Ultimate France

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.

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 colourful food market on the Cours Saleya.

Step into the glamour of the French Riviera in St. Tropez with a Local Expert. Taste the local Tarte Tropézienne at the bakery where it was originally created.

Follow the footsteps of Paul Cézanne along the Old Town and tree-lined boulevard of Cours Mirabeau and enjoy a French pastry and coffee in one of the most prestigious residences. Then curate your visit at the stunning Château La Coste winery and open-air museum. Or, join a Local Expert for a relaxed walk among the installations created by the best modern artists and architects.

Today is ripe with adventure as you journey through traditional French hilltop villages and stop in the quaint cobbled town of Le Castellet en route to Cassis and board your private cruise to Calanques National Park. Journey past towering, reddish-brown limestone cliffs looming over turquoise waters, narrow and deep fjord-like inlets, and hidden beaches. In the afternoon, relax at your boutique hotel by strolling or cycling in the Château gardens, trying your hand at the classic French game of pétanque on the lavish grounds - glass of pastis at hand or lounging by the pool. This evening, indulge in a 3 Course Dinner at the beautiful Chex Gilbert.

Visit the village of Lourmarin to browse the stalls of its famous market. Take a seat in your vintage Citroen 2CV and embark on a chauffeured drive through the Luberon mountains, through lush vineyards and scenic villages arriving at the Domaine de la Citadelle winery to taste its wines with a picnic prepared by local chef Madame Dromer.

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.

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 Amphitheatre with a Local Expert. Journey through Camargue to your hotel in Carcassonne in the heart of the city.

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 savour the food you have prepared accompanied by local wine. Relax on our evening cruise of the Canal du Midi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

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.

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.

After a leisurely breakfast, board your high-speed train that whisks you through the French countryside to Paris, the most romantic city in the world. Enjoy lunch in the Montparnasse district before setting off to see the landmark sights of the capital city including Notre Dame, the Arc de Triomphe, the Champs-Élysées and the Eiffel Tower. Enjoy an evening at leisure in this dazzling city.

Join a Local Expert to discover the artists of Montmartre or explore the hidden squares and galleries of Paris. Tonight, the climax of your French trip will be a celebration dinner on the glittering Eiffel Tower: a chance to bid a fond farewell to your fellow travellers and this wonderful city.

Enjoy a relaxed breakfast before your private transfer to the airport for your onward journey.