On the way to Compostela
21 days / 20 nights
LYON – AVIGNON – CARCASSONNE (GB)
LYON-AVIGNON-CARCASSONNE
15 days / 14 nights
Programme
An important place is given in this tour to gastronomy and wine.
Day 1 - Paris (1 night)
- Late afternoon meeting of the Group at the Hotel.
- Programm overview and Questions / Answers
- Group Dinner at the Hotel
Day 2 - From Paris to Lyon (5 nights)
- Morning: Transfer by coach to Gare de Lyon TGV to Lyon Part-Dieu.
Coach transfer to hotel.Lyon has been selected as a World Heritage City because of its 20 centuries of a very rich history, its remarkable situation on the confluence of two important rivers joining the northern and southern parts of France, the beauty ot its monuments and streets, the wealth of its industry and commerce, not forgetting its gastronomic reputation.
Afternoon : guided visit of Lyon via river cruise :The right bank, the old Lyon and the left bank which is the peninsula, heart of the city of Lyon.
Evening : Welcome dinner – Embark on a famous boat-restaurant for a romantic and gourmet dinner-cruise (2H30).
Day 3 - Old Lyon & Pérouges
Morning: Guided visit of the old Lyon, capital of Gaul at the time of the Roman Empire, and then of Christian France : Fourvière, Lugdunum (Lyon in Latin), Old Lyon.
Afternoon: Coach excursion to the beautiful medieval town of Pérouges. Return via « le Parc des oiseaux » the largest collection of birds in Europe close to Villars les Dombes.
Evening: Group dinner in one of Lyon’s “bouchon” (typical Lyon restaurant serving Lyon cuisine).
Day 4 - Cooking lesson & Cultural visit
Morning: Cours de cuisine followed by lunch prepared by yourself.
Afternoon : Guided visit of the « Traboules » (narrow passage linking 2 streets via houses and courtyards) of La Croix Rousse and the house of the « canut » (silk weaver).
Evening : Free.
Day 5 : Visit of Beaujolais region
Morning: Coach excursion through the « Pays des Pierres dorées » (golden stone villages) of great interest not only for the beauty of its golden limestone used to build the villages, but it is also a part of the Beaujolais region. The villages are Marcy (télégraph tower), Charnay, St Jean des Vignes, Chatillon, Chessy, Theizé, Oingt, St Laurent d’Oingt, Ternand, Jarnioux, are all beautiful and charming. Stop for a tasting either in Charnay (Domaine des Terres Dorées) or in the Cave coopérative in St Laurent d’Oingt.
Afternoon : Free
You can choose from a large choice of remarkable museums : Musée des Beaux-Arts (Lyon has a very rich art collection), Musée de l’Imprimerie (from Gutenberg to photocomposition), Musée des Arts de la Marionnette (Puppet show museum including the famous Guignol), Musée des Miniatures et du Cinéma (ideal to discover the art of special effects), Musée Lumière (where cinema started), Musée du Tissu et Arts décoratifs (the most important collection of textile the world)
- Evening :Group dinner followed by a show : les Nuits de Fourvièvres (June + July) in the Roman theatre, programme mixing theatre, circus, danse and music)
Day 6 : Paul Bocuse Day
- Morning: Guided discovery of Les Halles Paul Bocuse (the most famous covered market, symbol of Lyon gastronomy)
- Lunch in Bocuse restaurant (world famous)
- Free afternoon and evening
Day 7 - Avignon (5 nights)
Morning : Transfer by coach to station. Train to Avignon World Heritage. Avignon represents « an exceptional example of later medieval religious, administrative and military architecture, which played a capital part … over a vast region in Europe »
Transfer by coach to hotel.
Afternoon : guided visit of Avignon and the Palais des Papes.
Evening : Group dinner
Day 8 - Whole day coach tour to Arles, World Heritage town and capital of Roman Provence
Morning :Guided visit of the Roman amphitheatre, still in good condition, the Roman theatre and baths, the crypto portiques, the St Trophime beautiful romanesque church and cloister, and all the memories of Van Gogh including les Alyscamps.
Afternoon : Return via St Rémy de Provence and the extraordinary Baux de Provence
Evening: Group dinner.
Day 9 - Orange & Côtes du Rhône discovery
Morning : Guided visit of the World Heritage magnificent Roman theatre and Arc de Triomphe
Lunch : Lunch in a gastronomic restaurant
Afternoon: After lunch discovery of the beautiful and famous vineyards round the Dentelles de Montmirail : Cairanne, Rasteau, Séguret, Gigondas and Beaumes de Venise. There will be a tasting either in Gigondas or in Beaumes de Venise.
Evening: Free.
Day 10 - Châteauneuf du Pape
Morning: Guided Visit of the Musée Brotte or La Maison des vins de Châteauneuf du Pape followed by tasting.
Lunch in a traditionnal restaurant.
Afternoon: After lunch to the incredible World Heritage Roman Pont du Gard.
Evening: Free.
Day 11 - Lubéron
Morning: Coach to explore the famous and delightful Lubéron and discover its various aspects via Isle sur la Sorgues, Fontaines de Vaucluse, Gordes, Abbaye de Sénanque, the village of « les Bories », Roussillon. Lunch in Gordes.
Afternoon : Free
Evening : Group dinner in a gastronomic restaurant.
Day 12 - From Avignon to Carcassonne (3 nights)
Morning: Leisurely morning in Avignon.
Afternoon: Departure for Carcassonne World Heritage 3 nights.With its double walls, 52 towers, castle, old basilica, Carcassonne offers an unforgettable picture of a town in the Middle Ages
Evening: Group dinner.
Day 13 - Cruise & Lunch on the World Heritage Canal du Midi
Morning : Embark at the port of Carcassonne to discover landscapes still preserved from the Canal du Midi
Lunch & afternoon: Cruise on the Canal du Midi
Evening: Free.
Day 14 - Visit of Caves du Sieur d'Arc & Farewell dinner
Morning : Free time for shopping in Avignon.
Afternoon: By coach to discover the Blanquette de Limoux.
Evening : Farewell Group dinner in gastronomic restaurant
Day 15 - Paris
- Morning: Return to Paris by TGV – transfer by coach
Service
The price includes
- Accompanied by Tour Leader/Tour Manager throughout the tour.
- Ground transport : Trains first class, Luxury coaches.
- 4 star hotel accommodation, breakfast included.
- One main meal a day : lunch or dinner including a few gastronomic meals.
- All expenses related to entries, guided tours and visits.
The price does not include
- One meal a day
- Personal charges and expenses
- Insurances
- Travel to and from France
