Rick Steves Home > 2008 Tours > France

Best of Paris & the South of France in 15 Days

$3,795 + air • 24-28 people • Begins in Paris and ends in Nice

For two culture-packed weeks you'll enjoy Europe's most monumental city (Paris); its dreamiest châteaux (Loire); oldest art and tastiest open air markets (Dordogne); biggest fortified city (Languedoc); cutest hill towns and best-preserved Roman ruins (Provence); and its most sparkling harbors and seaside views (Riviera).

Great as these sights are, they're just the lyrics — it's the culture of France that provides the melody you'll never forget. Our goal is simple: you'll become so immersed in French culture that when you come up for air, you'll be singing La Marseillaise!

Your day-by-day itinerary

Day 0: Depart USA

Remember, you'll arrive in Europe the day after you depart the USA.

Day 1: Welcome to Paris

We'll meet around 5 p.m. at our hotel. After a bienvenue à Paris! get-together, we'll take a short walk through our neighborhood, followed by dinner. Sleep in Paris (3 nights). No bus. Walking: light.

Day 2: Historic Paris and the Orsay Museum

This morning we'll begin our tour where Paris did, on the historic Ile de la Cité. We'll visit many of the island's most interesting sights, including the soaring Notre-Dame Cathedral and the exquisite Ste-Chapelle church. After lunch, we'll visit the world's greatest collection of Impressionist art at the Musée d'Orsay. No bus. Walking: strenuous.

Day 3: Masterpieces of the Louvre

We'll spend our morning seeing the masterpieces housed in Europe's greatest museum, the Louvre. You'll have the rest of the day free to stroll the Champs-Elysées, climb the Eiffel Tower, or visit other Paris sights. No bus. Walking: strenuous.

Day 4: Chenonceaux to Chinon

This morning we'll say au revoir to Paris and drive south to the Loire Valley — the land of a thousand châteaux. This afternoon we'll visit the elegant river-straddling Château de Chenonceau before driving to castle-topped Chinon, where we'll sleep (2 nights). Bus: 4 hrs. Walking: moderate.

Day 5: Château Day in the Loire Valley

We'll spend our morning visiting the Château de Villandry's remarkable gardens and marveling at Azay le Rideau's reflective-pond setting. You'll have free time this afternoon in Chinon to explore its ancient streets, tour the medieval castle (under restoration) or sample the local wines. Bus: 2 hrs. Walking: strenuous.

Day 6: Oradour-sur-Glane and Sarlat

Our destination is the Dordogne, a sublime region of fortified hill towns, caves and meandering streams. En route, we'll stop for a thought-provoking walk through the WWII martyr village of Oradour-sur-Glane. Our day ends in the lively market town of Sarlat, where we'll sleep (3 nights). Bus: 6 hours. Walking: light.

Day 7: Cave Painting and Canoe Paddling

Today begins with a visit to caves hiding 15,000-year-old prehistoric drawings. This afternoon (weather permitting), we'll canoe down the Dordogne River, gliding past medieval castles and villages, with opportunities to explore at our own pace. Bus: 3 hrs. Walking: strenuous.

Day 8: Outdoor Market Day in Sarlat

Take a vacation from your vacation today. You'll have the entire day to savor market day in one of France's most pedestrian-friendly towns. Rub shoulders with local shoppers, sample foie gras and salivate over the famous black truffle. You can also explore more of Sarlat, or relax and catch up on your journal. No bus. Walking: light to strenuous (your choice).

Day 9: Medieval Carcassonne

We'll make a beeline to Europe's largest fortified city: Carcassonne. After a walking tour you'll be free to savor views from Carcassonne's walls, tour its castle, or meander its moats. Sleep in Carcassonne (1 night). Bus: 4 hrs. Walking: moderate.

Day 10: The Pont Du Gard

Today we'll drive across southern France to Provence where we'll visit the astonishingly well-preserved 2,000-year-old Roman aqueduct, the Pont du Gard. Our day will end in nearby Arles where we'll sleep (2 nights). Bus: 4 hrs. Walking: strenuous.

Day 11: All Day in Arles

After a morning walking tour with a local expert, the rest of your day is free to walk in the footsteps of Vincent van Gogh or (armed with your city museum pass) visit Roman sights like the Ancient History Museum and the beautifully preserved Roman Arena. No bus. Walking: strenuous.

Day 12: Hill Towns: Les Baux and Roussillon

This morning we'll beat the crowds to savor the sky-high hill town of Les Baux. After lunch we'll drive to our hill town home of Roussillon, arriving with ample time to wander its picturesque lanes, hike through its ochre canyons or relax café-side in its adorable village square. Sleep in or near Roussillon (1 night). Bus: 2 hrs. Walking: strenuous.

Day 13: On to the Riviera

Today we'll make our way to the legendary French Riviera. We'll arrive in time to take an afternoon get-acquainted tour of the beachfront promenade and the Italianate "Old City" of Nice, where we'll sleep (2 nights). Bus: 5 hrs. Walking: strenuous.

Day 14: All Day on the Riviera

Today is your day to explore the highlights of this fabled coastline. Your guide will help organize some options, or you can enjoy all that the Riviera has to offer. You can explore more of Nice's fabulous old town and beachfront promenades, the jewel-box principality of Monaco, or adorable little Villefranche-sur-Mer. As it's our last night in France, we'll share a gala "last supper" together. No bus. Walking: light to strenuous (your choice).

Day 15: Tour over after breakfast

For those staying longer, your guide will be happy to send you off in the right direction and help with any trip planning needs. Au revoir et merci!

Itinerary specifics subject to change.

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