01 Mar A French Menu: Sights and Delights across France
Food in France is much more than Croissant for breakfast and steak fries for dinner, though all too often that is what people expect when they hit France. Yet, if there was a kaleidoscope of dining options both quality and experiential it is in the landscape of the French. Weather it is from tender and sweet Macrons at the local cafe to 12-course tasting menu with cinematic presentation, there never comes a point where you are disappointed.
Find the perfect combination of food, drinks and sights in France!
DAY 1: ARRIVAL IN PARIS:
A trip to France perhaps never complete without a trip to Paris. Re-discover Paris that goes beyond the Eiffel and Museums!
Daily Specials
Lunch and Coffee at La Maison Rose
Dinner and a Show at Moulin Rouge
Arrive in Paris and make your way to your hotel – Hôtel Sofitel Paris Arc de Triomphe.
About The Hotel: Completely renovated, this 5-star hotel is located near the Champs Elysee, between the Arc de Triomphe and Parc Monceau. It is perfect for both business and leisure with perfect location and comfortable rooms. Also it has access to major metro and RER lines makes it easy and quick to reach the other key sites of the capital.
1500- Montmartre– Montmartre otherwise known as The Mountain Of Martyrs is perhaps one of the most popular district in Paris. It is also one of the most Instagram-able place there can be!
Quick Coffee at La Maison Rose: It’s that really cute pink house nestled on the corner of a winding cobble stoned street, and it is arguably the most photographed house in Montmartre. It has been serving coffee since 100 years and has even housed Picasso and Maurice Utrillo
- However, anything on Instagram leads to direct fame and one is sure to find some crowd. There is also the Soul Kitchen which is perfect with its vegetarian heavy menu.
- Abbesses: Abbesees is perhaps one of the deepest metro station in Paris as Montmartre is located on a hill.
- Basilica of Sacre-Coeur: The Basilica of Sacre-Coeur is the white-domed church, located near the Abbesses metro station, which cannot be missed because it is the most iconic attraction when reaching Montmartre as it towers over the city.
- Musée de la vie Romantique: There is not better to visit a museum of love than in the city of love. Romanticism was an artistic movement in France and The musuem displays some of the finest peices of that period.
- 1800- The Moulin Rouge and Dinner : Moulin Rouge is known as a cabaret that was founded and built in 1889 and ever since then it has been coined the modern birthplace of can-can, which is a seductive dance that later turned into a form of entertainment.
They have a fantastic vegan menu and ofcourse Champagne!
Overnight in Paris.
DAY 2: EXPLORE PARIS
The Daily Specials
Breakfast with a story
Private Pastry Making Class at Le Cordon Bleu
CV2 tour of France with Champagne
0930 – Breakfast at the Used Book Cafe – There is charm and character here and a Bibliphile shouldn’t read Paris before actually going to this cafe! At the first glance the cafe might look like a bookstore or a library with its floor to ceiling bookshelf but Le Used Book Café – which is attached to the famous French concept store Merci – is ridiculously Instagrammable, but it’s also incredibly satisfying as far as breakfasts go. The menu is typically French, but it also features tea and scones, which pair wonderfully with the over 10,000 books available to patrons to borrow.
1230– Visit the Artists at 59 Rivoli. A beacon of Paris counter-culture, 59 Rivoli is part-gallery, part-studio, part-celebration of creative freedom. The walls and floors are covered in text, sketches and paint, and the spiral staircase is as much a display space as the studio rooms themselves. Each room is vastly different, adopting the personality of the artist inhabiting it.There are fifteen permanent and 15 temporary artists.
1600- Le Cordon Bleu Paris: Practical Private Class for Pastry: The Secrets of Eclairs. Then make your way to the prestigious Cordon Bleu Academy for a private pastry making class. This is followed by a small tasting and of course you can take a small tea bag with all our amazing chocolates back home!
Return back to your hotel and relax before the final activity for the night.
- 22:00- PARIS BY NIGHT a 2CV Tour with Champagne
After dinner a 2CV car will be waiting just outside your Hotel. Armed with a glass of champagne make your way around Paris, dressed in her finest gold she is a sight to behold!
Don’t know what a 2CV is? It is a marvelous vintage car, which makes you feel transported to the 1950’s.
Overnight in Paris.
