Southern France
From Paris to Nice

June, 2009

This trip will surround us with unforgettable beauty as we travel from Paris to the French Riviera, also known as the Cτte d’Azur.  Although it seems like we know Paris even before we see it from such attractions as the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, Notre-Dame and the Arc de Triomphe, nothing compares to actually being there.  What better way to say goodbye to Paris than to board the TGV fast train to the south of France.  Exploring this area, we will see medieval towns with cobblestone streets, preserved walled towns, palaces and gardens, and the beauty of the Mediterranean Coast including the Principality of Monaco.  Come join us - Southern France awaits.
(See tentative itinerary below)

We are currently in the process of planning this trip.
Once we have all the activities, hotels and other details confirmed,
and the price finalized, we will remove this information and post
a completed itinerary with the price.

If you are interested in learning more about this trip,
make a pre-reservation.
It is very important to make a no-obligation pre-reservation.
Those who have made a pre-reservation will be notified first
when the full itinerary and pricing is posted.

 Make a Pre-Reservation

A pre-reservation does not require any money.
Once the tour is finalized and a tour price available, those who have pre-reserved
a space will be contacted via email and asked to decide if they
want to make a deposit. If you are not interested, you don't have to do anything.

 
Tentative Itinerary

Day 1 - Arrive Paris, dinner together

Arrive at Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris.  After checking into our hotel, the rest of the day is at leisure. We will meet this evening for dinner. Overnight Paris

Day 2 - Guided tour of Paris and free time to explore

We will take a morning guided tour of Paris, regarded as one of the most beautiful cities in the world, taking in such sights as the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame Cathedral, Palace de la Concorde, Champs Elysees, the Arc de Triomphe and much more. This afternoon and evening are free for you to explore the city. Overnight Paris

Day 3 - TGV Paris-Bordeaux-Toulouse, Free Time

We will travel by TGV (high-speed train) from Paris to Bordeaux and continue by train to Toulouse, sometimes called "the City of Violets" because of its violet plantations. The city of Toulouse has a fascinating dual personality. It is the home of the French aerospace industry and it is the alternative to Paris as an artistic and intellectual center.  After checking into our hotel, you will have some time to walk around the historical city center of Toulouse. Overnight Toulouse

Day 4- Day Trip to Cordes-sur-Ciel and Albi

Widely considered one of the most beautiful villages in France, Cordes-sur-Ciel is also one of the most popular. It's a medieval hilltop town with a charming central, covered square dating from 1352.  Our next stop is Albi, an ancient river town of redbrick houses and the birthplace of artist Henri Toulouse-Lautrec. The Palais de la Berbie, which houses the Toulouse-Lautrec museum and museum gardens, has the most complete collection of his works in the world.  Next to the Toulouse-Lautrec museum is the Cathedral of St. Cecile. This impressive church, said to be the largest brick building in the world, reveals a vast and beautiful interior with astonishing stonework. It is one of the best existing examples of a fortress church.  Overnight Toulouse

Day 5 - Toulouse to Avignon with stop in Carcassonne

Carcassone is one of the most perfectly preserved walled towns of the world and is also the largest walled city in Europe.  It encompasses towers, dungeons, moats and drawbridges and serves as one of the most impressive examples of medieval France.

We will continue our journey to Avignon, known as the city of the popes—Pope Clement V moved the papal court to Avignon from Rome in 1309 and commissioned the construction of the Palais des Papes, the papal palace with its original 14th-century wall paintings, and beautiful tiles. Overnight Avignon

Day 6 - Avignon City Tour, Free Time

The city's old town is a web of narrow streets, belfries and towers surrounded by magnificent ramparts.  We will see the remains of the 12th-century St. Benezet bridge, Doms Cathedral (where Pope John XXII is interred) and the Calvet Museum with wrought-iron and painting displays. You may want to spend some of your free time walking the streets of Villeneuve les Avignon. Just across the Rhone from the Palais des Papes, this delightful medieval village has many extravagant mansions built by cardinals in the 14th century.  Overnight Avignon

Day 7 - Aix-en-Provence; Frejus

Our drive from Avignon to Aix-en-Provence is through the countryside that inspired Cezanne. With its tree-lined cobblestone streets, Aix is a most charming town with stately houses and best know as the birthplace of Impressionist painter Cezanne.  We will visit the King's Gardens (Les Jardins du Roi) and the Bourg St. Sauveur to see vestiges of roman and medieval architecture.  We will continue the day's journey to the French Riviera. Overnight Frejus

Day 8 - Day Trip to Nice, St Jean Cap Ferrat, Monte Carlo

We will start by exploring the historic old town of Nice and continuing toward St-Jean-Cap-Ferrat for a visit to the elegant Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild with its outstanding art collection and lovely gardens overlooking the Mediterranean Sea.  The house has dozens of lavishly decorated rooms and there are nine different gardens, ranging from a Spanish garden to a rose garden to a Japanese garden. Continuing along the famous Corniche Road to Monte Carlo, we will get a spectacular view of the Mediterranean below. There is a magnificent 19th century cathedral and the extravagant Palais Princier, residence of the royal family. Overnight Frejus

Day 9 - Day trip to Grasse and Cannes

This morning we will visit Grasse, considered the perfume capital of the world  where we will tour a perfume factory to see how perfumes are made and learn which ingredients are used to create which scents.  The remainder of the day will be in Cannes where you are free to explore on your own.  Cannes is well known for the Cannes Film Festival but it is also a picturesque city with casinos, beaches and museums and a great place to people-watch.  Overnight Frejus.

Day 10 - Return Home from Nice

All previous information has been superseded.