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About the tour: Grand Tour of France – Picturebook Treasures
Oh-la-la! This expression most certainly sums up this ‘grand’ tour of classic French treasures. Whether its romantic cities, picturesque coastlines, charming villages or breath-taking countryside you’re looking for in a coach holiday, it’s all here in one itinerary. Explore the beautiful Loire Valley, with visits to Tours, Blois and Amboise. Learn about the country’s past with a visit to the Remembrance village of Oradour-sur-Glane, and then explore the delights of the Dordgone, including the cliff-side town of Rocamadour. With visits also included to some of France’s most stunning villages, as well as the medieval city of Carcassonne and the cosmopolitan capital city of Paris, you’ll have a fantastic French adventure on this coach holiday!
Tour Includes
- 11 nights hotel with continental breakfast
- 9 evening meals
- Convenient local joining points
12 days from £1449 pp
We offer flexible payment options
Once you have booked your tour either online, or by telephone ( 01709 787 463 ), you have the flexibility of how you pay off the remainder of your balance. You can:
- Use our balance payment facility online to make and track your card payments. You can pay as much as you want up until your final due date or pay it all, the choice is yours.
- Send payments via online banking.
- Send payments via cheque.
- Call us and make a card payment, either a small amount or as lump sum until your final due date.
Our contact and online banking payment details will be on your confirmation invoice to remind you of your choices.
Tour Itinerary
Certain excursions are included in the price of your holiday. If you choose not to go on an included excursion, for whatever reason, no refunds will be made.
Yes, you will receive one with your Travel Documents, which are sent 7-10 days before departure.
We believe that our holidays may not be suitable for children under 8 years old (except for Disneyland Paris bookings) however, we will
consider individual requests on application. Customers aged 18 and under at the time of travel must be accompanied by an adult, parent or
guardian aged over 18 years old.
You can check weather averages here.
Day 1
Local departure by coach or Door-to-Door service, then to the Rouen area for an overnight stay.
Day 2 - Tours & Azay-le-Rideau
We travel to Tours in the Loire Valley where we enjoy a little time at leisure in Tours centre, before continuing to the pretty village of Azay-le-Rideau with its small but incredibly beautiful château. (Please note: entrance costs for châteaux or places of interest are at additional cost). After time at leisure in Azay le Rideau, we continue to our hotel in Chinon, a smart ‘bourgeois’ town, where we stay for two nights
- Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Included Highlights
- Tours
- Azay-Le-Rideau
Day 3 - Loire Valley
Today’s full-day included excursion takes us through the countryside to visit some of the Loire Valley’s most beautiful villages. We travel first to the picturesque town of Blois, then continue to Amboise on the banks of the Loire River. Amboise is famous for its château, and the Clos Lucé manor house, the place where Leonardo da Vinci lived and ultimately died. We end the day at the village of Chenonceaux, home to the Château de Chenonceau built over the river Cher. The château has extensive parks and gardens created by its many mistresses. (Please note that entrance costs for châteaux or places of interest are at additional cost).
- Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Included Highlights
- Loire Valley
Day 4 - Oradour-sur-Glane
En-route to Rocamadour, we visit the memorial village of Oradour-sur-Glane. Scene of a terrible massacre on 10th June 1944 by the German SS, the village has been frozen in time ever since. We then continue our journey to the Dordogne region, and the village of Rocamadour where we stay for two nights.
- Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Included Highlights
- Oradour sur Glane
Day 5 - Rocamadour
Enjoy a day at leisure to explore the pilgrimage town of Rocamadour, where Saint Amadour was reputed to have lived as a hermit. The village is perched high on a limestone cliff in the heart of the Dordogne, and here you'll find many small chapels, including the Chapelle de Notre Dame with its famous Black Madonna, a 12th century carved wooden depiction of the Virgin Mary holding baby Jesus.
- Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Included Highlights
- Rocamadour
Day 6 - Carcassonne
After breakfast we begin the journey to Carcassonne, famous for the defences of the medieval city. The city exists in two parts – the more modern ‘Bastide St Louis’, which contains the Cathedral of St. Michel, and the walled 'Cité Medieval', whose fortifications were built over many centuries and featured in the religious wars between the Cathars and Albigenses. This afternoon we enjoy time at leisure for exploration before we continue to our hotel in the Carcassonne area for an overnight stay.
- Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Included Highlights
- Carcassonne,
Day 7 - Béziers
This morning we travel to the hill-top town of Béziers, where the Canal du Midi crosses the river by means of an aqueduct. After time to discover the town’s rich history, we continue our journey to Aix-en-Provence, where we stay for three nights.
- Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Included Highlights
- Béziers
Day 8 - Cassis
Our included excursion takes us to the lovely seaside resort of Cassis, with its picturesque fishing port and town square. You will have time to relax, take in the pretty harbour, and perhaps enjoy a drink in one of the nearby cafés.
- Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Included Highlights
- Cassis
Day 9 - Free Time or Gorges du Verdon
Enjoy free time in Aix-en-Provence, or why not join us for a full-day optional excursion to one of the most impressive natural sights in Europe, the magnificent Gorges du Verdon, with its dramatic scenery and vast chasms. Our day begins with a visit to Moustiers Ste Marie, a pretty hillside village known for its decorative ceramics and its history. Legend has it that the knight Bozon de Blacas was held captive by the Saracens in the 10th century and pledged to hang a star above his village if he could ever return home safely. The star that shines above Moustiers today is only fifty years old but was painted gold following an unfortunate fall over ten years ago. Worn thin by the wind, the iron had snapped sending the star crashing into the ravine below. One month later, the star was once again hung above the village.
We continue to La Palud sur Verdon, where we have time for lunch before a scenic drive around the famous ‘Route des Crêtes’, which offers some of the most breathtaking panoramic viewpoints of the canyon. The Verdon National Park is spread over two French departments, encompasses 43 towns, and has an area estimated at nearly 178,000 hectares. Rich in flora and fauna, and an area of spectacular natural beauty, the Gorges du Verdon is one of Provence’s greatest attractions.
- Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Optional Excursions
Our optional excursions are a great addition to enhance your holiday experience and are highly recommended.| 2022 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|
|
£24.00 | £25.00 |
The optional excursions will be available to book during your tour.
Prices are per person and are subject to change. Payment will be in Euros (cash payments) or sterling (via card payments). Card payments are available on Luxuria and Silver Service only.
Prices are per person and are subject to change. Payment will be in Euros (cash payments) or sterling (via card payments). Card payments are available on Luxuria and Silver Service only.
Day 10 - Ardèche
This morning we explore the wild, rugged, yet intensely beautiful scenery of the Ardèche, seeing quaint villages clinging to the hillsides. We travel to the spectacular Ardèche gorge taking the scenic route through the gorge, from St. Martin d’Ardèche to Vallon Pont d’Arc, stopping at one of the viewpoints to admire the pretty vistas. We have a little time at leisure in Vallon Pont d’Arc before we travel on to the Lyon/Macon area for an overnight stay.
- Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Included Highlights
- Ardeche
Day 11
We have an early departure this morning as we travel north to the Paris area where we have an overnight stay. This evening, be sure to take advantage of our optional visit into the Latin Quarter, a bustling area of restaurants, cafés and souvenir shops to the south of the Ile de la Cité and Notre Dame. Here, you can enjoy the atmosphere and sample the local bars and restaurants.
- Included meals: Breakfast
Optional Excursions
Our optional excursions are a great addition to enhance your holiday experience and are highly recommended.| 2022 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|
|
£20.50 | £22.00 |
The optional excursions will be available to book during your tour.
Prices are per person and are subject to change. Payment will be in Euros (cash payments) or sterling (via card payments). Card payments are available on Luxuria and Silver Service only.
Prices are per person and are subject to change. Payment will be in Euros (cash payments) or sterling (via card payments). Card payments are available on Luxuria and Silver Service only.
Day 12
Return home.
- Included meals: Breakfast
Please note entrance fees to the châteaux on days 2 and 3 are at additional cost, usually around €12 per château.