DAY 3: PARIS – CHARTERS – ONZAIN,LOIRE VALLEY (240 km)
Make your way to the fairy tale like setting of the Loire Valley!
Daily Specials:
Gourmet Coffee and Crepes at Le Cafe Serpente
Private Tour and Picnic Sunset Dinner with Vineyard
0800 –Chartes: Pick up your self drive car and make your way to Chartres.
0930 – Coffee and Crepe at Le Cafe Serpente. Le Cafe Serpente is one of the most prominent places to eat at in Chartes. It is famed for its gourmet coffee and crepe with homemade chocolates. You can also choose from fresh pastries and fruites. Nothing better to kick up the day!
Chartres Cathedral: Chartres Cathedral, also known as Notre-Dame d’Chartres or the Cathedral of Notre-Dame is perhaps one of the most authentic and complete works of religious architecture of the early 13th century. Partly built starting in 1145, and then reconstructed over a 26-year period after the fire of 1194, it is a must do in Chartres.
- 1300– Les Hauts de Loire
- About the Hotel:
Les Hauts de Loire, a Relais & Chateaux property in Onzain, is roughly a two-hour drive from Paris and is conveniently situated in the heart of wine country. The array of on-site restaurants, including the Bistrot and the elegant two Michelin star restaurant from chef Rémy Giraud, highlight products from the area and the property’s grounds, including honey from beehives next to the château’s pond and produce from the vegetable garden, which it overlooks. The hotel’s pastry chef, Cédric Noël, makes chocolate on-site.
- 1600– Sunset Picnic in Vineyards – Private Tour. You will be picked up from your hotel for a private picnic in the Vines. The Loire Valley is famous for its magnificent châteaux and historic wineries.
You will make your way in a private chaufer driven car to Château du Petit Thouars, a short drive from Chinon, where you’ll be greeted by your hosts and whisked on a guided tour of the family-run château. Learn the secrets of wine making in the Loire Valley and the importance of ‘terroir’ as you stroll through the château vineyards and peek behind-the-scenes of the historic winery, which has been owned by the du Petit Thouars family since 1634. After seeing the aging cellars where the wines are aged in French oak casks, head to the tasting room to sample the winery’s fine Cabernet Franc and Chenin blanc wines. After sampling the wines, you’ll have a chance to select a bottle of your favorite to accompany your lunch. You’ll then be left to enjoy your romantic picnic dinner as the sunsets, looking out over the château, the ancient dovecote, and the rolling vineyards.
Overnight at Les Hauts de Loire.
DAY 4: CHAMBORD AND CHENONCEAU CASTLES
Wonderful breakfast at hotel.
Daily Specials:
Fairy Tale Like Lunch on the Royal Castle of Blois at Orangerie du Chateau
Dinner Bedecked with Michelin stars at La Maison d’à Côté
0930– Château de Chenonceau – After a relaxing morning make your way to the Château de Chenonceau. The gardens, grounds, and castle itself are all fairy tale-perfect. They even have row boats, lemon trees, donkeys, and a balcony! It is stunning sight at the first glance and perhaps that is the reason the castle is so popular. With its arches spanning the River Cher, the castle of Chenonceau is arguably one of the most famous and romantic chateaux of the Loire. The château was inhabited by great women such as Diane de Poitiers and Catherine de’ Medici who added the famous wing spanning the river.
1300- Lunch at Orangerie du Chateau. opposite the fairy tale Chateau de Blois overlooking the beautiful facade of the castle.
1500- Chambord Castle. Prestigious, majestic, colossal and extravagant it is the pinnacle of all the castles in Chambord. The grounds are expansive but have no gardens, so spend your time exploring the royal castle itself. Climb all the spiral staircases you can between the many floors, wings and balconies – and make a point to stop and admire the architectural details of the place.
After the castle visit explore the town of Blois. It’s much bigger than Amboise, so there’s a bit more variety in restaurants, people to watch, and places to shop. Plus, it’s right on the Loire River; a wonderful spot to be for sunset.
- 1930- Dinner at La Maison d’à Côté
Bedecked with Michelin stars, this restaurant is not far from the vast estate of Chambord. Amid well thought out but relatively plain surroundings, it offers an enticing blend of contemporary dishes based on traditional principles – local provenance, seasonality and a focus on, well, the food.
Overnight at Les Hauts de Loire.
