Grand Tour of France – Picturebook Treasures
Grand Tour of France – Picturebook Treasures
Grand Tour of France – Picturebook Treasures
12 Days Starting in Rouen, France and ending in Paris, France
Visiting: Rouen, Chinon, Loire Valley, Azay-le-Rideau, Oradour-sur-Glane, Dordogne, Rocamadour, Carcassonne, Béziers, Aix-en-Provence, Cassis, Lyon, Ardèche, Paris
Tour operator:
Tour code:
fra
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Age range:
0-99
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Oh-la-la! This expression most certainly sums up this ‘grand’ tour of classic French treasures. Whether its romantic cities, picturesque coastlines, charming villages or breath-taking countryside you’re looking for in a coach holiday, it’s all here in one itinerary. Explore the beautiful Loire Valley, with visits to Tours, Blois and Amboise. Learn about the country’s past with a visit to the Remembrance village of Oradour-sur-Glane, and then explore the delights of the Dordgone, including the cliff-side town of Rocamadour. With visits also included to some of France’s most stunning villages, as well as the medieval city of Carcassonne and the cosmopolitan capital city of Paris, you’ll have a fantastic French adventure on this coach holiday!
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrive In Rouen Area
Location: Rouen
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: 3-star, city-style hotels
Local departure by coach or Door-to-Door service, then to the Rouen area for an overnight stay.
Day 2 : Tours & Azay-Le-Rideau
Location: Chinon, Loire Valley, Azay-le-Rideau
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: 3-star hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
We travel to Tours in the Loire Valley where we enjoy a little time at leisure in Tours centre, before continuing to the pretty village of Azay-le-Rideau with its small but incredibly beautiful château. (Please note: entrance costs for châteaux or places of interest are at additional cost). After time at leisure in Azay le Rideau, we continue to our hotel in Chinon, a smart ‘bourgeois’ town, where we stay for two nights
Day 3 : Loire Valley
Location: Loire Valley
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: 3-star hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Today’s full-day included excursion takes us through the countryside to visit some of the Loire Valley’s most beautiful villages. We travel first to the picturesque town of Blois, then continue to Amboise on the banks of the Loire River. Amboise is famous for its château, and the Clos Lucé manor house, the place where Leonardo da Vinci lived and ultimately died. We end the day at the village of Chenonceaux, home to the Château de Chenonceau built over the river Cher. The château has extensive parks and gardens created by its many mistresses. (Please note that entrance costs for châteaux or places of interest are at additional cost).
Day 4 : Oradour-Sur-Glane
Location: Oradour-sur-Glane, Dordogne, Rocamadour
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: 2-star Hotel du Lion d'Or
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
En-route to Rocamadour, we visit the memorial village of Oradour-sur-Glane. Scene of a terrible massacre on 10th June 1944 by the German SS, the village has been frozen in time ever since. We then continue our journey to the Dordogne region, and the village of Rocamadour where we stay for two nights.
Day 5 : Rocamadour
Location: Rocamadour
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: 2-star Hotel du Lion d'Or
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Enjoy a day at leisure to explore the pilgrimage town of Rocamadour, where Saint Amadour was reputed to have lived as a hermit. The village is perched high on a limestone cliff in the heart of the Dordogne, and here you'll find many small chapels, including the Chapelle de Notre Dame with its famous Black Madonna, a 12th century carved wooden depiction of the Virgin Mary holding baby Jesus.
Day 6 : Carcassonne
Location: Carcassonne
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: 3-star hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
After breakfast we begin the journey to Carcassonne, famous for the defences of the medieval city. The city exists in two parts – the more modern ‘Bastide St Louis’, which contains the Cathedral of St. Michel, and the walled 'Cité Medieval', whose fortifications were built over many centuries and featured in the religious wars between the Cathars and Albigenses. This afternoon we enjoy time at leisure for exploration before we continue to our hotel in the Carcassonne area for an overnight stay.
Day 7 : Béziers
Location: Béziers, Aix-en-Provence
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: 3-star Novotel Beaumanoir
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
This morning we travel to the hill-top town of Béziers, where the Canal du Midi crosses the river by means of an aqueduct. After time to discover the town’s rich history, we continue our journey to Aix-en-Provence, where we stay for three nights.
Day 8 : Cassis
Location: Cassis
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: 3-star Novotel Beaumanoir
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Our included excursion takes us to the lovely seaside resort of Cassis, with its picturesque fishing port and town square. You will have time to relax, take in the pretty harbour, and perhaps enjoy a drink in one of the nearby cafés.
Day 9 : Free Time Or Gorges Du Verdon
Location: Aix-en-Provence
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: 3-star Novotel Beaumanoir
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Enjoy free time in Aix-en-Provence, or why not join us for a full-day optional excursion to one of the most impressive natural sights in Europe, the magnificent Gorges du Verdon, with its dramatic scenery and vast chasms. Our day begins with a visit to Moustiers Ste Marie, a pretty hillside village known for its decorative ceramics and its history. Legend has it that the knight Bozon de Blacas was held captive by the Saracens in the 10th century and pledged to hang a star above his village if he could ever return home safely. The star that shines above Moustiers today is only fifty years old but was painted gold following an unfortunate fall over ten years ago. Worn thin by the wind, the iron had snapped sending the star crashing into the ravine below. One month later, the star was once again hung above the village.
We continue to La Palud sur Verdon, where we have time for lunch before a scenic drive around the famous ‘Route des Crêtes’, which offers some of the most breathtaking panoramic viewpoints of the canyon. The Verdon National Park is spread over two French departments, encompasses 43 towns, and has an area estimated at nearly 178,000 hectares. Rich in flora and fauna, and an area of spectacular natural beauty, the Gorges du Verdon is one of Provence’s greatest attractions.
Day 10 : Ardèche
Location: Lyon, Ardèche
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: 3-star, city-style hotels
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
This morning we explore the wild, rugged, yet intensely beautiful scenery of the Ardèche, seeing quaint villages clinging to the hillsides. We travel to the spectacular Ardèche gorge taking the scenic route through the gorge, from St. Martin d’Ardèche to Vallon Pont d’Arc, stopping at one of the viewpoints to admire the pretty vistas. We have a little time at leisure in Vallon Pont d’Arc before we travel on to the Lyon/Macon area for an overnight stay.
Day 11 : Travel To Paris Area
Location: Paris
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: 3-star, city-style hotels
Meals Included: Breakfast
We have an early departure this morning as we travel north to the Paris area where we have an overnight stay.
Day 12 : 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
In the Loire Valley, you will stay for two nights in a minimum 3-star hotel, followed by a two-night stay at the 2-star Hotel du Lion d'Or in Rocamadour. You will then spend one night at a 3-star hotel in the Carcassonne area, and three nights at the 3-star Novotel Beaumanoir, in Aix-en-Provence.
Overnight stays in Lyon/Macon and Paris/Rouen areas will be in minimum 3-star, city-style hotels.
Check out our Q&As
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Are all the relevant entry visa’s included in the price of the tour?
No
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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 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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What is the fitness level required to do this tour?
Low
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Will I know the names and details of all the accommodation before I depart?
Yes
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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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Is there any free time to explore places during the tour?
As detailed in the itinerary
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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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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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Terms and Conditions
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