France Cultural Immersion/Scenic Private Tour

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Why You Should Go

It is no secret that France is one of the most beautiful and diverse countries in Europe, and we love the French culture that comes along with it. This private tour is perfect for travelers wishing to see as much as France as possible in a short amount of time, from historic and metropolitan Paris to the luxurious and Mediterranean-esque Riviera. This two week adventure will expose you to art from icons such as Picasso and Monet, wines from the Bordeaux region velvet in texture and rich in taste, and history and architecture from the medieval countryside. Most importantly, we love this tour for its scenic characteristics and various landscapes. Not only will you travel through big cities and small villages, but you’ll be in the most beautiful version of them all! Get your camera ready!

Best Travel Time: Spring Fall Winter Summer

France, Provence, Vaucluse, Dentelles de Montmirail, Suzette
Provence

HOW MUCH WILL THIS TRIP COST?

Dependent on exact logistics and seasonality, our comprehensive private luxury tour costs are upward of

USD $5,000 – $6,000 per COUPLE per DAY.

*Inclusive of all luxury accommodations, private guide/driver, meals per itinerary, INTERNAL air flights/rail /private transfers, & all taxes/service fees.

Sample Itinerary

13 Days

Each private luxury tour is custom to the wishes of each client. This itinerary is a sample. Partnering with our long-established relationship with United Airlines, our sister company, TRAVNET, may provide competitive Polaris/Business Class international airfare, along with mileage points conversion.

1

Day 1

Fly to Paris
Through our sister company, premium air provider TRAVNET, we may assist with your international airfare, as well as with mileage points conversion.

Pont Alexandre III & Les Invalides
Alexandre III bridge in Paris
2

Day 2

Arrive Paris + Private Transfer to Hotel
Upon arrival in Paris, you will be privately transferred to the Right Bank’s 5-star Le Bristol Paris or the Left Bank’s 5-star Relais Christine.

When in search of culture, Paris is still the place to be! Whether you are interested in museums, fashion, or French cuisine, this incredibly walkable city accommodates both first-time visitors and seasoned Francophiles. If you choose, join around 5% of Parisians and trade in your car for a bike as you coast down the winding streets of Paris, passing quaint cafes and retail shops along the way.

Accommodations: Le Bristol Paris or Relais Christine

Fontaine Medicis, Paris
Fontaine Medicis, Paris
3

Day 3

Paris Private Tour
Following breakfast at your hotel, meet a guide and driver in the lobby who will be at your disposal for the entire day! This flexibility gives visitors the option of seeing any sites they wish to see, whether they have been to Paris before and wish to see Giverny, Musee Marmottan, Catacombs, etc. or visiting Paris for the first time and wish to do the “must-see” monuments including the Eiffel Tower, Latin Quarter, Louvre Museum, etc. Your guide is an expert no matter where you go and will be happy to share their Parisian knowledge with you!

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodations: Le Bristol Paris or Relais Christine

Trocadero cloudy Eiffel
Eiffel Tower View, Paris
4

Day 4

Train Paris/Bordeaux + Private Transfer to Saint-Émilion

Following breakfast, you will be met by a private driver and transferred to the Paris railway station for the TGV high-speed first-class train to Bordeaux (journey time is approximately 2-hours). Upon arrival in Bordeaux, you will be privately transferred to Hotel de Pavie in Saint-Émilion, roughly 40-minutes away. After enjoying a tranquil drive through the French countryside, the evening will be free to relax and explore the property.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodations: Hotel de Pavie

Saint Emilion
Vineyard in Saint Emilion
5

Day 5

Saint-Émilion Private Tour
Following breakfast, you will be met by your private guide and driver for a full day excursion into Saint-Émilion! This is where the wine enthusiasts will get their first taste of French wine culture, including tastings at some of the local wineries! This area, set in the Aquitaine region of France, is one of the most diverse and beautiful as it is not just known for wine but also for history, architecture, and nature. The day will include a visit to one of our favorite medieval towns looking over the Dordogne Valley (picturesque!).