Single Room Supplement from £359.00 (12 days).
Day 1
Local departure by coach or Door-to-Door service, then to the Rouen area for an overnight stay.
Day 2 - Tours & Azay-le-Rideau
We travel to Tours in the Loire Valley where we enjoy a little time at leisure in Tours centre, before continuing to the pretty village of Azay-le-Rideau with its small but incredibly beautiful château. (Please note: entrance costs for châteaux or places of interest are at additional cost). After time at leisure in Azay-le-Rideau, we continue to our hotel in Chinon, a smart ‘bourgeois’ town, where we stay for two nights.
- Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Included Highlights
- Tours
- Azay-le-Rideau
Day 3 - Loire Valley
Today’s full-day included excursion takes us through the countryside to visit some of the Loire Valley’s most beautiful villages. We travel first to the picturesque town of Blois, then continue to Amboise on the banks of the Loire River. Amboise is famous for its château, and the Clos Lucé manor house, the place where Leonardo da Vinci lived and ultimately died. We end the day at the village of Chenonceaux, home to the Château de Chenonceau built over the River Cher. The château has extensive parks and gardens created by its many mistresses. (Please note that entrance costs for châteaux or places of interest are at additional cost).
- Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Included Highlights
- Loire Valley
Day 4 - Oradour-sur-Glane
En-route to Rocamadour, we visit the memorial village of Oradour-sur-Glane. Scene of a terrible massacre on 10th June 1944 by the German SS, the village has been frozen in time ever since. We then continue our journey to the Dordogne region, and the village of Rocamadour where we stay for two nights.
- Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Included Highlights
- Oradour-sur-Glane
Day 5 - Rocamadour
Enjoy a day at leisure to explore the pilgrimage town of Rocamadour, where Saint Amadour was reputed to have lived as a hermit. The village is perched high on a limestone cliff in the heart of the Dordogne, and here you'll find many small chapels, including the Chapelle de Notre Dame with its famous Black Madonna, a 12th century carved wooden depiction of the Virgin Mary holding baby Jesus.
- Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Included Highlights
- Rocamadour
Day 6 - Carcassonne
After breakfast we begin the journey to Carcassonne, famous for the defences of the medieval city. The city exists in two parts – the more modern ‘Bastide St. Louis’, which contains the Cathedral of St. Michel, and the walled 'Cité Medieval', whose fortifications were built over many centuries and featured in the religious wars between the Cathars and Albigenses. This afternoon we enjoy time at leisure for exploration before we continue to our hotel in the Carcassonne area for an overnight stay.
- Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Included Highlights
- Carcassonne
Day 7 - Béziers & the Grotte de Clamouse
This morning we travel to the hill-top town of Béziers, where the Canal du Midi crosses the river by means of an aqueduct. After time to discover the town’s rich history, we continue to the famous Grotte de Clamouse, a spectacular series of caves whose amazing abundance of aragonite and calcite formations make it one of the most popular caves in France. After our included visit to the Grotte de Clamouse we continue our journey to Aix-en-Provence, where we stay for three nights.
- Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Included Highlights
- Béziers & the Grotte de Clamouse
Day 8 - Bormes les Mimosas & St. Raphael
Today, our included excursion takes us firstly to the pretty floral village of Bormes les Mimosas, which dates to the 12th century and is renowned to be one of the most beautiful places in the Var region due to its historic buildings, narrow winding streets, and abundance of flowers. We then travel to St. Raphael, a striking riviera resort with its old town area with shaded alleyways, and the ‘Quartier de la Marine’ which was originally a fisherman’s haven and became a renowned seaside resort in the 19th century when the casino and many luxurious villas were built.
- Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Included Highlights
- Bormes les Mimosas
- St. Raphael
Day 9 - Free Time or Gorges du Verdon
Enjoy free time in Aix-en-Provence, or why not join us for a full-day optional excursion to one of the most impressive natural sights in Europe, the magnificent Gorges du Verdon, with its dramatic scenery and vast chasms. Our day begins with a visit to Moustiers Ste Marie, a pretty hillside village known for its decorative ceramics and its history. Legend has it that the knight Bozon de Blacas was held captive by the Saracens in the 10th century and pledged to hang a star above his village if he could ever return home safely. The star that shines above Moustiers today is only fifty years old but was painted gold following an unfortunate fall over ten years ago. Worn thin by the wind, the iron had snapped sending the star crashing into the ravine below. One month later, the star was once again hung above the village. We continue to La Palud sur Verdon, where we have time for lunch before a scenic drive around the famous ‘Route des Crêtes’, which offers some of the most breathtaking panoramic viewpoints of the canyon. The Verdon National Park is spread over two French departments, encompasses 43 towns, and has an area estimated at nearly 178,000 hectares. Rich in flora and fauna, and an area of spectacular natural beauty, the Gorges du Verdon is one of Provence’s greatest attractions.
- Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Optional Excursions
Our optional excursions are a great addition to enhance your holiday experience and are highly recommended.| 2022 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|
|
£24.00 | £25.00 |
The optional excursions will be available to book during your tour.
Prices are per person and are subject to change. Payment will be in Euros (cash payments) or sterling (via card payments). Card payments are available on Luxuria and Silver Service only.
Prices are per person and are subject to change. Payment will be in Euros (cash payments) or sterling (via card payments). Card payments are available on Luxuria and Silver Service only.
Day 10 - Ardèche
This morning we explore the wild, rugged, yet intensely beautiful scenery of the Ardèche, seeing quaint villages clinging to the hillsides. We travel to the spectacular Ardèche gorge taking the scenic route through the gorge, from St. Martin d’Ardèche to Vallon Pont d’Arc, stopping at one of the viewpoints to admire the pretty vistas. We have a little time at leisure in Vallon Pont d’Arc before we travel on to the Lyon/Macon area for an overnight stay.
- Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Included Highlights
- Ardèche
Day 11
We have an early departure this morning as we travel north to the Paris area where we have an overnight stay. This evening, be sure to take advantage of our optional visit into the Latin Quarter, a bustling area of restaurants, cafés and souvenir shops to the south of the Ile de la Cité and Notre Dame. Here, you can enjoy the atmosphere and sample the local bars and restaurants.
- Included meals: Breakfast
Optional Excursions
Our optional excursions are a great addition to enhance your holiday experience and are highly recommended.| 2022 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|
|
£20.50 | £22.00 |
The optional excursions will be available to book during your tour.
Prices are per person and are subject to change. Payment will be in Euros (cash payments) or sterling (via card payments). Card payments are available on Luxuria and Silver Service only.
Prices are per person and are subject to change. Payment will be in Euros (cash payments) or sterling (via card payments). Card payments are available on Luxuria and Silver Service only.
Day 12
Return home.
- Included meals: Breakfast
Please note entrance fees to the châteaux on days 2 and 3 are at additional cost, usually around €12 per château.
Single Room Supplement from £359.00 (12 days).
Grand Tour of France – Picturebook Treasures 12 days from £1449pp
Book online OR call our friendly travel advisers on:
01709 787 463
Accommodation
If you prefer, then you can join the tour at the hotel. To do this, we will require a copy of your passport for identification purposes and you must advise us at the time of booking.
No reduction will be given if you should choose to do this.
All hotel rooms benefit from private bathroom facilities.
Some hotels have tea and coffee making facilities. Please check the tour pages for more
information or call our Customer Service Department on 01709 830333.
Most hotels have a lift, please call our Customer Service Department on 01709 830333 for more information.
Some hotels have ground floor rooms. Please email for information on individual hotels or call our Customer Service Department on 01709 830333.
Your hotels will supply towels in your room.
We are unable to guarantee that the hotel will be able to meet your dietary requirements. We find that the majority of European countries do not generally cater for vegetarians and that the meal supplied may well be what everyone else is having minus the meat.
We will of course endeavour to arrange for a vegetarian meal at the hotel. We do however suggest that you advise us of your dietary requests at the time of booking and recommend that you speak to the receptionist on arrival with regard to your request.