Day 5: Tours, Amboise and hot air balloon ride
Breakfast at hotel.
Daily Specials:
Lunch among-st the Half Timbered Houses of Old Town Tours
Champagne overlooking the castles
Dinner at Le Restaurant des Hauts de Loire
1000- Tours – Tours is the principal city in the Loire Valley, has a well preserved cultural heritage which rests easily against its modern, vibrant and dynamic image of today. It has been a seat of learning since the middle ages and carries on this fine tradition through its university today.
The Cathedrale St-Gatien with its flamboyant Gothic facade is an imposing piece of architecture both by day and by night.
Basilique de St-Martin: a late nineteenth-century neo-Byzantine building erected to honor the relics of St Martin, rediscovered in 1860, they are now housed in the crypt. The interior is quite stunning.
Stroll through the old town: A stroll through the old quarter of Tours, day or night, offers many distractions and delights. Rue Colbert which lies midway between Place Plumereau and the cathedral is gaining a reputation as one of the most fashionable streets in the city for its young population.
1400- Explore Place Plumereau and find a tucked away cafe
You can here witness the charm of old Tours (Vieux Tours) by visiting the popular Place Plumereau with its carefully restored half-timbered townhouses. The area is packed with cafes/bars and restaurants of every kind and everything from aperitif to late night coffee is catered for. It is a good place to people-watch over a glass of beer, wine or a coffee, we have done it often!
Recommended: Café du Vieux Murier is so typically French with its lovely terrace, a pretty interiors and welcoming waiters. Also has the best chocolate cake in Town.
1600- Amboise: Amboise lies on the eastern borders of the Touraine province which symbolises for many a “douceur de vivre” and the Garden of France. Amboise is a small town compared to neighboring cities such as Tours, Blois and Orléans. With its 11,500 inhabitants, the town has quaint narrow streets with old half-timbered houses. Built on the left bank of the River Loire, this small old feudal little town is dominated by its impressive chateau. Amboise saw many kings of France who were born, lived and died there.
1830- Sunset Hot Air Balloon Ride – The sweeping vineyards, lush forests and fairy-tale castles of the Loire Valley are even more impressive from above and this 3-hour hot-air balloon experience is the ideal way to enjoy an aerial view. Float over the UNESCO-listed landscapes of the Loire, Indre or Cher Valleys; spot landmarks like the Chateau of Chenonceau or the gardens of Villandry; then toast your safe landing with a glass of Champagne or sparkling grape juice.
2200-Dinner at the Le Restaurant des Hauts de Loire(Conviniently located in the hotel)
Le Restaurant des Hauts de Loire has two 2 Michelin Stars and the head chef Rémy Giraud is known for his creative cooking.
Overnight at Les Hauts de Loire.
Day 5: Loire Valley – Bourges – Lyon (450 km)
Today make your way to the food capital of Lyon.
Daily Specials:
Sun-downers and Dinner at the Historic Les Halles de Lyon
0800- After breakfast depart for Lyon.
1000- Bourges is a city in central France known for its half-timbered houses.
Explore the old town: In 1487 there was a great fire in Bourges that destroyed a third of the city and stunted its development as it lost its annual fairs to Troyes and Lyon.
But it also gives us a very unified old town, with diamond-pattern timber houses packed close together on streets like Rue Bourbonnoux, and a host of stone-built Renaissance mansions.
All you need are your own two feet and a sense of wonder and you’ll find exciting landmarks like the house where the famous merchant Jacques Cœur was born in 1395. There are also some fantastic merchants’ houses from earlier in the 1400’s that survived the fire and are either attractions on their own terms or host the city’s museums.
1600- Arrive in Lyon and check into into Intercontinental Lyon.
About Intercontinental Lyon: The InterContinental Lyon – Hotel Dieu is one of the city’s most emblematic historical landmark buildings, with a contemporary take on design. Views are always stunning, be it on the Rhone river or on listed cloisters and gardens.
1830-AOC/ Les Halles de Lyon – Paul Bocuse is one of the reasons that Lyon is dubbed France’s capital of gastronomy. An incredible variety of the finest quality food all assembled under one roof. There are butchers Trolliet and Giroud/Perrier, the bakeries of Jocteur, Maison Victoire and Maison Claude, fishmongers Maison Pupier and Joanny Durand, cakes and chocolates from Délices des Sens, Chocolats Richarts and Maison Sève, wines and spirits by Fac & Spera and cheesemongers Fromagerie Mons, Mère Richard and Beillevaire.
