Tour Details

Experience the essence of French elegance and culture on an unforgettable journey through Bordeaux, Toulouse, Lyon, Avignon, and Nice. Begin your adventure in Bordeaux, the world’s wine capital, exploring historic landmarks and indulging in exquisite local cuisine. In Toulouse, delve into rich history with a unique food and history tour led by a chef. Discover Lyon’s UNESCO World Heritage sites and vibrant culinary scene, before stepping into Avignon’s medieval charm and savoring world-renowned Châteauneuf-du-Pape wines. Finally, bask in the Mediterranean splendor of Nice, where the azure sea meets sophisticated city life. With luxurious accommodations, seamless transfers, and immersive experiences, this tour promises a truly enchanting exploration of southwestern France’s most iconic cities.

Departure Location

Bordeaux Airport

Return Location

Nice Airport

Price Includes

Transfer to/from airport as per the itinerary
Transfer to/from train station as per the itinerary
Train tickets in business class as per the itinerary
Certified English guided tours as per the itinerary
Entrance tickets as per the itinerary
3 nights Hotel Bordeaux Centre Ville - Double room Accomodation on BB Basis
2 nights Plaza Hotel Capitole Toulouse - Double room Accomodation on BB Basis
2 nights Hotel Lyon Centre Plaza République - Double room Accomodation on BB Basis
3 nights Hotel Pont d'Avignon Centre - Double room Accomodation on BB Basis
3 nights Villa Victoria Nice - Double room Accomodation on BB Basis

Price Excludes

Flight Nice-Rome Fiumicino
Tipps and gratuities
Meals (if not specified otherwise)
Anything that is not mentioned in the inclusions

Notes

No options are on hold. Service are available at the time of quotation, rates will have to be re-checked at the time of booking.

Please note that some activities mentioned within the itinerary may incur additional costs unless noted below.

Itinerary

Day 1Welcome to Bordeaux

Transfer departs Bordeaux Airport

Transfer arrives Bordeaux Selected Hotel: The driver will meet you at Bordeaux Airport and take you to Bordeaux Selected Hotel in a luxury Mercedes E-Class.

Welcome to Bordeaux

Bordeaux, an elegant Neo-Classical-clad city of a quarter of a million people in southwestern France, might be the most prestigious wine city (and region) on the planet. There’s even a dark red hue that’s not called Rioja or Napa or even Cabernet Sauvignon: this particular shade of red is called Bordeaux.

Just two hours on the high-speed train from Paris, Bordeaux was once nicknamed La Belle Endormie, Sleeping Beauty. Not anymore. This city is dynamic. It is big enough to be sophisticated and cosmopolitan but small enough that visitors won’t feel overwhelmed, either. The center of town is speckled with squares, 18th-century burgher houses, and a grand cathedral. Just outside of town are grand palaces and just beyond those are bucolic vineyards.

This being the world capital of wine, the restaurant scene in Bordeaux is top-notch. And surprisingly, travelers on every budget can find something to wow their palates.

Check in at Hotel Bordeaux Centre Ville

Room type: Classic double room x 1
Basis of Stay: Breakfast Included

Day 2Bordeaux Walking Tour - Private

Explore the heart of Old Bordeaux on a private guided walking tour. Pass by popular attractions like the Cathedral Saint Andre, Place de la Bourse, Grand Theatre, and more while learning about the history, culture, and lifestyle in a fun and entertaining way. Follow your guide as you walk through the cobbled streets of Bordeaux’s historic center, stopping off at Place Saint-Projet the famous Rue Sainte-Catherine. Your tour continues to the intriguing Place Camille Jullian, where you’ll learn of a hidden secret that lies here.

Next, to the must-see Porte Cailhau, a structure that once served as the main gate to the city and boasts a rich history dating back to the Middle Ages. Continue towards Place de la Bourse, passing through the Saint-Pierre district where the city’s first port once was. Learn about Bordeaux’s secret slave trade and see the famous Miroir D’Eau. Finally, admire the Grand Théâtre de Bordeaux before completing your tour with a visit to the Monuments aux Girondins.

