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French Riviera: Full-Day Tours

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Luxury leisure travel, wine touring, curated experiences, VIP services and exclusive events on the French Riviera, in Provence, Burgundy, Normandy, Brittany, Champagne, Paris, the Loire Valley and on the Italian Riviera.

Touring days are planned as full-day (8 hour) tours, with the exception of Paris where we also offer half-day tours.

Medieval Villages

Designed for both adults and families with children of all ages, the Medieval Villages full-day tour is a delightful introduction to some of the most charming villages of the Côte d’Azur, offering a combination of art, culture, history, and scenery.

In the company of your guide, spend the day away from the coast exploring the Loup Valley, and discovering the authentic charms of Medieval Provence. Stroll through the perched village of Haut-de-Cagnes, a magnet for artists with its towering Château Grimaldi and cobbled walkways. Visit the iconic village Saint-Paul-de-Vence; once a stronghold on the French border, Saint-Paul is now known for its art galleries, charming stone buildings, and gastronomic restaurants. In Tourrettes-sur-Loup, a centre for the region’s violet production, explore narrow streets populated by artisans, craftsmen, and vendors selling local products. Complete your day with a drive through the spectacular Loup Canyon and a visit to Gourdon. Perched 760 meters above sea level, this charming village provides a panoramic view across the countryside to the Mediterranean Sea.

  • Suggested Destinations: Haut-de-Cagnes, Saint-Paul-de-Vence, Tourrettes-sur-Loup, Gourdon
  • Suggested Sites: Château Grimaldi, Loup Canyon

Level of Difficulty: Moderate, some slippery cobbled streets

Saint-Paul-de-Vence and Vence

Designed for both adults and families with children of all ages, the Saint-Paul-de-Vence and Vence full-day tour is ideal for clients who are interested in art, art history, culture and gastronomy.

Discover the Riviera through the eyes of some of its most famous artists in the company of your driver-guide. Stroll through the winding cobblestone streets of Saint-Paul-de-Vence, stopping to browse in the village's many boutiques and galleries and to admire the sweeping views across the countryside to the coast.

Visit the Chapelle des Pénitents Blancs, decorated with lovely frescoes by the Belgian artist Jean-Michel Folon. Relax over lunch at the legendary restaurant, La Colombe d'Or (strictly subject to availability), with its collection of work by Matisse, Miró, Picasso, Léger, and others. Explore the modern art and sculpture gardens at the Fondation Maeght*, then continue to Vence to visit Matisse's extraordinary Rosary Chapel—considered by the famous Impressionist artist to be “the fruit of his whole working life”—as well as the beautiful mosaic baptistry designed by Marc Chagall for the town's Cathedral.

  • Suggested Destinations: Saint-Paul-de-Vence, Vence
  • Suggested Sites: Fondation Maeght (*exceptionally closed until 1 July 2023), Chapelle Matisse (closed Sundays and Mondays), Cathédrale Notre-Dame de la Nativité, Folon Chapel

Level of Difficulty: Moderate, some slippery cobbled streets

Les Trois Corniches

Designed for both adults and families with children, the Trois Corniches full-day tour highlights the many aspects of the Côte d’Azur, combining coast and countryside, simplicity and opulence, Medieval history and contemporary culture.

Spend the day discovering the quintessential French Riviera, following the famous Trois Corniches coastal road between Villefranche-sur-Mer and Monte Carlo. Explore the charming fishing village of Villefranche, with its fishermen’s chapel decorated by Jean Cocteau. Visit the elegant Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild, strolling through its lush gardens or admiring the palace’s opulent collection of furniture, porcelain and paintings. Step back in time to discover the ancient history of the region at La Turbie, taking in the breathtaking Mediterranean sea views. Meander through the perched artists’ village of Èze, renowned for its perfume factories and botanical cactus garden. Experience the royal grandeur of Le Rocher, the Rock of Monaco, home to the Prince’s Palace, Cathedral, and Oceanographic Museum, then cross the port to taste the glamorous side of the city, famous for its Casino de Monte-Carlo and exclusive designer boutiques.

