Contrasts of France - About this Tour

Tour Details | Departure Dates and Pricing

Details

• Duration (with arrival/departure): 10
• Tour Style: Regional Experience
• Destinations: Avignon, Arles, Aix-en-Provence, Nice, Monte Carlo, Lyon, Paris

Itinerary

• Day 1- Depart USA Overnight flight to Paris



• Day 2 - Arrive Paris Trafalgar welcomes you at Charles de Gaulle airport and transfers you to your hotel in Paris. Time to relax and unwind before perhaps taking a stroll along the tree-lined boulevards to sip a ‘citron pressé’ in a pavement café. Early this evening we will enjoy a Welcome Drink at the hotel with our Tour Director and fellow travelling companions and learn more about this exciting tour.
  
  Hotel: Novotel Gare de Lyon



• Day 3 - Paris – High speed TGV train – Avignon After a leisurely breakfast we are transferred to the Gare de Lyon where we board the sleek TGV train for the 2 hour 38 minute journey to Avignon. Our train speeds smoothly through rolling countryside, through hills of terraced vineyards, past castles and manor houses to finally arrive in the valley of the river Rhone. As the train slows on its arrival we will see the Palace of the Popes in the old city of Avignon. On arrival we are transferred to our hotel. Then our Tour Director takes us on a walking tour of the old city which highlights the Papal Palace, the broken bridge over the river Rhone, the Place de l’Horloge and a Hidden Treasure is revealed to us en route. Later, free time to explore further and maybe visit one of the city’s museums or galleries or just soak up the atmosphere in one of the ‘al fresco’ cafes. (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)
  
  Hotel: Mercure Pont d’Avignon



• Day 4 - Avignon – Pont du Gard – Les Baux – Arles – Aix-en-Provence This morning, by coach, we will leave the capital of the Vaucluse to travel into the area known as the Alpilles – famous for its olive oil and stunning scenery. We’ll first drive through the town where Nostradamus was born, St Rémy de Provence, before continuing to the strange and eerie Les Baux de Provence, so-called because of the bauxite, which was once exploited here. Perched on a rocky plateau 245m high, we will be able to admire magnificent views of Arles, the Camargue and the Alpilles. This immense and superb stone fortress is without doubt one of the "must-sees" on the Provencal tourist trail! As is our next stop, the city of Arles – famed for its Roman arena, its beautifully sculpted Romanesque Cathedral and of course the famous ‘ Café Terrace’ painted by Vincent Van Gogh. Then through landscapes reminiscent of this poor artist’s paintings we travel to Aix-en-Provence for our overnight stay. This evening we’ll enjoy dinner in our hotel. (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)
  
  Hotel: Novotel Beaumanoir



• Day 5 - Aix-en-Provence – Nice (2 nights) Excursion to Monte Carlo Morning orientation of this city that was originally a Roman spa-town highlights the Cours Mirabeau and the Place de la Rotonde. Time to perhaps visit the vegetable market, browse the elegant shops and boutiques or to take a walking tour ‘in the footsteps of Cezanne’. Later we board our train to Nice for a pleasant journey through russet landscapes to the Côte d’Azur. On arrival we will enjoy an orientation tour of the city, showing us the old town, the Promenade des Anglais, and the Place Massena. Then we check into our hotel before this evening enjoying a dinner of Provençal specialities in a seaside restaurant. Afterwards we’ll drive to Monaco where we will visit Monte Carlo and its famous casinos! Time to break the bank before we return to Nice and our hotel. (Buffet Breakfast/ Highlight Dinner)
  
  Hotel: Splendid (2 nights)
  
  



• Day 6 - Nice at leisure A free day to enjoy the wonderful atmosphere of this lively city by the sea. Stroll along the Promenade, take a dip in the Mediterranean, shop in the chic boutiques in the traffic free shopping areas, explore the open-air market with its astonishing array of colourful Mediterranean vegetables, visit some nearby hilltop villages…Your Tour Director is there to help you decide how best to spend your time (Buffet Breakfast)



