French Epicurean Trail - Champagne, Alsace, Burgundy & Provence

Your tour commences this evening in Paris. Join us for a welcome drink before dinner. This is an ideal chance to meet, and get to know, your Tour Manager and fellow travellers.

First stop of the day is to the north of Paris at the Château de Compiègne (Palace of Compiègne). Built by Louis XV and Louis XVI, and remodelled under Napoleon I and then Napoleon III, the Château de Compiègne was the hub of courtly life. Overlooking a forest of more than fourteen thousand hectares it is regarded as one of the three most important French royal and imperial residences. The interior furnishings and decoration are all unchanged and exactly as they were over 200 years ago, and so when walking through the Emperor's apartments you will see them as if through Napoleon's eyes. Extraordinary!

You will also find a collection of beautiful, antique horse-drawn carriages. At the end of the terrace is a cafe, beside a small garden with Marie-Antoinette's little fountain. Lunchtime will be at leisure in Pierrefonds' old town, with its lake and massive Neo-Gothic castle built for Napoleon III. Its ‘medieval fairytale' appearance has appeared in many films.

Later we continue to Reims, capital of the Champagne region. On arrival we will meet with a local guide who will walk us through the pedestrian heart and into the magnificent Cathedral, where France crowned so many of its Kings. Our hotel for the next two nights is right in the heart of the old town, just 50 metres from the pedestrian centre lined with shops, cafes and restaurants and an easy walk to the Cathedral.

Our ‘Champagne Campaign' starts today! Driving south through rolling hills filled with vineyards, we reach Epernay. Here we enjoy a slow drive along the world-renowned, UNESCO listed street – the Avenue de Champagne. Lined with prestigious champagne houses, including Moët & Chandon, Mercier, and Pol Roger, along with 19th-century mansions, it is often called the most expensive street in the world due to the immense value of the wine stored in the massive network of underground cellars.

Here we will visit one of the most famous Champagne Houses and tour through the vast chalk cellars before enjoying a glass of bubbles. Champagne in Champagne! Your afternoon and evening are at leisure back in Reims.

Today we visit Verdun! This was the site of one of the longest and most costly battles in human history. Over 302 days throughout 1916 the Germans tried to break the back of the French Army, and the human cost was devasting, with 714,000 casualties between both sides. With the historic French slogan "Ils ne passeront pas" (they shall not pass) the battle came to symbolize the courage and determination of the French resistance through this war.

As we approach the Douaumont Ossuary we drive past the cemetery containing 16,142 graves, whilst inside the Ossuary itself is decorated with family plaques of French soldiers who died here during the battle. Underneath are the skeletal remains of 130,000 unidentified combatants from both France and Germany.

We also visit the ‘Trench of the Bayonets' and most haunting of all will be our walk through the Fleury-devant-Douaumont destroyed village. Sixteen times it changed hands during the battle and it was utterly destroyed, eventually being officially declared to be ‘the village that died for France'. Now beautiful trees and woods peacefully grow over the undulating grass covered craters.

In Verdun itself, we have included a fascinating guided tour through the underground Citadel of Verdun. Wearing virtual reality masks, riding on small, automated vehicles you will be able to relive how life was for the soldiers stationed here in 1916 as you pass through some of the four kilometres of tunnels and galleries. You will see hospitals, dormitories, munitions and communications centres, even a bakery – and soldiers - all safe in this underground city whilst the Battle of Verdun raged above.

Later we arrive in the beautiful Alsace region where we stay five nights, enabling us to fully explore this fantastic part of France. The first two nights of our Alsace stay will be in the elegant city of Strasbourg. The most famous part of Strasbourg are the canals of ‘La Petite France', and our 5-star hotel sits right in the very heart of this UNESCO Heritage listed district. Make sure you visit your hotel terrace bar to take in the views directly onto the most photographed building in the city - the half-timbered Maison des Tanneurs. What a sight – what a location to stay two nights! Tonight, we dine in a local restaurant.

Joined by a local guide we will enjoy a delightful walking tour of this wonderful city, the seat of the European Parliament, and nicknamed the ‘Capital of Europe”. Our guide will lead us along cobblestone streets past medieval half-timbered houses, and into the stunning Gothic Cathedral. This architectural masterpiece was the world's tallest building for over 200 years until 1874, and inside is a famous astronomical clock and massive Rose Window of stained glass. Beautiful!

During the morning, we will also enjoy a scenic canal boat cruise along the city's picturesque canals. Your afternoon and evening are entirely free - “My Time' to explore this fabulous, elegant historical city centre.

