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Highlights of France and Barcelona
10 Day France and Spain Tour of Paris, Lyon, French Riviera and Barcelona
One of our most popular France and Spain trips, this jam-packed journey from Paris to Barcelona is a feast for every sense, from lunch with locals and elegant châteaux in the Loire Valley, to the buzz of Avignon’s Place de l’Horloge and the irresistible French Riviera.
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Trip code
FRSP
Highlights of France and Barcelona
10 Day France and Spain Tour of Paris, Lyon, French Riviera and Barcelona
One of our most popular France and Spain trips, this jam-packed journey from Paris to Barcelona is a feast for every sense, from lunch with locals and elegant châteaux in the Loire Valley, to the buzz of Avignon’s Place de l’Horloge and the irresistible French Riviera.
This capital city is your launch pad for an epic adventure through the highlights of France and magnificent Barcelona. Spend your first day in the 'City of Lights' exploring the art, architecture and culture of this romantic city on your own. Visit the Mona Lisa in the Louvre or relax in manicured gardens watching the world go by. This evening, join your fellow travellers and Travel Director for a Welcome Reception and orientation drive past some of the city's most impressive sights, including the grand Champs-Élysées and Arc de Triomphe.
Trip Summary Accomodation IconHotel - Pullman La Défense
Spend the morning in the company of a Local Specialist, who will share with you the hidden squares and secret lanes of Paris, revealing how Parisians live and shop. Visit the remarkable church of Saint-Sulpice, then enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. Walk along the Seine and admire the talents of street artists and performers, amble through the scenic hilltop village of Montmartre or relax with a café au lait watching the world go by. This evening, consider soaking up the pageantry of Paris with an Optional Experience to a popular Parisian cabaret.
Trip Summary Meals IconIncluded Meals - Breakfast
Optional Experience
French Culinary Discovery
Today we'll explore the Montorgueil neighborhood on a foodie walking tour with our knowledgeable guide. We'll sample some of the city's finest bread, charcuterie, cheese and pastries; meeting local vendors and artisans along the way. n.b. There is a minimum of 10 guests and a maximum of 20 for this optional.
Adult Price: €73.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Optional Experience
Montmartre Village And Artists' Square
Many people go to Paris, but only a few are lucky enough to experience what it’s really all about. Join us for a stroll with our Local Specialist through Montmartre – an artists’ village once home to Picasso and Toulouse Lautrec, tucked away from the modern city. The paint will still be wet on the canvasses, as we watch apprentices work before our eyes in the famous Artist’s Square. Mingle, barter, and stand in awe of Sacré Coeur Basilica in this historic, bohemian neighbourhood.
Adult Price: €37.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Day 3
Chartres and Châteaux in the Loire Valley
Visit Chartres, an important place of pilgrimage on 'Way of Saint James', with its inspiring French Gothic Art cathedral which is renowned for its stained glass windows and two contrasting spires. We journey through the rolling landscape of the Loire Valley, past beautiful villages and castles. View the impressive Château de Chambord, a marvel of French Renaissance architecture, then visit Château de Chenonceau. Later, Connect With Locals, joining your travel companions and the de Montferrier family on their farm near the famous Château de Villandry for a traditional three-course Tourangelle Be My Guest dinner experience paired with local wines.
Trip Summary Accomodation IconHotel - Mercure Tours Nord
Trip Summary Meals IconIncluded Meals - Breakfast, Be My Guest
TODAY'S INCLUDED HIGHLIGHT EXPERIENCE
Day 4
Onwards to Renaissance Lyon
Travelling through the heart of France, we arrive in the gastronomic capital of Lyon where we'll join a Local Specialist for a tour of the old city revealing its rich cultural heritage. Wander through the traboules of France's largest Renaissance city and marvel at the magnificent skyline from Fourvière hill. We dine at our hotel this evening, with the rest of the night free to explore the city. See the glittering Renaissance façades lit up at night, attend a world-famous opera or stroll along the river – a peaceful end to a busy day.
Trip Summary Accomodation IconHotel - Novotel Gerland Musée des Confluences
Journey to Papal Avignon and on to the French Riviera
From Lyon, we drive to Avignon, a Papal Seat in the 14th century. See the Papal Palace, one of the largest and most important medieval Gothic buildings in Europe, and the famous bridge immortalised in the French song – Sur le Pont d'Avignon. Dive Into Culture as you indulge in a glass of the local vintage on a Provençal terrace. This afternoon we arrive in the seaside retreat of Nice, where an orientation tour will introduce you to this coastal city, a favourite retreat among aristocrats for centuries. Walk along the famous Promenade des Anglais and across the checker-board pavement of Place Masséna, before spending the rest of the evening at leisure.
