Compare 8 Day Paris, Provence & the French Riviera by Gate 1 Travel vs Paris, Provence and the French Riviera delights by Paris-Toujours

Day 1: Arrival day

On arrival at the airport welcome and transfer to your hotel in the center of Paris. Free time to relax and wander in the lively streets around your hotel.

Day 2: On the top of Paris

Today you will have a self-guided tour of the Eiffel Tower with skip-the-line access – an unmissable monument if it’s your first time in Paris! From there you could also walk to the Arc de Triomphe if you want to have another amazing view of Paris.

Day 3: Introduction to Paris

After breakfast, meet your private guide for an introduction of Paris with a walking tour on the Islands (Ile de la Cité and Ile Saint-Louis). Your guide will introduce Paris’ history while walking in front of many famous monuments. You will start with the Ile de La Cité where the Sainte-Chapelle was built to protect the relics of the Christ. You will also be able to enter in the gothic jewel, Notre-Dame Cathedral, dated from the 12th century. You will also climb the 400 stairs of Notre-Dame tower – at the top of the tower you will have a 360° magnificent view of Paris. You will even be able to see gargoyles very close!

In the afternoon  head 20 meters underground towards the Parisian Catacombs to see more than a million bones on a 2km course with a skip-the-line access.

Day 4: Walking tour in the oldest district & dinner cruise

This morning you will have a private guided tour of the Latin Quarter. Follow your private guide through the 5th arrondissement of Paris very famous for its charming old streets and traditional French bistrots and markets. Free afternoon to visit Cluny museum and to stroll in the old streets.

In the evening you will have a dinner cruise on board a very chic yacht. You will enjoy a fine meal prepared by an awarded Chef and be able to admire the main enlightened monuments of the city from the Seine river.

Day 5: Impressionist morning

After breakfast your guide will pick you up at your hotel for a private visit of Orsay museum. You will discover some of the major works of the 19th century collection. You’ll see many impressionist paints such as “Luncheon on the grass” by Edouard Manet, “Waterlilies series” by Claude Monet and even some paintings of Van Gogh. In the afternoon free time to stroll in the Tuileries garden and self-guided visit of the Orangerie  museum to continue your impressionist immersion.

Day 6: Journey to Avignon

After breakfast you will be transferred to the train station and you will take the high-speed train to travel to Provence from Paris. Arrive in Avignon train station where your private driver will pick you up.  After dropping off your luggage at the hotel, spend your afternoon discovering the charming old town of Avignon, well known for the famous Palace of the Popes and its bridge. Take your time to stroll in the narrow streets and have a drink on a terrace.

Day 7: Wine tour in Chateauneuf-du-Pape area

After breakfast your driver/guide will pick you up at your hotel for a private tour through the Côte-du-Rhône vineyards. You will visit some wine estates located in the most famous wine areas such as Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Vacqueyras and Gigondas where you’ll be able to taste different wines. Amongst the different wineries you’ll discover gorgeous small Provencal villages like Seguret.

Day 8: Luberon villages

Today you will discover the Provencal villages of the Luberon and some of the most beautiful lavender fields in France, especially if you travel to Provence in June-July when the lavender fields are blooming and not harvested yet.  Your private driver-guide will pick you up at your hotel and drive to Gordes, a gorgeous perched village. After a lovely walk on the cobblestones, reach the Abbey de Senanque founded in the 12th century by Cistercian monks and surrounded by lavender fields. Your guide will take you to other villages like Roussillon, a little village perched on an ochre cliff or Ménerbes. Finish the day at the lavender museum of the Luberon to understand the local know-hows from harvesting to distillation.

Day 9: Gourmet experience with a French chef

After breakfast you will be dropped off in a small village for a culinary and gourmet experience with a French Chef. Before the cooking class, follow the chef around a typical Provencal market. You’ll be able to choose fresh ingredients that you will then be using during the cooking class. After the class you will share and relish the lunch you prepared all together. A unique Provencal moment facing the hills of the Luberon !

Day 10: Transfer to Antibes

In the morning you will be picked-up by your private driver to drive to Aix-en-Provence. Meet your private guide on the Cour Mirabeau and start the exploration of the old town, following Cézanne’s footsteps. Do not forget to taste Calissons, the almond & melon local confectionary. Visit the old workshop of Cezanne overlooking the Sainte Victoire Mountain. Late afternoon, your chauffeur will pick you up to drive you to Antibes.

Day 11: Hiking day in the Estérel Mountains

In the morning, your guide will pick you up for a private outdoor day tour in the Estérel Mountains – a natural park formed by red volcanic rocks. During this hike you will enjoy both the nature with the Mediterranean vegetation and the view on the turquoise blue sea. After a picnic lunch, visit of Our Lady of Jerusalem’s chapel, nestling in the middle of the pine and cork oak trees, before being transfered back to your hotel. Free time late afternoon to enjoy the swimming pool and private beach of the hotel.

Day 12: Private tour to Nice, Eze & Monaco

Today you will have a private day tour to Nice, Eze and Monaco. Three different stops which are three must-sees. You will begin by the visit of the old city of Nice before heading to Eze a small middle-age perched village. You will then spend the afternoon in Montecarlo and Monaco were you could admire luxurious boats and make the most of the sun. To finish the day, you could have a romantic dinner by the sea.

Day 13: Departure day

End of your travel to Provence experience and departure – private transfer to Nice airport