France | Simply French
 Provencal Lavender |
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9 days / 8 nights
| Location | Nights |
| Paris | 3 |
| Burgundy | 2 |
| Provence | 3 |
Day 01 Wednesday Arrive Paris
Bienvenue à Paris! A warm A&K welcome into the French capital and a private transfer to the hotel.
Paris (Choice of category)
Day 02 Thursday Design Your Day Paris
Rich in culture this breathtaking city on the River Seine is a study in sophistication. An introduction to the iconic sights of the city: the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Champs Elysées and the Ile de la Cité, for beautiful Notre Dame Cathedral, and the 13th century Sainte Chapelle, a pearl of Gothic architecture. During your visit to the Eiffel Tower you are treated to a special behind the scenes tour. Enter the original engine room, which still operates the elevators; discover the old bunker hidden under the Champ de Mars, wander through the technical gallery on the first floor and admire the beautiful view over the esplanade. During this exclusive visit, the most unusual facts in the history of the Eiffel Tower are related, from the initial project to the challenges of its construction.
This afternoon choose one of the following activities: visit the world’s largest art museum, the world-famous Louvre, home to one of the most important collections in the Western world, with some 35,000 works on display including Da Vinci’s ‘Mona Lisa’ and the ‘Venus de Milo’; explore the lesser known, but exceptionally interesting, Musée Marmottan where paintings owned by Monet are exhibited including some of his own works and those he collected from his friends Renoir, Sisley, Pissarro and others or visit the Musée d'Orsay, housed in a converted railway station which exhibits examples of Impressionist, Fauvist and late Romantic works (B).
Paris (Choice of category)
Day 03 Friday Design Your Day Paris
Comb the streets with a local restaurant critic and food expert uncovering some of the city’s gourmet secrets. A glimpse into the life of a dedicated chocolatier whose handmade delicacies are made in true artisan style. Indulge in some of the tasty temptations while you’re there. Or tour a cheese cellar beneath one of the city's true fromageries and sample some of the local favourites.
Or travel further afield out of the city to Giverny, the country house and garden where Monet lived and worked from 1883 to 1926. The house is decorated in the original colour schemes Monet admired and in the gardens you will see the famous Japanese bridge and lily pond. Or take a trip to Chantilly. Visit the Chateau de Chantilly with its marvellous illuminated medieval manuscripts, tapestries and paintings as well as the Grandes Ecuries - the grandest stables in France - where you will see various breeds of horses and equine paraphernalia (B).
Paris (Choice of category)
Day 04 Saturday Paris - Dijon - Vougeot
Enjoy A&K’s Concierge Rail service as you travel First Class by train south-east to Dijon, Burgundy’s provincial capital. On arrival enjoy a walking tour in the Old Town, where you will see the magnificent half-timber houses and the Palais des Ducs which houses the Fine Arts Museum. Continue south to the village of Vougeot and to your hotel, a converted Cistercian abbey located in the heart of Burgundy’s grand cru vineyards (B).
Burgundy (Choice of category)
Day 05 Sunday Beaune
A full day spent in the picturesque wine country surrounding Beaune. Visit the Clos de Vougeot, one of the largest single vineyards in Burgundy producing grand cru wines. Explore the wine capital of Beaune, with the 15th century Hospice famous for its tiled roof, an icon of the Burgundy region (B).
Burgundy (Choice of category)
Day 06 Monday Vougeot - Avignon
A&K’s Concierge Rail Service south to Avignon with the reminder of the day at leisure (B).
Provence (Choice of category)
Day 07 Tuesday Avignon
Dominated by its Papal Palace, Avignon is a vibrant Provencal town with plenty of character. Discover its glories with a walking tour of the town including a visit to the great Palace. Continue on to the local antique street market to pick up a memento before enjoying a sweeping panorama of the town with the mighty Rhône River flowing beside it. Afternoon is at leisure (B).
Provence (Choice of category)
Day 08 Wednesday Avignon
Time to explore the region. Start with a visit to the delightful market in St Remy de Provence, where you will find a splendid array of regional produce including wild mushrooms, olives, honey, dried herbs and spices. Visit the Roman antiquities, followed by an olive oil tasting at a mill. Afterwards visit the ruined medieval citadel of Les Baux and the astonishing nearby “Cathedral of Images” carved out of the rock. The day finishes with a visit to the impressive Pont du Gard, a Roman aqueduct built with astonishing daring as part of a complex irrigation system (B).
Provence (Choice of category)
Day 09 Thursday Depart Marseilles
Adieu La France! Transfer to Marseilles airport where your journey ends (B).
Note: Itinerary departs Wednesdays. Christmas & New Years Eve supplements apply.
Optional Extensions
Extend your stay in France with a week at an A&K Villa or Apartment, a barge cruise in the Loire Valley or journey on the Venice-Simplon-Orient Express to your next European destination.
Villas and Apartments
Canal and River Cruising
Luxury Rail Journeys
visit the Eiffel Tower where you are treated to a special behind the scenes tour. Enter the original engine room and discover the old bunker hidden under the Champ de Mars.
Shopping at the village markets in Provence is one of life’s greatest pleasures, and St. Rémy has one of the region’s best. Arrive early for fresh produce. Regional specialties include dried herbs and spices, olives, honey, oils, vegetables, antiques and fabrics. During the winter months (November to February) the prized ‘black diamond’ truffles from Vaucluse are available. St. Rémy de Provence market is open Wednesdays only.
Choice of Accommodation
| City | Platinum | Gold |
| Paris | Hotel Le Maurice (Deluxe Room) | Hotel Daniel (Classic Room) |
| Burgundy | Chateau de Gilly, Vougeot (Deluxe Room) | Chateau de Gilly, Vougeot (Traditional Room) |
| Provence | La Mirande, Avignon (King Room) | La Mirande, Avignon (Queen Room) |
