French Château & Majestic Alps
French Château & Majestic Alps
French Château & Majestic Alps
9 Days Starting in Northern France and ending in Paris, France
Visiting: France, Challes-les-Eaux, Lyon, Annecy, Grenoble, Chartreuse Mountains, Aix-les-Bains, Chambéry, Paris
Tour operator:
Tour code:
fcma
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Age range:
0-99
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
The sheer beauty of this wonderful Alpine region of France leaves you almost lost for words! The Savoie Alps are home to dramatic mountain peaks, charming towns and villages, tranquil Alpine lakes and lush, green valleys. Visits to Aix-les-Bains, Annecy and Chambery will take your breath away. Plus, of course, the gastronomic delights of the charming Château des Comtes de Challes, where we will be based throughout our tour. So let your taste buds be tingled in the Château's lovely restaurant whilst your eyes take in the spectacular Alpine scenery - this wonderful tour is bound to leave lasting memories all round !
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Travel To Northern France
Location: France
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: City-style hotels
Local departure by coach or Door-to-Door service, then to northern France for an overnight stay.
Day 2 : Arrive In Challes-Les-Eaux
Location: Challes-les-Eaux
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: 3-star Château des Comtes de Challes
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Continue past Troyes and Dijon, famous for its mustard of the same name. Then towards the awe-inspiring scenery of the Savoie Alps and to Challes-les-Eaux for a six-night stay. When you arrive, enjoy a welcome drink before dinner.
Day 3 : Lyon
Location: Lyon
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: 3-star Château des Comtes de Challes
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Take the opportunity of an optional excursion to Lyon, France's second city and reputed to be the gourmet capital of France.
Found at the meeting point of the Rhône and Saone Rivers, Lyon’s historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its charm as a city is undisputed among the French and the old town is a maze of cobbled streets, covered walkways and Renaissance architecture just begging to be explored.
While you're there, don't forget to take a look at the Basilique de Notre-Dame de Fourvière and the Cathédrale St. Jean.
Day 4 : Annecy
Location: Annecy
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: 3-star Château des Comtes de Challes
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Our Alpine extravaganza continues today with an included excursion to the town of Annecy, placed right on the shores of its namesake, Lake Annecy.
As well as a picturesque lakeside promenade, you can wander through the quaint old town which has an abundance of arcaded streets that are criss-crossed by canals. Often referred to as the 'Venice of the Alps', the medieval quarter is a photographer’s delight, with flower-bedecked bridges across the charming canals and the weekly market which springs into life every Tuesday. While you wander around the many attractions, be sure to take in the majestic views of the surrounding mountains.
Day 5 : Grenoble & Chartreuse Valley
Location: Grenoble, Chartreuse Mountains
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: 3-star Château des Comtes de Challes
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Enjoy an included excursion to Grenoble, otherwise known as 'the Capital of the Alps', nestled amongst the dramatic peaks of the Belledonne, Chartreuse and Vercors mountains. You may wish to take the iconic cable car over the city’s rooftops to the Fort de la Bastille, a 17th century fortress that has stood the test of time to become an attraction for thousands.
Alternatively, relax in the lively Place Saint André or stroll amongst the fountains of Place Grenette. During the day, we will also have the opportunity to see the Chartreuse massif; a stunning region of snowy mountain peaks, dense forests, deep valleys and lush green meadows.
Day 6 : Chambery & Aix Les Bains
Location: Aix-les-Bains, Chambéry
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: 3-star Château des Comtes de Challes
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Our included excursion today takes us first to Chambery, where Thursday is market day. Shop for souvenirs and local produce or explore the historical old town and admire the beautiful medieval buildings and cathedral. The town boasts many Italian influences in its architecture, having all the charm of an Italian hamlet with the dramatic background of Alpine scenery.
