FRANCE HIGHLIGHTS

• Stay 3 nights in the spectacular Loire Valley, in the enchanting Relais Chambord, stunningly located directly opposite the massive Château (Applies to 2023 departures)
• Enjoy a guided tour through Château Chambord, an evening in Blois and a Loire Valley wine tasting (Applies to 2023 departures)
• Enjoy the gardens and interior of the elegant Château Chenonceau
• Visit Amboise and Da Vinci’s residence – Château du Clos Lucé
• Visit the classic 16th and 18th century gardens of Château Villandry
• Explore Tours and relax in the cafés on Place Plumereau
• Stay 3 nights in perfectly preserved Sarlat-la-Canéda
• See the tragic village of Oradour-sur-Glane, destroyed in WWII
• Cruise down the River Dordogne past medieval castles
• Stay 5 nights in the delightful city of Montpellier
• Enjoy a guided tour of the huge fortified town of Carcassonne
• Visit the walled city of Aigues-Mortes set in the salt flats of the Camargue
• Walk across the spectacular  Pont du Gard and explore the Papal City  of Avignon
• See the Arena of Nimes, the best preserved amphitheatre in the Roman Empire
• Experience the extraordinary Carrières de Lumières sound and light show in the quarries of Les Baux
• Visit the medieval Knights Templar castle village of La Couvertoirade in the  Causse du Larzac and enjoy a tour and tasting in the Roquefort cheese caves
• Cross the Tarn Gorge on the astonishing Millau Viaduct 
• Stay 3 nights in the old town of Nice
• Discover the dramatic Calanques on a coastal cruise along the Côte d’Azur
• Explore Nice, Cannes and Monte Carlo
• Enjoy a farewell dinner in the artisan village of Saint Paul de Vence

QUICK FACTS

• Leisurely 3 night stays, or more
• Small group size from just 10 to 28
• Genuinely inclusive, no additional on tour costs
• Character hotels in superb locations
• Designed for Australians & New Zealanders
• 'My Time' guaranteed

PRE TOUR STAY
You need to be in Paris at least the night prior. Consider arriving a few days before the tour starts or staying on after the tour ends. It is also a good practice to arrive a few days prior in case of unexpected flight delays. The cost of the additional night/s of stay applies. Ask our travel team about this option, and the additional costs.

SOLOS MIX
This tour is operated by Albatross Tours. Book with Encounter Travel for your Solo Traveller Saving, and if applicable the Return Traveller Reward (conditions apply), or earn your status as a Return Traveller for future savings. Couples, solo travellers, and groups of friends can book on this tour.

DAY 1
Paris to Loire Valley

Your tour commences this morning in central Paris. After meeting your Tour Manager, we board our coach and make our way south-west to the verdant Loire Valley where, during the 15th and 16th centuries, the Kings of France and their courtiers created their grand holiday palaces. 

What better way to be introduced to the wonderful Loire Valley than our afternoon stop at Chambord where we enjoy a guided tour through the magnificent château. This enormous château was created by King Francois as a hunting lodge within the surrounding grounds, which consisted of over 5000 wooded hectares. Our wonderful hotel for the next 3 nights sits spectacularly directly opposite the Château, within the Château’s enormous, private estate. This evening, we have organized a very special Relais Chambord welcome drink and dinner in its award-winning restauran

Meals: Dinner

DAY 2
Château Chenonceau, Amboise and an evening in Blois

This morning we enjoy a visit to the magnificent Château Chenonceau, spanning the River Cher on a series of graceful arches. Possibly one of the most photographed of the Loire châteaux this was the former home of Diane de Poitiers and Catherine de Medici. Explore the stunning gardens and interior of the château. Later we stop to explore the charming riverside town of Amboise, on the banks of the River Loire, with its Royal Palace, where Leonardo da Vinci once lived as a guest of King Francois I. We have included a visit to da Vinci’s residence – Château du Clos Lucé. Here in the underground rooms, you will see on display, forty machines designed by this amazing inventor. 

This evening will be free amongst the cobbled streets of Blois, under the shadow of the cathedral and Royal Palace. Time to discover your own provincial bistro for dinner.

Meals: Breakfast  

DAY 3
Château Villandry, the old town of Tours and a wine tasting

Our morning will be spent exploring the wonderful terraces and gardens of Château Villandry. Inspired by the classic gardens of the 16th and 18th century, different levels of the gardens include ponds, topiary, ornamental hedges and an extraordinary kitchen garden covering 12,500 square metres.

Lunchtime will be at leisure in the old town of Tours around Place Plumereau. Later we follow the Loire Valley, stopping at a Wine Cave for a tasting of local Loire Valley wines, and also to take in the view across the river to the gorgeous Château Chaumont-Sur-Loire. Your evening will be ay leisure in your wonderful Relais Chambord hotel.

