Best of France

Day 1
Bonjour Paris
All the flavours of France come to life on this unforgettable journey, which kicks off in Paris, the 'City of Light'. Spend your day strolling past its iconic landmarks in search of hidden treasures, before joining your fellow travellers and Travel Director for a dinner and an orientation drive through the city.

Day 2
Journey through Burgundy to Lyon
Travel south to Burgundy and on to the medieval town of Beaune. On a visit to Hospices de Beaune admire the colourful geometric roof tiles of the 15th century. Next we continue to Lyon, the gourmet capital of France. Consider spending your evening delving into the epicurean delights for which Lyon is justifiably famous. Why not wander up the city's narrow lanes lined with pastel pink and yellow façades in search of a cosy bouchon for a tasty dinner with newfound friends?

Day 3
Onwards to Avignon, Monaco and the French Riviera
Today you'll journey to the city of Avignon at the heart of Provence. See the Papal Palace and the bridge made famous by the song - Sur le Pont d'Avignon. Continue through the Provençal countryside to Monaco. Upon arrival you'll view the cathedral where Prince Rainier and Grace Kelly were married, where you will enjoy a dinner in Monaco before continuing along the Riviera to your hotel.

Day 4
The French Riviera Your Way
The sun-kissed shores of the French Riviera are yours to explore today. Consider relaxing on the beach with your fellow sun-worshippers or an Optional Experience could see you visit the hilltop town of Saint-Paul-de-Vence, consistently named the most beautiful hilltop town in this region. In your free time, soak up the fresh sea air and perhaps indulge in a delicious salade Niçoise.

Day 5
Admire Arles and Continue to Carcassonne
Visit Arles with its honey-coloured façades, Roman ruins and Camargue culture, and enjoy some time at leisure to explore this beautiful city. Alternatively, choose an Optional Experience to gain a deeper understanding of Vincent van Gogh and local history with our resident expert before winding your way to the fortified city of Carcassonne. A guided exploration of this exquisite, ancient town will reveal the Cité, its double ring of ramparts and 52 towers.

Day 6
Pilgrimage to Lourdes and on to Biarritz
Drive toward the Pyrenees this morning and arrive in Lourdes, the global centre of the Marian pilgrimage. You'll have an opportunity to see the Basilica, perched atop St. Bernadette's Grotto, where the young girl, turned saint, is said to have seen visions of the Virgin Mary. Then, travel west to the Basque Coast, where you'll spend the night.

Day 7
Venture to Bordeaux
This morning, perhaps join an Optional Experience across the border into Spain to discover more about the  Basque Country. Later, after journeying through Les Landes, you will arrive in the wine capital of Bordeaux, whose stunning Garonne riverfront and Age of Enlightenment history and architecture have made it one of France's most visited cities. Bordeaux wine has been produced in the region since the 8th century and the biannual wine fair attracts buyers from all over the world. Spend some time seeing the sights during your orientation of the city.

Day 8
Discover Beautiful Saint-Émilion
Lush green valleys and wine hills take centre stage today during a scenic half-day included excursion to Saint-Émilion, whose wine heritage dates back to Roman times. You will also have free time to explore Bordeaux and perhaps tease your taste buds with delicious Bordelaise cuisine or stroll through the city's historical centre admiring its beautiful architecture.

Day 9
Explore a Château in the Loire Valley Stays With Stories
Today, journey to the renowned Loire Valley, known as the ‘Garden of France’. Along the way, you’ll stop for a light lunch with the de Montferrier family on their farm during a unique Be My Guest experience. Appetites satisfied, it’s time to explore the stunning gardens of Château de Villandry during a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience with Elise, Local Specialist and environmental educator, learning how organic gardening techniques support biodiversity. Stroll through the estate’s beautifully designed spaces, from the tranquil water garden, with its shimmering ponds and fountains, to the intricate ornamental gardens. Later, arrive at our special hotel for the night — one of Trafalgar’s Stays with Stories.

