisite Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild
Commissioned by Baroness Rothschild in the early 20th century, this expansive Cap Ferrat villa boasts a breathtaking interior filled with art, period furniture and exceptional architecture amid nine manicured gardens.
Learning the story of perfume-making in Provence
Learning the story of perfume-making in Provence
Visit the famous Fragonard Parfumerie in Grasse, a UNESCO-listed town famed for its unmatched contributions to the preservation of traditional perfume-making techniques.
Discovering the flavors of Dordogne in Sarlat
Discovering the flavors of Dordogne in Sarlat
Setting out into Sarlat with a guide, enjoy an introduction to the unique gastronomic contributions of the Dordogne region, with plenty of opportunities for tastings, on a culinary tour.
Wandering the colorful Les Jardins Marqueyssac
Wandering the colorful Les Jardins Marqueyssac
Spend time exploring the manicured gardens of a 17th-century chateau, meandering along paths lined with shaped boxwoods to soak up spectacular views over the Dordogne Valley.

What’s included on the tour?

Itinerary

DAY1Beginning your journey in Lyon

France's second-largest city and a culinary epicenter renowned for its wine and cuisine, Lyon marks the starting point for your French vacation. As you arrive today, make your own way to the hotel to check this afternoon, and then enjoy some free time to get to know this historic location.

The city's long history can be traced to 43 B.C. when the Romans founded a settlement here. By the 14th century, Lyon had gained its current name, a city charter, and a reputation for banking, printing and silk weaving. Today, traces of this rich past can be found at every turn, especially in the city center, which is located approximately 10 minutes from our hotel.

Returning to the hotel this evening, meet the Tour Manager and your group of fellow travelers before sitting down for our first dinner together in France. Overnight Lyon.

Includes
  • Dinner
DAY2Exploring Lyon, France’s gastronomical capital

Lyon sits at the confluence of the Rhône and Saône rivers and has a beautiful waterfront lined with buildings of pink, orange, red and white. In addition to these picturesque views, we soak up Lyon's fantastic highlights and extensive history on a guided sightseeing tour of Old Town, Vieux Lyon.

Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage site, filled with stunning glimpses of the past, yet in recent years, Lyon has reinvented itself as the capital of French gastronomy. We wrap up our tour with an opportunity to taste it for ourselves at a local bouchon. These traditional restaurants are keepers of Lyonnaise culinary traditions, with hearty French meat dishes being heavily featured on their menus.

Following lunch, you are free to continue the day at leisure with your 24-hour Lyon City Card in hand. In addition to providing unlimited access to public transportation, the card includes admission to the Musée des Confluences, a sightseeing cruise on the Saône, and access to Vieux Lyon and its traboules (hidden passageways). Overnight Lyon.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch
DAY3Roman Aix-en-Provence and glamorous Nice

After breakfast at the hotel this morning, we are transferred to the train station to board our First Class seats to Aix-en-Provence in the foothills of the Southern Alps. On arrival, we switch trains and continue toward our destination on the illustrious Côte d'Azur, or French Riviera, Nice.

Nice sits near the Italian border and was once under the rule of the House of Savoy, which later became part of Italy. Although it has officially been a French city since 1860, influences of both cultures bedeck the streets, with historic buildings built in a range of architectural styles and sprawling squares. These elements pair with gorgeous views of the Mediterranean, offering a scenic backdrop for the next two nights.

There is time to settle into our hotel and get acquainted with the surrounding area before we have dinner at a local restaurant this evening. Overnight Nice.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
DAY4Discovering Nice & the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild

While Nice is beloved for its coastal ambiance and importance as a port city, its stunning scenery has made it a haven for artists throughout the years, including celebrated Fauvist Henri Matisse, who spent several years here. This morning, we delve into this side of the city at the Matisse Museum in the hilltop Cimiez Quarter. More than 1,500 unique pieces are housed here, and with included admission, there is ample time to peruse the galleries.

The day continues with free time for lunch, and then we continue to the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild, a stunning 20th-century mansion built by Baroness Béatrice Ephrussi de Rothschild. In addition to being opulently outfitted with collections of porcelain, furniture and paintings, the home sits on property that is itself a work of art, with nine themed gardens.

Following our visit, we return to our hotel in Nice with the remainder of the evening at leisure. You might like to wander along the Promenade des Anglais - a palm-tree-lined Mediterranean version of the Champs-Élysées - or find dinner in a waterside restaurant. Overnight Nice.

Includes
  • Breakfast
DAY5Perfume history in Grasse & papal Avignon

Leaving Nice after breakfast, we travel to Grasse, a town surrounded by mountains and forests and famed for perfume-making. In fact, in 2018, its skills related to perfume earned Grasse Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity recognition from UNESCO.

Our destination here is Fragonard Parfumerie, where we learn more about this art. The 18th-century building has been fully restored to include a maceration and filtering room, a distilling room and a bottling room, among other facilities. A guide reveals how essential oils are extracted to create the fragrances, and you can smell some of the heavenly scents for yourself.

