France Route Planner

Heartland of France   (from Paris to Mâcon, 10+ Nights)

Burgundy is the area between the Morvan and the Vosges and is well-known for its exceptional wines and significant Roman ruins and architecture from Vezelay to Autun and Cluny. The capital is Dijon – of mustard fame,and there are hundreds of small interesting villages and some gorgeous countryside to explore. The wine route – the Cote d’Or - runs from Dijon to Beaune and this is further divided into the Cote de Nuits and Cotes de Beaune. There is an extensive canal network and some beautiful historical and cultural monuments to visit: churches, cathedrals, fortresses and Celtic and Roman ruins. This is the perfect area for biking or walking tours if you are interested in outdoor activities or, of course, if wine and winemaking interests you, you could spend two weeks just exploring the wine route. Festivals and sporting events take place throughout the year – from antique fairs to Formula One Races.

Northeast France   (from Paris to Paris, 12+ Nights)

Alsace is a narrow strip in Northeast France bordering the Swiss border in the south to the German border in the north. It is sheltered by the Vosges mountains and the Rhine River flows through it. It is an area of exceptional natural beauty and is famous for its wines, its medieval towns and villages with half-timbered houses and immaculate gardens. There are three significant cities – Strasbourg, home of of European parliament and the cultural and intellectual centre of Alsace. Mulhouse is the agricultural and business centre and Colmar is the centre of the wine growing area. Definitely recommended for tasting outstanding Rieslings and Gewurtzraminers.

The Bas-Rhin department of Alsace brings you to the heart of the Northern Vosges, with its deep forests, pink sandstone peaks and many historic sites. Between Mount Saint Odile and Haut Koenigsbourg castle is the Wine Route, with delightful villages, vineyards and unique half-timbered houses. The middle area of the Vosges is a hiker’s dream – with walks of varying difficulty and fascinating destinations. Strasbourg is a city not to be missed: the Gothic cathedral and Petit France are just two special reasons to visit.

Normandy and the Loire Valley   (from Paris to Blois, 12+ Nights)

In Western France, Normandy has a dramatic 350 mile coastline, huge areas of lush farmland, historic and cultural landmarks and some exceptional gastronomic specialities including cheeses, cider and Calvados. The cities of Caen, Bayeux (home of the tapestry) and Rouen with its beautiful cathedral and fascinating history are well worth visiting as are the landing beaches of the Battle of Normandy. For art lovers, Giverny is a required visit. This picturesque village on the banks of the Seine was the home of Claude Monet and the house and gardens are open to the public. The oldest seaside resort in France is at Dieppe and on the ‘Flowered Coast’ the resort towns of Deauville and Trouville still offer visitors luxury hotels and casinos. Honfleur, known as the birthplace of Impressionism is a beautiful harbor village with pretty houses. The Abbey at Mont St. Michel, connected to the mainland by a causeway, is one of the most visited places in France. The Loire Valley has more than a thousand chateaux in its rolling hills, and is affectionately known as the Garden of France. Many of the chateaux are open to the public and some offer accommodation and restaurants. The cathedral at Chartres and the towns of Orleans, Bourges, Blois, Chambord, Tours, Amboise and Chenonceaux are just some recommended stops suggested on our itinerary.

Provence and the Riviera   (from Nice to Toulon, 8+ Nights)

Provence, in southeastern France, is a unique and naturally beautiful area that includes the ancient towns of Arles, Avignon, Nimes inland and the city of Marseille on the coast. Inland, the classic fields of lavender and sunflowers and the grey-green olive trees abound. The oceanside communities of the French Riviera including Antibes, Cagnes-sur-Mer, Cap Ferrat, Cassis, Hyeres, Juan les Pins, La Ciotat, St. Raphel, St. Tropez and Villefranche-sur-Mer are also part of Provence. Nice International Airport is the major point of arrival/departure, but there are smaller airports at Avignon, Cannes and Marseilles. There are many important cultural and architectural landmarks throughout the region especially in Avignon, Nimes, Vence, Arles and Nimes and the beaches and towns of the Riviera offer some relaxing options. This is a significant wine-growing area producing mainly reds and rose wines. The triangular area between Arles, Avignon and Salon de Provence is particularly attractive and interesting with several fascinating smaller towns to visit – be sure to see Les Baux and St. Remy de Provence.

Alps & Jura   (from Paris to Clermont-Ferrand, 10+ Nights)

This area, which includes Europe’s largest mountain range, is in the region of Franche-Compte, stretching south to the region of Rhone-Alpes. The southern end of the French Jura is in the northwest of the department of Savoie. The north end is in the very south of Alsace. Nearly 1600 square kilometers of the mountain range makes up the Jura Mountains Regional Natural Park. The highest peaks are on the eastern edge and form a border with Italy. After Paris and the Cote d’Azur, this area is the most popular tourist attraction in France, with many miles of signposted hiking trails and over seventy ski resorts. Naturally, snow-sports are popular in the winter months but nature lovers and ramblers will find this area attractive throughout the year with its pine forests, lakes and rolling fields. White water rafting, canoeing and mountain biking are also popular activities. Le Locle and La Chaux-de Fonds are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Southwest France & Bordeaux   (from Bordeaux to Sarlat-la-Canéda, 8+ Nights)

Languedoc, Midi Pyrenees and Aquitaine make up the area of southwest France that include the beautiful cities of Bordeaux, Carcassonne, Montpellier, Perpignon and Toulouse. This is a region of medieval fortified towns and cities, beautiful mountain and coastal vistas, significant vineyards, exceptional gastronomy and gallo-Roman ruins. In the Pyrenees National Park there are more than 200,000 unspoiled natural acres. The Languedoc Roussillon region, which borders Provence, has a beautiful coastline, excellent cuisine, beautiful cathedrals and a rich Medieval history. Destinations in the Midi Pyrenees include Rocamadour, Toulouse, Rodez, the Peche Merle caves and Montsegur. Aquitaine, with the city of Bordeaux at its heart, is a land of fine wine and cuisine, sandy beaches and the peaks of the Pyrenees as well as miles of protected parkland. Be sure to visit Arcachon, Pau, Sarlat and Biarritz and the coastal towns along the Bay of Biscay, which span the French and Spanish borders.