There are fruits and vegetables, dried meats, poultry, truffles, spices, flowers and more. There are also several bars and restaurants including Chez Léon, Chez Les Gones and Le Fer à Cheval.
If you have the energy left you can opt to go for some late night drinks.
2200- King Arthur Pub – It is the perfect place for some beer (imported from our very own brewery in Bedford, England). It is not essentially French but good music and great beer forgives all.
Overnight at Intercontinental Lyon.
DAY 6: EXPLORE LYON
Daily Specials:
Breakfast at Lyon’s outdoor food market
Beer and Bite to Eat at Star Ferry
Le Sirius for live music on a a permanently moored boat bar
La Marquise for a cocktail and some music
L’Ambassade to dance away the night!
0700 – Lyon’s Outdoor Food Market :Lyon is known for its outdoor food market and the best time to see it is in the morning when the produce is still fresh. La Croix Rousse Market is the busiest market there is. There one will find 100 local vendors selling a huge variety of fresh fruit, vegetables, meat, fish, poultry, cheese and bread as well as hot dishes sold ready to eat. Find some local organic coffee you energize you and then some delicious pancakes.
Later make your way back to your hotel for some downtime.
- The Star Ferry for a beer and a bite to eat
- Le Sirius for live music on a a permanently moored boat bar
- La Marquise for a cocktail and some music
- L’Ambassade to dance away the night!
Overnight at Intercontinental Lyon.
DAY 7: LYON TO AVIGNON (230 km)
Daily Specials:
Lunch at a typical Bouchon in Lyon
Dinner in a French Courtyard in 83.Vernet
Wake up at your own pace and checkout at leisure. Then proceed for a lunch at a typical Bouchon in true Lyon fashion!
1200- Lunch at Daniel & Denise Créqui. A trip to Lyon is not complete without a meal at a Bouchon and the pinnacle of it is Daniel & Denise. Awarded Bib Gourmand by the Michelin Guide and Check of the year in 2004, Chef Joseph Viola is a local institution. Must have’s Bresse chicken and morel mushrooms in a creamy sauce.
Then make your way to to the Hinterland, to the lavender growing areas of Provence, to Avignon. . Upon arrival, make your way to the hotel. Check in to your hotel Hôtel La Mirande.
Hôtel La Mirande: Hotel La Mirande is famous for its intricately renovated interiors.18th Century townhouse converted into a luxurious 5-star hotel without intruding on the soul of the building. Each guestroom has all the luxury amenities you would expect, but invisible if modern technology is involved as the mirror televisions of the mantelpieces. Even some former servants’ quarters, downstairs, were preserved and contribute to the activities.
Rest of the evening is free for you to walk around and enjoy the environs of this quaint UNESCO World Heritage city or take a cruise on the Rhone River. Or you can relax in your hotel.
0900 – Dinner at 83.Vernet. Though set in a building that dates as far back as the 14th century, 83.Vernet is surprisingly – and tastefully – modern. The most alluring feature has to be the dazzling courtyard terrace, which is dotted with impeccably white tables and chairs, while a water pond, lined with greenery and in the shape of a cross, marks the center. On the menu are French favorites like beef tartare and foie gras, as well as more laid back nosh like a black angus cheeseburger and a rigatoni dish with shrimp.
Overnight at Avignon.
Day 8: EXPLORE AVIGNON CITY
Daily Specials:
Gourmet Walking Tour
Dinner with a view at Restaurant Le Bercail
Today start the day with a Walking Gourmet Tour that takes you around the city’s best places to not just eat but also explore.
0900: AURELIE’S WALKING GOURMET TOUR: Taste of Avignon is a unique itinerary through the alleys of Avignon that gives you the opportunity to meet local artisans and taste regional products. The 4 hour tour will stimulate your taste buds as you walk through picturesque parts of the town and learn about culinary traditions and local history.On this foodie tour you will be taken to where the locals go for their shopping, from the oldest bakery in town to the best artisan chocolate maker.
After enjoying a variety of treats in the old town, we learn about the Rhône Valley wines and enjoy a fine wine tasting (AOC).Our tour will end at ‘Les Halles’ indoor market with a typical provençal apéritif.