Included

All Fees and Taxes
Local guide

Overnight at Hotel Bordeaux Centre Ville

Classic double room x 1 (Breakfast Included)

Day 3Full-Day Tour To Saint-Emilion And Medoc

Chateau Ambe Tour Pourret: Visit and tastings at a Saint-Emilion Grand Cru winery, hospitality and great wines are waiting for you. The enthusiasts welcome you with open arms to talk to you about terroirs, history, the art of blending.
Saint-Emilion: Guided walking tour at Saint-Emilion world heritage village
Chateau Dauzac: Tasting and Picnic lunch in a Chateau in Margaux (3 courses and 1 glass of wine)
Chateau Margaux: Photo stop at the famous Château Margaux
Chateau Marquis de Terme: Visit of a prestigious Great Growth classified in 1855 and tasting of 2 wines

Saint-Emilion And Medoc

What’s Included:

Alcoholic Beverages
Visit at 3 wineries
Air-conditioned vehicle
Transportation & Driver/Tour guide
Guided tour of Saint-Emilion village
Picnic in a Chateau (Fresh lunch, as well as Basque country charcuterie and cheese)+ 1 glass of wine
Photo stop at the famous Chateau Margaux

Château-Dauzac famous Chateau Margaux

Overnight at Hotel Bordeaux Centre Ville

Classic double room x 1 (Breakfast Included)

Day 4Welcome to Toulouse

Check out from Hotel Bordeaux Centre Ville

Transfer departs Bordeaux Selected Hotel: The driver will meet you at Bordeaux Selected Hotel and take you to Bordeaux Train Station in a luxury Mercedes E-Class.
Transfer arrives Bordeaux Train Station

Pont-Neuf-Toulouse

High-speed Train

Transfer departs Bordeaux Train Station
Transfer arrives Toulouse Train Station
Transfer departs Toulouse Train Station: The driver will meet you at Toulouse Train Station and take you to Toulouse Train Station in a luxury Mercedes E-Class.
Transfer arrives Toulouse Selected Hotel

Welcome to Toulouse

Toulouse, a city of ancient origins that feels the breath of the nearby Pyrenees. Its history dates back even before Christ.

The first inhabitants of Toulouse were the Volques Tectosages. They settled in the hills, south of the actual position of the city, around the 8th century BC. The city of Toulouse was well located between the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, making it one of the main centers of trade.

118 BC, the Roman armies allied with the Volques Tectosages and built their first military fort close to the city. But in 109BC, the Volques Tectosages, taking advantage of the ongoing invasions by the Barbarians from the North, revolted against the Romans. The reconquest was quick, but there were no real settlements, only a garrison installed to watch over the newly installed population. This situation changed with Julius Caesar and the Gallic War in 52 BC. Tolosa was turned into a real Roman city, integrated into the Empire. Due to its central position, Tolosa developed, thanks to the trade of Italian wines.

The city was the protagonist of numerous wars, invasions and religious divisions, but only in the Renaissance period did it begin to find its splendor.

The religious wars were stopped by the publication of the Edict of Nantes in 1600. But the tension remained, with the development of ultra Catholicism in Toulouse at the end of the 17th century, opposing Protestant cities such as Castres and Montauban.

Plague epidemics devastated the city once again in 1629 and 1652, but even with those deadly threats, the city was able to continue its development, with the construction of the Pont-Neuf in 1632 and the Canal du Midi in 1682, two gigantic projects.

During this period, the city also positioned itself as a leading city, at a local scale and also at a national one, in the field of law. It still holds this position today, with a university of law recognised on a global scale, and with a locally important court. In 1750, the Capitole’s facade was built by the Capitouls, unifying the building complex.

To date, Toulouse also plays a fundamental role in the aerospace industry at a global level, in fact it is a center for the European aerospace industry, with the headquarters of Airbus, the Galileo positioning system, and the SPOT satellite system. The Toulouse Space Center (Cité de l’espace) is a notable aerospace museum.

toulouse-Space Center

Check in at Plaza Hotel Capitole Toulouse

Room type: Standard double room x 1
Basis of Stay: Breakfast Included

Day 5Toulouse Food & History Tour With A Chef

Ever embarked on a food tour where your guide doesn’t just lead but also cooks for you? Dive into the heart of Toulouse with a trained chef, as he takes you on a culinary journey through the historic neighborhoods of Carmes and Saint-Etienne. This intimate, small-group walk is punctuated with seven stops, each weaving a tale from Toulouse’s rich past, from the Roman era to the Middle Ages. But history isn’t just told here—it’s tasted. With every story, savor a traditional recipe, ingredient, or product that embodies the essence of Southwestern French Cuisine.

Toulouse-travelling

The chef doesn’t just share these flavors; he whips them up right before your eyes on his hipster cargo bike at select stops. By tour’s end, you’ll have not only explored the ancient city of Tolosa but also indulged in its foundational gastronomic delights.

