FRANCE

Flavors of France: Coastal Bites in Nice, Lyonnais Classics and Parisian Delights

Day 1: Departure | Direct Flight from Montreal (YUL) to Paris (CDG).

Day 2: The Heart of Nice | Avenue Jean Médecin is a vibrant, pedestrian-friendly shopping hub stretching from Place Massena to the main train station. This bustling thoroughfare features major retailers, dining options, and the iconic Basilique Notre-Dame de l’Assomption, all easily accessible via the city's tram system.

The Basilique Notre-Dame de l’Assomption | Nice's largest church was completed in 1879. Located on the city's main pedestrian street, this Neo-Gothic landmark is defined by its two striking 31-metre towers.

Place Massena | A the vibrant, pedestrian-only heart of Nice. This central hub is famous for its black-and-white checkered paving and unique public art, connecting the Old Town (Vieux Nice) with the modern city and the Promenade des Anglais. Surrounded by distinctive red-ochre buildings, it serves as a key gathering spot for major events like the Nice Carnival. 

Day 3:  Best of the French Riviera from Nice | A glamorous mediterranean coastline featuring the towns of Mont Boron, Eze, Monaco, St-Paul de Vence and Cannes.  

Mont Boron is a 191-metre forested hill overlooking the Port of Nice and the Jardin Exotique in the medieval village of Èze. Perched 429 meters above the sea, the botanical garden is famous for its dramatic panoramas and its diverse collection of succulents, cacti and shaded Mediterranean plants.

Monaco | The world's second-smallest nation and a famed tax haven, is a premier luxury destination known for the Formula 1 Grand Prix. A central highlight is the opulent Casino de Monte-Carlo, a historic 1863 landmark and James Bond filming site. Visitors must follow a strict dress code and pay an entry fee to access world-class gaming and entertainment.

St-Paul de Vence is a picturesque, walled medieval hilltop village famed for its artistic history and Provencal charm. Once a haven for legends like Marc Chagall, the village is now home to numerous art galleries, cobbled streets and stunning Mediterranean views.

Cannes is a glamorous French Riviera resort city, globally famous for hosting the Cannes Film Festival. Its centerpiece is the Promenade de la Croisette, a bustling seaside boulevard featuring palm trees, sandy beaches, luxury hotels and exclusive designer boutiques.

Day 4: Food & Wine Tour in Nice | Vieux-Nice (Old Town) This district is a hub for art museums, vibrant markets and authentic local cuisine, featuring highlights such as socca (chickpea pancakes), pissaladière (onion tart), cured meats, tapas, the region's famous candied fruits and praline chocolates.

The Promenade des Anglais is Nice’s iconic 7-kilometre seafront walkway. Lined with palm trees and luxury hotels, this famous pedestrian path stretches along the Mediterranean Coast and its signature stone beaches.

Castle Hill (Colline du Château) Is a 92-metre-high park that once served as an 11th-century citadel. It is a premier scenic destination famous for its artificial waterfall, panoramic views of the Promenade des Anglais and lush picnic spots.

The Port of Nice is a historic and lively marina located in the heart of Nice, just behind Castle Hill. It offers a charming blend of traditional fishing boats and luxurious yachts. The area is known for its vibrant atmosphere, colorful surroundings and proximity to restaurants and cafes.

Day 5: The High-Speed Connection from Nice to Lyon | During this scenic rail journey, experience a seamless trek between two of France's largest cities. This efficient rail link departs from Nice-Ville  and arrives at Lyon Part-Dieu in as little as 4 hours.

Day 6: A Taste of the Lyon Culinary Heart | Le Pain des Jacobins a highly rated artisanal bakery near Lyon's Place des Jacobins. It is celebrated for its traditional breads and savory items, as well as signature French pastries like Mille-Feuille and the local specialty, gâteau aux pralines.

Fromagerie Saint-Antoine | Located near Lyon's Saône River, is a dedicated local cheesemonger specializing in farm-fresh and regional selections. The tasting featured unique specialties like Ovalie and Poivre d’âne, a distinctive soft goat cheese.

