France in Depth

(19 Days - Departs Daily on a Private Basis)
Normandy, Paris & Versailles, Champagne, Burgundy, Beaujolais, Provence, Cote d’Azur

This private, luxurious in-depth tour of France includes some of the country’s most interesting destinations. Enjoy comprehensive private touring with your own guides, and stay at exclusive luxury hotels in each location.

Begin in Normandy and stay at a luxury chateau hotel. During private touring with an expert Normandy guide, tour the D-Day landing beaches and other significant World War II-related sites such as the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial, the Mulberry Artificial Harbors, and the Caen Museum of Peace. Also, visit the historic town of Bayeux to see the famous tapestry illustrating the Norman invasion of England in 1066.

One day, enjoy a private excursion to Mont Saint-Michel, a remarkable UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of France’s true wonders. This enormous abbey and town on a tidal island has been a pilgrimage site since ancient times, and it remains one of Europe's most popular attractions.

Transfer by private car to Paris, stopping en route for a private tour of Giverny and the house, museum, gardens and lily ponds where Claude Monet lived and painted in his final years.

With your own private guide and driver—sophisticated experts who will share the very best of Paris with you—explore Paris according to your interests. Tour the city's most interesting neighborhoods, markets, boutiques, specialty food shops, gardens, museums and other cultural attractions. A few of our favorites: Walk among centuries-old mansions on exclusive Ile Saint-Louis. See the stained glass windows of exquisite Sainte-Chapelle, and see iconic Notre Dame. Visit the backstreets of Montmartre. Climb the steps to the Sacre Coeur Basilica for panoramic views. Explore Le Marais, whose private homes once belonged to kings, noblemen and courtesans. Wander the old Jewish quarter to the Place des Vosges, the city's oldest and one of its most beautiful squares. See the art treasures of museums such as the Louvre, Musee d'Orsay, l'Orangerie, Centre Pompidou, Fondation Louis Vuitton and other major museums. Or visit smaller specialty museums off the beaten track. If desired, enjoy reservations at one of the restaurants atop the Eiffel Tower. Stroll the Latin Quarter, and relax in the Luxembourg Gardens. Shop exclusive boutiques along Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honore and Rue Royale. Take a break at Left Bank cafes made famous by poets and philosophers, and stop in the church of Saint-Germain-des-Pres. Upon request, Artisans of Leisure can arrange personalized shopping (antiques, flea markets, haute couture, tea, copperware and cooking utensils, chocolate, fashion and more). Perhaps spend hours enjoying adegustation gastronomique at a leading restaurant.

One day, if desired, enjoy a private excursion to Versailles to tour Louis XIV’s opulent palace, including the Hall of Mirrors, the gardens, and the Hameau de la Reine, the mock hamlet created for Marie-Antoinette.

Next, visit the Champagne wine region and spend at a magnificent manor surrounded by parkland in the heart of Reims, an ancient city with Roman roots. During touring along the Route du Champagne, visit top local wineries to tour cellars and sample wines. Also visit highlights of Reims such as Notre-Dame Cathedral, a masterpiece of Gothic Art and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and see Art Deco architecture throughout town.

Continue by private car to Burgundy (Bourgogne), and stay at a chateau hotel in the countryside. With your private driver-guide, tour the Burgundy wine region, explore the beautiful Cote d'Or vineyards, learn about Burgundy’s unique terroir, and visit local cellars to sample top-quality wines made from Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes. One day, tour the historic center of Dijon, a city famous for delicious mustard and fine architecture. Also explore the well-preserved medieval center of Beaune—considered the capital of the Burgundy wine region—and perhaps purchase renowned local wines such as Chambertin, Romanee-Conti and Montrachet. Throughout touring in Burgundy, see a variety of structures and landscapes that together comprise a UNESCO World Heritage Site related to the history of wine production in the region.

Next, transfer to the Beaujolais wine region just outside Lyon. Stay at a spectacular restored 13th-century castle filled with antique furniture, wall paintings and Gothic fireplaces. In the afternoon, enjoy a private tour of the surrounding vineyards, wine cellars, and ancient villages. One day, enjoy a private excursion to Lyon, the gastronomic capital of France, to explore local culinary traditions, see cultural highlights such as Roman ruins, churches and museums, and perhaps dine at one of the country's best restaurants.

Next, transfer to Provence, and stay at a luxury hotel in the heart of the Luberon Valley. Enjoy private touring of local villages such as Gordes, Roussillon, Menerbes and L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue. Also visit other highlights in the region according to your interests, such as the best of Provencal markets, Roman ruins, nearby national parks, historic attractions in towns such as Avignon, art and architectural touring in Arles and St. Remy, antiques stores, colorful town squares and more.

Conclude on the beautiful Cote d’Azur and stay at a luxurious resort overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. Visit local 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. Touring options include exploring atmospheric villages, seeing the Prince’s Palace in Monte-Carlo, strolling through botanic gardens, browsing local markets, visiting art museums and the Chapelle du Rosaire (Matisse chapel), strolling along waterside promenades, sampling local culinary specialties, and much more, depending on your interests. 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, or perhaps spend time at the beach.

Itinerary Overview

Day 1 Arrive Paris – Normandy Private transfer to Port-en-Bessin for 3 nights with stop in Rouen en route Day 2 Normandy Full-day private tour of D-Day beaches and Bayeux Day 3 Normandy & Mont St-Michel Private excursion to Mont-St.-Michel Day 4 Normandy – Paris Private transfer to Paris for 4 nights, with touring of Giverny en route Day 5 Paris Full-day private city tour with guide and driver Day 6 Paris & Versailles Private excursion to Versailles Day 7 Paris Half-day private city tour. Afternoon at leisure Day 8 Paris – Champagne Private touring and wine tasting en route to hotel for overnight Day 9 Champagne – Burgundy Private touring and wine tasting en route to hotel for 2 nights Day 10 Burgundy Private touring Day 11 Burgundy – Beaujolais Private touring and wine tasting en route to hotel for 2 nights Day 12 Beaujolais & Lyon Private culinary touring Day 13 Beaujolais – Provence Private transfer to hotel for 3 nights in Gordes Day 14 Provence Private touring Day 15 Provence Private touring Day 16 Provence – Cote d’Azur Private touring en route to hotel for 3 nights Day 17 Cote d’Azur Private touring Day 18 Cote d’Azur Private half-day tour Day 19 Depart Nice Private airport transfer

Hotels

Normandy: Chateau La Cheneviere Paris: Ritz Paris or Four Seasons Hotel George V Champagne: Les Crayeres Burgundy: Chateau de Vault de Lugny Beaujolais: Chateau de Bagnols Provence: La Bastide de Gordes Cote D'Azur Four Seasons Grand-Hotel du Cap-Ferrat or Hotel du Cap Eden Roc

Cost

Upon request