Cheese+and+charcuterie+board Toulouse Food Tour With A Chef

Overnight at Plaza Hotel Capitole Toulouse

Standard double room x 1 (Breakfast Included)

Day 6Welcome to Lyon

Check out from Plaza Hotel Capitole Toulouse

Transfer departs Toulouse Selected Hotel: The driver will meet you at Toulouse Selected Hotel and take you to Toulouse Train Station in a luxury Mercedes E-Class.
Transfer arrives Toulouse Train Station

lyon-bridg

High-speed Train

2 x business class tickets

Transfer departs Toulouse Train Station
Transfer arrives Lyon Train Station
Transfer departs Lyon Train Station:The driver will meet you at Lyon Train Station and take you to Lyon Selected Hotel in a luxury Mercedes E-Class.
Transfer arrives Lyon Selected Hotel

Welcome to Lyon

Nestled between the Alps and the French Massif Central is the magnificent city of Lyon, at the confluence of the Rhone and Saône rivers. The third largest city in France, Lyon is a metropolis steeped in history and culturally rich: it encompasses ancient theatres and vestiges of the Gallo-Roman era, the Vieux-Lyon dating back to the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, the Presqu’île and its Renaissance palaces, the Croix-Rousse of the industrial era and, finally, the Confluence with its ultra-modern contemporary buildings. An ultra-dynamic city that will win over even the most sceptical.

Definitely off the beaten tourist track, Lyon is a pleasant discovery, thanks to its redeveloped historical centre, its lively social and cultural life, its extraordinary gastronomy and its young and relaxed atmosphere. The city consists of three large metropolitan areas: la Fourvière, also called the hill that prays, due to the presence of the large basilica, la Croix- Rousse, or the hill that works, due to its working-class history in the textile industry, and la Presqu’Ile, the peninsula created by the intersection of the two rivers, Rhône and Saône, which also includes the Old Town.

This is where most of the monuments, museums and tourist attractions are concentrated, as well as a labyrinth of narrow streets and picturesque alleyways, enlivened by the famous bouchons, the traditional trattorias offering inimitable cuisine.

Old Lyon
Dating back partly to the medieval period and partly to the Renaissance, Vieux Lyon is one of the city’s historic districts. Listed as a UNESCO heritage site, this ancient network surprises with its small cobbled streets, its large cathedral and its atypical and original museums. To visit the district, we advise you to stroll unhurriedly, admiring the old buildings whose architecture combines Gothic and Renaissance styles. In fact, Old Lyon, which extends 24 hectares at the foot of the Fourvière hill, is one of the largest Renaissance quarters in Europe, second only to Venice.

Check in at Hôtel Mercure Lyon Centre Plaza République

Room type: Classic double room x 1
Basis of Stay: Breakfast Included

Day 7Lyon Highlights & Secrets Walking Guided Tour (small Group) Including Funicular

Lyon Highlights & Secrets Walking Guided Tour (small Group) Including Funicular

Discover Lyon’s highlights, and wend your way past major landmarks and UNESCO World Heritage sites alike, on this small-group walking tour. Meet your guide in the afternoon at the Bartholdi Fountain, and set off on foot. Over the course of several hours, you’ll learn all about the city’s history and gourmet traditions, will stroll through Vieux Lyon (its Old Town), will travel by funicular up Fourvière Hill, and more. See the best of Lyon in the space of a single tour.

This small-group tour includes a maximum of just 10 attendees Explore Vieux Lyon, Fourvière Hill, and other local landmarks Learn all about the city and its history from your guide’s commentary

Overnight at Hôtel Mercure Lyon Centre Plaza République

Classic double room x 1 (Breakfast Included)

Day 8Welcome to Avignon

Check out from Hôtel Mercure Lyon Centre Plaza République

Transfer departs Lyon Selected Hotel: The driver will meet you at Lyon Selected Hotel and take you to Lyon Train Station in a luxury Mercedes E-Class.
Transfer arrives Lyon Train Station

Avignon-voyage

High-speed Train: 2 x business class tickets

Transfer departs Lyon Train Station
Transfer arrives Avignon Train Station
Transfer departs Avignon Train Station: The driver will meet you at Avignon Train Station and take you to Avignon Selected Hotel in a luxury Mercedes E-Class.
Transfer arrives Avignon Selected Hotel

Welcome to Avignon

A city of great historical importance and the capital of Provence, Avignon is an incredibly charming place thanks to its delightful medieval atmosphere.