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodations: Hotel de Pavie

Vineyards at Saint Emilion city center, France
Saint Emilion City Center
6

Day 6

Route du Médoc Private Tour
Following breakfast, you will be met by your private driver for a discretionary tour of the infamous Route du Médoc! This route is 30-miles of endless wineries (800 crus and 8 AOC’s!) and produces some of the world’s most renowned vintages including Margaux, Pauillac and Saint-Estèphe. This discretionary tour will be built around your specific interests and favorites.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodations: Hotel de Pavie

wine
Château Pichon-Longueville Winery
7

Day 7

Fly Bordeaux/Marsailles + Transfer to Ménerbes

Following breakfast at Hotel de Pavie, meet a private driver and transfer to Bordeaux Airport. Fly Bordeaux/Marsailles (approximately 1-hour flight). Upon arrival into Marsailles, meet a private driver and transfer to Hotel La Bastide de Marie in Ménerbes where you’ll have the rest of the day free to relax and enjoy the amenities of this stunning property.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodations: La Bastide de Marie

Provence Backstreet
Stone House in the town of Menerbes
8

Day 8

Châteauneuf du Pape Region Private Tour

Following breakfast, at La Bastide de Marie, meet a private driver and guide and enjoy a full-day discretionary tour of Provence, highlighting the spectacular Châteauneuf du Pape Region, the ultimate experience for wine lovers! The region is mostly known for its powerful full-bodied red wines, mostly made from the classic southern Rhône grape trio of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre. After some winery tours and tastings, continue to a stunning viewpoint over the Rhône River, a picture perfect scene. Perhaps even end the day at a local beekeeper’s farm where you can taste the organic lavender infused honey!

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodations: La Bastide de Marie

The aerial view of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, a commune in the Vaucluse department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region in France
Aerial view of Châteauneuf-du-Pape
9

Day 9

Provence Medieval Towns Private Tour (Optional)
Following breakfast at La Bastide de Marie, you have the option to embark on a discretionary private tour of some of our favorite Provence towns. Perhaps start your day in the Provençal town of St-Rémy-de Provence, birthplace of Nostradamus. Here you will find one of the most beautiful markets in the region with opportunities to purchase local goods and souvenirs and even sample some chocolate, candy fruits, and patisserie. Continue to the spectacular medieval village of Les Baux-de-Provence, situated in the heart of “Les Alpilles”. It is dominated by the ruins of a magnificent thirteenth century castle hidden between the craggy hilltops overlooking the plains to the south.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodations: La Bastide de Marie

View of Les Baux-de-Provence, Provence, France
View of Les Baux-de-Provence
10

Day 10

Private Transfer Ménerbes to Antibes

Following breakfast at La Bastide de Marie, you will be met by a private driver and transferred to Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc in Antibes (an approximately 2.5-hour drive). The remainder of the day is at leisure to enjoy the amenities at the property!

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodations: Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc

Old French village houses and cobblestone street
Old Town, Antibes
11

Day 11

French Riviera Private Tour
Following breakfast at Hotel du Cap, meet a private guide and driver for a private tour of the French Riviera. One of the oldest medieval (and artsy!) towns in the French Rivera, St. Paul de Vence is our favorite escape excursion from the glitter/pretentiousness of Antibes/Nice. Home to both Chagall and Picasso, the cobbled, narrow streets here are full of wonderful galleries, restaurants, and museums. Next, make your way to Eze, named for the goddess, Isis, whose cult was supposedly worshipped here during the pagan era. Rising 1,400 feet above the sea, the view from this idyllic place is truly breathtaking.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodations: Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc

French Riviera.
The Medieval Village of Eze
12

Day 12

Relaxing Day at Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc
Enjoy the day relaxing at this stunning property. We highly recommend doing a spa treatment here, it is among our favorite French spas! Go for a swim in the infinity pool, welcoming you with unparalleled views of the surrounding Riviera. If you’re feeling active, the 22-acre lush gardens are a great place for a stroll or even head over to the clay tennis courts for a match!

Meals: Breakfast                                                                                                                                        Accommodations: Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc

hotel-hotel-du-cap-france
Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc
13

Day 12

Private Transfer to Nice Airport + Fly Home
Following breakfast, you will be met by a driver and privately transferred to Nice Airport for your flight back to the U.S.