Today we focus on two fabulous castles high above the vine covered hills of the Alsace region. The first stop of the day is Château du Haut-Koenigsbourg. Perched 757 metres above the valley, the views from the ramparts and staterooms across the Alsace are stunning. Dating back 900 years, re-built and re-modelled over the centuries, and totally restored by Wilhelm II at the beginning of the 20th century, it looks and feels like a true Germanic knight's fortress and the interior is a medieval masterpiece.

Later we also visit Kintzheim Castle for an amazing Falconry show in an ancient backdrop. Here you will be dazzled by a show of swooping falcons, eagles, hawks and owls that soar all around you as you sit in the courtyard of the crumbling ruins of this ancient castle. A magnificent spectacle!

Our next three nights in the Alsace Region will be spent right in the very heart of beautiful Colmar. Our 4-star hotel is superbly located just one hundred metres from the famous bridge in ‘Little Venice'. Perfect for exploring the surrounding villages, towns and sites, you cannot get a better location to stay! Dinner tonight is in a local restaurant in ‘Little Venice'.

Colmar is world-famous for the beauty of its classic ‘Little Venice' canals right beside where we stay. But to truly appreciate the beauty of the Alsace region you also need to get out amongst the rolling vineyards, villages and towns that line the famous ‘Route Alsace du Vin' (the Alsace Wine Road).

Following that route today we visit two glorious towns that appear to have stepped back in time. Your morning will be spent ambling along the cobblestone streets of Ribeauvillé, which are lined with shops, character restaurants and colourful half-timbered houses. Lunch time will be in the equally historic town of Riquewihr. Both cities are utterly beautiful, and finding a centuries old Wine Maker's Inn for lunch will be a highlight.

On our return to Colmar, we will stop in the small hill town of Zellenberg, in the heart of the Alsatian ‘Grand Crus' vineyards. Here we will visit and enjoy a wine tasting in House Becker. The historic Jean Becker winery has been cultivating its renowned wine for over 400 years, and leading the way, for nearly 30 years they have been cultivating and producing wines organically. Your evening is free back amongst the beautiful pedestrian, medieval streets and squares of Colmar, on the doorstep of your hotel.

Near Ungersheim we will make a special visit to explore the Ecomusée d'Alsace which is the largest open-air museum in France. In this historical park you will discover an exceptional collection of traditional houses, barns, farms and heritage buildings, all dismantled beam-by-beam from their original villages and re-assembled here to ensure their preservation.

Like walking through a time-capsule country village, here you will find the fortified tower of Mulhouse which stands proudly between the Renaissance garden and the Medieval garden. Nearby, you will discover the wash house, the oil mill, carpenters shop, villagers cottages... the list goes on... and most of the shops and traders' cottages have been completely re-furnished as they would have been decades and centuries ago. A fascinating visit!

Lunchtime will be a pleasure relaxing and exploring another medieval gem of a town - Éguisheim. The remainder of your afternoon and evening will be free - ‘My Time' - in lovely Colmar.

At Mulhouse we have included entrance to the fabulous Cité de l'Automobile. Even if you don't like cars, you will absolutely love this visit! With more than 500 vehicles spanning well over a century, this is the largest and most important automobile collection in the world. Also famous for its massive Bugatti collection you will find cars of all ages, shapes and size from the tiniest of all to massive ‘gangster' cars with sweeping footplates. Some are designs and brands that are lost in time, and some are so beautiful, graceful, historic and ludicrously expensive. Stunning!

In the afternoon we will explore the massive Citadel above Belfort. Highlights will be visiting the historic Lion of Belfort, a monumental sculpture by Bartholdi, the same sculptor who created the Statue of Liberty. This colossal red sandstone sculpture of a fierce lion, 22 metres long and 11 metres high, was designed to dominate the landscape.

Later we continue to Beaune, capital of the Burgundian Wine Industry where we stay two nights in our charming hotel superbly located just 200 metres from the famous Hôtel-Dieu de Beaune, and all the major sights. Your evening is free to discover your own private little Burgundian bistro in the old town which is just steps away.

This morning, we have included a visit to the famous Hôtel-Dieu – known also as the Hospices de Beaune. Remarkably preserved and dating back to 1443, this hospital foundation was conceived as a ‘Palace for the Poor'. In the main courtyard you will be amazed by the quality and colours of the dramatic, glazed tile roofs, and inside you will journey into the world of 15th century medicine and care. The rest of your morning is free to explore the pretty medieval town centre.

In the afternoon we will visit the nearby capital of Burgundy, Dijon. Famous for its production of ‘Dijon Mustard', you will enjoy ‘My Time' to explore. Maybe visit the grand Palace of the Dukes, or window shop along the pedestrian malls lined with historic mansions.

On our way back to Beaune, we will follow the wine route through the prestigious Grand Crus vineyards of the Côte de Nuits. Here we will stop in a village to enjoy a talk and taste the local Burgundian wines. As a finale, we will settle into our terrace restaurant located amongst the surrounding vineyards, to enjoy a Burgundian dinner with wine. Delicious and delightful!