Trip Summary Accomodation IconHotel - Novotel Aéroport Cap 3000
Trip Summary Meals IconIncluded Meals - Breakfast
Day 6
Enjoy a Day in Monaco
Relax on the sun-kissed shores of the Côte d'Azur today. Retreat to the beach with your fellow sun-worshippers, relax at a café overlooking the Bay of Angels or take a stroll along the promenade. You could choose instead to embark on an Optional Experience to the medieval hill-top village of Saint-Paul-de-Vence. Later, we’ll enjoy an excursion through splendid seaside scenery to Monaco where you’ll view the cathedral where Prince Rainier and Princess Grace were married.
Trip Summary Meals IconIncluded Meals - Breakfast
Optional Experience
St Paul, Corniche Drive, Perfumery and Meal
First we'll travel to the medieval hilltop town of St. Paul to visit this artists' paradise. We'll continue along the Riviera, travelling on corniche roads with their spectacular views, to a local restaurant for a delicious meal, including drinks.
Adult Price: €83.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Day 7
Off to Colourful Arles and Carcassonne
We travel west to the Camargue centre of Arles, with its colourful façades and Roman ruins, before continuing through the landscapes of Provence immortalised in the works of Cézanne and Van Gogh. Arriving in the fortified city of Carcassonne, we join a Local Specialist for a sightseeing tour of the Cité which spans some 3km and features 52 towers.
Trip Summary Accomodation IconHotel - Best Western Le Donjon
You simply can’t come to France without seeing all of the treasures the Romans left behind. Marvel at the Amphitheatre they built 2000 years ago. Then, switch gears with your Local Specialist to learn about Arles’ other great claim to fame – the locations where Vincent Van Gogh produced some of his most famous works in Provence, including The Starry Night.
Adult Price: €23.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Day 8
Pass the Pyrenees to Barcelona
Driving past the foothills of the Pyrenees, we stop in Figueres to visit the Dalí Theatre and Museum where we will Dive Into Culture and gain insights into the fascinating world of Salvador Dalí. See his work in this impressive building, before arriving in Barcelona this afternoon for an included sightseeing tour. We’ll see the Columbus Monument and Antoni Gaudí's unfinished La Sagrada Família, with a Local Specialist. The evening is yours to explore this Mediterranean gem. Consider an Optional Experience to enjoy traditional Spanish cuisine and entertainment, or enjoy a delicious tapas feast on your own at one of the city's fine restaurants.
Trip Summary Accomodation IconHotel - Hyatt Regency Tower/Fairmont Rey Juan Carlos
Trip Summary Meals IconIncluded Meals - Breakfast
Optional Experience
Catalonian Dinner And The Dancing Fountains
Join us for drinks and a Catalonian meal in the bustling city of Barcelona. After dinner, we’ll take you to see the spectacle of the famous Dancing Fountains, which were built for the 1929 World’s Fair and are one of the wonders of the modern world.
Adult Price: €59.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Optional Experience
Flamenco Spectacular With Dinner
Come and experience the passion and spirit of Spain at a spectacular flamenco evening. This modern interpretation of Spain's most famous entertainment is one of the best shows in town, and we’ve even included dinner and drinks.
Adult Price: €87.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Day 9
Discover Lively Barcelona
Spend the day soaking up the vibrant spirit of Barcelona. Ramble up Las Ramblas and people-watch in the Plaça de Catalunya, explore the whimsical architecture of Gaudí dotted across the city or consider an Optional Experience to Barcelona's Gothic Quarter. A further option is a meander up to Montserrat to visit its Benedictine monastery and see the mysterious Black Madonna, the patron saint of Catalonia. This evening, join your Travel Director and travel companions for a memorable Farewell Dinner with wine at a traditional Spanish restaurant.
Today, with our Local Specialist, we'll take a drive to the enchanting and mystical mountain of Montserrat, with its breathtaking views and spectacular scenery. While there, we'll visit the Benedictine monastery to view the famed Black Madonna.
Adult Price: €40.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Optional Experience
Barcelona, Past and Present
Step back in time to uncover the history of the Barcelona from its Roman beginnings to the modern day. With your Local Specialist, stroll the maze of narrow streets and courtyards, home to gothic churches, the Kings Square, and the Jewish Quarter. Spain’s Golden Era will come alive as we visit sites from Columbus’ return from the Americas, the Spanish Inquisition, and the Spanish Civil War. We’ll finish at a local food market to shop like the locals and perhaps try traditional tapas.