Avignon is a lively city, rich in history and monuments, considered the ‘capital’ of Provence. With its mighty city walls, it reminds visitors of the splendour of its past as a city of art and culture: in fact, Avignon was the seat of the papal court for almost a century until the schism of 1377. As many as nine popes reigned in the Provençal city: each enlarged and embellished his grandiose papal palace, today the symbol of Avignon.

Overlooking the Rhone, dotted with hôtels particuliers, winding alleyways and small Italian-style squares, Avignon centres around the marvellous Palais des Papes. With its picturesque medieval appearance, the city enchants visitors with its perfectly preserved buildings, concentration of typical shops and colourful street performers.

Palais des Papes
The Palais des Papes in Avignon is the largest Gothic building in Europe, an imposing and majestic structure that was the residence of the papal sovereigns in the 14th century. Its mammoth and massive dimensions reveal its true nature: an impregnable fortress for the popes who took refuge here fleeing the tensions of Rome. In fact, to the attentive eye, certain construction details of a clearly defensive nature will not escape notice, such as the battlements bordering the building or the loopholes for throwing boiling oil on enemies, or even the soaring towers from which to watch over the entire area below.

The palace has been built, extended and modified many times, according to the needs of successive Popes.It actually consists of two adjacent buildings, with a total of 25 rooms used for different purposes and a series of courtyards, cloisters, reception rooms and chapels.

The structure consists of the Old Palace, dating back to 1335, characterised by the Pope’s Tower towering over the city like a defensive donjon, and the New Palace, with the papal flats, the Chapelle Clementine, a long room of no less than 52 metres, and the Grande Chapelle, from which one can access the roofs of the palace to admire a beautiful view of the entire complex and the city. It must be said that the interior of the complex has not retained its original furnishings and is quite bare.

Check in at Hotel Pont D’Avignon Centre

Room type: Classic double room x 1
Basis of Stay: Breakfast Included

Day 9Avignon Private Walking Tour With A Professional Guide

Avignon Private Walking Tour With A Professional Guide

Discover the 14th century home of the Pope and uncover the rich medieval history of France in Avignon. Gaze at the pretty architecture that adorns every building from the cathedral to the fortifications, and learn about Avignon’s importance to the heart of France and French culture. Wander the hidden alleyways and follow paths of monks and nobles through the city to the Rhone. Find Avignon’s hidden gem bars and eateries with your guide Fully private tour for a more personal experience Learn about the history of Avignon since the Neolithic times Plenty of time to stop for photography and to take in the scenery.

Local Guide who will be with your group only
Private guided Tour
Possible customizing on tour with your local guide on the spot
Gratuities
Entrance fees

Overnight at Hotel Pont D’Avignon Centre

Classic double room x 1 (Breakfast Included)

Day 10Chateauneuf Du Pape Wine Tour

Chateauneuf Du Pape Wine Tour

Discover the famous vineyard of Chateauneuf du Pape with a bilingual local guide with a Sommelier diploma.
A unique circuit that will make you have a real immersion in the Vineyard of Chateauneuf du Pape.
The day includes the visit of 4 domains/wine castles.

Chateauneuf-du-Pape:

Stop in the famous vineyard of Chateauneuf du Pape and introduction to the CDP Terroir (soil, climate, grapes…)
Private visit of a chateau and wine tasting
Private visit of a family owned Estate and wine tasting
Private visit and wine tasting in a Chateauneuf du Pape winery
Private tasting in an old cellar (cellar) situated in the village of Chateauneuf du Pape

Chateauneuf

Overnight at Hotel Pont D’Avignon Centre

Classic double room x 1 (Breakfast Included)

Day 11Welcome to Nice

Check out from Hotel Pont D’Avignon Centre

Transfer departs Avignon Selected Hotel: The driver will meet you at Avignon Selected Hotel and take you to Avignon Train Station in a luxury Mercedes E-Class.
Transfer arrives Avignon Train Station

Nice

High-speed Train: 2 x business class train tickets

Transfer departs Avignon Train Station
Transfer arrives Nice Train Station
Transfer departs Nice Train Station: The driver will meet you at Nice Train Station and take you to Nice Selected Hotel in a luxury Mercedes E-Class.
Transfer arrives Nice Selected Hotel

Nice-travel

Welcome to Nice

When Queen Victoria of England lay dying, one of the last things she uttered apparently was, “If only I were in Nice, I’d get better.” This sunny metropolis on the Côte d’Azur has the very enviable position of being a sophisticated European city smack on one of the best coastlines on the planet.

