Toda Francia (2024)

Dag 1

Early departure from Paris, travelling towards Normandy, making a stop in GIVERNY. We will visit Monet’s House and its impressive gardens (entrance included); we learn about Impressionist art, which had its center in Normandy. The journey continues to ROUEN, the capital of Normandy with its medieval streets and cathedral. Here we have time for a stroll and to take lunch. We continue to ARROMANCHES, on its beaches we are reminded of the World War II landings in France. Last stop is CAEN, where we take some leisure time in the central district. Note: from November to March Monet´s house is closed to visitors, therefore there will be no stop in Giverny.

Dag 2

First thing in the morning we travel to Mont Saint Michel, time to see the Abbey located within the city on an island. After this, whilst travelling in the Bretagne region, we stop at SAINT MALO (whose powerful walls defend the city), where we will have time for lunch. In the afternoon we continue to DINAN, take some time to explore this Breton village full of charm. We continue our way to RENNES, the capital of Bretagne with its interesting and monumental historic center.

Dag 3

We leave for ANGERS. Those who wish to do so can visit the castle that has the largest medieval tapestry about the Apocalypse. Then we continue to the Loire Valley: TOURS, the capital of the region, on the banks of the Loire, time to explore and have lunch. In the afternoon we visit Villandry Palace, which is famous for its gardens and flowers; admission to gardens included. Accommodation and dinner included in AMBOISE, a city with a very interesting medieval quarter.

Dag 4

A day to learn more about the Loire region. First a stroll through Amboise in the early hours to the Clos Lucé mansion where Leonardo da Vinci spent the last 3 years of his life. Exploring the Loire region in a little more depth, we visit CHENONCEAU CASTLE (tickets included), built like a bridge over the River Cher. We continue to CHAMBORD, the largest castle of Loire (entrance to the park included). We will then travel to the center of France. LIMOGES, a city known for its porcelain, where we recommend a stroll in the center to see its cathedral.

Dag 5

We will leave Limoges for the Dordogne. Few regions contain so many villages full of charm and unforgettable countryside. We arrive at LASCAUX, we will include admission to the museum and replica of the caves, we will learn about the site’s prehistory with the magnificent cave paintings. After that we see SARLAT, a world heritage town with an incredibly well-preserved Renaissance historic center, where there will be time to stroll and have lunch. In BEYNAC we see a medieval castle overlooking the river (admission included). ROCAMADOUR, a beautiful medieval village with an important sanctuary “hung” over a ravine; we suggest you walk down the via crucis and come back up in the lift. Dinner included.

Dag 6

We will go to the impressive PADIRAC caves, where we include a boat ride on the river 75 meters underground. A stop at COLLONGES LA ROUGE, a very picturesque village built with red stone on the Way of St James. Time for lunch. After lunch we travel to ST. EMILION, at the heart of the Bordeaux wine producing region. Time for a stroll. BORDEAUX, arrival at the end of the afternoon.Notice: The caves may be closed from November until the end of March due to the weather conditions.

Dag 7

The entire center of Bordeaux has been declared a world heritage site. You will be amazed by the “water mirror” and stroll through the old town with its pedestrian streets and 11th century cathedral. We will include admission (free visit with audio information in English, Spanish or French) to the CITE DU VIN, an impressive interactive museum that recounts the history of the wine and its production; wine tasting included at the viewpoint over Bordeaux. You will have free time later to stroll and have lunch on the banks of the Garonne River, an area full of small restaurants. We continue our way towards the Pyrenees, arriving to LOURDES in the mid-afternoon. We have time to see the sanctuary (we recommend attending the candle procession). Dinner included.

Dag 8

We travel through the south of France and stop in CARCASSONNE, a city surrounded by the most beautiful walls in Europe. Time to walk. After lunch we will continue to NARBONNE, free time to get to know this historic Occitan city with its picturesque historic center. At the end of the afternoon we arrive in MARSEILLE, the second city of France. We recommend a walk through its vibrant “Vieux port”, full of life and small restaurants.

Dag 9

Villages, landscapes, history, today we see some of the most beautiful places in Provence. ARLES, a world heritage city, shows us its legacy of the Roman and medieval times and reminds us of Van Gogh. In LES BEAUX, we have the chance to visit this small medieval village and we will include admission to the CARRIERES DE LUMIERE, an impressive show of art, image and sound underground, in some former quarries. Time for lunch and stroll in AVIGNON, with its immense Palais des Papes. We continue to LYON, where we can walk through the World Heritage Site old town and we will include the cable car to climb Notre Dame de Fourviere, a huge basilica from where we have a great view over the city.Note: When due to closure or influx of public it is not possible to obtain tickets for the show of Carrieres de Lumière, as an alternative there will be a transfer to the Roman aqueduct of Pont du Gard.

Dag 10

We will set off from Lyon and head to the Burgundy region. We stop at TOURNUS, a quaint little town with an imposing stone gate and a large abbey. After that, we will travel to BEAUNE. Time to have lunch and explore a bit through the wine capital of Burgundy. We recommend you to visit the wine museum or the historic hospice. Next, we will visit the CASTLE OF SAVIGNY situated in the heart of this winemaking region. The castle was built in the 15th century and houses some extraordinary museums (museum of motorbikes, racing cars, planes and helicopters!). We continue to DIJON, capital of Burgundy, which boasts of lively streets as well as numerous medieval and Renaissance buildings, among which, the palace of the dukes stands out.

Dag 11

We leave Dijon for FONTENAY ABBEY, a world heritage site, where we include admission to this Cistercian center. After this, we will make a stop in SEMUR EN AUXOIS, a medieval city surrounded by impressive walls. Still in Burgundy, we will have time for lunch and a stroll in VEZELAY, one of France’s most beautiful villages, where its immense basilica was one of the starting points of the Way of St James. In the afternoon we continue our route to PARIS. Arrival in the evening.

Dag 12

After breakfast, end of our services.