10D9N FRANCE ~ Quintessential France
Departure: open date
ITINERARY:
D01 ARRIVE PARIS – RENNES
Upon arrival at Paris Airport, head to Rennes, the capital city of Brittany with a history that dates back to the Roman era. In addition to its own attractions, Rennes serves as a great base to explore the beautiful region of Brittany, a peninsula in north-western France bounded by the English Channel and the Atlantic Ocean. Rennes is renowned, among others, for its half-timbered houses and the magnificent Rennes Cathedral (Cathedral St Pierre de Rennes). Enjoy Rennes at your own leisure.
D02 RENNES: MONT ST MICHEL [B]
Go on a day trip to Mont St Michel (MSM). Situated on the border region of Brittany and Normandy is the world-famous island of MSM, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of France’s most-visited and most-picturesque attractions. The iconic medieval Abbey of MSM – probably MSM’s top attraction – is itself a remarkable feat of construction with its main spire rising from the top of the bell tower to 170m above sea level. Enjoy a guided tour of Mont St Michel.
Enroute from MSM, stop by the colourful and well-preserved medieval town of Vitre which has been designated by the French government as a “town of art and history” in recognition of its rich cultural heritage.
D03 RENNES: DINAN & ST MALO [B]
Go on a day trip to Dinan and St Malo. As mentioned by Rick Steves, “if you have time for only one stop in Brittany .. make it the ancient riverfront city of Dinan”. The most attractive part of Dinan is probably its port where the quay is lined with old stone houses many of which are now waterside eateries and shops. Dinan’s Old Town is a maze of narrow streets with half-timbered houses where time has seemingly stood still. Like Vitre, Dinan has also been designated as a “town of art and history” by the French government.
Originally built as a walled citadel guarding the mouth of the Rance River, St Malo was for centuries home to privateers (“legal pirates”) before its eventual transformation into what it is today – a bustling port city and a popular holiday destination. St Malo has several districts, the most popular being “intra muros” or “inside the walls”. A stroll along the seafront wall provides excellent views over the town and its bay.
D04 RENNES – DIJON [B]
Depart Rennes and head to Dijon, the capital city of the Burgundy region in eastern France and whose historic city centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Dijon is a treasure trove of historic monuments and a guided walking tour upon arrival in Dijon will be a great way to start appreciating the city’s history and cultural heritage. Famous for its mustard and its fair share of Michelin-starred restaurants in the Burgundy region – a region reputed to have the highest concentration of Michelin-starred restaurants in the world on a per capita basis – Dijon, with its strong gastronomic reputation, attracts foodies from all over the world. Enjoy a guided tour of Dijon.
D05 DIJON: STRASBOURG [B]
Situated at the heart of the Alsace region of France near the German border, Strasbourg, where the European Parliament and the Council of Europe are located, is often considered the “Capital of Europe“. Due to its proximity to Germany, the cultural heritage of Strasbourg is both French and German. In the historic centre of Strasbourg is the Cathedral of Notre-Dame, considered by many as one of the most beautiful examples of Gothic architecture. Not to be missed whilst visiting the cathedral is (1) the Renaissance astronomical clock that features at 12:30pm each day an automated parade of the apostles and a crowing rooster and (2) an ascend to the top of the bell tower to enjoy panoramic views of the city and the surrounding region. The most picturesque and charming part of the Strasbourg’s historic centre is probably “La Petite France” with its quaint canals and old narrow streets lined by colourful half-timbered houses. Enjoy a guided tour of Strasbourg “La Petite France”.
D06 DIJON: BEAUNE & LYON [B]
In Burgundy, the Cote d’Or wine region and the historic centres of Dijon and Beaune within the region have been inscribed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Burgundy is well known for its pinot noir and chardonnay and wines like Romanee-Conti, Mersault and Montrachet are well sought after. Go on a day trip to visit Beaune before continuing on to Lyon.
Beaune is an ancient walled town that is the unofficial wine capital of Burgundy. Among the historic structures in Beaune, the star attraction is probably the very unique Hospices de Beaune, a.k.a. Hotel Dieu, that began as a hospital but is now a museum and whose design is often described as a masterpiece of flamboyant Gothic architecture. Enjoy a guided tour of Beaune.
While travelling between Beaune and Lyon and enjoying the sights of the region, do bear in mind that the wine region itself is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Lyon, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is France’s third largest city with a history going back more than two millennia. Besides its historical and architectural landmarks, the city is recognised for its cuisine and gastronomy. The most atmospheric part of Lyon is probably “Old Lyon” (Vieux Lyon), the city’s oldest district, and in particular Quartier St Jean that exudes medieval charm with its cobblestone lanes, little courtyards and Renaissance architecture. Enjoy a guided tour of Lyon.
D07 DIJON – PARIS [B]
Depart Dijon and head to Paris, the capital of France and the city of the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre Museum housing the Mona Lisa, the Notre-Dame Cathedral and the Champs Elysees, to name but a few of Paris’ long list of world-renowed attractions. Enjoy a guided city tour of Paris.
D08 PARIS: PALACE OF VERSAILLES & CRUISE ON SEINE RIVER [B]
In the morning, go on a guided tour of the Palace of Versailles, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, that was the principal residence of the French kings from the time of Louis XIV in 1682 to Louis XVI in 1789 at the start of the French Revolution. The most famous room in the 2,300-room palace is probably the glittering Hall of Mirrors, a 73m-long hall lined with huge ornamental mirrors, extravagant crystal chandeliers, gilded statues and beautiful ceiling paintings. The impressive palace grounds (Park of Versailles) covers over 800ha and is open to the public.
In the evening, join a Seine River Cruise to enjoy the sights of Paris from a different perspective and in a very relaxing way as you float along the river. Many of Paris’ most famous and iconic structures, bridges and attractions can be seen from the river and the river viewpoint also affords insights into the city’s history and evolution. In 1991, the banks of the Seine River in Paris were inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
D09 PARIS [B]
Continue to enjoy Paris at your own leisure.
D10 DEPART PARIS [B]
Free time until your transfer to Paris Airport for your departure flight.
Price:
S$3,330 per person, for double/triple sharing
Minimum 4pax to go
S$3,930 per person, for double/triple sharing
For group of 2-3pax
