Ultimate France
Ultimate France
Ultimate France
7 Days Starting in Nice and ending in Paris
Visiting: Monte Carlo, Nice, Les Baux-de-Provence, Carcassonne, Bordeaux
Tour operator:
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Frolic in France and Monaco on this 14-day guided tour. In spectacular Saint-Tropez, a Local Expert will guide you along the coastal town’s ancient walls for stunning views of the sea below. See three architecture styles beautifully combine at the Aix-en-Provence Cathedral. Slide into the passenger’s seat of a vintage car for a drive through the countryside, then sip on wine at a countryside winery. Watch as lights dance across a limestone quarry at the Carrières de Lumières show. In Paris, admire the glittering Eiffel Towel and the majestic Arc de Triomphe.The Activity Level of this tour is Dynamic, meaning this journey features 4+ miles of walking on some days and may involve steep hills.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Welcome To The French Riviera
Location: Monte Carlo
Accommodation Name: Fairmont Monte Carlo
Meals Included: Dinner
Transfer to your hotel before dining waterside at Fontvieille marina. Enjoy an evening drive along the legendary Formula 1 Grand Prix circuit to the Grimaldi Palace.
Day 2: Nice Sightseeing Relaxed Start
Location: Nice
Accommodation Name: Fairmont Monte Carlo
Meals Included: Breakfast
In Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, join a Local Expert touring the opulent Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild. Continue to Nice where joining a Local Expert on a walk through the streets of Old Nice viewing the opera house, admire the Sainte-Réparate Cathedral and maybe taste some socca at the colorful food market on the Cours Saleya.
Day 3: Les Baux Relaxed Start
Location: Les Baux-de-Provence
Accommodation Name: Maison Albar L'Imperator, Nimes
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Visit the renowned Pont du Gard, a well-preserved Roman aqueduct. Observe how this three-level, 900-footlong bridge was built out of soft yellow limestone blocks from a nearby quarry. Stop in Avignon and admire the Palace of the Popes, the famous broken bridge and beautiful squares shaded by leafy platanes. Continue through the Alpilles National Park to the village of Les Baux-de-Provence.
Day 4: Arles And Carcassonne Sightseeing Relaxed Start
Location: Carcassonne
Accommodation Name: Hôtel de la Cité Carcassonne - MGallery, Carcassonne
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Journey on to the fortified city of Carcassonne, one of the largest surviving medieval walled cities in Europe. Explore Van Gogh's town of Arles and visit the Roman Amphitheater with a Local Expert. Journey through Camargue to your hotel in Carcassonne in the heart of the city.
Day 5: Carcassonne And The Languedoc Region Relaxed Start
Location: Carcassonne
Accommodation Name: Hôtel de la Cité Carcassonne - MGallery, Carcassonne
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
After exploring Carcassonne venture into the rolling countryside to the village of Lastours overlooked by its four Cathar castles. Meet Jean-Marc Boyer, the Michelin-starred Chef of Le Puits du Trésor where you enjoy a traditional French cooking class and savor the food you have prepared accompanied by local wine. Relax on our evening cruise of the Canal du Midi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Day 6: Bordeaux And St. Émilion
Location: Bordeaux
Accommodation Name: Hôtel Burdigala, Bordeaux
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Journey to the enchanting city of Bordeaux where you will have time to have lunch and explore this elegant, 18th century jewel on the banks of the Garonne. Refreshed and ready to explore further afield, visit the nearby, charming town of St. Émilion, regarded as one of the most beautiful in France and one of UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites. After time visiting its winding cobbled streets and 12th-century monolithic church, drive through the lush vineyards to Château de Ferrand, home to Madame Bic and Monsieur Chandon. Here we enjoy a tour of the winery followed by a tasting of some of its fine vintages and an exclusive dinner in a wonderful setting.