Adult Price: €29.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Day 10
Journey Home
It's time to close the curtain on an unforgettable holiday in France and Barcelona. Say adiós to the bustling streets of Barcelona and your travel companions. Find out more about your free airport transfer at trafalgar.com/freetransfers.
Trip Summary Meals IconIncluded Meals - Breakfast
All optional experiences for this trip
Book with your travel director when you travel
Available on day 2
French Culinary Discovery
Today we'll explore the Montorgueil neighborhood on a foodie walking tour with our knowledgeable guide. We'll sample some of the city's finest bread, charcuterie, cheese and pastries; meeting local vendors and artisans along the way. n.b. There is a minimum of 10 guests and a maximum of 20 for this optional.
Adult Price: €73.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Available on day 2
Montmartre Village And Artists' Square
Many people go to Paris, but only a few are lucky enough to experience what it’s really all about. Join us for a stroll with our Local Specialist through Montmartre – an artists’ village once home to Picasso and Toulouse Lautrec, tucked away from the modern city. The paint will still be wet on the canvasses, as we watch apprentices work before our eyes in the famous Artist’s Square. Mingle, barter, and stand in awe of Sacré Coeur Basilica in this historic, bohemian neighbourhood.
Adult Price: €37.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Available on day 6
St Paul, Corniche Drive, Perfumery and Meal
First we'll travel to the medieval hilltop town of St. Paul to visit this artists' paradise. We'll continue along the Riviera, travelling on corniche roads with their spectacular views, to a local restaurant for a delicious meal, including drinks.
Adult Price: €83.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Available on day 7
On the trail of Vincent Van Gogh
You simply can’t come to France without seeing all of the treasures the Romans left behind. Marvel at the Amphitheatre they built 2000 years ago. Then, switch gears with your Local Specialist to learn about Arles’ other great claim to fame – the locations where Vincent Van Gogh produced some of his most famous works in Provence, including The Starry Night.
Adult Price: €23.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Available on day 8
Catalonian Dinner And The Dancing Fountains
Join us for drinks and a Catalonian meal in the bustling city of Barcelona. After dinner, we’ll take you to see the spectacle of the famous Dancing Fountains, which were built for the 1929 World’s Fair and are one of the wonders of the modern world.
Adult Price: €59.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Available on day 8
Flamenco Spectacular With Dinner
Come and experience the passion and spirit of Spain at a spectacular flamenco evening. This modern interpretation of Spain's most famous entertainment is one of the best shows in town, and we’ve even included dinner and drinks.
Adult Price: €87.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Available on day 9
Mystical Montserrat
Today, with our Local Specialist, we'll take a drive to the enchanting and mystical mountain of Montserrat, with its breathtaking views and spectacular scenery. While there, we'll visit the Benedictine monastery to view the famed Black Madonna.
Adult Price: €40.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Available on day 9
Barcelona, Past and Present
Step back in time to uncover the history of the Barcelona from its Roman beginnings to the modern day. With your Local Specialist, stroll the maze of narrow streets and courtyards, home to gothic churches, the Kings Square, and the Jewish Quarter. Spain’s Golden Era will come alive as we visit sites from Columbus’ return from the Americas, the Spanish Inquisition, and the Spanish Civil War. We’ll finish at a local food market to shop like the locals and perhaps try traditional tapas.
Adult Price: €29.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
All Optional Experiences
The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
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Trip details
Trip details
What's included
Trip Summary Accomodation Icon
9 nights
Accommodation
Trip Summary Meals Icon
14 Meals
1 Be My Guest, 1 Farewell Dinner, 1 Welcome Reception, 2 Dinners, 9 Breakfasts
Trip Summary Transport Icon
On-trip Transport
All transport shown
The Trafalgar difference
Connect With Locals
Return to 17th-century France and join the de Montferrier family on their farm near the famous Château de Villandry for a traditional three-course Tourangelle Be My Guest dinner paired with local wines.
Dive Into Culture
People-watch over a glass of delicious local wine at the bustling Place de l'Horloge in the heart of Avignon.
Dive Into Culture
Visit the Dalí Theatre-Museum, considered Salvador Dalí's last great work offering visitors real insight into his captivating world.
