13-Nights Grand Tour Of France

Cosmos

If you’ve dreamed of discovering the dazzling sights of Paris, now is the time to take in the City of Light and all its romantic and historic avenues. You’ll also visit the legendary Normandy landing beaches of WWII heroism, as well as the lush landscapes of the Bordeaux wine region. All of this and much more are included on this tour of France that begins and ends in Paris. History buffs are sure to be amazed by the many historic towns and attractions on this tour. Immerse yourself in ancient Roman history with a stop at Pont Du Gard bridge, a UNESCO World Heritage Site built in the 1st Century. See the amphitheatre in Arles, the city with the most Roman remains outside of Rome. Go back in time to the Middle Ages at the clifftop town of Rocamadour. Walk by the ancient battlements in the beautifully preserved, medieval town of Carcassonne; and visit Beaune’s Hôtel-Dieu charity hospital, built in 1443 after the Hundred Years' War left many of the town's population destitute. Coming to recent history, learn more about Normandy’s D-Day landing beaches, where Operation Neptune was launched on June 6, 1944. Art history fans will enjoy a visit to Aix-en-Provence, the birthplace of painter Cézanne, and a stroll around the 17th-century Cours Mirabeau, a lively area with fountains, elegant homes, and famous cafés. Spend time in the Loire Valley with its spectacular vineyards and castles. Discover Dordogne, one of France’s most picturesque regions, showcasing many charming villages. Of course, no France tour is complete without visiting the French Riviera, and you’ll have time to explore this beautiful area on the Mediterranean Sea. This value-minded tour through France is truly a vacation of a lifetime!

Featured Destinations

Lyon Lyon Lyon, the natural crossroads between northern Europe and the Mediterranean coast, is located in the heart of the Rhone-Alpes region. 2,000 years of history have left their mark on the city landscape. Lyon's rich heritage, passed down through the ages, tells the story of a great city. Lyon's rich historical heritage and its creative initiatives of all kinds find their expression in a multitude of establishments and prestigious events. The arts are represented in Lyon; from fine arts to performing arts, everyone will find their hearts' content. Every year finds sport increasing in popularity in Lyon. Lyon offers impressive facilities: some fifty sports fields and forty gymnasiums provide 550 clubs and associations with optimal training amenities. The City also knows how to make sport spectacular; every year it hosts events -like the Lyon Tennis Grand Prix and the Lyon Marathon - that draw top athletes. Though the mention of the word "Lyon" may conjure up images of fine dining, this is only the tip of the iceberg in a city proud of its diversity and quality image.	Destination Guide
French Riviera French Riviera From the elegant city of Cannes, home of the famous film festival, it's an easy drive to the other star attractions along the French Riviera. Enjoy the plunging cliffside scenery on one of the corniche roads to Monte Carlo. Or visit Antibes with its lush, bougainvillea-draped villas, or the medieval walled town of St. Paul de Vence.	Destination Guide
Chateaux Country
Caen Caen Founded during the Roman period, Caen developed to full splendor in the Renaissance. This can be seen from the Italian style Hôtel d'Escoville, or from half-timbered houses of the Quatrans or rue Saint Pierre or again from poet Malherbe's home. From then on, Caen became known as "Norman Athens" for the presence of "many fine wits". To discover the city, stroll through the streets and squares. In rue Ecuyère, rue Froide, rue Saint Martin, secret courtyards hide treasures of the past. Caen's other renaissance was during reconstruction after World War II, with exceptional city planning and a style of construction worth seeing. From Caen Memorial to Normandy Landing Beaches, the historical Battle of Normandy Trail awaits. Caen Memorial invites the visitor to embark on an exciting journey through history. Its unique Nobel Peace Gallery was built to encourage a better understanding of the Second World War and to deepen reflection on Peace and defence of Human Rights.	Destination Guide
Avignon Avignon Visitors to Avignon won't want to leave, and the town is too interesting to leave. Avignon is ancient, full of history, life, youth, art, music and activity. Just to "see" the town itself, a visitor could wander the narrow streets inside the fortified walls for days without tiring of them.	Destination Guide
Toulouse Toulouse Located between the Mediterranean and the Atlantic coast, Toulouse is a city of students, a center of cutting-edge European technology, and the capital of the good life; its taste for celebrations and fine food is attracting a growing number of new inhabitants. Toulouse rewards the wanderer. Its small, 18-century Old Quarter is a maze of narrow lanes and plazas in which to get happily lost. Its River Garonne is peaceful by day and romantic by night, when the Pont Neuf is floodlit. Stumble across grand churches, fine art and handsome 16th-century mansions.	Destination Guide
St. Malo St. Malo Saint Malo is a prime tourist destination in Brittany. Visitors flock to Saint Malo to experience the unique "intra-muros" (meaning within the walls) streets of the old citadel. Visit Saint Vincent Cathedral, noted for its medieval and modern stained glass windows. The museum in Château de Saint Malo has exhibits illustrating the city's prosperous time during its heydays of piracy, colonialism and slave trading. The ramparts afford great views over the roof tops and harbor. Saint Malo also serves as a gateway for excursions to legendary Mont Saint Michel - with the Abbey of Mont Saint Michel and its ensemble of buildings soaring high above the sea. As amazing as the abbey itself are extraordinary tide variations that leave the mount to look out on stretches of bare sand at low tide, while the same expanse of land is submerged during high tide. South of Saint Malo is the medieval town of Dinan. Once totally surrounded by ramparts, 14 towers and a good part of the walls are still standing, encircling beautiful 15th-century timbered houses.	Destination Guide
Bordeaux Bordeaux Surrounding Bordeaux are world-renowned vineyards and châteaux. Visitors from all over the globe come here to learn about the winemaking process - from growing grapes to harvesting, fermenting and bottling these top-quality wines. Here in the wine region the title of château can mean anything from a palatial residence to a basic winery. There are thousands of châteaux that rank from very modest family establishments to large famous properties where grapes are raised, fermented and then matured to produce the area’s famous wines. Visit Rue Ste. Cathérine - a half-mile-long pedestrian street leading through the Old Town’s major shopping area and marking the beginning of the elegant 18th-century city. - and Musée des Beaux Arts -- a museum with a large collection of 17th-century paintings by Flemish, Dutch and Italian masters as well as works by Delacroix.	Destination Guide
Paris Paris Paris, world capital of art and culture, gathers some of the most famous museums and monuments in the world. Like all the world's great capitals, Paris lives at a fast pace, by day, by night and especially at rush hours. Bear in mind that museums and monuments are often less crowded during the week. Sights that should not be missed include: The Louvre and the Musee d'Orsay. Visit any of the many others according to your tastes and interests: the Musee Picasso, Musee Rodin, Musee Carnavalet, Musee Marmottan and the Arab Institute are just a few. Essential Paris monuments are the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame cathedral, the Arc de Triomphe or the Grande Arche de la Defense.	Destination Guide

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