We explore regional gems and cosmopolitan cities alike in this essential – and alluring – discovery of La Belle France. As our small group travels from Provence to Lyon, Burgundy to Paris, we bask in the history and art, culture and cuisine that mark these cherished spots.

Dates: April 27th – May 11th

Land Only (transfers not included): $6,095

From San Francisco (air-inclusive)*: $7,997
($7,395 air & land inclusive plus $602 airline taxes and fees)

Deposit: $650

Single Supplement: $1,995.

*Other cities listed on brochure, which can be downloaded on the overview tab of this trip approximately nine months before departure. Airline prices are subject to change, and airline upgrades will be additional to the costs listed above.

Please note, all prices are for a standard, double room unless listed otherwise.

Cancelation policy:

Final payment due date is 125 days out.

  • 125 days or more: $200 penalty
  • 124 to 95 days: 25% of the tour price
  • 94 to 65 days: 50% of the tour price
  • 64 to 30 days: 75% of the tour price
  • 29-0 days: No refund

Your Tour Price Includes:

  • Round-trip air transportation from listed city
  • 13 nights’ accommodations in Superior First Class hotels
  • 24 meals: 13 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 8 dinners
  • Extensive sightseeing, as described, including all entrance fees;
  • Services of an Odysseys Unlimited Tour Director
  • Private motorcoach transportation throughout your trip
  • Luggage handling for one bag per person;
  • Gratuities for local guides, dining room servers, airport and hotel porters, and all drivers

Book your trip today by filling out the brochure and emailing it to ietravel@ucsc.edu.

We arrive in Marseille and transfer to Aix-en-Provence (“Aix”). This evening we meet our Odysseys Tour Director and fellow travelers at a briefing about the journey ahead, followed by a welcome dinner at our hotel.
Meals: Dinner
Today we discover this lovely “City of Fountains” on a walking tour, admiring Aix’s rich architectural heritage and the Vieille Ville (Old Town). After a guided visit to the Atelier Cézanne, where artist Paul Cézanne worked from 1902 to 1906, we have lunch at a local restaurant. The remainder of the day is free to enjoy Aix as we wish and for dinner on our own.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
En route to Nîmes today, we first visit Les Baux, a gem of a medieval village perched atop a rock spur. Here we see the Carrières des Lumières immersive multimedia art and music exhibit set in a former stone quarry. Then we explore Les Baux itself, considered one of the country’s most beautiful villages, with its restored ancient houses, Renaissance-era façades, historic monuments, and stone citadel. We continue on to Saint Rémy, where we enjoy lunch together before visiting the Romanesque jewel of St-Paul de Mausole, the monastery where artist Vincent Van Gogh was confined after severing his ear. Late this afternoon we reach Nîmes, where we dine together tonight.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today we visit Arles, once part of Roman Gaul and then a clarion of Christianity. We encounter the city’s rich history on our walking tour, which includes a visit to the 1st-century Roman Amphitheater, a UNESCO site; and Place du Forum, setting for Van Gogh’s painting *Le Café du Nuit*. Then we have free time for lunch on our own before we return to Nîmes with the remainder of the day free for independent exploration. Dinner tonight is on our own.
Meals: Breakfast
Highlights of this morning’s walking tour in this “most Roman city outside of Italy” include the 2,000-year-old Arena of Nîmes, still in use today; and the perfectly preserved Maison Carrée, inspiration for the church of La Madeleine in Paris, among other Roman monuments. Later we depart for Avignon, capital of Christendom in the Middle Ages. Here we tour the historic city center; view the remains of the Saint-Bénézet Bridge; and visit the Palais des Papes (Papal Palace), one of the world’s most important Gothic structures. Tonight: a small group highlight as we join a local chef for a Provençal cooking class followed by dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Heading north this morning, we stop at Pont du Gard, the 1st-century Roman aqueduct whose three graceful tiers of arches span the Gardon River. Then we travel on to Lyon, France’s third largest city set at the confluence of the Rhône and Saône rivers. We dine tonight at a local restaurant in this region famed for its gastronomy.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Today’s tour begins at the beloved Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière, overlooking riverside Lyon from its hilltop perch. Next: the ruins of the Gallo-Roman theater, built in 15 BCE and still in use today. We then visit Vieux Lyon, the city’s well-preserved Renaissance district, followed by a look at some of Lyon’s jaw-dropping – and renowned – trompe l’oeil street art. The remainder of the day is free for independent exploration before we dine tonight at a local restaurant.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
We set out today for the French Alpine town of Annecy on the shores of its namesake lake. Streetside canals and the Thiou River run through the picturesque Old Town, which we discover on a walking tour along the narrow lanes flanked by pastel-colored houses. We visit the town’s vibrant market then enjoy a cruise on Lake Annecy, fed by the pristine waters of the surrounding Alps.
Meals: Breakfast
Our first stop today is in medieval hilltop Pérouges, another of France’s most beautiful villages with its cobblestone streets and byways lined with half-timbered houses. Next, we visit untouristed Dole, boasting a well-preserved historic center and where we enjoy a walking tour. After lunch together, we tour the one-time home of scientist Louis Pasteur. Then we continue on to Dijon and our hotel. Dinner tonight is on our own.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
This morning we travel to Beaune, gateway to the Burgundy wine region. We take a leisurely walking tour of this walled town then visit the renowned Hôtel Dieu Museum, part of the Hospices de Beaune complex. One of the finest surviving Renaissance buildings in France, the museum is home to the Beaune Altarpiece (often called *The Last Judgement*). We then embark on a tour highlight: the journey along the Route des Grands Crus, Burgundy’s fabled trail through the vineyards and villages comprising one of France’s most treasured wine regions. We have the opportunity to sample some area vintages as we stop at a local winery before we return to Dijon late this afternoon. We dine tonight at our hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Known for its rich history and culture – and of course, its wine and namesake mustard – Dijon boasts a prized architectural heritage ranging from Gothic to Art Deco, which we see on today’s tour of the Burgundian capital. Following our tour, we’re free to explore as we wish. Tonight, we visit a local restaurant for dinner together.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
En route to Paris today, we stop in Chablis, renowned for its signature dry white wines. We enjoy a walking tour of the medieval village and visit the 13th-century Collégiale Saint-Martin church. Then we have time on our own for lunch and to explore as we wish, maybe by visiting one of the wineries in the town center. Mid-afternoon we travel on to Paris, where an orientation tour takes us past many of the city’s highlights. Dinner tonight is on our own in this city of fine cuisine.
Meals: Breakfast
This morning we visit the Opéra Garnier, the opulent theater that stands as a symbol of the city (and as the setting for *The Phantom of the Opera*). If Opéra Garnier is not available, we’ll tour the Musée Rodin, dedicated to the works of sculptor Auguste Rodin. Our afternoon is free for independent exploration; tonight we celebrate our Gallic sojourn over a farewell dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
We transfer to the airport this morning for our return flight to the U.S.
Meals: Breakfast

