PRIVATE TOUR ITINERARY

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Discover Paris, Provence & the French Riviera in 11 days - enjoy this wonderful tour with your very own expert guides. You will experience the very best of Paris including Montmartre, the Louvre and Sainte-Chapelle. You’ll enjoy a private river cruise along the Seine. You’ll visit two of the city’s most stunning surroundings: Château de Versailles and Chartres. You’ll bee-line from Paris to Provence by high-speed train. You’ll visit the Roman Pont du Gard, beautiful Aix, the rolling hills of Provence, and Roman Arles. You’ll enjoy lunch at a Michelin starred waterfront restaurant in Cannes, stroll the promenades of Nice and Monte Carlo, make your own perfume at the world-renowned Fragonard Perfumery in Grasse, visit the idyllic mediaeval village of Saint-Paul-de-Vance, and enjoy the gardens of Le Jardin Exotique d’Eze, affording the very best views of the French Riviera. Discover Paris, Provence & the French Riviera in 11 days!

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Day 1: Arrive Paris

You’ll be met at Paris Airport on arrival, and transferred to Hôtel d'Aubusson. a five-star boutique hotel in a 17th-century mansion, close to the Seine and Pont Neuf. On your way a panoramic tour of main sights including the Champs-Élysées and Arc de Triomphe. Settle into your accommodation and take some time to relax. In the late afternoon, an orientation stroll around your neighborhood of St-Germain-des-Prés.

 

Day 2: Montmartre & Seine River Cruise 

This morning, you’ll visit the colorful neighborhood of Montmartre that was the haunt of artistic geniuses a century ago — including Van Gogh, Picasso, and Renoir. You’ll admire the spectacular views of Paris from the Sacré-Cœur Basilica and visit the church. After free time for lunch and exploration, take a private cruise along the Seine with cheeses and wine on board. You’ll pass through the Ile Saint Germain Chenal, and its bucolic environment full of house boats, the Ile aux Cygnes and the Statue of Liberty, the Grand Palais, Pont Alexandre III, Musée d'Orsay, the Louvre, and around the Île de la Cité, home to the Notre Dame.

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Day 3: Historic Paris & Louvre 

This morning, you’ll begin where Paris did, on the Ile de la Cité. Your guide will lead a walking tour of the city's early history, including a pair of Europe's most significant medieval Gothic churches: the legendary and resilient Notre-Dame Cathedral and a visit to the exquisite Sainte-Chapelle, This afternoon, visit Europe's greatest art museum — the Louvre. Through a private-guided tour, you'll come face-to-face with the works of Raphael, Delacroix, and Leonardo, and hundreds more. After the tour you’ll have some time to view the museum at your own pace.

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Day 4: Chartres & Château de Versailles

Today, visit Chartres, famed for its massive Cathédrale Notre-Dame, one of the most impressive structures in all of Europe. You’ll enjoy a private guided tour of the Cathedral and some time to explore the medieval Old Town. This afternoon, visit Château de Versailles. Few palaces rival Versailles for sheer opulence. The complex was commissioned by Louis XIV, who moved the nation’s government to Versailles in 1682 and wanted a palace to match the glory of his reign. You’ll enjoy a private guided tour, followed by some time at leisure to admire the enchanting gardens. 

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Day 5: Avignon

Depart Paris on the high-speed train to Avignon in Provence. Upon arrival you will be met and taken to Hôtel La Mirande, Avignon’s grandest and most tranquil haven in the heart of the city, for a 3-night stay. Settle into your accommodation and take some time to relax. This afternoon, enjoy a private-guided tour of medieval-walled Avignon, and the Palais des Papes, once the bishop’s residence.

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Day 6: Pont du Gard & Arles

This morning, visit one of Europe's most impressive Roman structures, the Pont du Gard. Built in the first century AD, the aqueduct was the crowning structure in a 30-mile network of canals that transported water from a spring at Uzès to the Roman colony of Nemausus, present day Nîmes. Admire the aqueduct and spend time in the museum learning how and why the Pont was built. This afternoon, visit Arles, where your guide will lace together stories of its impressive Roman Arena, Classical Theater, and Forum — and tales of Vincent van Gogh, who lived and painted in this neighborhood just over a century ago. 

 

Day 7: Les Baux & Aix-en-Provence

This morning, you’ll visit the hill town of Les Baux-de-Provence where you’ll enjoy sweeping views of the Provençal countryside from atop the ruins of its medieval citadel. Next, continue to Aix-en-Provence where, this afternoon, you'll enjoy a walking tour with your guide. Stately and refined, Aix-en-Provence started life as a Roman colony set around natural hot springs and grew into the medieval capital of Provence. You’ll explore the leafy Cours Mirabeau, lined with plane trees and Renaissance mansions, the medieval streets of the Old Town and visit Paul Cézanne’s last studio.

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Day 8: French Riviera

Today, depart Avignon for Cannes where you’ll enjoy lunch on the terrace of the Michelin-starred Restaurant La Palme d’Or with spectacular views to the Mediterranean. Next, arrive at Palais de la Méditerranée in Nice for a 3-night stay, a landmark hotel commanding a prominent position on the Promenade des Anglais. This afternoon, you’ll be free to wander through Nice's beautiful Chagall and Matisse Museums, stroll the promenades, or relax on Nice's 

famous beach

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Day 9: Monte Carlo & Èze

This morning, you’ll depart for Monte Carlo in the Principauté de Monaco. You’ll explore the quainter old town, the royal palace, botanic gardens and the white-stoned cathedral, the final resting place of former actress and princess Grace Kelly. Next, return to Nice via the Le Jardin Exotique d’Eze in the hilltop town of Èze – located on the site of a medieval fortress perched 2000 feet above the Mediterranean Sea. The panorama from the garden offers one of the most spectacular views of the French Riviera extending all the way to the Esterel Mountains and the Gulf of Saint Tropez.

Day 10: Grasse & Saint-Paul-de-Vence

Today, visit Grasse in the hills above the Riviera. You will take a tour of the world-renowned Fragonard Perfumery and learn how to create a unique fragrance of your own. This afternoon, return to Nice via the idyllic mediaeval villages of Tourrettes-sur-Loup and Saint-Paul-de-Vance, once home to Chagall and Picasso.

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Day 11: Nice

Depart for Nice Airport where the tour ends.