Grand Tour of France- TravelKatz, LLC | Trusted Travel Advisors

Grand Tour of France

Discover the many sides of France. Travel from the culinary capital of Lyon to the iconic city of Paris, and through the plethora of charming medieval villages and coastal Riviera towns in-between. This grand tour is your chance to eat, drink, and sightsee as you zigzag your way through this dynamic country beginning with an overnight flight from the city of your choice.

Grand Tour of France

Duration: 15 or 17 days (with Paris extension)/Group size: 15-38

Your tour package includes:
13 nights in handpicked hotels
13 breakfasts/5 dinners
10 guided tours on a Luxury Motorcoach with an Expert Tour Director & local guides

Included highlights:

The Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière, Bordeaux and Château country, and an Eiffel Tower photo stop

Day-by-day itinerary

Day 1: Travel day – Board your overnight flight to Lyon today.

Lyon

Day 2 & 3: Arrival and Sightseeing tour in Lyon – Welcome to France! Meet your Tour Director and join fellow travelers in your group at a welcome dinner this evening. After breakfast, a local guide introduces you to France’s culinary capital on a tour through Lyon’s UNESCO-recognized city center. Take in the Gothic and Renaissance architecture as you pass by the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière. Step inside the Lyon Cathedral and walk through centuries-old underground passages. Enjoy a free afternoon in Lyon.

Nice

Day 4 & 5: Nice via Avignon with a Sightseeing tour – Travel through the countryside toward the French Riviera, stopping to explore the historic Provençal city of Avignon en route to Nice. See the famous Pont Saint-Bénézet, the bridge that inspired the French folk tune “On the Bridge of Avignon”. Pass by the magnificent Papal Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Stroll through the historic town center, which is surrounded by the city’s original medieval walls. After breakfast, get to know Nice’s many charms on a guided sightseeing tour. Drive along the Promenade des Anglais while you discover the narrow streets of the Old Town. Explore the Roman amphitheater or wander around the gardens of the Franciscan Monastery. Enjoy a free afternoon.

Montpellier

Day 6: Montpellier via Arles – Make your way through the Provençal landscapes that influenced the French master painters, stopping in Arles for a walking tour with your Tour Director in the lead. Stroll along beautiful boulevards and view the city’s old hospital, where artist Van Gogh stayed or enter the Arles Arena, a two-story Roman amphitheater. Continue on to Montpellier and sit down for an included dinner this evening.

Bordeaux

Day 7 & 8: Bordeaux via Carcassonne; Enjoy a Sightseeing tour – Today, stop in UNESCO-listed Carcassonne, a medieval fortified town. Here, your Tour Director introduces you to the town’s unique history on a tour. Afterward, enjoy free time to explore on your own before continuing on to Bordeaux. After breakfast, meet your local guide for a panoramic tour of Bordeaux, the capital of the Aquitane region, which is well-known. Stop at the Place des Quinconces, drive along the Garonne River, stopping at Place de la Bourse, pass the lively hub of the Place de la Comédie and the Grand Théâtre, and don’t forget to sample local sweets as you go. Enjoy a free afternoon in Bordeaux. People watch while sipping a cup of tea.

Loire Valley

Day 9 & 10: The Loire Valley via La Rochelle and a Sightseeing tour of the Loire Valley – Make your way to the Atlantic port city of La Rochelle, home to a charming harbor and medieval towers, and explore with your group and Tour Director. Later, arrive in the Loire Valley where you’ll sit down for an included dinner with your group. After breakfast, get to know château country on a sightseeing tour today. Step inside the extravagant Château de Chenonceau, where you’ll discover how it got the nickname “Château des Femmes,” and explore its surrounding gardens. Then, continue on to the town of Amboise for free time. Enjoy a free evening with your group in the Loire Valley.