Meals: Breakfast 

DAY 4
Oradour-sur-Glane and Lascaux

This morning we make a poignant visit to the ‘ghost village’ of Oradour-sur-Glane. In June 1944, without apparent provocation, soldiers from the 2nd Waffen-SS Panzer Division massacred all the inhabitants of this quiet, little village.  The village was then destroyed. The village was never rebuilt and has been preserved as a memorial to this awful atrocity. We have included entrance with audio guides to the museum ‘Centre de la memoire d’Oradour’. Later we continue to  Lascaux, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, famous for its magnificent Palaeolithic cave paintings. Whilst the actual caves themselves are now closed to the public, we visit the nearby Lascaux IV museum to see the superb replicas of the cave paintings found in the Great Hall of the Bulls and the Painted Gallery. As a finalé, we continue to the Dordogne Valley with its sleepy villages, medieval châteaux, meandering rivers and lush landscape that so epitomises French rural life. We stay the next three nights in the perfectly preserved Sarlat la Canéda, one of the most stunning towns in France. 

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 5
Sarlat, River Dordogne Cruise and picturesque Domme

A guide joins us for the whole day. First we explore the medieval, architectural time capsule village of Sarlat. Noted for its gourmet food, cheeses, pâté and foie gras, Sarlat is also famous for its beautifully preserved old town with its café filled squares and delightful cobblestoned alleyways. In the afternoon we will drive to the nearby village of La Roc Gageac, set beside the pretty Dordogne River. Here we will board a barge and drift slowly down the River Dordogne past medieval castles. Later we visit the incredibly picturesque village of Domme. We have included a ride on the petit train up through the ramparts to the town square. You will have time at leisure to explore the sleepy village and enjoy the sweeping views across the Dordogne Valley.

Meals: Breakfast 

Day 6:
Rocamadour & Gouffre de Padirac Caves

This morning we will visit the ‘pilgrimage town’ of Rocamadour. Incredibly picturesque, this town sits on a tributary of the Dordogne. High above the old town are churches and monastic buildings, whilst below is an old town dating back centuries, and which once welcomed those on  the ‘Pilgrims Trail’. In the afternoon we change our focus  from man’s creations to that of nature, as we enjoy a visit through the astounding caves of the ‘Gouffre de Padirac’. This 25 kilometre underground system boasts massive galleries and chambers. A visual feast and beautifully lit,  we also experience a 500 metre boat ride inside the caves  to emerge into the spectacular ‘Grand Dome’. Your evening is at leisure in Sarlat. 

Meals: Breakfast

DAY 7
Old town of Carcassonne and Montpellier

Heading south we reach the walled city of Carcassonne where we are joined by a local guide to explore the ramparts and old town of Carcassonne. The medieval castle, with its gigantic double walled fortifications and 53 watchtowers, is the 2nd most visited site in France outside of Paris. Dating back to the 13th century, Carcassonne is a magnificent timepiece. We also make sure you have time at leisure to explore. Later, we continue through the Languedoc Roussillon region to the graceful city of Montpellier. This is the perfect base from which to fully explore this region, and why we stay here for the next five amazing nights! 

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner 

DAY 8
Nimes and Aigues Mortes

This morning we visit Nimes, where a local guide will join us for a walking tour of this remarkable city. Dating back to the bronze age, the central part is traffic free. Right in the centre you will find the Maison Carrée Roman temple, and the giant Arena of Nimes – the best preserved amphitheatre in the Roman Empire. Later we will drive into the famous Camargue region and enjoy ‘My Time’ in Aigues-Mortes. The 13th century walls  and ramparts fully encircle this historical town and form a striking contrast to the vast salines (salt flats) that encircle it. This evening we have included dinner in a local wine estate. 

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner 

DAY 9
Montpellier, ‘My Time’ and Sète

A leisurely start. A local guide will take us on a morning walk around Montpellier ’s city centre to see the highlights. The rest of your day is entirely free to explore and enjoy ‘My Time’. In the evening we drive to the colourful Mediterranean fishing port of Sète. Food enthusiasts come from all over France to dine here; all along the canal side wharves you will find lines and lines of well-priced fish restaurants with displays bursting with oysters, mussels, crabs and seafood. A dizzying choice! Special Note: Our August departures have been timed to visit Sète so you can join in the lively Saint Louis festival and watch the spectacular (and fun) ‘boat jousting’ that takes place. Contestants dress in white with red, or blue. Each boat holds oarsmen and a small noisy, brass and drum band. Sitting high on a step ladder are the teams of White Knights. Perched high behind the boat on a ‘Tintaine’ (tiny wooden platform), lance and shield poised, are the combatants. Furiously rowing, but gaining little speed, the combatants clash. One will get very wet! Hilarious, colourful, historical, traditional. This is a wonderful way to pass an evening amongst the noisy, boisterous crowds. Look it up on the web!