0100 – Explore the city
Following which make your way around this wonderful city.
Palais des Papes: One cant imagine the scale of the 14th century Papal Palace unless you see it in real time. Just to trying to convey the size, you could fit four Gothic cathedrals in here and there are 24 rooms to visit on the tour. It’s the marquee attraction in Avignon’s World Heritage site and one of France’s most famous and valuable historical buildings.
Place du Palais: The wide open space that sets off the Papal Palace isn’t here by accident.It was laid out by the anti pope Benedict XII in the early 15th century, when the winding streets around the palace were razed to enhance the grandeur of the structure.On the square you’ve got the perfect view of the palace, as well as the renaissance Petit Palais, Avignon’s Romanesque cathedral and the Hôtel des Monnaies (mint), which was renovated in the baroque style in 1619.
Pont Saint-Bénézet: Known to all as the Pont d’Avignon, the mythic bridge is from the late-12th century, linking France with Papal Territory. It was positioned on the tightest part of the bend in the Rhône to lessen its exposure to the river’s notorious strong currents. Originally there were 22 arches, of which four remain today, and the bridge was 915 meters long, sensational dimensions for the time it was built.
Place de l’Horloge: Avignon’s main square is where you’ll find the city hall and opera house. Place de l’Horloge is named after the Avignon’s Gothic clock tower, but this can actually be quite tough to spot on the square as it’s hidden behind the newer neoclassical city hall buildings. In the summer nearly half of Place de l’Horloge is taken up by rows of seating for the line of restaurants that spans the entire length of the square.
Basilique Saint-Pierre d’Avignon: Local folklore has it that this church’s predecessor was destroyed by the moors in the 7th century.The current Gothic building was started in the 1300s during the papacy of Innocent IV, who was the fifth Avignon Pope.Before you enter, take a little time to appreciate the monumental wooden tours, sculpted from walnut in 1551 by Antoine Volard. There’s a trove of art to see inside too, like the gilded choir from the 1700s, renaissance and baroque paintings, as well as the 15th-century relics of Saint-Pierre de Luxembourg, with his actual cardinal’s robes and hat.
1930- Dinner at Restaurant Le Bercail– If nothing else, make a reservation here for the view. In the walled city, it can be easy to forget you’re situated beside a stunning river, the Rhône. Here at Le Bercail, located on Barthelasse Island, you can perch yourself waterside and take in views of the fortified town and the Saint-Bénézet Bridge.
Overnight at Avignon.
DAY 9: AVIGNON – NÎMES- LE DOMAINE DE VERCHANT (95 km)
Daily Specials:
Eat, Stay and Drink at a Vineyard
0700: Nimes . After breakfast make your way to Nimes. Nîmes, a city in the Occitanie region of southern France, was an important outpost of the Roman Empire. It’s known for well-preserved Roman monuments such as the Arena of Nîmes, a double-tiered circa-70 A.D. amphitheater still in use for concerts and bullfights.
Les Arènes: The Roman amphitheatre in Nîmes has proudly stood the test of 2,000 years and looks great for its age.The arena is still used for celebrations and concerts, and every May is a solemn scene for six days of bullfighting during the Feria de Nîmes.
Maison Carrée: An exemplary piece of Vitruvian architecture, Maison Carrée is almost unparalleled in the former Roman world for its completeness.It has been here for more than 2,000 years and the only signs of age are a bit of weathering on the columns in the marvelous portico.The temple was dedicated to Gaius and Lucius Caesar, two grandsons of Emperor Augustus who died in their youth.
Jardins de la Fontaine: Parks don’t get much grander than these 18th century gardens around the water source where ancient Nîmes was founded.There are regal balustrades, broad stairways, statues and marble vases, but also exciting Roman monuments, which we’ll visit later.
1400- Arrive in Domaine de Verchant. You will arrive just in time for a late lunch. For lunch, the restaurant, prepared by the chef Jerome Bartoletti, offers a menu and menus with southern accents. The Mediterranean lunch allows you to discover the flavors of the South through the seasons.
About the Hotel:
Le Domaine de Verchant: end of a drive bordered by century-old trees, this 16th century country house, set in the heart of magnificent landscaped grounds, offers an exquisite, tranquil retreat, outskirts of the main city areas. The 17 hectares of Verchant vineyards which surround the house, produce wines which can be sampled in the restaurant served with Mediterranean cuisine.The resutaurant under the head chef Damien Cousseau provides some creative and wonderful cuisine.
