A Week In… The French Riviera, Provence and Paris

Tour begins: 3:30 PM, Maison Albar – Le Victoria. A transfer is included from Nice Côte d'Azur Airport to Maison Albar – Le Victoria. Explore Old Town on a guided walk this afternoon, then join us for a welcome cocktail reception and dinner at your five-star boutique hotel, ideally located in the heart of Nice near Place Masséna and the Promenade des Anglais – where contemporary French elegance meets the timeless charm of the Riviera.

A marvelous day in southern France begins with a panoramic tour of seaside Nice, whose "Old Town" recalls the days when aristocrats and royals spent their winters here; see the Port and the Promenade des Anglais and the Cimiez District, a leafy, upscale neighborhood in the north of the city known for its historic, elegant apartment buildings, expansive gardens and Roman ruins. Here, you'll enjoy a visit to Musée Marc Chagall, a national museum spotlighting religious-inspired works by the Russian-born painter who made France his home. Next, head for Monaco to get a taste of life in glamorous Monte-Carlo, including lunch on the terrace of the elegant Fairmont Monte Carlo. Then spend some free time in Monaco-Ville, the oldest part of the city (also known as Le Rocher, or "The Rock"), where you have time to explore as you please. Return to your hotel in Nice for the evening.

From Nice, journey inland to the charming town of Aix-en-Provence, famous for its elegant fountains, shaded squares, and historic avenues. Upon arrival, join a local guide for a walking tour through its lively Old Town, where narrow lanes reveal colorful markets, grand mansions, and bustling cafés. After enjoying lunch and some free time to explore on your own, continue to picturesque St-Rémy-de-Provence – a favorite of artists and poets — for a two-night stay at Le Vallon de Valrugues & Spa. Tonight, savor dinner at your leisure at the hotel.

No journey in Provence is complete without exploring the landscapes that inspired Dutch artist Vincent van Gogh, where olive groves, cypress trees, and flowers the colors of the rainbow greet you. You'll do just that when you join your Tauck Director for an introductory tour of St-Rémy-de-Provence, where van Gogh spent a year of his life at a monastery that served as an asylum – a period of creativity that produced 150 of his most beloved paintings, including Starry Night, Wheat Field with Cypresses and Irises. This afternoon, en route to Avignon, visit an olive oil estate for a tour and tasting. Avignon has reigned as one of Europe's most beautiful medieval cities since the 14th century when it was briefly the capital of Christendom and the home of the Roman Catholic popes. Following an orientation tour of this well-preserved riverside city, explore the four-towered, fortress-like Palais des Papes with a local guide, revealing the treasures and lifestyles of the pontiffs who reigned here for almost 70 years. Join us this evening for a memorable dinner at one of Avignon's top restaurants, featuring a wine tasting, before returning to your hotel in St-Rémy.

Depart St-Rémy this morning and travel to the Pont du Gard – a testament to human ingenuity. The three-level, 164-ft.-high "bridge" was built by the Romans to carry fresh water over the River Gardon nearly 2,000 years ago; a very rare opportunity to cross the very top of the bridge through the aqueduct where the water once ran and a visit to the museum. After a boxed lunch, board the high-speed TGV train in Avignon for a rapid rail journey in first class to inimitable Paris and a three-night stay at the newly renovated Sofitel Le Scribe Paris Opéra; dine at the hotel this evening.

A guided orientation tour today gives you a great overview of Paris and includes the Arc de Triomphe, Champs-Élysées, Place de la Concorde, the Eiffel Tower and more. A luncheon cruise aboard Yachts de Paris drifts past the Seine's graceful bends, where bridges, quays, and monuments slip quietly into view. The city feels both familiar and new from the river, its rhythm setting the pace for an unhurried midday journey. Explore more of the amazing French capital as you wish for the rest of the day and evening.

Join our local guide this morning for a visit to a Paris museum, then spend the afternoon exploring this fabulous city as you please. Join us for our farewell dinner tonight at a venue with memorable views of this remarkable city – and bid adieu to Paris in true Tauck style!

Tour ends: Paris. Fly home anytime. Your transfer is included from Sofitel Le Scribe Paris Opéra to Charles de Gaulle International Airport, Orly Airport or a Paris train station. You should allow a minimum of 3 hours for flight check-in.