Day 1 - Depart USA
Board your overnight flight (not included).

Day 2 - Paris at Leisure
Welcome to Paris, one of the world’s most exciting cities! Airport transfers depart from Charles de Gaulle Airport for the tour hotel at 08:30, 11:00 and 13:30. Relax and settle in, or start exploring this great capital. This evening, join your Tour Director for a Welcome Reception and light informal meal. Afterwards, the ‘city of light’ awaits. (Welcome Reception)

Day 3 to Day 4 - Champagne, Chablis and the Dukes of Dijon
Head to Troyes, capital of the Champagne region - its magnificent core of medieval buildings is appropriately shaped like a champagne cork. Continue into Burgundy, once a powerful duchy and synonymous with fine wine. En route, hear an informative tutorial about the wines that make this region so famous. Stop in the quiet village of Chablis for a taste of the local nectar before reaching Dijon, boasting many handsome buildings from the time when the Duchy of Burgundy was more powerful than the Kings of France. The next morning set off through the leafy Burgundian countryside with road signs that read like a wine list. Stop in the picturesque town of Vézelay. Tradition has it that Mary Magdalene was buried here and Richard the Lionheart set off for the Crusades from the famous basilica. Later, return to Dijon for some relaxing time at leisure. (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner / Buffet Breakfast)

Day 5 - The Mountaineering Mecca of Chamonix
After breakfast, head towards the Maconnais and Beaujolais before turning east into the Alps. A scenic symphony awaits you as you head into the high Alps, and climb towards Mont Blanc and the fashionable ski resort of Chamonix. Why not take a spectacular, drive high into the mountains this evening for a traditional Savoyard style dinner? (Buffet Breakfast)

Day 6 - Lakes, Mountains and a Haven of Health in Aix-les-Bains
Embark on a breathtaking drive to the lake-side town of Annecy. Enjoy free time for lunch in the Little Venice area or perhaps take a boat trip. Continue to the spa town of Aix-les-Bains, where the Alps plummet into the waters of Lake Bourget. There’s plenty here to help you unwind, from thermal bath treatments to a relaxing stroll along the lakeside promenade. (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)

Day 7 to Day 8 - In the footsteps of Napoleon to Nice
Glorious mountain scenery today, as you travel along part of the spectacular route used by the emperor Napoleon when he returned from his first exile to try to take the throne of France once more. A scenic, rugged landscape leads from the Alps, down to the French Riviera and the elegant resort of Nice. Wake up on the Côte d’Azur ready for your morning sightseeing tour to the principality of Monaco. Enjoy a drive on the Grand Prix circuit and views of the port with its luxury yachts. See the Grimaldi Palace and visit the cathedral, burial place of Princess Grace and Prince Rainier. The rest of the day is set aside for you to enjoy the French Riviera at your own pace. (Buffet Breakfast / Buffet Breakfast)

Day 9 to Day 10 - From Hilltop towns and Pretty Provence to Avignon, City of the Popes
Visit the medieval village of St Paul de Vence, perched high above the Riviera beaches. A walk through its winding streets reveals elegant fountains, vine-covered stone walls and views of mountains and sea. Continue to Aix-en-Provence to see the cafés and sumptuous mansions lining the Cours Mirabeau. Journey into the Luberon, made famous by Peter Mayle’s book “A Year in Provence” and head for Avignon. Avignon became a Papal residence when the Popes where driven from Rome over 700 years ago. In the morning, see the few remaining arches of the 12th century Pont Saint-Benezet, the pont d’Avignon of the famous song and walk through the medieval battlements to the town centre, dominated by the fortified Papal Palace. Then drive to the imposing three tiered Roman aqueduct, Pont du Gard, before heading towards the Rhône River and the village of Châteauneuf-du-Pape to taste the famous wine. Return to Avignon, where you are at leisure. (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner / Buffet Breakfast)

Day 11 - A Roman Dream in Arles and Nimes
The town of Arles and surrounding countryside were an inspiration to Van Gogh, with the fields of sunflowers he so loved to paint. It was also home to Roman legionnaires and you visit the Amphitheatre next. Continue through the Camargue to Stes Maries-de-la-Mer, where Gypsies gather annually to honour their patron saint. You may see flamingos and wild horses on the way to Nîmes. An orientation tour shows you the Roman Arena and 2,000-year-old Roman Temple, Maison Carrée. (Buffet Breakfast)

Day 12 - The Turrets and Towers of Carcassonne and Albi
Cross the fertile Languedoc region, before heading inland to the fortified town of Carcassonne. Travellers are often amazed at their first sight of this medieval gem. The city has a complete set of ramparts and a medieval keep. After your walking tour, continue to your hotel in Albi, known for its Cathedral and the birthplace of Toulouse Lautrec. (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)