The tour will continue to the well-known fashionable spa town of Aix-les-Bains, a Victorian-style year-round resort with a beach on Lac du Bourget; France's largest lake. If you get a chance (and have a head for heights) an aerial cableway 5,000 feet up the fir-covered Mount Revard delivers jaw-dropping views of the surrounding area. Wander around the streets lined with shops, restaurants and elegant Belle-Époque buildings. Enjoy a stroll along the promenade and admire the views of the famous Abbaye d'Hautecombe monastery. Our journey back to the hotel will take us through the picturesque Isere Valley.
Day 7 : Day At Leisure Or Chamonix
Location: Challes-les-Eaux
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: 3-star Château des Comtes de Challes
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Spend a final day in Challes-les-Eaux and find out what makes it such a special place to stay. Explore the château, which was the former home of the Dukes of Savoie, enjoy a stroll around the beautiful grounds and wander into the local village for some last-minute shopping and to admire the wonderful views. Friday is market day in Challes-les-Eaux, so make sure to wander the stalls for trinkets and gifts if you get a chance.
Alternatively, join our optional excursion to Chamonix. Browsing around the little shops is a pleasure and you will have a large choice of cafés and restaurants for your midday snack. The town is about 3,500 feet above sea level and sits astride the River Arve, which rises into Mer de Glace; Mont Blanc’s largest glacier and otherwise known as the 'Sea of Ice'.
Day 8 : Travel To Paris Area
Location: Paris
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: City-style hotels
Meals Included: Breakfast
We leave the Alps and head through France to reach our hotel for an overnight stay in the Paris area.
Day 9 : Return Home
Location: Paris
Meals Included: Breakfast
Return home.
What's Included
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Accommodation
As detailed in the itinerary
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Additional Services
Travel from a wide range of convenient joining points across the UK is included within your coach holiday price; some carry a supplement. Please contact us for our full list of joining points.
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Airport Transfers at Destination
This trip includes coach travel from/to a local UK joining point
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Fully Guided
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International Travel
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Meals
As detailed in the itinerary
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Transport
Comfortable, air-conditioned motorcoach
What's Not Included
Accommodation
You will stay for six nights at the 3-star Château des Comtes de Challes. Situated in two hectares of gardens, overlooking the Challes-les-Eaux Valley, this 15th century castle became a hotel in 1860. Overnight stays in northern France and the Paris area will be in city-style hotels.
Check out our Q&As
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Is there a limit to luggage that can be brought on the tour?
On Leger Coach Holidays, your allowance is one medium sized suitcase per person, which should weigh no more than 20kg when full.
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Is there a supplement for solo travellers?
Some tours carry a supplement for solo travellers, please ask for details if the Single price is not shown
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Are all the relevant entry visa’s included in the price of the tour?
No
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Will I know the names and details of all the accommodation before I depart?
Yes
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What is the fitness level required to do this tour?
Low
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Is the tour coach air conditioned?
Yes
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes
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What type of coach will be used?
You will travel on either our Luxuria Coach or our Silver Service Coach
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Will there be an escort accompanying this tour?
Fully escorted by our experienced drivers/crews. And in most towns and cities we either include or offer optional sightseeing tours with expert local guides to help you get the most from your visits.
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Is there any free time to explore places during the tour?
As detailed in the itinerary
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How long has the tour company been trading?
40 years
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Sole use of your own room on all Single Traveller holidays: means you still get your privacy and time out from the group.
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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Battlefield Tours - Will it be possible to visit a particular cemetery whilst on the tour?
Please contact us and we will check to see whether you can visit a particular cemetery on any of our Battlefield Tours, if we are not able to fit it into our itinerary then you could take some time out of the tour and do this independently by taxi or public transport.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest Covid-19 policies
Reviews of this operator
Book with Confidence
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Low Deposit
Barrhead Travel requires a minimum deposit of 200 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 98 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of barrhead travel charges.
Up to 98 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 97 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 74 days before tour starts: Forfeit 75% of booking price.
At 28 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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