Rest of the day is at leisure. You can explore the vineyard, relax in the spa or simply lounge by the pool.
Dinner at Hotel. For Dinner make your choice among our seasonal menus created by our chef Jérôme Bartoletti especially for the restaurant of Domaine de Verchant in a cozy atmosphere.
Overnight at Domaine de Verchant.
Day 10: MONTPELIER
Daily Specials:
Private Cooking Class at Domaine de Verchant and Barbecue dinner with local wines!
After a leisure breakfast at the hotel. For breakfast have buffet or room service; on the edge of the garden or on the terrace of your room, enjoy the awakening prepared every day by the chef and accompanied by one of the many teas or coffees on our breakfast menu.
Then make your way to the city of Montpelier. Montpelier is a city in southern France, 10 km inland from the coast of the Mediterranean Sea.
Fabre Museum: Artists from around Montpelier have helped turn the Fabre Museum into a tremendous art attraction, starting with François-Xavier Fabre, whose donation in the 1820s led to its foundation. Since then the collection has swollen to more than 800 works, donated by names like Frédéric Bazille later that century, and Pierre Soulages more recently.
Promenade de Peyrou: At the highest part of Montpelier and just west of the old walls, this square was designed during the reign of Louis XIV, although because of a period of unrest at the start of the 18th century it wasn’t completed until the middle of the 1700s. There are lots of interesting details, like the statue of Louis XIV, which is from 1828, replacing an earlier version that had been melted down to make cannons.It shows him on horseback extending his arm towards Spain.
Triumphal Arch: The regal entrance way to the Promenade de Peyrou was modeled on the Porte Saint-Denis in Paris and completed in 1693. If you’re into French history, particularly the reign of the Sun King, you can take a little while to investigate the arch’s inscriptions and reliefs, telling the (one-sided!) story of the main events in his reign.
0300: Cooking class at the Hotel. Return back in time for an exclusive cooking class with one of the chefs from the restaurant. Learn some delightful recipes in this three hour cooking class as you make a perfect three course meal, how to present the food and find the right wine to pair it up with. It is followed by a nice Barbecue dinner and enjoy some wine from the vineyards.
Overnight at Domaine de Verchant.
DAY 11: LE DOMAINE DE VERCHANT – ARLES – AIX-EN-PROVENCE (150 km)
Daily Specials:
Lunch in a cafe reminiscent of Roman Forum
Dinner with a retro like atmosphere at Le Poivre D’Ane
1000: Drive to Arles. Today after breakfast drive along the stunning route from the hotel to Arles. Arles is a city on the Rhône River in the Provence region of southern France. It’s famed for inspiring the paintings of Van Gogh, which influenced the contemporary art displayed at the Fondation Vincent Van Gogh. Once a provincial capital of ancient Rome, Arles is also known for many remains from that era, including Arles Amphitheatre (les Arènes d’Arles), now hosting plays, concerts and bullfights.
Amphitheater: Arles’ marquee attraction is the oval arena where for more than 400 years the ancient populace would have been entertained by gladiators and chariot races.It was modelled on Rome’s coliseum and was built a couple of decades after in 90AD. When you come, note the clever touches, like stairways regularly spaced around the arena to manage the flow of spectators in and out.The arena is still part of the city’s cultural life, holding bullfights and concerts.
Theater: Arles’ theatre is still a performance venue, more than 2,000 years after it was constructed.The lower tiers of the cavea are all still here, and in Roman times this would have had additional terraces and been able to seat as many as 10,000 spectators.
Place de la République: Arles’ town hall is on this stately square, as are the churches of Saint-Trophime and Sainte-Anne, opposite each other.But after exiting Saint-Trophime you’ll find your attention drawn to the monument in the middle of the square.This is a Roman obelisk that originally stood in the spina (the long central barrier) in Arelate’s circus.It was found in the 1300s and erected here on a plinth in the 17th-century.The stone for the obelisk has traveled a long way when you consider the time it was erected and that it measures more than 15 meters.
1300 – Lunch at Place du Forum- There aren’t many signs of the Roman forum that stood roughly on this square, save for fragment of a temple portico integrated into the facade of the Hôtel Nord Pinus.