  • Suggested Destinations: Villefranche-sur-Mer, Cap-Ferrat, La Turbie, Èze, Monaco, Monte-Carlo
  • Suggested Sites: Chapelle de Cocteau, La Trophie, Villa Ephrussi, Prince’s Palace, Casino de Monte Carlo

Level of Difficulty: Easy, suitable for all ages; some slippery cobbled streets in Èze

Coast and Country Villages

Designed for adults and families with children of all ages, the Coast and Country Villages full-day tour encapsulates the many aspects of the Côte d’Azur, combining coast and countryside, simplicity and opulence, Medieval history and contemporary culture.

Set off in the morning to explore some of the French Riviera’s most charming villages, from the coast to the countryside. In the seaside town of Antibes, stroll through the colorful Marché Provençal, stopping to purchase local specialties, both sweet and savory, or visit the impressive Picasso Museum, formerly the Château Grimaldi. Follow the the coastline to Cannes to spend a leisurely hour exploring the town of Le Suquet; the famous Croisette, with its iconic Palais des Festivals; and the rue d'Antibes, a shopper's paradise. Discover the perched village of Mougins, renowned as a center for art and gastronomy. Optionally, take time to visit the magical Mougins Museum of Classical Art, an eclectic private collection ranging from Egyptian sarcophagi and Roman armour to contemporary works by modern masters. Enjoy a café au lait on the charming Place des Arcades in Valbonne, particularly delightful on a Friday, the village’s market day.

  • Suggested Destinations: Antibes, Cannes, Mougins, Valbonne
  • Suggested Sites: Picasso Museum, Mougins Museum of Classical Art

Level of Difficulty: Easy to moderate, suitable for all ages; some steep cobbled streets

In the Footsteps of Picasso

Designed for adults or families with children, the In the Footsteps of Picasso full day tour is a focused discovery of the life and work of the famous artist during his years on the French Riviera.

Spend the day following in the footsteps of one of the world’s most famous painters, Pablo Picasso. Begin in the seaside village of Antibes with a visit of the eponymous Picasso Museum; formerly the Château Grimaldi, the museum boasts a beautifully presented collection of works not only by Picasso, but also Nicolas de Staël, Miró, and other 20th century masters. At the end of the morning, continue to Mougins, renowned as a center for art and gastronomy. Enjoy a guided stroll around the charming village and avisit of the wonderful Mougins Museum of Classical Art, an eclectic private collection ranging from Egyptian sarcophagi, Greek sculpture, and Roman armour to works by contemporary and modern masters, including Picasso. End you day in the nearby village of Vallauris with a visit of the Pablo Picasso National Museum, with its extraordinary War and Peace chapel decorated by the Spanish painter.

  • Suggested Destinations: Antibes, Mougins, Vallauris
  • Suggested Sites: Musée Picasso, Mougins Museum of Classical Art

Level of Difficulty: Easy, suitable for all ages

Vineyards of the Var

Designed for adults, the Vineyards of the Var full day tour is perfect for wine lovers who would like to discover exceptional rosés of the region, an ideal day out in Provence and an easy drive from the Riviera.

Tucked between Nice and the Alpes Maritimes to the east and Marseille and the Bouches-du-Rhone to the west, the southern French department of the Var may be best known for the glamorous resort town of Saint-Tropez. But the region is also home to wonderful wine châteaux, and the rosés of Provence are now considered some of the best in the world. Spend the day visiting famous estates such as Château d’Esclans, producer of the renowned Whispering Angel and Garrus, their top-of-the line rosé. In Les Arcs, one of the most beautiful villages of the Var, explore the old town of Le Parage, haunted by the legend of a Saint and the ghosts of the Knights Templar. Complete this extraordinary day with a visit of the Château Font du Broc, a promising vineyard with an exceptionally beautiful cave. Please note that vineyard visits and tastings are strictly subject to availability on the date of travel.

  • Suggested Destinations: Les Arcs, Taradeau
  • Suggested Sites: Château d’Esclans, Château Font du Broc, Le Parage

Level of Difficulty: Easy, suitable for all ages

A Taste of the Italian Riviera

Designed for adults and children, the Taste of the Italian Riviera full day tour is an opportunity to experience a totally different culture just minutes away from the French border.