• Day 7 - Nice – Lyon Off to the train station this morning to board the train for Lyon. We arrive in the city of Concorde, gastronomy and silk manufacture in the early afternoon. On arrival we’ll enjoy a sightseeing tour with a local guide, highlighting the Rhone and Saône rivers, the modern quarter of La Part-Dieu, the central Peninsula with its magnificent Place Bellecour – one of the largest squares in the country – and of course old Lyon nestling beneath the hill of la Fourvière. We’ll admire commanding views over the city from La Fourvière hill where we will also visit the 19th century Church of Notre Dame. Later why not dine in one of the ‘bouchons’ and enjoy some of the local Beaujolais wines? (Buffet Breakfast)
  
  Hotel: Novotel Gerland



• Day 8 - Lyon – TGV – Paris (2 nights) Enjoy a leisurely morning in the city or perhaps take a cruise along the Rhone before taking the high-speed train to Paris (2 hours). On arrival we will be treated to a sightseeing tour including the ascent of the Eiffel Tower by elevator to the second level for splendid views across the city. We’ll also see Notre Dame, the Palace of the Louvre, the Place de la Concorde, the Champs Elysées and Arch of Triumph. All of this enhanced by the use of our effective audio-system. This evening don’t hesitate to ask our Tour Director for advise on the best places to spend the evening. Why not, for example, visit Bohemian Montmartre and the Place du Tertre with its street artists or simply stroll along the Champs Elysées – full of cafés, restaurants and nightclubs! (Buffet Breakfast)
  
  Hotel: Novotel Gare de Lyon (2 nights)



• Day 9 - Paris at leisure Today you have a day at leisure in the most romantic city in the world and a variety of activities to tempt you. You may wish to shop in one of the department stores on the Boulevard Haussman, to take an excursion to visit the sumptuous Palace of Versailles on the outskirts of the city or to spend time in the world’s largest Art Gallery and Museum – the Louvre. And this evening we’ll all get together for a Farewell Dinner with drinks. (Buffet Breakfast/ Farewell Dinner)



• Day 10 - Paris - USA Trafalgar transfers you to the airport for your flight back home. (Buffet Breakfast)


Depart USAArrive ParisParis – High speed TGV train – AvignonAvignon – Pont du Gard – Les Baux – Arles – Aix-en-ProvenceAix-en-Provence – Nice Excursion to Monte CarloNice at leisureNice – LyonLyon – TGV – Paris Paris at leisureParis - USA

Whats Included

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Sightseeing Highlights

• Avignon: See the Papal Palace and Broken bridge.
• Aix-en-Provence: See the Cours Mirabeau, Place du 4 Septembre and Place de la Rotonde.
• Les Baux-de-Provence: Visit this ‘perched’ town.
• Arles: See the Roman arena.
• Nice: Drive along the Promenade des Anglais and see the Place Massena. Drive along the French Riviera coastline.
• Monaco: Visit Monte Carlo and see the Casinos.
• Lyon: Visit the Church of Notre Dame de Fourvière, visit the old Town and see the Place Bellecour and the Part-Dieu district.
• Paris: Ascent by elevator to the second level of the Eiffel Tower. See the Opera and Champs Elysées.
• Scenic drives Paris to Avignon on the TGV via Burgundy and the Rhone Valley, Avignon to Aix by coach through the Alpilles, Aix to Nice by train through Provence to the Cote d’Azur, Nice to Lyon via Provence and the Rhone Valley, Lyon to Paris on the TGV via Burgundy and Auxerre.
• Where Trafalgar considers that our excellent audio system will enhance the commentary made by our local guides, making your tour of a city clearer and more entertaining, it will be included.