Day 13 to Day 14 - Cahors, Rocamadour and the Scenic Dordogne Valley
Stop in Cahors, famous for its ‘Black Wine’, and see the Pont Valentré before heading to Rocamadour. A resting place for pilgrims on their way to Spain, the medieval town is perched on a cliff side above the Alzou River. After some time to explore, drive on to your hotel in the Dordogne. A morning drive takes you into the stunning Valley of the Dordogne to visit Lascaux II where the world-famous prehistoric cave paintings have been faithfully reproduced. Later make your way to the town of Sarlat-la-Canéda with its fine historic golden limestone houses. (Buffet Breakfast / Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)

Day 15 to Day 16 - Paris, the 'City of Light'
Drive to historic Poitiers to board your sleek TGV train for the fast and comfortable journey to Paris. By night why not try a French cabaret show? Sightseeing in the morning with a local expert shows you Notre Dame Cathedral and the façades of the Louvre. Drive from the Place de la Concorde along the Champs Élysées to the Arc de Triomphe and stop for a photo of the Eiffel Tower. Paris has grown up on the banks of the Seine and its many landmarks, quays and bridges are best viewed from the comfort of a relaxing River Seine cruise. Food is an obsession in France so for your final night, enjoy a Celebration Dinner of seasonal produce at a typical Parisian restaurant with good wine and good company. (Buffet Breakfast / Buffet Breakfast / Celebration Dinner)

Day 17 - Return to USA
Bid au revoir to the French capital. Departure transfers arrive at Charles de Gaulle Airport at 08:00 and 11:00. (Buffet Breakfast)

Leafy vineyards, majestic mountains, Riviera sunshine, Roman remains and fortified towns combine with great food and wine for an engaging ‘Tour de France’.

• A Welcome Reception with light informal meal (WR)
• 15 Buffet Breakfasts (BB), 1 Celebration Dinner (CD) and 5 three-course table d’hôte Dinners, or Buffets, plus tea or coffee (D)
• Escorted by a professional Tour Director
• Headsets for all visits and walking tours
• Enjoy the unique comfort of Insight’s Luxury air-conditioned 40 seat coach with extended leg room and on-board restroom
• Insight Hotels include all service charges, taxes and porterage
• Standard class train journey by TGV from Paris to Avignon
• Airport transfers at scheduled times on Day 2 and Day 17 (Should your flights not coincide with these transfers, please make your own way to/from the airport or purchase a transfer)

• Troyes: Explore the medieval heart of the Champagne capital.
• Vézelay: Visit this medieval town with its famous basilica.
• Chamonix: Stay in France’s mountaineering capital.
• Saint-Paul de Vence: Discover the village’s artistic vocation.
• Aix-en-Provence: See the mansions of the Cours Mirabeau.
• Avignon: See the old Papal Palace and famous bridge.
• Pont du Gard: See the famous Roman aqueduct.
• Camargue: Visit Stes Maries-de-la-Mer.
• Nîmes: See the Maison Carrée and Roman Arena.
• Carcassonne: Enjoy a walking tour of this fortified town.
• Cahors: See the Pont Valentré.
• Rocamadour: Visit this medieval cliff top town.
• Dordogne: See the golden limestone houses of Sarlat-la-Canéda.
• Paris: See Notre Dame Cathedral, Louvre, Arc de Triomphe and Eiffel Tower.
• Scenic Drives: Burgundy, High Alps, Route Napoleon, Cote d’Azur, Camargue, Dordogne Valley.

Paris: Le Méridien Etoile/Pullman Montparnasse
Dijon: Sofitel
Chamonix: Le Prieure
Aix-les-bains: Adelphia
Nice: Radisson Blu
Avignon: Avignon Grand
Nimes: Imperator
Albi: St Antoine
Dordogne: La Truffe Noire/Le Quercy
Paris: Le Méridien Etoile/Pullman Montparnasse

• Departures on June 21, 28, 30 and July 5, 7 and 12 stay a total of 3 nights at the Hotel Imperator in Nimes (instead of 2 nights in Avignon and 1 night in Nimes.)
• Departures on May 17, September 1 and September 22 coincide with peak season in Nice and may be confirmed at an alternate hotel on the Cote d'Azur.
• Please ask your Vacations To Go travel counselor for more information.

For Insight Vacations terms and conditions, please click here.

* The prices shown are U.S. dollars per person, based on double occupancy, and subject to availability. Prices quoted for land/cruise arrangements are subject to increase without notice. Once we have received your deposit, land/cruise prices are guaranteed. Air prices quoted via phone or email are subject to increase and are guaranteed only from the time that full payment is received. Also, air prices or air promotions mentioned on this site or on the phone do not include baggage fees imposed by airlines.