The walking tour explored a Traboule, one of Lyon's roughly 500 hidden passageways that connect streets through private buildings and courtyards. Originally dating back to Renaissance architecture, a UNESCO World Heritage site, these ""secret paths"" were primarily used by merchants in Vieux-Lyon to transport goods.

The tour explored Lyon’s renowned charcuterie tradition, focusing on its deep roots in local pork and rustic recipes. The tasting featured a curated selection of dry-cured meats and the iconic Lyonnais specialty, saucisson brioché (pork sausage baked inside a soft brioche loaf).

Day 7:  Hop-On Hop Off Bus in Lyon | The Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière is a stunning UNESCO World Heritage Site blending Neo-Byzantine and Neo-Romanesque styles. Perched high above Lyon it is a must-visit landmark for its intricate architecture and panoramic views.

As you explore Lyon on the bus, you will also witness the city's unique identity defined by its two Great Rivers: the Rhône and the Saône. These parallel waterways carve the city into its three distinct zones: the historic hills, the central peninsula, and the modern plains.

Day 8: The High-Speed Connection from Lyon to Paris | The journey from Lyon to Paris is one of the most popular and efficient high-speed rail routes in Europe, utilizing the dedicated line. Covering approximately 460 km, this trip seamlessly connects France's gastronomic capital to the ""City of Light”.

The Moulin Rouge | Located at the foot of Montmartre, the Moulin Rouge is easily identified by the iconic red windmill on its roof, a tribute to the district's history of flour mills. Since opening in 1889 it has defined Parisian nightlife. Experience the ultimate Parisian cabaret with dinner and a show.  The evening is centered around the current revue, ""Féerie,"" a two-hour spectacle featuring 80 performers, 1,000 costumes of feathers and sequins and the world-famous French can-can.

Day 9: Parisian Landmarks & Legends | The Eiffel Tower is a 330-metre iron landmark designed by Gustave Eiffel for the 1889 World's Fair. Originally a temporary structure, this global icon was the world's tallest for 41 years and requires repainting every seven years to prevent corrosion. Since 1968, it has featured a custom ""Eiffel Tower Brown"" applied in three shades to maintain a uniform appearance against the Parisian sky.

Notre-Dame de Paris, a French Gothic masterpiece on the Île de la Cité, was constructed between 1163 and 1345. Famous for its rose windows, flying buttresses, and gargoyles, the cathedral officially reopened in December 2024 following extensive restoration after the 2019 fire.  

Paris’s most iconic landmarks are part of a grand urban design aligned along a magnificent central axis that stretches through the heart of the city. This straight line connects the historic Louvre Museum to the monumental Arc de Triomphe via the world-famous Champs-Élysées. The Arc de Triomphe, commissioned by Napoleon and inaugurated in 1836, is a massive neoclassical monument on the Champs-Élysées. It honors the French army and features the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier with its eternal flame. Visitors must use a dedicated underground passageway to safely reach the monument and access its rooftop for panoramic views of Paris.

Seine River cruises provide a scenic, relaxing way to see the heart of Paris. These boat tours highlight iconic landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame de Paris and the Louvre Museum, while passing under the city's historic ornate bridges.

The Jardin des Plantes  is France's primary botanical garden and a major scientific hub located in the 5th arrondissement of Paris. Spanning 28 hectares on the Left Bank of the Seine, it serves as the headquarters for the National Museum of Natural History.

Day 10: Versailles Palace & Gardens | Located southwest of Paris, the Palace of Versailles is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that served as the seat of French power from 1682 to 1789. Originally a hunting lodge, it was transformed by Louis XIV into an opulent Baroque masterpiece featuring the legendary Hall of Mirrors, over 700 rooms and 800 hectares of meticulously landscaped gardens.

The Gardens of Versailles are a sprawling 800-hectare UNESCO World Heritage Site designed in the classic French formal style for Louis XIV. Situated behind the palace, the grounds are famous for their precise geometric lawns, over 55 fountains, 700+ topiaries and the massive Grand Canal.

Day 11: Homeward Bound | Direct Flight from Paris Airport (CDG) to Montreal (YUL).