Art Tour of France

(10 Days - Departs Daily on a Private Basis)
Paris & Versailles, Provence, Cote d’Azur

France is a wonderful destination for culture lovers, and this private art tour of France is the best way to experience some of the most memorable masterpieces of French art and architecture. It combines the sophistication of Paris with the inspiring light, landscapes and lifestyle of the South of France.

Begin in Paris, one of the great art cities of the world. During flexible private touring with your expert art guide, visit the most interesting museums and cultural sites according to your interests. Suggested options include the Louvre, Musee d’Orsay, L'Orangerie, Rodin Museum, Musee Marmottan Monet, Centre Pompidou, Guimet Museum, Institut du Monde Arabe, Fondation Louis Vuitton, Notre Dame, Sainte-Chapelle, the Eiffel Tower, the former artist colony of Montmartre, and the Luxembourg and Tuileries gardens. Other private touring options include visiting specialty chocolate shops, cheese shops and bakeries; walking through the exclusive residential streets on Ile St-Louis, the old Jewish quarter in the Marais, or the medieval streets of the Latin Quarter; visiting hidden gardens and parks; and shopping for antiques in flea markets or haute couture in fashionable boutiques.

One day, enjoy a private excursion to Versailles. Tour Louis XIV’s opulent palace, extensive gardens, the town's historic covered market and other highlights such as Le Petit Trianon, and Hameau de la Reine, the mock hamlet created for Marie-Antoinette.

Continue to Chateau La Coste, a beautiful vineyard and winery in the Provence countryside with outstanding contemporary architecture by Jean Nouvel, Tadao Ando and Frank Gehry, and a renowned collection of art by Louise Bourgeois, Andy Goldsworthy and other artists. Stay at Villa La Coste, a luxury hotel and spa among the vineyards. Also enjoy regional touring to see art and architecture highlights in Arles or Aix-en-Provence.

Conclude on the beautiful Cote d’Azur with a stay at a luxurious resort overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. During private touring, visit the art highlights of the region, such as the Chapelle du Rosaire de Vence (Matisse Chapel), Fondation Maeght (including a dining reservation at legendary La Colombe d'Or), the Prince’s Palace, and villas in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat such as Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild.  Also explore interesting towns along the waterfront and in the hills of the French Riviera and Monaco, such as Nice, Cannes, Eze, Saint-Paul de Vence, Antibes and Monte-Carlo. Also stroll along waterside promenades, sample local culinary specialties, and browse markets such as the flower and antiques markets in Nice. Another option is a full-day excursion to Fondation Carmignac, a private art collection on a bucolic island in the Mediterranean. We can also arrange special interest activities such as learning to make your own perfume at a workshop in Grasse, chartered boat excursions, wine tasting, biking and more. During leisure time, enjoy your luxury resort and its beach club.

Itinerary Overview

Day 1 Arrive Paris Private arrival transfer to hotel for 4 nights Day 2 Paris Full-day private city tour Day 3 Paris Half-day private city tour with an art expert Day 4 Paris & Versailles Full-day private excursion to Versailles Day 5 Paris – Aix-en-Provence Private transfer to station for train to Provence. Private arrival transfer to hotel for 2 nights. Afternoon at leisure to enjoy the art and winery at hotel Day 6 Aix-en-Provence Private touring Day 7 Aix-en-Provence – Cote d'Azur Private tour of Aix-en-Provence en route to hotel for 3 nights Day 8 Cote d’Azur Full-day private excursion to local villas, gardens, art highlights and markets Day 9 Cote d’Azur Private tour of Monte Carlo and/or other towns with top museums and art sites Day 10 Depart Nice Private airport transfer

Hotels

Paris: Ritz Paris or Four Seasons Hotel George V Aix-en-Provence: Villa La Coste Cote d'Azur: Four Seasons Grand-Hotel du Cap-Ferrat or Hotel du Cap Eden Roc

Cost

Upon request