France In Style

(13 Days - Departs Daily on a Private Basis)
Paris & Versailles or Giverny, Luberon Valley, Aix-en-Provence, Cote d'Azur

This private tour is perfect for travelers wanting to combine sophisticated Paris with the picture-perfect Provence and the glamorous Cote d’Azur. Accommodation is at France’s top luxury hotels and resorts.

Begin in Paris. 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 a degustation 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. Alternatively, enjoy a private excursion to Giverny to tour the house, gardens and lily ponds where Claude Monet lived and painted in his final years.

Next, transfer by high-speed TGV train to Provence, and stay at a luxury hotel in the heart of the Luberon Valley. Enjoy private touring of nearby 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.

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, and explore the markets and backstreets in nearby Aix-en-Provence.

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 Private transfer to hotel for 4 nights Day 2 Paris Full-day private city tour Day 3 Paris & environs Private excursion to Versailles or Giverny Day 4 Paris Half-day private city tour Day 5 Paris – Luberon Valley Private transfer to station for high-speed train to Provence. Private transfer to hotel for 2 nights Day 6 Luberon Valley Private touring Day 7 Luberon Valley – Aix-en-Provence Private touring en route to hotel for 2 nights Day 8 Aix-en-Provence Day at leisure to enjoy the art, architecture and winery at hotel Day 9 Aix-en-Provence – Cote d'Azur Private tour of Aix-en-Provence en route to hotel for 4 nights Day 10 Cote d'Azur Private tour of Monte Carlo, Eze, Nice, Cap Ferrat or other coastal towns Day 11 Cote d'Azur Day at leisure at resort Day 12 Cote d'Azur Private tour along the coast or inland to Grasse, Biot or Saint-Paul de Vence Day 13 Depart Nice Private airport transfer

Hotels

Paris: Ritz Paris, Le Bristol Paris, Cheval Blanc Paris or Four Seasons Hotel George V Luberon Valley: La Bastide de Gordes Aix-en-Provence: Villa La Coste or Villa Gallici Cote d'Azur: Four Seasons Grand-Hotel du Cap-Ferrat, Hotel du Cap Eden Roc, Chateau Saint-Martin & Spa or Hotel de Paris (Monaco)

Cost

Upon request