Overview:

A grand adventure - world renowned wines, snow-capped mountains, sun-drenched beaches, magnificent châteaux, Roman remains, excellent food and battlefield history.This tour is a combination of Normandy, Brittany & the Loire Valley and Country Roads of France.

Countries Visited

France

An expert Insight Tour Director, at the pinnacles of their careers, will smooth your way throughout your journey. They are your ‘travelling concierges', expert guides, consummate organisers and friends in a foreign land.

Enjoy the unique comfort of Insight's luxury air-conditioned 40 seat coach with extended leg room and on-board restroom. It's business class comfort.

Personal radio headsets, gives you the freedom to wander during visits to famous highlights without missing any of your local expert's fascinating insights and commentaries.

Baggage handling everywhere, with seamless and prompt delivery to your door at every hotel. Hotel and restaurant tips included - you'll never have to worry about how much to give, nor search for foreign currency. Plus we include all taxes and porterage charges at hotels.

Stay connected with friends and family with our complimentary coach and hotel WiFi.

Insight Flourishes - from time to time, your Tour Director will enchant you with local tidbits, each representing authentic food or beverages unique to the destination.

Included airport transfers at scheduled times on arrival and departure days.

Standard class train journey by TGV from Poitiers to Paris.

Troyes: Explore the medieval heart of the Champagne capital.
Chamonix: Stay in France's mountaineering capital.
Annecy: Enjoy free time in the Little Venice area.
Monaco: Drive on part of the Grand Prix circuit.
Saint-Paul de Vence: Discover the village's artistic vocation.
Aix-en-Provence: See the mansions of the Cours Mirabeau.
Avignon: See the old Papal Palace and famous bridge.
Pont du Gard: See the famous Roman aqueduct.
Camargue: Visit Stes Maries-de-la-Mer.
Nîmes: See the Maison Carrée and Roman Arena.
Carcassonne: Enjoy a walking tour of this fortified town.
Albi: See the soaring brick cathedral.
Cahors: See the Pont Valentré.
Rocamadour: Visit this medieval cliff top town.
Dordogne: See the golden limestone buildings of Sarlat-la-Canéda.
Paris: See Notre Dame Cathedral, Louvre, Arc de Triomphe and Eiffel Tower.
Scenic Drives: Burgundy, High Alps, Route Napoleon, Cote d'Azur, Camargue, Dordogne Valley.
Rouen: See the Cathedral and Place du Vieux-Marché where Joan of Arc was burned at the stake.
Normandy Coast: See the remains of the artificial Mulberry Harbour at Arromanches and drive along the D-Day landing beaches.
St Malo: Walk along the fortifications and narrow streets.
Loire Valley: See the imposing Châteaux of Saumur, Angers and Ussé.
Paris: Enjoy a sightseeing tour of the French capital seeing the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame Cathedral, Louvre, Place de la Concorde and Arc de Triomphe.
Chablis: Taste one of the most famous white wines in the world. Treasure the purity of flavour and rapier-like effect on the palate with an expert vintner.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape: Embark on a Côtes du Rhone experience to the famous wine village, where you sample wine with an expert and gain a few tips about what to look for in a robust red - its colour, fragrance and ‘legs' are all as important as the taste!
Sarlat-la-Canéda: Sample some of the delicacies local to the area.
Paris: Rendezvous with your friends at a typical French bistro for a rousing Celebration Dinner with wine. Bon appétit!
Saumur: Fun and informative, discuss the grape varieties and local terroir while sampling wines of the Loire Valley.
Loire Valley: Your château hotel enjoys a high standard of creative cuisine and is featured in many prestigious food guides. Experience it for yourself with an elegant Celebration Dinner and wine.
21 Buffet Breakfasts (BB); 1 Welcome Dinner (WD), 2 Restaurant Dinners (RD), 4 three-course table d'hôte Dinner (DW) and 2 Celebration Dinners (CD) all with wine, plus tea or coffee
Côte d’Azur: Walk through the old streets of Monaco to see the Palace and Tomb of Princess Grace.
St-Paul-de-Vence: Discover how this hilltop town became a refuge for artists.
Arles: See the ancient two-tiered amphitheatre built by the Romans in the 1st century AD and which is still used for plays and concerts today.
Lascaux II Caves: This caves contain some of the oldest and finest prehistoric art in the world. For preservation reasons, they have been replicated in all their glory.
Paris: See the monuments, museums, buildings and bridges on a Seine River cruise through the heart of Paris.
Bayeux: The tapestry is actually a 70m long embroidery that tells the story of the Battle of Hastings in 1066. Look out for King Harold with an arrow in his eye!
Normandy Beaches: Join an emotive journey tracing the story of the D-Day landings. With a Local Expert visit the American Military Cemetery of St. Laurent and appreciate the valour of Rudder's Rangers among the bunkers of Pointe du Hoc.
Mont-St-Michel: Savour your first sight of the fortified island of Mont-St-Michel. Cross the causeway for a guided tour through the maze of halls and vaults of the massive abbey.
Château d'Ussé: Visit the fairytale castle, Charles Perrault's inspiration for his tale 'Sleeping Beauty'.
Villandry: Beside the Cher River stands Villandry Castle, surrounded by France's finest formal gardens.
Chartres: Inside magnificent Chartres Cathedral, marvel at the stained-glass windows, a riot of rich blues and reds, justly considered the finest medieval glass in France.
Dijon: The 5-star Grand Hôtel La Cloche boasts a supreme view over Dijon's prestigious Place Darcy and has been welcoming prominent world figures since the 15th century. The luxurious refined decor and timeless interior garden offer guests every comfort and privacy.
Chamonix: Comfortable Hotel Le Prieuré is in the Savoyard chalet style.
Albi: Hostellerie Saint Antoine is centrally located with features such as Albi Cathedral, Toulouse Lautrec Museum and the Tarn River on your doorstep.
Le Nouveau Monde in St-Malo: Le Nouveau Monde is a 4-star hotel, ideally located in the heart of St-Malo, facing the sea and close to the old town.
Château de Rochecotte: Stay two fabulous nights at this sumptuous château in the Loire Valley, the former private estate of Prince Tallyrand and the Duchess of Dino. Sit with a drink on the terrace and enjoy the beautiful setting or take a stroll through the magnificent gardens.