Day 7: Bordeaux Sightseeing Relaxed Start
Location: Bordeaux
Accommodation Name: Hôtel Burdigala, Bordeaux
Meals Included: Breakfast
Learn about the 18th-century architecture of Vieux Bordeaux with a Local Expert. Or set off on a leisurely bike ride around the Garonne River before ending at the picturesque Jardin Public.
What's Included
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Transport
Enjoy seamless transfers and transportation throughout your journey, including an evening drive along the Formula 1 Grand Prix circuit and a relaxing cruise on the Canal du Midi.
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Dining
Enjoy 4 dinners, 6 breakfasts, and 1 lunch during your tour.
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Guided Tours
Join Local Experts for guided sightseeing in various locations including Nice, Arles, and Carcassonne.
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Cooking Class
Meet Jean-Marc Boyer, the Michelin-starred Chef of Le Puits du Tresor, where you enjoy a traditional French cooking class.
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Wine Tasting
Indulge in a private tour of Château de Ferrand and its wine cellars, with wine tasting guided by the resident Sommelier.
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Cruise
Relax on an evening cruise of the Canal du Midi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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Personal Assistance
Enjoy seamless personal assistance throughout your journey with a Travel Concierge.
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Hotel Services
Hotel taxes, porterage, tips, and complimentary hotel Wi-Fi are included.
What's Not Included
The tour does not explicitly mention exclusions, but typically, personal expenses, travel insurance, and optional activities not listed in the itinerary are not included.
Mode of Transport
Enjoy seamless transfers and transportation throughout your journey, including an evening drive along the Formula 1 Grand Prix circuit and a relaxing cruise on the Canal du Midi.
Accommodation
Stay in luxurious accommodations such as the Fairmont Monte Carlo, Maison Albar L'Imperator in Nimes, Hôtel de la Cité Carcassonne - MGallery, and Hôtel Burdigala in Bordeaux, offering comfort and elegance throughout your journey.
Dining Summary
- 4 Dinner (D)
- 6 Breakfast (B)
- 1 Lunch (L)
Additional Included Highlights
- Enjoy seamless personal assistance throughout your journey. From securing exclusive reservations, to organising transportation, your Travel Concierge ensures every aspect of your travel is tailored to your tastes and preferences.
- In select destinations, our network of Local Expert Guides will illuminate your journey on a deeper level. ?
- Included at all hotels.
- Hotel taxes, porterage and tips, as well as tips for included dining experiences, are included.
- Enjoy breakfast every morning, and an array of incredible dining options throughout your journey, infused with discovery and adventure.
- On days where a Relaxed Start (RS) is indicated, you can select to indulge in breakfast in bed.?
- Enjoy complimentary hotel Wi-Fi. And, on select coaches, onboard Wi-Fi may also be available.
- Transfers are included on your journey start and end dates, and where additional accommodation has been booked in advance through Luxury Gold. Transfers to train stations or alternate hotels, in the same start or end city as the itinerary, may be requested.
Curated Experiences
- : Awaken your senses at the Bassins des Lumières Museum.
Passport Moments
- Monaco City: Join your Travel Concierge for guided sightseeing of glamourous Monaco. See the Grand Prix circuit – famous for hosting the annual Formula One Monaco Grand Prix – explore the old town, and admire the Royal Palace where the Grimaldi family lives. Wander along the yacht-filled harbor and see the cathedral, which houses the tombs of the late Prince Rainier and Princess Grace.
- Nice: Join a Local Expert to take a walk through the charming streets of Old Nice and see the Opera, the antique market, and the St. Reparate Cathedral.
- French Riviera: Join a Local Expert to visit the opulent Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild and its gardens. Built by the passionate art collector Madame Ephrussi, she gathered the best from each era including delicate pieces of furniture once belonging to Marie Antoinette.
- Avignon: Stop in Avignon and admire the Palace of the Popes, the famous broken bridge and beautiful squares shaded by imposing, leafy platanes.
- Les Baux-de-Provence: Journey through the Alpilles National Park to one of the most beautiful villages in France, Les Baux-de-Provence, perched on a plateau.
