The sunny French Riviera, with its pleasant temperatures all year round, warmly welcomes you to experience authentic Nice and its surrounds on this 5-day semi-guided tour! Explore the coast and discover the most important cities of the French Riviera: Nice, Monaco, Cannes or Grasse.
From the heart of the historic center of Nice to the perched village of Eze with a magnificent panorama of Monaco, passing through the village of the hinterland of Nice, Saint-Paul de Vence, you will not miss any highlights of the beautiful French Riviera.
In an idyllic setting, enjoy the high-quality hotel service during your itinerary, giving a glimpse of authentic life in the South of France.
Loved the rooftop bar at the hotel and its location across from the Promenade De Anglais. Loved being able to walk everywhere in Nice from our hotel. Great food & wine. The villages we visited were charming and easy to stroll through.
Discover two of the most breathtaking cities in France with this tour of Paris and Nice! Your journey will begin in Paris, the City of Love and Lights, known for its famous landmarks, extravagant boulevards, exquisite art galleries, and renowned museums. Bask in the beauty of the Seine River as you take in the jaw-dropping views of the Eiffel Tower or pay a visit to the Louvre Museum. Make your way through the famous neighborhoods of El Marais, Saint Germain, and Montmartre and get a taste of traditional French cuisine with thousands of restaurants, bistros, and cafes to choose from. From there you will take the train to Nice, the capital of the French Riviera, and a fascinating city known for its beautiful beaches and warm and sunny climate. Explore the Old Town to see the Cathedral Sainte Repartee and the famous opera, see the stretches of the glamorous coastlines with an abundance of beaches to choose between, and learn about the rich history and culture of the region with many excursions available before your tour of Paris and Nice comes to an end!
We loved it. We like the smaller group tours. The experiences were hit and miss. The Tours manager Christina was outstanding. She was charming and helpful and knowledgeable. She managed the different personalities of people on the tour making, I think, everybody happy.
I like the fact that there was a good amount of free time on the tour, and we stayed three or four nights in each location.
There were three nights in Paris, but we added an extra night at the tour hotel-Paris Renaissance Republque Rep Hotel. We love this hotel -best breakfast of the trip. It is within walking distance of Le Marais which has great food, but the area near the place de Republic where the hotel is actually located is also wonderful. The tour included a walking tour of Le Marais, the Latin quarter and boat ride on the Seine. The day had a lot of walking, but it was worth it.
The next day we were on our own. We did not go on the optional excursion to Versailles as both my husband and I had already seen it on a prior trip.
We went to the musee d’orsey which for me was a highlight. There are no museums included on the tour. So if your museum person like me, probably need to get your own tickets for independent time. I figured out three weeks before the tour that everything is closed May 1 for Labor Day in France and it turns out most of Europe -that was one of our free days (actually our pre-tour day that included a tour dinner.) We walked. I would’ve liked to have more time that I could’ve gone to museums on that day, but it wasn’t possible.There are several days where you have late afternoons or half days on your own, which is one of the reasons I really like the tour. I also like that we had somr dinners that were on our own too.
From Paris, we took the high speed train to Marseille and then a bus to Aix-en-Provence where we stayed at another wonderful hotel. Word about the train-you are on your own with the luggage. Do not overpack. You will regret it on this train trip. We had smallest suitcases, which still did not fit in the overhead rack. Many people on our tour did not listen to the advance instructions and really had a lot of trouble with their suitcases. I wish the Tours had included a trip to the Popes palace in Avignon. We saw it from the train, but I would’ve preferred that to the farm experience.
The hotel in Aix en Provence was Grand Hotel Roi Rene. It was walking distance from the main area. Tons of great food options and museums within walking distance. First night in each city usually included a Tour dinner. In Paris, the restaurant was called Habile and i cannot recommend it. The food was under seasoned. The Tour dinner in Aix-en-Provence was excellent, although it took a while, but this is Europe and service is often slow. My husband was very frustrated with this though -it didn’t seem like there were enough servers. The tour dinner the first night and Nice was excellent. The final meal lunch in Cap Ferrat was delightful.
We did not go on the farm excursion. My husband and I love cheese, but we don’t care how it’s made and don’t really have any desire to hug a sheep or goat. There is one more reason to eliminate these farm experiences. When you return to United States, they ask you if you’ve been in contact with farm animals. We could honestly answer no. But the people on the tour would have to lie.I understand it was muddy and they gave you booties. Since I only brought one pair of tennis shoes I’m glad we missed it. We spent the day in Aix-en-Provence and it was wonderful. We went to museums and walked around.
The next day was one of the best days on the tour where we visited Cassis and took a boat ride. Great seafood. One of the most beautiful places we visited. Saint Paul de Vant was also pleasant.
The next day, my husband and I did go on the optional excursion to a market in St. Remy, an old midieval Walled town called Les Baux and an illumination experience in a cave of the projected paintings of Monet. The first two were wonderful. I enjoyed the illumination experience, but you really don’t have to go to France to get this experience. These illumination experiences are available all over the USA with different artists. I have always wanted to go to one though so I was very happy. My husband was a bit bored.