After some free time to have lunch independently, we continue to the Provençal city of Avignon, where we check into our hotel early this evening. Take some time to settle in and enjoy views of the amazing Palais des Papes from our hotel before joining the group for dinner. Overnight Avignon.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
DAY6Exploring Avignon & the citadel of Carcassonne

A walking tour of the sights of Avignon awaits after breakfast, accompanied by an expert guide. Along the way, we admire landmarks such as the 12th-century Pont St. Bénezet, the bridge featured in the popular children's song Sur le Pont d'Avignon, an iconic symbol of the city.

Following the tour, there is free time to find lunch locally in Avignon before we board a coach to the ancient walled city of Carcassonne. Our first look at its medieval architecture comes with a guided tour on arrival. Unsurprisingly, with its beautifully restored slate roofs, pointed towers and fortified walls, this citadel is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site and regarded as one of Europe's best-preserved medieval centers. Crossing the ancient bridge over the former moat feels like stepping back in time. Afterward, you might like to enter Château Comtal and the hilltop castle within the walls independently.

We wrap up our day with a transfer to our hotel in Toulouse, the "Pink City," and enjoy a free evening to dine independently. Overnight Toulouse.

Includes
  • Breakfast
DAY7Getting to know the Pink City of Toulouse

The Occitan capital is known as "La Ville Rose," the Pink City, due to the proliferation of pink-hued buildings in its historic center. And while a highlight of any visit, they are just the beginning of what we see on this morning's guided walking tour. Our guide takes us through hidden courtyards and grand main square, offering a memorable introduction to Toulouse at every turn.

You can find lunch independently in one of the charming sidewalk cafés or a restaurant serving local specialties, and then this afternoon, we visit the Maison de la Violette. In the 1800s, the cold-weather blooming violet became synonymous with the city, and local cultivators exported them throughout Europe. Maison de la Violette worked to recapture this identity and create a line of violet-scented and flavored products using this local blossom. Our visit includes entrance with a chance to learn more about the violet products and purchase some for yourself.

After our visit, the remainder of the day and evening are yours to explore Toulouse at leisure and have dinner locally. Overnight Toulouse.

Includes
  • Breakfast
DAY8Sampling Dordogne cuisine on a culinary tour of Sarlat

A haven of honey-colored houses and centuries of architecture, the beautiful town of Sarlat-la-Canéda, often called Sarlat, is our destination today. Setting out after breakfast this morning, we board our coach to travel inland toward the scenic shores of the Dordogne River.

Sarlat is nestled between hills in the Dordogne Valley, just north of the river. This town has the highest concentration of medieval, Renaissance and 17th-century façades of any town in France, and is awash in ageless squares and time-capsule scenery. Beyond this, it is beloved for its culinary contributions, with numerous markets throughout the city. We arrive in time to look around and have lunch independently before joining an expert local guide in exploring Sarlat's flavors on a culinary tour. From fresh produce to cheese and regional delicacies, we uncover the epicurean heritage of this location.

With the remainder of the day and evening at leisure in Sarlat, you might like to continue wandering among the medieval streets, seeking out architecture and flavors iconic in this romantic region. Overnight Sarlat.

Includes
  • Breakfast
DAY9Awe-inspiring topiary at Les Jardins Marqueyssac

Remarkable views of the Dordogne Valley and a serene atmosphere of cultivated nature lie ahead this morning as a coach transfer takes us to Les Jardins Marqueyssac, a 17th-century chateau and National Historic Monument. Stunning gardens surround the chateau, with nearly four miles of pathways lined with 150,000 shaped boxwoods.

On arrival this morning, a guide introduces us to the site and its history, and then you are free to wander at leisure. Thanks to Les Jardins Marqueyssac's positioning on a rocky outcrop, each pathway is surrounded by awe-inspiring views, including of châteaux. Wherever you explore, signs allow you to dip your toes into the region's history, geography, geology, and flora and fauna.

Leaving this idyllic location, we transfer to picture-perfect La Roque-Gageac on the shores of the Dordogne. Set against soaring cliffs, this town provides postcard-worthy scenery. You can find lunch locally or walk along the riverbank, soaking up views of honey-hued homes and ancient cave dwellings. We return to Sarlat later this afternoon with some time to unwind ahead of a three-course dinner at our hotel. Overnight Sarlat.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
DAY10Bordeaux tour and Garonne lunch cruise

As one of the world's largest urban UNESCO World Heritage sites, Bordeaux boasts diverse architecture, welcoming boulevards and a quaint Old Town, along with being the heart of one of the world's most renowned wine regions. All these allures beckon as we depart Sarlat by coach this morning, bound for the shores of the Garonne.

Our drive ends on the riverbank, where we step aboard a boat for a scenic cruise that presents the city from the water while we enjoy a lunch of seasonal local products. Soak up sights of the UNESCO-listed architecture, discovering the bridges of Bordeaux, including the Pont de Pierre and Pont d'Aquitaine, and enjoy traditional local flavors.