Now Place du Forum is filled with lively restaurant terraces under the shade of plane trees, and takes on extra meaning because Vincent van Gogh set his easel in northeast corner of the square to paint Café Terrace at Night in 1888.
Then make an hours drive to Aix. The town of water, the town of art! Upon arrival make your way to the hotel in the city centre and check in to your hotel La Villa Gallici.
About the Hotel:
The Spa Hotel Villa Gallici welcomes you in an elegant 18th century residence. This 5-star Relais & Châteaux hotel offers high quality services combined with excellent service. The bastide opens onto a garden with the sweet scents of Provence while the cypresses house the outdoor swimming pool. On the terrace, the plane trees bring a welcome shade when the dining room of the gourmet restaurant dresses in the most beautiful ornaments.
Relax and spend time walking around the city sponging in the ambiance and the character of the city. This is a walking city. It actually gets you to travel back in time.
Dinner at Le Poivre D’Ane. Located in the city square, this restaurant is the perfect place to visit for a night out on the town. The red and orange decor creates a warm, retro-like atmosphere, and the classic cuisine is personalized with touches from international influences. For a great price, try the Discovery menu, a fixed menu consisting of an appetizer, fish, meat, cheese, and dessert.
Overnight AIX.
DAY 12: DAY TRIP THE LUBERON AND SURROUNDING FEILDS
Daily Specials:
Lunch at La Ferme de la Huppe Restaurant
Candle lit dinner under the plane trees of the terrace
0800-Day trip to Luberon. After breakfast, head north to the gorgeous Luberon, dotted with vines, olive groves, red poppy fields (in May) and purple lavender fields (in full bloom from mid-June to mid-July). You will visit some of the Most beautiful vil-lages of France.
First thing early in the morning drive along some of the most stunning roads to reach the Cistercian Abbey of Senanque. It has become a symbol of Provence when the lavender fields extending as far as its doors blossom from mid-June to mid-July -a perfect postcard image !
Nearby hilltop Gordes, is one of the most picturesque vil-lage in the Luberon, and also one of the most visited places in Provence. Its narrow cobblestone streets bor-dered by lovely city mansions wind through the town.
0100- Lunch at La Ferme de la Huppe Restaurant. Run by Daniela Ernandes passionate kitchen leader, and Chef Mr Jean Jacques Marcellin this offers one of the best views and food in Gordes.
Sparkling with ochre colour, Roussillon is located at the very heart of the biggest ochre deposits in the world.
Its path through the ochre lands will take you for a short walk amidst the earth pillars, red clilffs and hills.
End your tour at the classy village of Lourmarin with its chic boutiques.
Dinner at Restaurant Villa Gallici. Tonight have dinner on the terrace of your hotel, under majestic plane trees. The terrace looks like a Florentine patio and transports you to an elegant and bucolic atmosphere, far removed from the bustle of King René’s city. In the evening, the tables are illuminated with a thousand candles while the dishes follow one another at your table topped with white.
Overnight in Aix-en- Provence.
DAY 14: AIX- MARSIELLE (40 km)
Daily Specials:
Discover the Secrets of Marsielle on Culinary Tour with your guide
Dinner at a Moroccan restaurant
1000- Depart for Marsielle. After breakfast make your way to your final destination of Marsielle.
About Marsielle: Marseille, France’s second and eldest city is a bustling cos-cosmopolitan port open on the Mediterranean world. Since it was European Capital of Culture in 2013 it has been lauded by the international media ( 2nd top destination in the world by the New York Times in 2013, in the top five world sea-front cities by National Geographic in 2015… ) and domestic and international travelers flock to it.
Arrive and put your luggage at the hotel and make your way for the gastranomic tour of Marseille
- 1100: Food Tour: In France, the day starts at the bakery with its famous baguette and delicious croissants. This tour begins in the city center, where you will buy some pastries in the famous Galeries Lafayette. It is also a good way to discover La Canebière, the most famous street in Marseille. Then, continue to the old port for some seafood (shellfish and crustaceans or fish and chips from Marseille). Visit the daily fish market, a good way to learn about the famous fish soup La Bouillabaisse.
The tour then moves on to the historical quarter, where local shops offer the famous tapenade (olive paste), a fresh wine Rosé, a delicious chocolate (made with olive oil) and the most famous biscuit in Marseille, the navettes. In this area, you’ll also find some beautiful buildings such as the Vieille Charité or the cathedral Notre Dame de la Major.