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Dining Highlights

• A Welcome dinner and drink at a lively bistro with your Tour Director in Paris
• 8 Buffet breakfasts
• 2 three-course dinners
• 1 local speciality dinners in Nice
• Farewell Dinner in Paris
12 meals in total (see day-by-day itinerary)

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First Class Travel Highlights

• The services of one of Trafalgar's top professional multi-lingual Tour Directors.
• A qualified local city guide in Arles, Lyon and Paris.
• Chauffeur driven on Trafalgar's luxury air-conditioned motorcoaches with reclining seats and washroom.
• High speed TGV trains between Paris/Avignon, Nice/Lyon and Lyon/Paris.
• Regular express train between Aix-en-Provence and Nice.
• Coach travel between Avignon and Aix-en-Provence including visits to the Pont du Gard, Les Baux de Provence and Arles.
• Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport Transfers will be provided on Days 2 and 10.
• You'll stay in twin-bedded rooms with private facilities.
• All hotel service charges and tips, baggage handling fees and local taxes included.
• A stylish wallet, tour documents and map book journal.

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Airport Transfers
Airport Transfers Transfers on arrival at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport will operate at 08.30, 11.00 and 13.30. Passengers arriving later should make their own way to the first hotel. Return transfers from the last hotel will arrive at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport at 08.00 and 11.30.
• London Gateways: Transfers can be expensive, particularly between the Airport and central London. When you book your tour with Trafalgar your transfers to and from the airport are included. It's that simple. Trafalgar has included a Free transfer to and from your airport and Central London.
• Important – Please Note: Passengers will only be entitled to transfers to and from London Airports providing the following conditions are met:
• You are staying at a London hotel, booked by Trafalgar, on the night of your arrival and the night prior to the date of your departure.
• Flights are either booked by Trafalgar or detailed information on flights is provided by your Travel Agent not less than 21 days prior to departure.
• Only one included transfer both inbound and outbound per tour is included by Trafalgar. Transfers are by express train to a Central London Rail Station.
• Heathrow Airport: Inbound transfers operate between 06.00-21.30. Outbound transfers are timed to connect with scheduled flights departing between 08.00-23.00. Transfers will be by coach. Gatwick Airport: Inbound transfers operate between 06.00-12.30. Outbound transfers are timed to connect with scheduled flights departing between 08.00-23.00. Transfers will be by express train and coach. Transfers outside these times will be at the passengers own expense.
• In the event of unforeseen events (road or rail works, demonstrations, strikes) Trafalgar will not be held responsible for delayed or cancelled transfers.
• No refund is available for passengers not utilising this service.
• Why not upgrade to a Hotelink transfer from the Airport to-the-door of your Trafalgar London hotel? (please ask Trafalgar or your travel agent of the additional upgrade price per person when booking)
• European Gateways: With Trafalgar all passengers will receive complimentary arrival and departure transfers on the scheduled arrival and departure day of their tour at the times specified below. Please ensure your Travel Agent reserves your flight to co-ordinate with the transfer times shown.
• Trafalgar Bonus - Passengers who book Trafalgar's Land+Air package and who arrive or depart outside of these specified times on the scheduled arrival and departure day of the tour will also be provided with a transfer.
• Passengers arriving before or leaving after the scheduled tour days are not entitled to a transfer but may book and purchase one through Trafalgar providing that they also purchase the additional pre and/or post tour hotel night(s) from Trafalgar. Please ask for prices of transfers at the time of booking your extra night accommodation.
• Land only passengers arriving or departing on the scheduled tour arrival or departure days but whose flights don't coincide with the listed transfer times below may also book and purchase these transfers. Flight details must be provided to Trafalgar not less than 21 days before the flight departure.
• Click here to see scheduled transfer times.

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London Connection
Trafalgar have contracted with Eurostar (high-speed train) to connect with their scheduled Eurostar services to Paris. Available for travel on the first and last day of tour only.

Options

Child Prices: Apply to children under the age of 16.