Spend the day discovering the “other” Riviera, just across the border in bella Italia. The Ponant Riviera was once seen as a continuation of the French Riviera, and the seaside town of Bordighera attracted kings and queens from all over Europe. This luxurious 19th century resort still boasts an impressive collection of elegant villas, hotels, and gardens, each more impressive than the next, while its charming old town sleeps lazily in the sun. After exploring the coastline, drive into the hills of the backcountry to discover the picturesque perched village of Dolceacqua, with its bridge that enchanted Monet, and take time for a leisurely lunch based on local Ligurian specialties. After lunch, return towards France, stopping in the sun-drenched town of Menton, renowned for its annual citrus festival. Enjoy a guided tour of its beautiful 19th century gardens, and an afternoon stroll through the narrow streets of its old town.

  • Suggested Destinations: Bordighera, Dolceacqua, Menton
  • Suggested Sites: Sites painted by Monet; Serre de la Madone garden (Menton)

Level of Difficulty: Moderate; some steep cobbled hills

Riviera Special Interest

Provençal Garden Visit: The Estate of an English Lady

5 Hours

Spend the day on an exclusive experience, visiting the private olive groves and perfume gardens of an English Lady. Join the head gardener for a commented stroll through the terraced estate, then return to the villa to enjoy a tasting of home-made products from the garden—olive oil, tapenade, and fruit preserves. At the end of the morning, relax over a home-cooked Provençal lunch prepared by the Lady and served either on her sun-drenched terrace or, in autumn or winter, by the fireside in her cosy salon. For an additional fee, extend this special day with a hands-on workshop with a master perfume maker, using flowers from the estate’s garden, or a self-guided stroll through the historic town of Grasse, internationally known as the “perfume capital of the world.”

Private Perfume Creation Workshop

2 Hours / 2:30 Hours

With its famous perfume houses and its hillsides covered with terraced gardens, Grasse has earned a global reputation as the world capital of perfume. Experience the art of perfume creation first-hand during an exclusive workshop at an esteemed perfume factory. After meeting the master perfume maker and being welcomed into her laboratory, enjoy a privileged two-hour atelier, a journey into the secret world of a Maître-Parfumeur. Comfortably seated at your organ of 127 notes, discover the different base products and techniques of perfume creation, then use them to compose your unique signature fragrance (100 ml Eau de Parfum). Your newly created personal formula will be kept in the factory’s confidential database so that you can re-order it whenever you wish.

Nice Market and Cooking Class

6 Hours

Spend a delicious day enjoying a first-hand introduction to the culture and cuisine of Nice. Meet your guide, a professional chef, at a neighborhood café on the city’s famous Cours Saleya, then enjoy a guided walking tour of the open-air market and old town, sampling seasonal produce and meeting small local producers as you select fresh, organic ingredients for the day’s class. After the walking tour, return to the chef’s atelier in the heart of the Vielle Ville where, under her specialist guidance, you will learn to cook classic Niçois dishes. Finally, relax and enjoy the fruits of your labors: a delicious four- course lunch paired with local wine. Designed as a small-group class with other participants, this experience can be privatized for an additional fee (minimum two people).

Americans on the Riviera

During the Roaring Twenties, a generation of American writers and artists left the US for Europe; for more than a decade, many considered France their second home. Their arrival on the Côte d’Azur in the summer of 1925 helped to form the Riviera we know today, as they recreated a version of Miami Beach in Juanles- Pins, imported jazz, basketball, and the Charleston—and, in 1944, brought freedom to a country at war. Trace their history from Juan-les-Pins to Valescure, from the Rhône American Cemetery to the landing site of Dramont, and relive this extraordinary era as you visit the villa where Fitzgerald penned The Great Gatsby or Hemingway’s beach in Mandelieu, discovering the coast through the eyes and the words of America’s most legendary expatriates.

An Evening in Monte Carlo

Spend a romantic night in legendary Monte-Carlo, the district of Monaco that comes to life after dark. Taste the glamour of the Riviera as you drive along the basse corniche, passing Villefranche-sur-Mer, Beaulieu, the Bay of Eze and Cap d’Ail. Discover Le Rocher, the old town of Monaco, tucked between the Prince’s Palace and the Cathedral of Saint Nicolas. Drive through the Principality to Monte-Carlo, where your evening awaits: Enjoy an elegant dinner in a worldclass restaurant, an exciting casino experience (passport and smart attire required), or an after-dinner cocktail at a chic nightclub. End your magical evening with a drive along the Moyenne Corniche, passing the perched village of Èze, illuminated against the evening sky.