Meals: Breakfast

Landscape with colorful sunrise in Nice
City of Nice at Sunrise

Hotels

We feel that the 190-room Le Bristol (yes, the one from Midnight in Paris!) is our favorite luxury, 5-star hotel in Paris. Opened in 1925, the hotel occupies an 18th-century building near the shops of the Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré. We consider the airy, iconic Le Bristol to perfectly illustrate French culture and service. Though the Deluxe Suite here is our favorite, each room is individually decorated in a traditional style with Persian carpets and colorful toilets! In addition to two other notable restaurants, we especially like the hotel’s Café Antonia and Le Jardin Français restaurant. Amenities here include a high-quality, three-floor spa and fitness center, but we feel the property’s sixth-floor, nautically-themed pool opening onto a solarium to be the property’s most impressive feature!

Le Bristol Paris

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We feel that the 190-room Le Bristol (yes, the one from Midnight in Paris!) is our favorite luxury, 5-star hotel in Paris. Opened in 1925, the hotel occupies an 18th-century building near the shops of the Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré. We consider the airy, iconic Le Bristol to perfectly illustrate French culture and service. Though the Deluxe Suite here is our favorite, each room is individually decorated in a traditional style with Persian carpets and colorful toilets! In addition to two other notable restaurants, we especially like the hotel’s Café Antonia and Le Jardin Français restaurant. Amenities here include a high-quality, three-floor spa and fitness center, but we feel the property’s sixth-floor, nautically-themed pool opening onto a solarium to be the property’s most impressive feature!

Having visited in April 2019, we noticed that much has changed at the 5-star, 48-room Relais Christine since our last family visit in 2013! Occupying a former 16th-century abbey, in a quiet section of the trendy Saint-Germain-des-Près area of Paris’ Left Bank, the hotel is a short walk to the Seine and the Pont Neuf bridge. The property recently completed a major renovation, including rooms with updated walk-in showers, an expanded Spa Guerlain (located in the vaulted cellar), a Finnish sauna, and an exercise room. The critical thing that has not changed is the warm and inviting atmosphere and service. It is no hyperbole to say that a stay at the Relais Christine is like staying with family friends. Though usually fully booked, our favorite rooms are the Garden Suites, opening onto the private lawns enclosed by clipped hedges.

Relais Christine

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Having visited in April 2019, we noticed that much has changed at the 5-star, 48-room Relais Christine since our last family visit in 2013! Occupying a former 16th-century abbey, in a quiet section of the trendy Saint-Germain-des-Près area of Paris’ Left Bank, the hotel is a short walk to the Seine and the Pont Neuf bridge. The property recently completed a major renovation, including rooms with updated walk-in showers, an expanded Spa Guerlain (located in the vaulted cellar), a Finnish sauna, and an exercise room. The critical thing that has not changed is the warm and inviting atmosphere and service. It is no hyperbole to say that a stay at the Relais Christine is like staying with family friends. Though usually fully booked, our favorite rooms are the Garden Suites, opening onto the private lawns enclosed by clipped hedges.

Formerly known as Hostellerie de Plaisance, Hotel Pavie is ideally located in the famous picturesque wine town of Saint-Émilion. The 17 individually designed lavish rooms are exceptionally comfortable and made up of beautiful furniture and colorful, elegant fabrics. Rooms are located among the three buildings: the Bell Tower House, Village House and the Pavie Residence. The buildings are connected by a glass elevator and lush hanging gardens. The main house features marveling stone architecture and houses a wine bar that opens onto a lovely scenic terrace overlooking the medieval village and the four-bedroom residence (located 2 miles from the main building) is nestled among impressive vineyards, which happen to be a UNESCO Heritage Site(!). We particularly love the in-house restaurant “La Table de Pavie” which is run by Michelin Star Chef Yannick Alleno, offering sophisticated meals with unbelievable wine pairings from this very region! Enjoy!