At the end of the tour, it will be time to drink a Pastis, a famous drink made with Anis and licorice with a beautiful view of Notre Dame de la Garde. This tour is a perfect way to discover french gastronomy, as well as the highlights of Marseille.
1500: Return to your hotel and check into Intercontinental Marseille – Hotel Dieu
About the Hotel:
InterContinental Marseille – Hotel Dieu is the epitome of luxury, this grand hotel occupies a striking building adjacent to Marseille’s historic Panier district. Enjoy the world class service, a Michelin-starred Alcyone restaurant or relax in the spa. Five minutes’ walk away, boats line the quay of the Vieux-Port, in the heart of the city.
1600: Tour the most famous places of Marseille. Make a stop at Notre Dame de la Garde basilica, cherished by the Marseillais, offering a 360° stunning view on the sea and the surrounding hills. Enjoy the beach along the Corniche coastal road.Another must visit places are Fort Saint-Jean, La Vieille Charité and Musée des Beaux-Arts.
2000- Dinner at Le Souk – Located just 600m from Fort Saint Jean is the Moroccan restaurant, Le Souk offers an exotic taste of the Maghreb right in the middle of Marseille’s Old Port. The Moroccan-themed restaurant is a reflection of the large Maghreb population that call Marseille their home. Here you can sample traditional North African couscous dishes, kebabs and the ‘tagine of the day’, which can be sweet or savory.
Overnight Marseille.
DAY 15: TAKE A BOAT TOUR ALONG THE CALANQUES AND VISIT CASSIS
Daily Specials
Lunch at the local institution of Cassis.
Dinner at a Michelin-star restaurant.
08:30- Return of Self Drive Car.
0900- Private Day Trip to Calanques National Park and Cassis. After breakfast at the hotel, head for your private day trip to Marseille harbour and embark for a relaxing boat tour to the breathtaking Calanques National Park, at the door of Marseille. Its white cliffs rise from the sea above blue lagoon creeks, some of them accessible by boat only. This three-hour enchanting boat tour will take you to the charming little port of Cassis.
1200- Lunch at La Vieille Auberge. La Vieille Auberge is a local institution. Originally created by Pascal Patrick’s father, the Vieille auberge has forged a reputation as a festive and welcoming place to live, where all the blackcuts and many celebrities meet. Restaurant with picturesque charm, it is today Jonathan, son of Patrick, which ensures the succession.The food is made form local ingredients and the menu keeps changing through the seasons.
After lunch explore the wonderful Cassis with a local English speaking guide. On your way back to Marseille take the panoramic road along France’s highest coastal cliff. Stop at some scenic viewpoints to enjoy the breathtaking view on the coast and the Calanques !
2000- Dinner at L’Epuisette– This gourmet restaurant on the very edge of Marseille’s Old Port is as famous for its delicious Michelin-star awarded dishes as it is for its incredible panoramic views over the Mediterranean. The exquisitely designed, nouvelle cuisine-inspired dishes are crafted with only the finest ingredients by top chefs. They are best enjoyed alongside one of the many complementary wines from l’Épuisette’s extensive selection. Try to sit by the window for the best views. Take in the Old Port on one side and the Mediterranean on the other.
Overnight Marseille
DAY 16: FULL DAY FREE
Daily Specials:
Full day on your own!
Day at leisure (nothing is included)
You can visit the MuCEM, the state-of -the-art museum near the old port devoted to the cultures of the Mediterranean world (2015 Museum Prize from the Council of Europe) and to the adjacent fort Saint-Jean.
Unless you prefer a guided tour of the emblematic Ve-lodrome Stadium, home of the OM football team, France’s second biggest stadium.
You can choose also to visit the Cité radieuse designed by Le Corbusier, classified UNESCO World Heritage site.
If you are more into shopping, we can plan give you information about Marseille’s renowned designers, big brand boutiques and concept stores in the town center.
Marseille has also a large modern mall with a promenade terraces overlooking the sea and a rooftop, open 7/7, big department stores,.
Outside the city, a designer outlet offering the big brands from the former collections at up to 70 % discount.
DAY 17: DEPART
Today you will be given airport transfers as you make your way back home after a long journey!