Normandy

Day 11 & 12: Two Days in the Normandy Region via Mont-Saint-Michel – Travel north to the historic Normandy coastline. Stop for several visits along the way, including a guided tour of Mont-Saint-Michel to see the medieval Château de Fougères. Visit the striking, 8th-century island Abbey of Mont-Saint-Michel and see how the UNESCO-recognized site, perched high on a granite rock, is surrounded by water at high tide and quicksand at low tide. Enjoy a sit down dinner this evening with friends. After breakfast, spend a free day in the Normandy region with your group or venture out on your own.

Paris

Day 13 & 14: Transfer to Paris for a Fabulous two days of Sightseeing – Travel to Paris and enjoy a free evening in France’s capital city. Dine with friends at a quaint café along the Seine River. After breakfast, a guided tour introduces you to the architecture, scenery, and history of the City of Light’s many neighborhoods. Drive down the sycamore-lined streets to view the Arc de Triomphe, pass Pont Neuf and the legendary Notre-Dame Cathedral, located on an island in the Seine River. See the Eiffel Tower, the Palais Garnier opera house, and Place de la Concorde, the city’s grandest square, then marvel at the iconic architecture of the Louvre. Enjoy a free afternoon in Paris then, celebrate your trip with your group at a farewell dinner this evening.

Flight Home – If you are NOT staying for the Paris Extension – otherwise, please continue…

Day 15: Departure – After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight home.

Paris Extension: There is a wonderful two-day Paris extension visit for those who want to stay behind and seek an even more unique experience. Paris is always a good idea, so keep exploring. Take a couple of days to museum-hop, stroll along the boulevards, brush up on your French, and let your expert Tour Director point you toward the crème de la crème.

Day 15 & 16: Free days in Paris – Spend two beautiful days in Paris with your group or stay on your own. Enjoy lunches and teas at unique cafes while you people watch, then dine at any one of the famous restaurants. Sip a farewell drink as you celebrate your trip. Afterward, enjoy a free evening before your trip home.

Flight Home – After your Paris Extension

Day 17: Departure – After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight home.

TravelKatz would love to help you plan this two week vacation. Give us a call or “chat” with us on either www.travelkatz.com or www.vacationnationradio.com . Either way we will discuss the vacation and plan it according to your wish list, making it all-inclusive and simply fabulous!

Travel Insurance: Travel insurance is compulsory in order to participate on any of the trips to France and proof is required; your policy will be reviewed by the Tour Director. When selecting travel insurance, we require a minimum coverage of USD$200,000 for medical expenses including emergency evacuation and repatriation is required. We strongly recommend that the policy covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage. Please review your itinerary and make sure that you are covered for all included activities. TravelKatz can provide you with the appropriate coverage. Call 352-277-7300 to ask for information and/or to register for travel insurance.

I accompanied a group of 12 to Alaska this past summer. We flew into Seattle, saw some of the sights, and then flew to Juneau to start our Adventure Cruise. What a wonderful Adventure. We saw glaciers, hump-back whales and other fascinating things…we would do this again. Thank you for such a great time!

Sandy H, St Petersburg, FL, Your Content Goes Here

I cannot begin to tell you what a wonderful job you did organizing our trip. It absolutely was the best vacation I have ever had. This was my first time over seas and what a wonderful experience. Thank you so much for all your hard work. I am going through “James” withdraw today. He was an amazing tour guide and fit in so well with our group. I will definitely recommend you if I know of anyone thinking of going over to Ireland. Your country is so beautiful and everyone is so friendly. I can’t thank you enough for everything.

Jack & JoAnn Douglass, Miami, FL, Your Content Goes Here

I appreciated all the information that was given before I left on the trip. Our Guide, Jerry filled in all the other interesting information on what to expect. I felt safe, well feed and learned so much from a trip 45 mins from USA…I want people to see the beauty of the country, the people and their wonderful culture. I so loved the music. I am playing the CD’s often that I bought from the musicians. A trip I would like to do again. Thank you.

Susan Peterson, Spring Hill, FL, Your Content Goes Here