A different day today. At the nearby town of Dole, we will board a modern three car train that will take us along the historic Ligne de Hirondelles – The Swallow Line – a 123 kilometre stretch of railway line that was one of the most challenging tracks to build in France. Taking 50 years to complete, the pace of the journey is very slow as it enters 36 tunnels and crosses 18 viaducts spanning the hills and valleys of the Grandvaux Plateau of the beautiful Jura Mountains. The scenery is spectacular as we cross the Forêt de Chaux, the Arbois vineyards and the Vallée de la Bienne to reach Saint-Claude for lunchtime.

Here we have included lunch in a local restaurant before setting off for Lyon where we stay tonight. Enroute, we make a necessary detour to visit the absolute gem of a hilltop walled town called Pérouges. Officially listed as one of France's most beautiful and best-preserved villages (Les Plus Beaux Villages de France) Pérouges dates back to the 14th and 15th centuries and is an absolutely authentic, atmospheric cluster of stone houses. Surrounding the old stone square are little streets and alleys lined with vines climbing ancient walls and stone steps. We stop to visit in the afternoon because it is just beautiful.

Later, on arrival in Lyon, we make a stop on top of the Fourvière Hill to see the white Notre-Dame Basilica - a stunning 19th-century church renowned for its opulent neo-Byzantine and Romanesque interior decorated with vibrant mosaics. Beside the Basilica is a much older chapel with a glorious golden statue of Mary on top. The views down on to the historic ‘Vieux Lyon' (the old town) on the bank of the Saône River are massive. Your hotel tonight is located nearby on Fourvière Hill, in a characterful converted 19th-century convent. After dinner in our hotel, maybe take a stroll back to the Basilica and take in the city's illuminations far below.

Your morning will be free in Lyon. France's third-largest city, located at the confluence of the rivers Rhône and Saône, dates back to Roman times. The old town of narrow, winding cobblestone streets, lined with beautiful Renaissance-era buildings and charming cafes, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Time for you to stroll and explore, and since Lyon is noted as France's culinary capital, perhaps select a local ‘bouchon' - a local bistro serving authentic Lyonnaise cuisine - for lunch.

In the afternoon we will head south, following the course of the Rhone River to Provence and the papal city of Avignon, where we stay the next three nights. Your hotel is set right beside the city's ancient walls.

This morning, we have included a walking tour of the UNESCO listed Avignon city centre with a local guide. Between 1309 and 1377 Avignon was the seat of the Catholic Popes and a highlight will be your tour inside the massive Papal Palace.

The rest of the day will be at leisure exploring this beautiful city. Make sure you visit the Jardin (Garden) des Domes and take a stroll across the Saint-Bénézet Bridge. Otherwise known from the famous song as the Pont d'Avignon, this medieval bridge with just 4 arches remaining, juts out only part way across the Rhône River.

This evening we will visit the nearby, famous hilltop village of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. At the top sits the impressive ruins of Pope John XXII's 14th century castle and literally just below we visit a classic local winery. Here we have included a wine tasting of the famous AOC wines followed by dinner on their terrace, with sweeping views across the valley and down to the sleepy River Rhone. Memorable!

First up, on the outskirts of Les Baux, we have included entrance to enjoy a stunning audio-visual art show – the Carrières de Lumières. Underground, inside an abandoned quarry, you will have a totally unique sound and vision experience as classic works of art are projected as massive frescoes all around you, onto the walls and ceilings. Please do check out the video on the web. Astounding!

Afterwards we will visit the crumbling castle and once deserted village of Les Baux to discover the craft shops and cafés scattered throughout the ruins. Set on the craggy hillside, this rejuvenated town is an extraordinary sight.

Mid-afternoon we stop to enjoy a walk across the spectacular Pont du Gard – an imposing 2,000 year-old Roman aqueduct which was built with giant stones weighing up to six tons. In a beautiful setting, this remarkable structure spans 200 metres between the craggy hillsides of the River Gard. Your evening is at leisure in Avignon.

Today is a day of spectacular drives, the Provençal countryside, picturesque old towns and craggy gorges. Heading east, we enter the Luberon region, famous for its lavender production and authentic old stone towns. (Note: whilst there are of course seasonal variances, generally the lavender fields are only in bloom during the latter part of June and the first half of July).

Our morning stop is in the classic hilltop town of Gordes, the most photographed in the Luberon. As we approach, the views across the Clavon Valley to Gordes, perched on the far side of the Monts de Vaucluse mountainside, are dramatic. Renowned for its white stone houses and dramatic, steep architecture, there is a 10th-century castle and viewpoints for the huge valley panoramas. You have time to wander through the ‘calades' – the narrow cobblestone streets - which are lined with art galleries, cafes, and boutiques.