Architectural Treasures of the Côte d’Azur

From the middle of the 19th century until the Second World War, the French Riviera was the arbiter of elegance, reflected not only in the region’s lifestyle but in its architecture as well. Trace the history of the Côte d’Azur as you discover its architectural treasures, starting from the Victorian and Belle Époque eras and moving through art nouveau and the Roaring Twenties to Modernism. Explore the grand Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild and its lush gardens on Cap Ferrat, the Kerylos Villa in Beaulieu-sur-Mer, the Belle Epoque villas of Cap d’Ail and Monaco, as well as Le Corbusier’s cabana and the iconic Eileen Gray villa E-1027 on Roquebrune-Cap-Martin. Enjoy an extraordinary voyage through 150 years of architectural history in the course of a single, unforgettable day.

From Grace Kelly to Princess Grace

Years before she married Prince Rainier III and became the Principality of Monaco’s beloved Princess, Grace Kelly was already an iconic figure, an award winning Hollywood actress and muse to the famous director Alfred Hitchcock. Relive moments from her remarkable life as you discover the shooting locations of Hitchcock’s romantic thriller To Catch a Thief (1954), as well as the sites related to to the Princess, from the Grimaldi Palace and Cathedral in Monaco to the Carlton Hotel and Palais de Festival on Cannes’s Promenade de la Croisette. Your day includes a visit to Grace de Monaco, the luxury boutique of the Princess Grace Foundation, which uses its proceeds to support the Princess’s wish to nurture emerging artists in theater, dance and film.

In the Footsteps of Cocteau 

The multitalented French artist Jean Cocteau is was renowned as a writer, poet, artist, designer, ceramist, illustrator, playwright and film director, but he was

also a “man about town” whose wide social circle included Pablo Picasso, Yul Brynner, Marlene Dietrich, Coco Chanel, Édith Piaf, Colette and Diaghilev and many others. Spend the day learning about the life of this extraordinary man as you visit the places where the legendary artist quite literally left his mark, from the fishermen’s church, Chapelle Saint-Pierre, in Villefranche-sur-Mer and the Villa Santo Sospir on Saint-Jean-Cap Ferrat, to the Bastion and the Salle des Mariages in Menton. In Villefranche, take time for lunch at the iconic restaurant La Mère Germaine, or a drink at the Welcome Hotel, the artist’s occasional abode.

Cinema on the French Riviera

With its legendary annual Film Festival, Cannes might rightly hold the distinction of being the cinematic center of the Côte d’Azur, but the region’s links to the movie industry can be found all along the coastline, from Cannes to Monte Carlo. Discover the legendary sites made famous by renowned actors, actresses and filmmakers in a number of memorable films, including Goldeneye (1995) with Pierce Brosnan; Jean Marais’ La Belle et la Bête (1945); An Affair to Remember (1954) with Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr; To Catch a Thief (1954) with Grace Kelly and Cary Grant; and La Nuit Américaine (1973) by the French director François Truffaut, produced at Nice’s Victorine Studios. A treat for cinephiles, or a perfect complement to a day at the Festival de Cannes.

Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume

Leave the bustling Côte d’Azur behind and spend the day on a memorable pilgrimage to Saint Maximin La Sainte Baume, the center of early Christianity in Provence and France. Follow a path to the cave of Sainte Baume, where Saint Mary Magdalene is said to have spent the last years of her life. Visit the towering Basilica Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume, the largest Gothic church in Provence, to see the crypt containing the relics of the saint, considered to be the third most sacred grave of Christianity after Jerusalem and Rome. The basilica also boasts a 16th-century altarpiece depicting the Passion of Christ, as well as a magnificent 18th-century pipe organ. End your day with a visit to the serenely beautiful Abbaye de Thoronet, one of three 12th-century Cistercian abbeys in Provence.

The Vallée des Merveilles

Escape to the backcountry during a day in the stunning Roya Valley. Visit magical, secluded villages such as Breil sur Roya, set amidst olive groves; Saorge, an ancient fortress built into a rock face; Fontan, on the banks of the Roya, and Tende, with its colorful Baroque Church of Notre-Dame. Travel to the upper valley in a 4x4 to reach the archaeological site of Mount Bego; with its extraordinary rock engravings, the Prehistoric holy sanctuary is now listed as a Monument Historique. Known as the “Vallée des Merveilles” (Valley of Wonders), this unique region is a veritable open-air museum, with over 40,000 mystical rock engravings dating back 5,000 years to the Bronze Age. Discover these engravings with a certified guide, stopping to enjoy a picnic along the way.