Meals: Breakfast 

DAY 10
La Couvertoirade, Roquefort and the awesome Millau Viaduct

A leisurely start before we drive inland to the UNESCO listed Causse du Larzac region. Our first stop will be at the medieval village of La Couvertoirade, which was voted one of the ‘Plus Beaux Villages de France’ (most beautiful villages of France). The village was transformed into a dramatic fortified castle by the Knights Templar approximately 800 years ago; the flower bedecked, narrow, cobblestoned streets are steeped in history and the little church is littered with secret Masonic signs. Later, equivalent to the height of the top of the Eiffel Tower, we take the extraordinary Millau Viaduct across the mighty Tarn Gorge. After visiting the Viaduct Museum, we enjoy lunchtime at leisure in Millau. Next stop Roquefort! We have included a guided tour down through the Caves and a tasting of varieties of this rich tasty cheese. ( And the salami infused with Roquefort is quite unbelievable!).

 Meals: Breakfast  

DAY 11
The Pont du Gard, Avignon and Les Baux

A busy, but incredibly rewarding day. First up will be a short walk across the spectacular Pont du Gard – an imposing 2,000 year-old Roman aqueduct which was built with giant stones weighing up to six tons. In a beautiful setting, this remarkable structure spans 200 metres between the craggy hillsides of the River Gard. Lunchtime will be at leisure exploring the Papal city of Avignon. Mid-afternoon we journey to the crumbling castle and once deserted village of Les Baux to discover the craft shops and cafés scattered throughout the ruins. Set on the craggy hillside, this rejuvenated town is an extraordinary sight. We have also included entrance to enjoy a stunning audio-visual art show – the Carrières de Lumières. Underground, inside an abandoned quarry, you will have  a totally unique sound and vision experience as classic works of art are projected as massive fresco all around you, onto the walls and ceilings.  Astounding! Your evening is at leisure in Montpelier. 
 

Meals: Breakfast 

DAY 12
Cassis, Calanques Cruise and Nice

First stop today will be in the old fishing village of Cassis, on the Côte d’Azur. We enjoy a morning cruise to explore some of the incredibly picturesque Calanques. These rugged inlets with steep cliffs tumbling into the crystal clear, azure waters are best viewed by boat. Lunchtime will be at leisure in the picturesque harbour of Cassis. Later we continue to Nice, nicknamed the ‘Queen of the Riviera’, where we stay the next three nights.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner 

DAY 13
 ‘My Time’ in Nice, Villa Ephrussi and Monaco

Your morning is entirely free in the elegant resort town of Nice. Make sure you visit the wonderful fresh food, local produce and flower markets which are amongst the best in France! Take time to stroll and shop amongst the winding streets and perhaps enjoy lunch in one of the attractive seaside restaurants. Nice also boasts a number of art museums. This afternoon we will visit Saint-Jean Cap Ferrat and the fabulous Villa Ephrussi – home of the Rothschild family. We have included a self-guided tour through this exceptional villa, perhaps the grandest on the Côte d’Azur, to see Béatrice Ephrussi’s grand apartments, tapestry and porcelain collections, and the magnificent gardens. We have also included afternoon tea in the restaurant, which boasts enormous views along the Azure Coast. Later this afternoon we have also included an excursion to Monaco. Following the scenic drive along the ‘Moyenne Corniche’ to the city of Monte Carlo we will see the Royal Palace before time in the old town to enjoy dinner at leisure.

Meals: Breakfast 

DAY 14
Cannes and St Paul de Vence

Our morning is spent in the extravagant seaside resort of Cannes. Famous for its movie stars and the Cannes Film Festival, we have time to explore the old port town and ‘La Croisette’ – the seafront promenade lined with palm trees, upmarket boutiques, cafés and grand hotels. As a finalé, we will drive in to the foothills of the Alpes Maritimes to the old town of St Paul de Vence. With its imposing ramparts, overlooking the Provençal countryside, the wonderful natural light attracted an artists’ colony.  Soon they were followed by film directors and movie stars, then galleries and shops. We enjoy a farewell dinner in a local restaurant.  

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner 

DAY 15
Nice on the Cote d'Azur

Your tour ends today after breakfast.  

Meals: Breakfast 

Itineraries may be subject to change, due to circumstances outside of our control. If there is any itinerary change prior to departure of significance we aim to inform you prior to travel.  Itinerary changes while on tour will be informed by your tour leader/guide while on tour.