In the afternoon we continue deep into the rugged mountains and hills of the Verdon Natural Regional Park. The last 20 kilometres will take us nearly an hour as the drive is utterly mesmerizing. Clinging to the cliffs our winding road follows the Gorge du Verdon, high above the turquoise blue waters of the river far below, before emerging near the village of La Palud-sur-Verdon where we stay the next two evocative nights.

The remainder of the afternoon is yours to relax before dinner in your beautiful hotel. Set on a hillside there is a large open-air pool, spa centre, relaxing lounge terraces in the gardens, huge restaurant and bar terrace - all facing across the valley to the Verdon Massif mountains which loom into the distance. Relaxing while enjoying an aperitivo and taking in the views is a memorable experience.

After a leisurely breakfast we retrace our route back along the cliff top scenic road and then down to the Pont du Galetas where we make a photo stop. This is the bridge that spans the river as it exits the gorge and flows into the huge lake – Lac de Sainte-Croix. The gorge itself is the tallest in Europe with cliffs that rise steeply 700 metres above the placid river.

When you look at the astounding turquoise colour of the water in the lake, you realize those photos you have seen are not photo-shopped. Beautiful, it is like the water is illuminated from underneath. Looking up the gorge and across the lake you will see hundreds of small rivercraft moving gently upstream for two kilometres, and then back. Either side of the lake are beaches and this is where there are several boat hire facilities and you can hire kayaks, paddle boats, row boats, e-boats.

You have a choice now... to hire a boat of your choice (not included) and make your way up the spectacular gorge beneath the massive cliffs or stay on the coach and drive over the hills to the town of Aups. Cute, very attractive, not too big but with plenty of small shops and cafes, Aups makes a great morning visit. On the way back there are wonderful, panoramic views down across the broad turquoise lake.

Assembled again as one group, we drive up the road to the fabulous town of Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, yet another on the list of nominated ‘Les Plus Beaux Villages de France' (beautiful villages of France). Nestled in the shadow of a rockface, Moustiers is famous for its 12th-century Chapelle Notre-Dame de Beauvoir and high above it, suspended 200 feet between 2 huge rock pillars, is a large gold star. A tumbling stream and waterfall cut through the old village filled with restaurants, bars and shops selling handcrafted goods and ‘faïence' glazed ceramic pottery. A perfect, characterful village for you to while away your leisurely lunchtime.

Returning to your spa hotel, the remainder of your afternoon is free. Dinner tonight is included in your hotel.

Our drive takes us further down the gorge and the views continue to be spectacular, especially at Point Sublime where we will make a photo stop. Heading through the mountains we enjoy a long leisurely lunch stop in the pretty village of Gourdon. The stone houses, cottages and streets blend harmoniously into the rocky hillside. Perched on the very edge of the cliffs, the views from the terraces to the Côte d'Azur, 25 kilometres away and far down below, are enormous.

Later we head down to Nice, nicknamed ‘the Queen of the French Riviera', where we stay the next three nights. Our hotel is an easy walk to the vibrant central square of Place Masséna, and the Boulevard des Anglais. Dinner tonight is a relaxed affair in a local restaurant.

This morning we will visit Saint-Jean Cap Ferrat and the fabulous Villa Ephrussi – home of the Rothschild family. We have included a self-guided tour through this exceptional villa, perhaps the grandest on the Côte d'Azur, to see Béatrice Ephrussi's grand apartments, tapestry and porcelain collections, and the magnificent gardens.

Afterwards, following the scenic drive along the ‘Moyenne Corniche' we arrive in the city of Monaco. On arrival we include a ride on ‘Le Petit train' that takes you down to Monte Carlo and along the Formula 1 Grand Prix circuit, past the Casino and back to the old town to where you will have time to explore and discover the Princes Palace and Cathedral. The remainder of your afternoon and evening will be at leisure back in the elegant resort town of Nice. Take time to stroll and shop amongst the winding streets and perhaps enjoy dinner in one of the attractive seaside restaurants.

This morning we drive in to the foothills of the Alpes Maritimes to the old town of Saint Paul de Vence. With its imposing ramparts, overlooking the Provençal countryside, the wonderful natural light attracted an artists' colony. Soon they were followed by film directors and movie stars, then galleries and shops. Enjoy ‘My Time' to explore at your own pace.

Later we continue to the extravagant seaside resort of Cannes. Famous for its movie stars and the Cannes Film Festival, we have time at leisure to explore the old port town and ‘La Croisette' – the seafront promenade lined with palm trees, upmarket boutiques, cafés and grand hotels. As a finale, back in Nice, we will enjoy a farewell dinner in a local Provençal restaurant.

Your tour ends today after breakfast.