A Day in the Gorge du Verdon

Follow the historic Route Napoleon along a splendid scenic route to Castellane, the gateway to the Gorge du Verdon. With its towering cliffs and turquoise waters, the spectacular river canyon is one of the most breathtaking natural wonders in the South of France, offering incredible “photo-op” panoramas as well as opportunities for hiking and bungee jumping (on request). Across the canyon, discover the famous village of Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, perched on the side of the mountain; the charming village is renowned for its faïence pottery, while the Lac Sainte-Croix, on the other side of Moustiers, is a perfect place for water sports. From mid-June until mid-July, the Valensole Plateau is blanketed in amethyst lavender fields, the quintessential landscape of Provence.

Riviera Botanical Gardens

With its unique micro-climate, the French Riviera is the perfect setting for to some of the most exquisite botanical gardens in France. Spend the day with your driver-guide, discovering a selection of region’s loveliest gardens. Explore the sprawling property of the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild on Saint-Jean Cap Ferrat, with nine unique gardens; the various gardens of Monaco and Monte Carlo; the Jardin exotique cactus garden in the perched village of Èze; the Val Rahmeh botanical garden as well as the Serre de la Madone (Madonna’s greenhouse), both in Menton; or the famous Hanbury Botanical Gardens, across the border in Italy. Your driver-guide will suggest a program of garden visits for the day based on your interests, location, and flowering season. 

In the Footsteps of Renoir

For decades, the French Riviera has been home to some of the most famous painters in the history of art, including the Impressionist painter Pierre-Auguste Renoir. In the company of your driver-guide, discover the artist’s private home and atelier, now a museum set in the heart of a beautiful estate planted with olive and citrus trees. The property itself offers a breathtaking view across the countryside to Cap d’Antibes, while the museum’s collection of original paintings, sculptures, and studio material provide a fascinating perspective on the artist’s life and work during the last years of his life. Complete your visit with a guided stroll through the beautiful Medieval village of Hauts-de-Cagnes, crowned by the impressive Château Grimaldi.

The 1944 Allied Landing

Enjoy a memorable full day's excursion focused on the theme of the Allied Landing in Provence on 15 August 1944. Follow the breathtaking Golden Coast road towards the Saint-Raphaël to see the Plage de Débarquement War Memorial at Dramont Beach. Continue to the seaside town of Fréjus to visit its ancient Roman and Medieval sites, including an amphitheater, theater and aqueduct. After taking time for lunch, return towards the Riviera, stopping in Draguignan to visit the serenely beautiful Rhone American Cemetery and Memorial, established on 19 August 1944 after the Seventh Army's surprise landing in southern France. If time allows, complete your day with a stop for a tasting at an AOC vineyard or an olive oil mill.

Master Glassblowing Experience

From 2 Hours

At the foot of the perched village of Biot, renowned for its hand-made glass and pottery, enjoy an exclusive private experience in the atelier of a master glassblower. Begin with a private guided tour of the gallery and its collection, watch a demonstration of the glassblowing process, then experience the art of glassblowing first-hand during a private workshop where you will learn to use the blowpipe to create your own piece of art glass. For a truly unforgettable day (and strictly subject to availability), extend this program to include a gastronomic experience, during which a master chef, working in collaboration with the glassblowers, prepares and cooks a selection of sweet and savory dishes under the heat of a hand-blown glass dome.

Riviera Wine and Gastronomy

Spend a delicious day with your specialist guide experiencing the wine and gastronomy of the French Riviera. This flexible day, customized according to your hotel location and wine preferences, might include a visit and tasting at a vineyard in the Bellet appellation north of Nice (for example Château Cremat), at a family-run domaine near Vence (such as Domaine des Hautes Collines or Domaine Rasse), or in a cave in the old town of Nice. Enhance your wine-focused day with tastings of cheese and other local products and visits to charming villages, such as the artists’ village of Saint-Paul-de-Vence; the perched Medieval village of Gourdon; or the pretty Provençal village of Tourrettes-sur-Loup, famous for its

violet production.

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