Paris & the South of France in 15 Days Tour

Day 1: Welcome to Paris

We'll meet at around 5 p.m. at our hotel for a short bienvenue à Paris meeting. Then we'll take an orientation walk through our neighborhood, followed by time to get acquainted over dinner together. Sleep in Paris (3 nights). No bus. Walking: light.

Day 2: Historic Paris and the Orsay

Let's begin where Paris did, on the Ile de la Cité. Your guide will lead a walking tour of the city's early history, including visits to a pair of the world's most significant medieval Gothic churches: the legendary Notre-Dame Cathedral and the exquisite Sainte-Chapelle. Then we'll take a stroll through the bohemian Latin Quarter. After free time for lunch on your own, we'll regroup to see the world's greatest collection of Impressionist art — from Monet and Degas to Cézanne and Gauguin and more — at the Orsay Museum. No bus. Walking: strenuous.

Day 3: Masterpieces of the Louvre

Our morning is devoted to touring Europe's greatest museum — the Louvre — where you'll come face-to-face with timeless treasures that include Mona Lisa, Winged Victory, Venus de Milo and hundreds more. Armed with your 2-Day Paris Museum Pass, your afternoon will be free to be inspired by Monet's incredible water lilies at the recently renovated Orangerie, perplexed by whimsical water fountains and modern art at the Pompidou, or compelled to climb to the top of the Arc de Triomphe, followed by a classy stroll along the Champs-Elysées. No bus. Walking: moderate.

Day 4: Amboise, Chenonceau and Chinon

This morning we'll say au revoir to Paris and drive south to the Loire Valley, the land of a thousand châteaux. You'll have some free time in the charming town of Amboise — a stone's throw from Leonardo da Vinci's home, where you can grab a little lunch and study working models of the Renaissance Man's cleverest inventions. This afternoon we'll visit the elegant, river-straddling Château de Chenonceau, where we'll learn about royal life in France, with free time to roam through the château's opulent interior and gardens. We'll continue on to castle-topped Chinon where we'll have dinner together and sleep (2 nights). Bus: 4 hrs. Walking: moderate.

Day 5: Villandry and Azay-le-Rideau

We'll spend our morning visiting the Château de Villandry, famous for its remarkable "themed" gardens, inspired by water, music, love and more. It's a gardener and photographer's dream. We'll also visit the beautifully-set Château Azay-le-Rideau, serenely surrounded by a reflecting pond, holding court on its own island in the middle of the Indre River. We'll return to Chinon this afternoon, where you'll have free time to explore the town's ancient streets, tour the medieval castle or sample the local wines. Bus: 2 hrs. Walking: moderate.

Day 6: Oradour-sur-Glane and Sarlat

Our destination is the Dordogne, a sublime region of fortified hill towns, caves and meandering streams. We'll have a countryside picnic en route, then stop for a thought-provoking walk through the WWII martyr village of Oradour-sur-Glane — frozen in time as a memorial since June 10, 1944, when its unarmed residents were senselessly gunned down by German troops. Our day will end with dinner together in the quintessential market town of Sarlat, where we'll sleep (3 nights). Bus: 6 hrs. Walking: light.

Day 7: Cave Art and Canoeing

Today begins with a chance to appreciate some of Europe's oldest art: the 13,000-year-old drawings of Rouffignac Cave. We'll hop aboard a subterranean train to marvel at depictions of bison, horses and rhinos that have been called the "Sistine Chapel of the Prehistoric World." This afternoon (weather permitting), we'll canoe down the Dordogne River from Cenac to Beynac, gliding past medieval castles and villages. If the weather is hot, we may even stop for a swim along the way. Bus: 3 hrs. Walking: strenuous.

Day 8: Market Day in Sarlat

Take a vacation from your vacation! You'll have the entire day to savor the colorful weekly market in one of France's most pedestrian-friendly towns. Rub shoulders with local shoppers, sample foie gras and salivate over the famous black truffle as you shop for your fantasy picnic lunch. Today you can make it a tasty reality! No bus. Walking: light to strenuous (your choice).

Day 9: Medieval Carcassonne

This morning we'll drive south, crossing the scenic valleys of the Lot and Tarn Rivers. At the Canal du Midi we'll transfer to a canal barge (when available) for a floating picnic lunch, and a relaxing taste of the more than 5,000 miles of canals that meander throughout France. Our bus will then whisk us off to Europe's largest fortified city: delightfully medieval Carcassonne. After a walking tour of Carcassonne's fortified old town — La Cité — you'll be free to savor views from the stony ramparts, wander through the cobbled lanes, and maybe sample a steamy bowl of cassoulet with a glass of dark vin rouge. Sleep in Carcassonne (1 night). Bus: 4 hrs. Walking: moderate.

Day 10: The Pont Du Gard

This morning we'll drive east, stopping at an eco-friendly, family-run vineyard. We'll learn exactly what that entails as we linger for lunch and an educational tasting of wines from the Languedoc-Roussillon region. Our next stop is the majestic, astonishingly well-preserved Roman aqueduct, the Pont du Gard. We'll learn how, 2,000 years ago, this engineering marvel helped supply millions of gallons of fresh water daily to one of the largest cities in Roman Gaul. Our day will end in nearby Arles, where we'll have dinner together and sleep (2 nights). Bus: 4 hrs. Walking: moderate.

Day 11: Les Baux and Arles

This morning we'll drive out to the hill town of Les Baux, and enjoy sweeping views of the Provencal countryside from atop the ruins of its medieval citadel. After lunch we'll return to the historic center of Arles for a walking tour, lacing together stories of its impressive Roman Arena, Classical Theater and Forum Square — and tales of Vincent Van Gogh, who lived and painted in this neighborhood just over a century ago. Your late afternoon and evening will be free for making your own discoveries here. No bus. Walking: strenuous.

Day 12: To the French Riviera

We'll start our morning with a visit to Arles' Ancient History Museum, filled with models and artifacts from Provence's Roman era. Then we'll head for the Riviera, with a lunch stop along the way. Upon arrival in Nice, we'll check into our hotel before setting out on an orientation walk through the Italian-feeling Old City and seaside promenade. Afterward you'll be set free to explore and enjoy dinner on your own. Sleep in Nice (3 nights). Bus: 3½ hrs. Walking: light.

Day 13: Nice

This morning we'll take a walking tour across Nice, starting with the busy Cours Saleya, the city's main market square since the Middle Ages. We'll then follow the narrow streets of the Italianate Old City to the spacious boulevards and shopping promenades of the city's newer side. Here, in the late 19th-century, visitors from the north seeking the elixir of warm, fresh sea air, created Europe's first tourism boom. Your afternoon will be free to wander through Nice's beautiful Chagall and Matisse Museums, prowl the promenades, or relax on the famous beach. No bus. Walking: strenuous.

Day 14: All Day on the Riviera

Today is your day to explore Nice and its surroundings. For those who are interested, your guide will organize an excursion to nearby Monaco, with an orientation to the highlights of that famously wealthy principality. Nice's train and bus stations also provide quick day-trip connections to nearby Cap Ferrat and Villefranche-sur-Mer or Antibes. Later this evening, we'll regroup for a farewell dinner together, where we'll share travel memories and toast new friends. Salut! No bus. Walking: light to strenuous (your choice).

Day 15: Tour Over After Breakfast

For those staying longer, your guide will be happy to send you off in the right direction and help with any trip planning needs. Au revoir et merci!