The next day was not so great for me or my husband. The tour included a visit to a parfumarie (a place that makes perfume) in Grasse. We visited this on our way to our next stop -Nice -so we couldn’t miss the perfume experience. The problem for me is I’m very allergic to perfume. So I stayed on the bus and walked around the parking lot. It took two hours. My husband did go on the tour was very unhappy with the perfume experience as were many of the husbands. He said it was too long. It could’ve taken a half the time.The town of Grasse was wonderful, however, the perfume experience was outside of town and they couldn’t leave me in Grasse, which was too bad because I could’ve definitely used a couple of hours more there. I had told Collette about my problems with perfume before going and they told me to talk to the Tour manager. The tour manager did everything she could do. I would suggest in the future Collette go to a perfumery in the town of Grasse.
We really enjoyed Nice. We stayed at a Best Western very close to the center of Nice and the promendpade and the beach. One day the tour went to Cap Ferrat  which is where I want to retire if I win the lottery.
This is our third tour with Collette so we must like it. The hotels are usually excellent. You don’t have to carry your own luggage and my spouse and I have bad backs so this is a real benefit. And the tour managers are usually very good although I will say Christina was outstanding.-one of the best ever.
Bon vacance!
This was my first trip to Europe and I could not imagine experiencing it any better than on the 18 day EX tour. Although we only scratched the surface of many places it gave a wonderful perspective for places I want to come back to for further exploration. We covered a lot of ground in 18 days and made unforgettable memories. I was expecting to see beautiful things and have great experience but the relationships that formed within our group were an unexpected, and delightful, surprise. I'm so thankful I choose to do this tour and have recommended to all of my friends. I will definitely do another Expat tour when I'm able. Disclaimer; This is not a trip for those who want to kick back and relax. It was very active with many early mornings, late night and non-stop adventure days.
ABOUT THIS TRIP
This journey offers you the opportunity to visit various celebrated highlights of France and experience this exceptional country in all its diversity. The tour starts in Rome with a sightseeing experience of the architecture-rich city. Discover the serene ambiance of the holy Vatican City in Rome, the principal center of Christianity in the world. You will have the chance to visit the marvelous and world-famous Versailles Palace to admire its luxury and stroll through its gardens. As you leave the capital city, you head towards the Northern Italy region to experience the Italian Riviera countryside. There is great significance in this area as you discover the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Next, you will immerse in the beauty of the mediterranean sea as you explore Cote d`Azur. Marvel the techniques of traditional perfume manufacturing as you travel through the stunning countryside to the Principality of Monaco. Your drive continues to the pristine and charming region of Provence, enriched with beautiful villages, awe-inspiring landscapes, and rich history. Here you will visit the world heritage city of Arles, where medieval history and architecture will leave you mesmerized. Continue to Lyon, where you will walk through the World Heritage Site old town and get to enjoy the cable car to climb Notre Dame de Fourviere, a huge basilica. Next, you will visit Burgundy, a historical territory and a former administrative region of east-central France. Here you will explore the beautiful vineyards and the countryside to La Rochepots before heading back to Paris where your tour ends. Your journey ends in Paris where you will have a few days to explore major attractions such as the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, and the Cathedral of Notre Dame de Paris.
We saw so much of Europe and it was wonderful. A couple of more days in Germany, Switzerland, and Austria would have added so much. My wife and I still enjoyed this trip enormously.
Well planned itinerary. Excellent travel director and driver . I wanted to do this tour for quite sometime. And I am so happy I did it. The trip was fun. I love all the places we visited, from rich history, architecture, charming towns to scenic views. Amazing and memorable experience!
This self-drive tour of France combines the cultural richness of Paris, the natural splendor of Provence, and the Mediterranean charm of Nice for a truly memorable French adventure. Begin your journey in Paris, exploring world-renowned landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre Museum and Notre Dame Cathedral. Wander through the vibrant neighborhoods of Montmartre and Le Marais to immerse yourself in the city’s rich history and culture. Next, take a train to Avignon, where you will pick up a rental car to delve into this historic city’s past. Visit the majestic Palais des Papes and the iconic Pont Saint-Benezet and enjoy a scenic drive through Provence’s picturesque vineyards, olive groves and quaint villages. Proceed to Aix-en-Provence, admiring its elegant architecture, the historic Saint-Sauveur Cathedral and bustling local markets. Conclude your trip in Nice, basking in its stunning coastline and lively city atmosphere. Discover nearby gems such as the medieval village of St. Paul de Vence, known for its artistic charm; Grasse, renowned for its perfume industry; Eze, with its spectacular views and Monaco, famous for its luxury and elegance as your enchanting journey ends in the French Riviera region.
Frolic in France and Monaco on this 14-day guided tour. In spectacular Saint-Tropez, a Local Expert will guide you along the coastal town’s ancient walls for stunning views of the sea below. See three architecture styles beautifully combine at the Aix-en-Provence Cathedral. Slide into the passenger’s seat of a vintage car for a drive through the countryside, then sip on wine at a countryside winery. Savour the 18th-century elegance of Château de Fonscolombe in the heart of Provence in a 3-night luxurious stay. In Paris, admire the glittering Eiffel Towel and the majestic Arc de Triomphe.