Locals and visitors alike drift toward the famed Promenade des Anglais, the beachside walkway where the surf, sun, sand, and blue lounge chairs marry to create ideal Gallic coastal bliss. Or they amble around Vieux Nice, the ancient part of town where narrow lanes and verdant squares boast charming bistros serving dishes that blend French and Italian influences—Nice has always had its culinary footing in both countries and cultures, after all.

In addition to ambling and eating, Nice also has an impressive museum scene with institutions dedicated to Matisse, modern art, Marc Chagall, and local history. Nice also makes for a nice base for further exploration, as both Monaco and Cannes are easy train rides and day trips in opposite directions from Nice.

Visitors can also pay a visit to Le Régina, the home-away-from-home of Queen Victoria, the place she had on her mind in her last waking moments. Whatever the visitor does in Nice, like Victoria, they will also be better for having done so.

Check in at Villa Victoria

Room type: Superior double room with city view x 1
Basis of Stay: Breakfast Included

Day 12Monaco, Monte Carlo, Eze, La Turbie From Nice

Monaco, Monte Carlo, Eze, La Turbie From Nice

Monaco is one of Europe’s most glamorous destinations, but it can be pricey to stay in Monte Carlo. A more convenient option is to visit on a small-group day tour from Nice, including highlights such as the Formula One Grand Prix track, Monte Carlo Casino and the Prince’s Palace; the Fragonard perfume factory in Eze; and the hilltop village of La Turbie.

Full-day tour of Monaco, Eze, and La Turbie from Nice
Visit the medieval village of Eze and tour the Fragonard perfume factory
See the Trophy of the Alps and enjoy views over the French Riviera in La Turbie
Visit Monte Carlo Casino, see the Rock of Monaco, and watch the Changing of the Guard at the Prince’s Palace Drive along the Formula One Grand Prix track in Monte Carlo
Includes hotel pick-up and round-trip transport
Small-group tour limited to eight person
Professional guide
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Transport by air-conditioned luxury minivan
Guided perfumery tour in Ez

Overnight at Villa Victoria

Superior double room with city view x 1 (Breakfast Included)

Day 13Afternoon Walking Food Tour With Dinner

Afternoon Walking Food Tour With Dinner

Embark on a culinary journey through Nice, savoring Provencal delicacies, sweet treats, Mediterranean flavors, and regional wines. Join our evening walking tour guided by a food enthusiast, as we navigate the charming Old Town, visiting culinary hotspots such as artisan shops, markets, and cafés. Indulge in a diverse array of sweet and savory specialties, concluding with a dinner tasting at a local restaurant. Delight in at least nine different Niçoise tastings during the tour, followed by a gourmet dinner featuring a carefully crafted tasting menu at a nearby restaurant.

Enjoy French wines, coffee, and water—all beverages are included in this intimate small-group experience, limited to a maximum of 12 people.

Dinner
Alcoholic Beverages
Snacks
Bottled water
Coffee and/or Tea
9+ food tastings
Local guide

VIEUX_NICE

The famous Place Rossetti is around the corner from our meeting place, home to a 17th century church, the Cathedrale Sainte-Reparate.
Across from the iconic Opera house of Nice lives the oldest shop in Nice established in 1820.
The market of Nice, a farmers market by day and in the evening home to local artists and artisans sharing their passion amongst the bars, cafes, and restaurants.
Old Town: after sampling our olive oil tasting we will make our way to a restaurant for a dinner tasting and of course, get the wine flowing!

Overnight at Villa Victoria

Superior double room with city view x 1 (Breakfast Included)

Day 14Trip ends

Check out from Villa Victoria

Transfer departs Nice Selected Hotel: The driver will meet you at Nice Selected Hotel and take you to Nice Airport in a luxury Mercedes E-Class.
Transfer arrives Nice Airport

Map

Key Dates
1) Day 1 – 4: Hotel Bordeaux Centre Ville, Bordeaux
2) Day 4 – 6: Plaza Hotel Capitole Toulouse, Toulouse
3) Day 6 – 8: Hôtel Mercure Lyon Centre Plaza République, Lyon
4) Day 8 – 11: Hotel Pont D’Avignon Centre, Avignon
5) Day 11 – 14: Villa Victoria, Nice

Hotel details

https://itineraries.safariportal.app/Nicolas-Delacharlerie/1115031252076857194