Sightseeing highlights
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Discover Avignon, Nice, Monaco and Arles
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Explore Paris, Lyon, Carcassonne and Barcelona with a Local Specialist
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Visit Saint-Sulpice Church in Paris, Château de Chenonceau in the Loire Valley and the Dalí Theatre and Museum in Figueres
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View Notre Dame Cathedral and the Eiffel Tower in Paris, Chartres Cathedral, Château de Chambord, the Papal Palace of Avignon, the Promenade des Anglais and Place Masséna in Nice, Monaco's Royal Palace and Cathedral, the Roman Amphitheatre of Arles and the La Sagrada Família and Columbus Monument in Barcelona
Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals
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Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
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High-speed train from Barcelona to Madrid
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Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
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Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras
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Optional Experiences and free time
Live, unedited & independent traveler reviews
Highlights of France and Barcelona trip reviews
Our guests are at the heart of everything we do, their feedback fuels our innovation, inspiring us to improve continuously and craft Simply The Best vacations. That's why we ask each of our guests to leave a third-party verified, independent review after every trip. As testament to our commitment we have been given the Trusted Service Award from Feefo, recognising we deliver exceptional experiences as rated by real guests.
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Trip Rating
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5
All the hotels were good. The coach driver was great fun and very friendly. The itinerary was great.
We thoroughly enjoyed our trip!! Our Tour Director, Chantal, was absolutely wonderful. So knowledgeable and friendly. The tour is fast paced with several one night stays as it’s a lot to cover in a short period of time. The hotel in Tours was not near anything within walking distance but the others were great. We took part in all of the optional tours and enjoyed them too. It was a wonderful trip.
All of the accommodations were very good. I would note that the Novotel in Nice was old and dated, and not in a charming way. However, the entire tour experience was so good that I really hesitate to mention it.
Stephane was just outstanding. He made a point of getting to know everyone in the tour group. His knowledge of the history of our destinations was invaluable. His enthusiasm was infectious. He was teacher, party host, and chaperone all rolled up into one. I am looking forward to my next opportunity to book with your service.
The service is wonderful the tour guides are very knowledgeable, friendly and personable. Everything is planned out so thoroughly and they take care of everything making sure that you see all the important and beautiful places. Best thing is that they take care of everything so that you can enjoy your vacation to the fullest.
The itinerary was wonderful. I saw parts of France that I thought I would never see. Weather was perfect and I met some great people from around the world. I was disappointed that the Nouvelle Eve Cabaret was not available and I wasn't able to go to Monte Carlo. I would have liked to have the option of going to MonteCarlo as an excursion. Merci, Adios, Thank you.
Gratuities: You have the option to pre-pay the gratuities for your Travel Director and Driver. Please speak with your travel agent.
Bastille Day is a national holiday in France. Celebrations will be taking place throughout the country on 14 July.
Drinking Water: Tap water is safe to drink in all of the destinations on this trip. Please remember to bring a water bottle.
Unless otherwise stated, trip prices are per person, land only, based on double occupancy and reflect applicable discount. Discounts are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice.
Trip prices are correct at the time of the products going live, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking. All trip information is correct at time of trips going live, however are subject to change - please confirm all details at time of booking.
Twin-share option not available for trips to South America, Costa Rica, Mexico, Alaska, Hawaii, South Africa, Kenya & Tanzania, Botswana, Zambia or for any holiday & cruise combination, or in Asia and Eastern Mediterranean except Highlights of Turkey (without cruise) & Best of Turkey. It's also not available on Small Group trips. Guided Vacations included in this restriction are Newfoundland and Labrador (DNLA). Does not apply to trips operated by Inspiring Journeys & our Mini-stays.
For trips that are part of our Guaranteed Room Share, please note that there is a no smoking policy in all shared rooms. Solo travel is not accepted on guided Family Experiences holidays unless traveling as part of a family group.
Travel to Europe often requires an overnight flight. Please arrange your flights to arrive on or before day 1.
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Your selected departure date will feature some seasonal itinerary changes to what is displayed. Click 'VIEW ITINERARY' below to see full details.
Active Trip Details
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What is an Active Trip? This is an "Active" lifestyle itinerary, with walks and hikes most days. Hikes will range from easy/moderate to strenuous. No technical climbing skills are required but a reasonable level of fitness is required to make the trip more enjoyable. Understanding that not all people want to hike at the same pace or even on the same trail we will, where possible, host map orientation and then let everyone disperse to enjoy the trails best suited to them. What to Pack Guests should bring lightweight hiking shoes or boots, broad brimmed sun hats, sunglasses, layered clothing, reusable water bottle(s), a hiking day pack and hiking poles (optional)
Weather & Altitude While the itinerary is laid out below, we are at the mercy of the weather and so reserve the right to adjust the program as necessary. Please keep in mind that the higher elevations and possible variations in weather and temperature can increase the perceived level of difficulty of our activities. Elevation ranges up to 9,000 feet for Utah’s Mighty Five and up to 11,000 feet for California High Country Adventure.
Everyone reacts differently to altitude and so if you do have any health issues you should check with your doctor that this trip is suitable for you.