Stepping back ashore, we get a different perspective on Bordeaux on a guided tour that reveals some of the area's top attractions and most enchanting architecture. Then, after checking in to our hotel this evening, you are free to savor this incredible city independently. Overnight Bordeaux.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch
DAY11Wine-tasting in the famed St. Émilion region

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast in Bordeaux this morning before traveling by coach into the St. Émilion wine region, where world-famous wineries and beautiful historic architecture blend seamlessly. Our route takes us to the attractive village of St. Émilion first, before we head to a local château that dates to the early 1800s and is surrounded by more than 12 acres of historic vineyards.

Château Ambe Tour Pourret sits on the original road connecting St. Émilion and Coutras. On arrival, we learn about the history of the chateau and its heritage of wine production. A highlight awaits as we savor a tasting some of revered wines denoting the classic flavors of medium-bodied St. Émilion grand cru varieties, while enjoying lunch in this beautiful environment.

Returning to Bordeaux, the remainder of the day is yours to continue exploring the history, the wine or both. The city offers an excellent choice of wine bars and museums dedicated to its rich wine-making heritage. Of course, there are also countless restaurants serving exceptional dishes to pair with these flavorful local wines. Overnight Bordeaux.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch
DAY12A glittering array of iconic French sights in Paris

One of the most iconic cities in the world and the final destination on our grand tour of France, Paris calls as we transfer to the train station for a First Class journey via high-speed TGV. On arrival, we transfer to our conveniently located hotel to check in, and then you are free to find lunch in the city.

Brimming with history and iconic landmarks, Paris is then uncovered on a guided sightseeing tour by coach, with time to explore at each location. Winding through elegant boulevards, our route reveals lesser-known gems and hidden monuments, along with the city's world-famous highlights. We take in timeless sights, including the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame Cathedral and the tree-lined Champs-Élysées, where the Arc de Triomphe sits beautifully at one end.

After the tour, the remainder of the day is yours in this world-famous city. You might like to savor local favorites like boeuf bourguignon and escargots in a charming Parisian restaurant, or for a magical conclusion to the day, you could head to the Eiffel Tower to see it illuminated for the night. Overnight Paris.

Includes
  • Breakfast
DAY13The opulent Palace of Versailles

This morning, we head just outside of the city by coach, bound for the Palace of Versailles, the epitome of French grandeur. Once the hunting lodge of Louis XIII, this UNESCO World Heritage site was transformed by Louis XIV in 1682 into the 17th-century artpiece that unfurls in front of us today. With admission included on arrival, we can marvel at Versailles' intricate architecture, magnificent artworks and ornate Hall of Mirrors. Outside, strolling through the meticulously landscaped gardens, embellished with fountains and sculptures, reveals even more beauty.

We return to the city center in the afternoon with free time to wander through the stylish streets. Art and history appear around every corner, and if you wish, you could use this opportunity to peruse the galleries of the Louvre, but booking ahead is recommended.

This evening, we gather at a local restaurant to toast to a fantastic trip through France with our farewell dinner. Overnight Paris.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
DAY14Traveling home

France's diverse landscape holds a multitude of appeals, with glittering coastlines, dramatic valleys and rolling vineyards shaping the scenery. This journey has revealed glimpses of each as we traveled from the city of Lyon to the French Riviera, through the Dordogne Valley, into the famed Bordeaux wine region, and finally, to the beloved capital, Paris. With authentic experiences in each location and travel by water, rail and coach, we were truly immersed in France over the last two weeks.

Your vacation comes to a close after breakfast this morning. Upon checking out of the hotel, you are free to begin your travels home independently.

Includes
  • Breakfast

Additional information

Mobility information

Due to the nature of our tours, they are generally unsuitable for those with restricted mobility. Please reference our Mobility Ratings Information, and if you’d like to discuss any particular vacation with us in this respect, then please don’t hesitate to call us at 1-877-929-7245.

Hotels

Hotel Aston La Scala
Hotel Aston La Scala, Nice
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Hotel Les Jardins du Marais, Paris
Hotel Les Jardins du Marais, Paris
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Renaissance Hotel, Bordeaux
Renaissance Hotel, Bordeaux
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Crowne Plaza Lyon - Cite Internationale, Lyon
Crowne Plaza Lyon - Cite Internationale, Lyon
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Hotel Mercure Avignon Centre Palais des Papes, Avignon
Hotel Mercure Avignon Centre Palais des Papes, Avignon
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Mercure Toulouse Centre Compans, Toulouse
Mercure Toulouse Centre Compans, Toulouse
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Hotel Plaza Madeleine À Sarlat, Sarlat
Hotel Plaza Madeleine À Sarlat, Sarlat
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Trains

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TGV
TGV

Europe's first high-speed train and France's premier connection between more than 60 cities, the Train à Grande Vitesse (TGV) has served passengers with comfort and style for 40 years. Nearly 665 miles (1,070 kilometers) of interlinked track make up the TGV network, connecting Calais at the northernmost corner of France, just past the Channel Tunnel, with Marseille on the cusp of the Mediterranean Sea. In between these destinations, travelers may venture to Paris, Lille, Dijon, Lyon, Strasbourg, or any number of locales in either single or double-decker train cars that travel at speeds of up to 200 mph.

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Enhance your holiday

Extend your stay

Many of our guests choose to spend additional nights before or after their trip. Vacations By Rail would be happy to make hotel arrangements for you.