Hotel de Pavie

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Formerly known as Hostellerie de Plaisance, Hotel Pavie is ideally located in the famous picturesque wine town of Saint-Émilion. The 17 individually designed lavish rooms are exceptionally comfortable and made up of beautiful furniture and colorful, elegant fabrics. Rooms are located among the three buildings: the Bell Tower House, Village House and the Pavie Residence. The buildings are connected by a glass elevator and lush hanging gardens. The main house features marveling stone architecture and houses a wine bar that opens onto a lovely scenic terrace overlooking the medieval village and the four-bedroom residence (located 2 miles from the main building) is nestled among impressive vineyards, which happen to be a UNESCO Heritage Site(!). We particularly love the in-house restaurant “La Table de Pavie” which is run by Michelin Star Chef Yannick Alleno, offering sophisticated meals with unbelievable wine pairings from this very region! Enjoy

Bev, Zen and I discovered the lovely La Bastide de Marie during our summer 2017 travels to Provence. This is an absolutely charming 16 room luxury boutique property, converted from a group of 18th-century farmhouses. The rooms are made from exposed stone with beautifully decorated fine fabrics. The Dining Room here has picturesque views from a terrace overlooking its own vineyard. You are served rich, inventive dishes from local produce, inclusive of breakfast, lunch, and dinner. We particularly enjoyed the idyllic 24 hectares of vineyards surrounding the property, in addition to a very nice, aesthetically pleasing pool. This is a truly heavenly place for couples and families alike—we feel La Bastide de Marie perfectly represents the Provence aesthetic and the idyllic French countryside.

Hôtel La Bastide de Marie

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Bev, Zen and I discovered the lovely La Bastide de Marie during our summer 2017 travels to Provence. This is an absolutely charming 16 room luxury boutique property, converted from a group of 18th-century farmhouses. The rooms are made from exposed stone with beautifully decorated fine fabrics. The Dining Room here has picturesque views from a terrace overlooking its own vineyard. You are served rich, inventive dishes from local produce, inclusive of breakfast, lunch, and dinner. We particularly enjoyed the idyllic 24 hectares of vineyards surrounding the property, in addition to a very nice, aesthetically pleasing pool. This is a truly heavenly place for couples and families alike—we feel La Bastide de Marie perfectly represents the Provence aesthetic and the idyllic French countryside

Many believe the Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc to be the most sought-after summer retreat in the world, and our clients would agree. Yes, it is expensive, pretentious, home to global celebrities and jet-setters, AND, we feel, among the most beautiful hotels we have stayed anywhere in the world! Despite the 55 Euro cost of a cheeseburger at the pool grill, our Lynch family has fond memories of our last stay here. Located in Antibes, Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc is 45 minutes to an hour away from Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, which is just on the other side of Nice. The reputation of the hotel is maintained in part because of its idyllic location, but perhaps more significantly due to its reputation for high-touch, understated service. Owner and proprietress, Maya Oetker, personally decorated each of the 118 rooms and has maintained a level of excellence that is unimaginable, even by 5-star luxury hotel standards.

Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc

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Many believe the Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc to be the most sought-after summer retreat in the world, and our clients would agree. Yes, it is expensive, pretentious, home to global celebrities and jet-setters, AND, we feel, among the most beautiful hotels we have stayed anywhere in the world! Despite the 55 Euro cost of a cheeseburger at the pool grill, our Lynch family has fond memories of our last stay here. Located in Antibes, Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc is 45 minutes to an hour away from Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, which is just on the other side of Nice. The reputation of the hotel is maintained in part because of its idyllic location, but perhaps more significantly due to its reputation for high-touch, understated service. Owner and proprietress, Maya Oetker, personally decorated each of the 118 rooms and has maintained a level of excellence that is unimaginable, even by 5-star luxury hotel standards.

Request Custom Itinerary

1

Thank you for your interest in Kipling & Clark. We look forward to serving you!


Please note we specialize in global private luxury travel, including private guides and drivers throughout,

high-quality accommodations, inclusive of safari lodges and ryokans, in-country rail/air, and all taxes/service fees.


Dependent on destination and seasonality, our comprehensive private tour costs are upward of USD 5K-6K per couple per day.

                                         (312) 351-3121

                            rlynch@kiplingandclark.com



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Location

Overview

France
Population
67.4 Million
Language
French
Currency
Euro
Temperature
Highs: High 70’s
Lows: Mid 30’s
Area
543,965 SQ KM
210,026 SQ MILES
Capital
Paris

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