France Highlights and Monaco Extension

Itinerary

• Day 1: Arrival, Paris

  Upon arrival at Paris airport, a private licensed guide-driver will pick you up and transfer you to your hotel. Have the rest of the day at leisure. Paris is an eminently walkable city, so drop your bags and go for a walk to discover the City of Lights, the City of Love!

  • Paris

• Day 2: Guided Tour with Lunch on Eiffel Tower & Seine Cruise

  A full day to immerse yourself into the romantic city of Paris.

  Meet your driver-guide at the hotel, and set off to visit Louvre Museum, where the world-famous Venus de Milo, Mona Lisa and Winged Victory of Samothrace are collected. After that, drive by the fashionable Champs Elysees, make a photo stop at Arc de Triomphe located in the middle of Place Charles de Gaulle, cross the Seine to its south bank and enjoy lunch at "58 Tour Eiffel" restaurant on the 1st floor of the Eiffel Tower.

  In the afternoon, cruise on the Seine for an hour before driving to Montmartre to visit the white-domed Basilique du Sacre-Cœur. Afterward, choose to be escorted back to your hotel or stay till evening to enjoy an optional dinner with show at Moulin Rouge and then make your own way to the hotel.

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  • Paris

• Day 3: 3-Hour Private Walking Tour

  Meet your guide at the Pont Neuf for a 3-hour private walking tour of Ile de la Cite and Ile Saint-Louis. Stepping on the Ile de la Cite, you will walk by Place Dauphine, the Conciergerie that once acted as royal palace and prison, the coterminous Sainte-Chapelle and the Notre-Dame Cathedral.

  After a short break, cross Pont Saint-Louis to discover Ile Saint-Louis, which is a tranquil oasis in the heart of the bustling Paris. There is no metro station and only two bus stations on the island, most of which are residential areas. The tour ends on Rue Saint-Louis-en-l'Ile with a tasting of "the best ice cream in Paris" - Berthillon! The remaining time is free for your own exploration.

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  • Paris

• Day 4: Paris - Avignon (3h), Walking Tour of Avignon

  This morning, a private transfer will take you to Paris-Gare de Lyon for your high-speed train to Avignon, a city in the Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur region as well as the residence of the popes in the 14th century.

  On arrival, be escorted to your hotel by your guide-driver, and then start for a guided walking tour. After passing by Basilique Saint-Pierre d'Avignon, you will visit Palais des Papes, which once was popes' palace. Come to the nearby Romanesque Avignon Cathedral and the garden of Rocher des Doms. Later, step on the ruins of Pont Saint-Benezet that only remains four stone arches. Head to your hotel for a good rest.

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  • Avignon

• Day 5: Avignon - Luberon - Avignon, Provence Countryside

  After breakfast, take an excursion to the Luberon region including Gordes and Roussillon with your guide-driver. En route, stop at a weekly market to know about local agricultural produce, specialties, souvenirs, and handicrafts. Next, you will travel the stone town of Gordes perched on a huge rock, and then move toward the close-by Senanque Abbey, where you can marvel at the neat lavender fields and the violet flowers in full bloom if in summer. Continue the trip to Roussillon noted for its red soil and houses. Return to Avignon.

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  • Avignon

• Day 6: Avignon - Aix-en-Provence - Nice

  Today, drive to Nice with a stop at Aix-en-Provence for a 2-hour walking tour with your guide. When walking along the Cours Mirabeau with tall platanus on both sides, do not forget to try the calissons and have a drink at any cafe hidden in the avenue. Come to the Quartier Mazarin, where you will find Saint Jean de Malte Church, whose 67-meter-high bell tower is the highest point of the city. Finally, take a close look at the renowned Fontaine de la Rotonde. After the tour, continue the journey to Nice.

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  • Nice

• Day 7: Nice - Eze - Monte Carlo - Nice

  A private trip to Eze and Monte Carlo with your guide-driver. Before reaching Monaco, stop at the medieval village of Eze, built in the form of a fortress village perched on the steep rock facing the Mediterranean. Here you can explore the mazy paths, exotic botanical garden, and villas. Later, cross the border and spend some time exploring the old town of Monaco (Monaco-Ville) by yourself. You may view the Prince's Palace, Monaco Cathedral, etc. from the outside. Afterward, tour the Monte Carlo to visit the Formula One Grand Prix circuit and Casino Square, where the world-famous Monte Carlo Casino stands on. Drive back to Nice.

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  • Nice

• Day 8: Nice Free Day

  A day at leisure.

  As a coastal city in French Riviera, Nice is a laid-back vacation paradise and offers a lot to do. You may stroll around the old town, hike to the top of Castle Hill, take in street performance, and enjoy an afternoon on a pebble beach.

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  • Nice

• Day 9: Nice, Departure

  It is time to say goodbye. At an appropriate time, your guide-driver will escort you to the airport for your return flight.

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