Arrive Paris
Arrive into the French capital and transfer to your hotel located on the fashionable Left Bank.
Hotel: Hotel Lutetia
Paris
Discover the bohemian side of Paris today starting with a visit to the Musée d’Orsay. The Musée d’Orsay is one of Paris’ most famed museums and represents all expressive forms of artistry from painting to architecture, and sculpture to photography. Boasting an extraordinary collection of impressionist works, permanent exhibitions include works by world-renowned artists such as Renoir, Sisley, Pissarro and Monet. Continue with a walking tour of the Latin Quarter exploring the narrow alleyways and winding streets with your guide as you learn about the evolution of Parisian architecture, from the chaotic streets of the Left Bank to the uniform grandeur of those on the Right. Amble through the stunning Luxembourg Gardens and on to the Centre Pompidou. Ride the exterior escalator to the top for panoramic views of the Marais and drinks as the sun sets.
Hotel: Hotel Lutetia
Paris
Considered by many to be the world’s greatest museum, you discover the Louvre this morning on a specially curated visit. With a mesmerising collection spanning works from ancient antiquity to the mid-19th century, you’ll be introduced to some of the most famous such as the exquisite ‘Venus de Milo’ and Da Vinci’s incomparable ‘Mona Lisa’. Time to explore on your own this afternoon before a nostalgic evening tour of the city in a classic Citroen 2 CV.
Hotel: Hotel Lutetia
Paris – Lyon
Travel south today by rail to Lyon before checking in to your Relais & Châteaux accredited hotel.
Hotel: Villa Florentine
Lyon
Discover France’s second city today on a guided tour through the cobbled streets of ‘Vieux Lyon’ admiring its 17th and 18th century mansions, small museums and the City’s cathedral. Above Vieux Lyon are the remains of Roman theatres and the Basilique de Notre-Dame, visible from all over the city. Visit the Museum of Fine Arts with its impressive collection that spans centuries and styles. Finish up in Les Halles de Lyon, the famous covered market, where you’ll be able to savour local delicacies stall by stall.
Hotel: Villa Florentine
Lyon - Avignon
Journey south by high speed train to Avignon and transfer to your charming hotel which is situated in a peaceful cobbled square at the foot of the Palais des Papes.
Hotel: La Mirande
Avignon
Dominated by the Papal Palace, Avignon is a vibrant Provençal town with plenty of character, and today you’ll discover it on a walking tour that starts at the Place de l’Horloge (Clock Square) and enters the great palace where seven popes reigned supreme during their ‘schism’ with Rome between 1309 and 1377 and whose grand proportions convey the power and glory of the period.
Hotel: La Mirande
Arles
Originally founded in the seventh century BC by the Phoenicians, Arles has a strong Gallo-Roman heritage. A major port on the Rhône River until the arrival of the railway in the 19th century, it boasts a wealth of classical antiquities which are highlighted at the state-of-the-art Museum of Ancient Arles. Afterwards, wander through the city’s shady squares and sun-baked streets appreciating the magical light which so inspired Van Gogh.
Hotel: La Mirande
Avignon - Nice
This morning you are driven east to Aix-en-Provence where you visit the Musée-Atelier de Paul Cézanne where the legendary post-Impressionist artist painted some of his most well-known works. Continue to Nice, in the heart of the French Riviera, and your boutique hotel in the Old Town.
Hotel: Hotel La Perouse
Nice
Get your bearings this morning at the top of Colline du Château (Castle Hill) and enjoy show-stopping views of the city and bay before returning to the historic Old Town. Next stop the lively Cours Saleya, where colourful stalls of fresh flowers, fruit and vegetables are a photographer’s dream. Later visit the Musée Matisse, which features a collection of works donated to the city by the artist and his heirs, and the Musée Marc Chagall housing the artist’s biblical works among many others.
Hotel: Hotel La Perouse
Saint-Paul de Vence
Today spend a day in the medieval village of Saint-Paul de Vence, still a magnet for contemporary artists. Visit the Fondation Maeght, a privately-owned modern art museum set on a wooded cliff top, containing one of the most important collections in Europe, with paintings, sculptures, drawings and other works by Braque, Calder, Chagall, Giacometti, Lèger and Mirò. Later today, visit the Rosary chapel, considered to be the masterpiece of Henri Matisse.
Hotel: Hotel La Perouse
Depart Nice
Transfer to Nice airport for your onward flight.
Admire some of the world’s most famous masterpieces in the Musée d’Orsay and the Louvre
