The Beautiful Backroads of France

Step into a land of renowned artists and royal crusaders, hilltop monasteries and valley castles. This tour takes you from France’s dramatic northern shores to château-sprinkled countryside, breaking off to see WWII sites, explore centuries-old villages and sample home-grown delicacies.

Your Guided Holiday Includes:

• $1,000 Air credit per person
• 10 Day guided holiday through France
• 9 Nights accommodation in hand-picked hotels
• Breakfast daily & 5 Dinners
• Services of an experienced Back-Roads Tour Leader and driver
• Transport by premium mini-coach
• 3 Nights post tour accommodation in Paris
• Murders & Mysteries of the Louvre Museum Tour
• Lonely Planet Experience – Bohemian Paris
• Private return airport transfers

***Rate based on twin share for travel 28 April to 10 May 2022. Additional dates available, a surcharge may apply.***

***Solo traveller pricing also available.***

Murders and Mysteries of the Louvre Museum
Once a Royal palace and today the largest museum in the world, the Louvre contains centuries of secrets, and mysterious masterpieces. Who's hidden behind the Mona Lisa's smile? What secrets are the Venus de Milo and the Winged Victory of Samothrace still hiding? Accompanied by your guide, you will discover major works of art with a new perspective and visit the exceptional department of Egyptian Antiquities. Learn of the mysterious hieroglyphic codes; the supposed curse of Tutankhamen; and the eerie Scrolls of the Dead. Discuss the history of the Louvre itself as a royal residence and the enigmas of unusual crimes, deaths and disappearances. This lively tour will give you a unique look at the Louvre and its most famous works!

Lonely Planet Experiences - Bohemian Paris
Discover the enigmatic charms of France’s capital on this enlightening Paris city tour that pairs secret local hangouts with delicious food and wine! Starting on Sainte-Genevieve Hill, a popular spot that offers impressive views of the imposing Pantheon. Stop in at the Luxembourg Gardens and soak up the romanticism of this quiet haven that offers a welcome break from Paris’ busy streets. Continue to the vibrant Saint-Germain area, a hotspot for writers, intellectuals, musicians, and artists. Full of eclectic cafes, cool coffee houses, pokey bookshops, and lively street markets, it’s easy to see why Ernest Hemingway, Jim Morrison, and many others fell in love with the bohemian vibe of this area. Wander along the serene embankments of the Seine River, and stop at a traditional wine store to sample a typical French charcuterie plate. Full of deliciously decadent cheese, salty cured meat, and rich pâtés, this is an authentic French gastronomic treat! From here move on to the beautiful surrounding square, the oldest in Paris, to play a game of petanque or bocci balls, which is still played by many of Paris' citizens. Enjoy a well-earned glass of French wine or traditional pastis! After the game head towards the energetic Saint-Michel area and take a peek into Paris’ first English bookshop, nestled in a medieval house and packed to the rafters with novels, from the classics to modern masterpieces. This place is like Mecca for bookworms, and definitely not to be missed. Finish the tour with the iconic Notre Dame Cathedral and really fall in love with the beautiful city of Paris (if you haven't done so already!). 

Day 1: Paris
Welcome to the City of Lights. After meeting the group at our hotel, we’ll get to know each other over a sumptuous welcome dinner. Bon appétit!
Accommodation: Best Western Hôtel Ronceray-Opéra (or similar)
Meals: Dinner

Day 2: Paris to Honfleur
Our first impressions of France will be formed in Giverny at the home of Claude Monet – one of the world’s most celebrated artists. The vivid colours in every room paint a picture of his life, and the surrounding gardens host flowers in every shade. Our home for the next two nights will be the charming port town of Honfleur – which you may recognise as the subject of a fair few Impressionist paintings. We’ll spend the evening at our leisure, soaking up the rugged maritime atmosphere of this quaint town.
Accommodation: Hôtel du Dauphin et Des Loges (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast

Day 3: Honfleur & Normandy
This morning we’ll visit Honfleur’s bustling market and wander past its historic buildings and 17th-century harbour on an orientation tour. Then: we’ll track the Route du Cidre in Normandy, pausing at a local calvados producer to sample the fruits of the region’s orchards. From cool, crisp ciders to heady, amber-hued calvados – it makes for a delicious end to our day of exploration! Back in Honfleur, we’ll have the evening to spend at our leisure.
Accommodation: Hôtel du Dauphin et Des Loges (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast

Day 4: Honfleur to Normandy Beaches, Bayeux & Arromanches-les-Bains
Today we’ll turn our attention to the windswept shoreline of the Normandy beaches, where we’ll visit the sites of the 1944 D-Day landings. Afterwards, there’s the opportunity to pay a poignant visit to the American Cemetery and Memorial at Colleville-sur-Mer, where we’ll take some time to reflect on history overlooking Omaha Beach. An awe-inspiring Tapestry awaits in Bayeux and after taking some time to inspect this masterpiece, we’ll move on to Arromanches-les-Bains – our home for the night and setting for tonight’s included dinner.
Accommodation: Les Villas d’Arromanches (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 5: Arromanches-les-Bains to Mont Sain-Michel, Dol-de-Bretagne & Dinan
This morning we’ll drive on to the enchanting Mont Saint-Michel, crossing the walkway to wander the buzzing island village and explore the Abbey. As we make our way to Dinan, we’ll stop off for a photo opportunity at Dol-de-Bretagne – where we’ll see the famous Menhir de Champ-Dolent. Tonight, an included dinner awaits us in a traditional Breton crêperie.
Accommodation: Hôtel Le d'Avaugour (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 6: Dinan
Today is yours to spend however you wish in the medieval town of Dinan. Wander cobbled streets lined with half-timbered houses, take a closer look at the Basilique St-Sauveur, visit the old bridge, walk along the Rance River – you certainly won’t be short of things to do!
Accommodation: Hôtel Le d'Avaugour (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast

Day 7: Dinan to Angers & Chinon
Today will find us deep in fairytale territory as we travel towards the Loire Valley. Here, the landscape’s skyline is peppered with the turrets of castles. Our first port of call will be Angers, which was once the medieval stronghold of the Plantagenet kings. After spending some time absorbing the history of the castle, we’ll move on to Chinon – where we’ll dine together at a local restaurant.
Accommodation: Hôtel Le Plantagenêt (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 8: Chinon & Château de Villandry
Next stop: Château de Villandry. Famous for its impeccably manicured gardens and architectural elegance – this mesmerising château is one of the last built during the Renaissance in the Loire Valley. Taking in so much beauty is thirsty work, so on our way back to Chinon we’ll enjoy a detour at a local winery – where we’ll visit the vineyard and cellars before sampling a glass or two.
Accommodation: Hôtel Le Plantagenêt (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast

Day 9 Chinon to Château de Chenonceau, Ambiose & Chartes Region
Today’s château? One of the Loire Valley’s finest: Château de Chenonceau. Here we'll take some time to stroll through the idyllic gardens and explore the fascinating museum. We’ll make a brief stop in Amboise – the town where Leonardo da Vinci lived out the last years of his life – before making our way to the region of Chartres. This evening, we’ll enjoy a delicious final dinner together.
Accommodation: Castel Maintenon (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 10 Chartes Region to Paris
Before we say our final goodbyes, we’ll have the opportunity to visit the medieval city of Chartres. The celebrated Chartres Cathedral is believed to be one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture in France – and it’s a beautiful image to take with us back to Paris.
Meals: Breakfast

Prices listed are per person in Australian Dollars, based on twin occupancy, including all discounts unless otherwise stated. The offer is subject to availability at time of booking.  Fares are capacity controlled and are subject to change at any time without notice.  Prices and routing is a guide only and may change. Prices/Offers are correct as at 25 November 2021 and can be withdrawn without notice. Hotels may charge resort fees not included in this package, payable direct upon check in.  All passports, vaccinations and visas are the responsibility of the travelling guest to secure prior to departure. Payments made by credit card will incur a surcharge.