- Arles: Follow in the footsteps of Van Gogh as your Local Expert walks you through the city that inspired many of the artist's paintings.
- Carcassonne: Carcassonne represents one of the biggest and best-preserved fortified cities in Europe, with 53 watchtowers and 1.5 miles of ramparts open to the public. Explore this real-life Magic Kingdom with a Local Expert and uncover its rich history, dating back to the pre-Roman period.
- Cite de Carcassone: Admire flora and fauna, rural vistas and lush vineyards on this gentle 1.5-hour cruise. Built in the late 17th century as a shipping short cut between the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean,?the Canal du Midi is one of Europe’s oldest canals still in operation.
Personalise your day
- Bordeaux: Take a relaxing bike tour around the City of Bordeaux. Enjoy a beautiful loop of the Garonne river, pass through the Chartrons district and stop in the picturesque park Jardin Public. See the Palais Gallien and the grand shopping centrer, Glace des Grands Hommes.
- Bordeaux: Join a Local Expert to discover the best sights in Bordeaux. See the beautiful Gothic cathedral, the famous Water Mirror, the stunning neoclassic theater and the modern architecture of the Cité du Vin.
Check out our Q&As
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What kind of transportation is included in the tour?
The tour includes seamless transfers and transportation throughout your journey, such as an evening drive along the Formula 1 Grand Prix circuit and a relaxing cruise on the Canal du Midi.
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Are meals included during the tour?
Yes, the tour includes 4 dinners, 6 breakfasts, and 1 lunch.
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Will there be any guided tours during the trip?
Yes, there are guided tours with Local Experts in various locations including Nice, Arles, and Carcassonne.
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Is there a cooking class included in the itinerary?
Yes, you will meet Jean-Marc Boyer, the Michelin-starred Chef of Le Puits du Tresor, for a traditional French cooking class.
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Will there be any wine tasting opportunities on the tour?
Yes, there is a private tour of Château de Ferrand with wine tasting guided by the resident Sommelier.
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What kind of accommodation can I expect during the tour?
You will experience luxury accommodations at the Fairmont Monte Carlo, Maison Albar L'Imperator in Nimes, Hôtel de la Cité Carcassonne - MGallery, and Hôtel Burdigala in Bordeaux.
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Is there any personal assistance provided during the tour?
Yes, you will enjoy seamless personal assistance throughout your journey with a Travel Concierge.
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Absolutely! We are very selective in who we work with and choose to only use hotels that take the health and well-being of our guests as seriously as we do and agree to meet expected guidelines and specifications. We only work with establishments that we are confident will consistently adhere to our standards.
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Which countries does Luxury Gold visit?
We offer incredible luxury trips in Europe, North America, South America, Hawaii, South-East Asia, the Indian sub-continent (including India, Nepal, Bhutan and Sri Lanka), Australia and New Zealand.
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What other modes of transport does Luxury Gold use?
A Luxury Gold tour will include touring on high-speed trains, alpine cable cars, hydrofoils, river cruisers and horse-drawn carriages, in addition to our high-deck luxury coaches with extra legroom.
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Who travels with Luxury Gold?
We are delighted to welcome guests who have a shared love of travel, adventure, entertainment and exploration. A mix of solo travellers, couples, and groups of friends and family join us from all over the English-speaking world.
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What is the role of the Well-Being Director?
Working closely together with your Travelling Concierge, the Well-Being Director* will help make sure all necessary protocols are followed to ensure the health and wellbeing of all our guests. This includes our enhanced screening and hygiene protocols, complying with distancing and other requirements set by government authorities. They are also there to support our guests & answer any questions.
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Sunday - Saturday
May 18, 2025 - May 24, 2025Sunday - Saturday
Sep 07, 2025 - Sep 13, 2025Book with Confidence
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Low Deposit
Luxury Gold requires a minimum deposit of 350 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of luxury gold charges.
Up to 91 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 90 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 29 days before tour starts: Forfeit 80% of booking price.
At 1 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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Terms and Conditions