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Renaissance Aix-en-Provence Hôtel 

Aix-en-Provence, France Superior First Class

The Renaissance Aix-en-Provence Hôtel offers a tranquil retreat just steps from the historic old town of Aix-en-Provence. The elegant property offers a restaurant, bar, indoor swimming pool, seasonal outdoor pool with poolside bar and café, fitness center, spa with massage services and steam room (for a fee), complimentary Wi-Fi internet access, and dry-cleaning service (for a fee). Each of the air-conditioned guest rooms has a private bath with hair dryer, in-room safe, tea- and coffee-making facilities, minifridge, TV, and phone.

Maison Albar – L’Imperator

Nîmes, France Superior First Class

Just a short stroll from the Maison Carrée and the Jardin de la Fontaine stands Maison Albar – L’Imperator, whose rich history involves visits from artistic legends such as Ernest Hemingway, Pablo Picasso, and Ava Gardner. The hotel has a café and bar, as well as a Michelin-starred restaurant, terrace, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, hot tub, garden, spa with beauty and massage services (for a fee), salon and barbershop, gift shop, fitness center, laundry and dry-cleaning services (for a fee), and complimentary Wi-Fi internet access. Air-conditioned guest rooms feature tasteful Art Deco–inspired décor and have a private bath with hair dryer, minibar, tea- and coffee-making facilities, TV, and phone.

 Hôtel Carlton Lyon

Lyon, France Superior First Class

Hôtel Carlton Lyon – MGallery sits in the heart of Lyon’s Presqu’île, the city’s lively central peninsula set between the Rhône and Saône Rivers. This trendy district features a host of cafés, restaurants, shops, museums, and entertainment options, and offers the perfect base from which to explore the city of Lyon. Housed in a lovely cream-colored stone building with wrought-iron railings, the hotel is decorated with red-accented furnishings and offers a breakfast room, cozy bar/lounge, bicycles for rent, spa with massage service (for a fee), and complimentary Wi-Fi internet access. All 80 air-conditioned guest rooms have a private bath with hair dryer, tea- and coffee-making facilities, minibar, in-room safe, TV, and phone.

Grand Hôtel La Cloche Dijon – MGallery

Dijon, FranceSuperior First Class

Grand Hôtel La Cloche’s history goes back as far as 1424, where “L’hostellerie de la Cloche” once stood in its place. Now, six centuries later, the 83-room hotel is recognized as a Historical Monument and has welcomed such celebrities and dignitaries as Rodin, Napoléon III, Grace de Monaco, Guy Bedos, George R. R. Martin, and many more. Amenities include a restaurant, bar, fitness center, garden, laundry and dry-cleaning services (for a fee), complimentary Wi-Fi internet access, and a spa with a variety of services (for a fee). Air-conditioned guest rooms have a private bath with hair dryer, minibar, tea- and coffee-making facilities, in-room safe, and TV.

Hôtel Edouard 7 

Paris, FranceSuperior First Class

Named for its most famous frequent guest, King Edward VII of the United Kingdom, Hôtel Edouard 7 stands in Paris’s Opera district, just two blocks from the Opera Garnier and less than 10 minutes’ walk from two famed department stores: Printemps and Galeries Lafayette. The hotel offers an elegant atmosphere that includes a restaurant, lounge, bar, fitness center, and complimentary Wi-Fi internet access. After undergoing a recent renovation, Hôtel Edouard 7 now reflects the sensibilities of the fashionable king for which it was named, as each of the 69 air-conditioned guest rooms is outfitted with rich fabrics and designed around an individual color scheme. All guest rooms also have a private bath with hair dryer, minibar, in-room safe, TV, and phone.

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