Day 10
Off to Mont-Saint-Michel and the Normandy Beaches
Travel through the patchwork landscapes of Brittany, to the island settlement of Mont-Saint-Michel on the Normandy coast, where you will visit the island town and view the impressive Norman Benedictine Abbey. Follow the Liberty Highway to Saint-Lô and on to Omaha Beach. Reflect on the bravery of the young men who sacrificed their lives for freedom and visit the D-Day Landing Zone to learn how the operation was planned and executed. Arrive later at your hotel where you dine tonight.

Day 11
Journey to Paris
Set off for Paris, stopping at Giverny to visit the house and gardens that once inspired Claude Monet's exquisite Impressionist works of art. This evening, consider a trip to one of the city's renowned cabarets.

Day 12
Discover the Delights of Paris
Join your Local Specialist on a journey through the historic neighbourhoods of Paris to see where the locals live and shop. View the remarkable church of Saint-Sulpice. Spend the rest of the day enjoying the sights on your terms. Enjoy a leisurely cafe au lait in quiet surrounds or consider an Optional Experience to the opulent Palace of Versailles. This evening, celebrate an epic adventure with your Travel Director and newfound friends at a dinner.

Day 13
Farewell Paris
For now it's time to bid a fond au revoir to the Best of France and your fellow travellers at the end of a magical and memorable holiday.

Dining Summary
6 Dinner (D)
12 Breakfast (B)
1 Lunch (L)
Be My Guest
Villandry: Return to 17th-century France and join the de Montferrier family on their farm near the famous Château de Villandry for a delightful Be My Guest experience.
Iconic Experience
Beaune: Step inside the 15th-century Hôtel-Dieu, once a hospital for the poor and now a museum showcasing Burgundy’s medieval heritage. Admire its colourful patterned roof tiles, gothic architecture and beautifully preserved interiors as you explore the stories behind this historic building at the heart of Beaune.
Avignon: View the Pont d'Avignon and walk the medieval narrow streets of the Old Town to the Palais des Papes.
Monaco City: See the cathedral where Prince Rainier and Princess Grace were married.
Carcassonne: Explore the fortified city of Carcassonne with a Local Specialist. 
Lourdes: Explore Lourdes, globally renowned as a Roman Catholic pilgrimage site and attracting over three million faithful visitors every year. 
Saint-Émilion: Take in the vine-laden surroundings and established wine-making heritage of Saint-Émilion.
Mont-Saint-Michel: Savour your first sight of the fortified island of Mont Saint-Michel and cross the causeway to explore the tidal island town.
Omaha Beach: Join an emotive journey tracing the story of the D-Day landings and visit Omaha Beach. 
Giverny: View the gardens that inspired many of Impressionist Claude Monet’s most famous masterpieces.
Paris: Join a Local Specialist to discover the hidden squares and secret lanes of Paris.
MAKE TRAVEL MATTER®
Villandry: Join Local Specialist and environmental educator Elise in the beautiful gardens of the Château de Villandry to see how organic gardening helps biodiversity thrive. Through a hands-on workshop, you’ll learn the tools and techniques gardeners use to care for these historic grounds — an interactive experience that connects you to nature and the people preserving it. Your visit directly supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 15: Life on Land.
Must-see Highlights
Explore Carcassonne and Villandry
Discover Paris, Lyon, Avignon, Monaco, Arles, Lourdes, Bordeaux and Nice
Visit the Hospices de Beaune, Château de Villandry, the American Cemetery at Omaha Beach and Claude Monet's home at Giverny.
View the Papal Palace in Avignon, Royal Palace and Cathedral in Monaco, Promenade des Anglais and Place Massena in Nice, Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes, Esplanade des Quinconces in Bordeaux, Abbey of Mont-Saint-Michel, the D-Day Beach of Omaha in Normandy, the Eiffel Tower, Champs-Élysées and Saint-Sulpice Church in Paris
See the Roman Amphitheatre and the Cathedral in Arles
Scenic Drive through the Dordogne and the Loire Valley
Trafalgar Difference
Loire Valley: A 15th-century retreat once favoured by Louis XIII, Château de Beauvois offers historic grandeur, set within a peaceful 40-hectare park in the heart of the Loire Valley.