In the Loire Valley, you will stay for two nights in a minimum 3-star hotel, followed by a two-night stay at the 2-star Hotel du Lion d'Or in Rocamadour. You will then spend one night at a 3-star hotel in the Carcassonne area, and three nights at the 3-star Novotel Beaumanoir, in Aix-en-Provence.
Overnight stays in Lyon/Macon and Paris/Rouen areas will be in minimum 3-star, city-style hotels.
Please Note: Due to demand, we may use other hotels of a similar standard. Your exact hotel details will be provided with your travel documents.
Novotel Rouen Sud
- English Speaking Staff
- Guest Lounge
- Bar
- Restaurant
- Lift
- WiFi Available
- Fully Health and Safety Compliant
- TV
- Tea and Coffee Making Facilities
- Hairdryer
- Telephone
- Smoke Detectors in Every Room
Novotel Aix En Provence Beaumanoir
- English Speaking Staff
- Guest Lounge
- Bar
- Restaurant
- Lift
- WiFi Available
- Fully Health and Safety Compliant
- TV
- Tea and Coffee Making Facilities
- Hairdryer
- Bath and/or Shower
- Telephone
- Smoke Detectors in Every Room
Hotel du Lion D'Or
- English Speaking Staff
- Guest Lounge
- Restaurant
- Lift
- WiFi Available
- TV
- Hairdryer
- Bath and/or Shower
- Telephone
Brit Hotel Carcassonne - Bosquet
- English Speaking Staff
- Bar
- Restaurant
- WiFi Available
- Tea and Coffee Making Facilities
- Hairdryer
- Bath and/or Shower
- Telephone
Novotel Macon Nord
- English Speaking Staff
- Guest Lounge
- Bar
- Restaurant
- WiFi Available
- Fully Health and Safety Compliant
- TV
- Tea and Coffee Making Facilities
- Hairdryer
- Telephone
- Smoke Detectors in Every Room
Ibis Styles Chinon
- English Speaking Staff
- Guest Lounge
- Bar
- Restaurant
- Lift
- WiFi Available
- TV
- Hairdryer
- Bath and/or Shower
- Telephone
Ibis Carcassonne Est la Cite
Travel Options
Departure times given for each region are approximate. Please check your travel documents to confirm the actual timings.
Front row seats can be reserved for £15pp (up to 6 days duration), £25pp (7 and 8 days duration), £30pp (9 to 11 days) or £35pp (12 days or more) on all European tours. This offer is only available for bookings of two or four persons on our Executive and Silver Service coaches and for one or two persons on our Luxuria coaches and is subject to availability. In addition to this, seats on the second row can be reserved for a supplement of £8pp (up to 6 days duration), £15pp (7 and 8 days duration), £18pp (9 to 11 days) or £22pp (12 days or more).
Guaranteed front or second row seats cannot be reserved on transfer journeys to/from the UK port. Occasionally, front and second row seats may be on a request only basis.
Please note: children under 15 years of age are not permitted to sit in the front seats of any coach.
On some coaches the legroom on front seats, central view seats and seats directly in front of the washroom may be slightly less than that available on other seats due to the presence of a modesty board in front.
If your tour is cancelled or merged for any reason and front or second row seats or central view seats or table seats are not available on your tour, you will be refunded any supplement paid. No other compensation will be payable.
Alternatively, we can take seating requests on your booking. However, requests are not guaranteed. All seat numbers are confirmed on travel documents approximately 7-10 days prior to departure.
Central View Seats are available to pre-book free of charge.
Table Seats are available to pre-book free of charge on our Luxuria coaches.
We guarantee that all passengers on the same booking will be seated together on the main tour coach.
Seats on the transfer coaches to and from the interchange are not allocated.
Hot and cold drinks are served on your main tour coach. Prices are approximately £1 or €1.25 Euro per drink. Prices will be confirmed by your driver.
Transfer coaches are routed approximately 2-3 weeks before departure. The route taken depends on where paassengers are booked to travel from on any particular date as to which route is taken. If you require further detailed information regarding the route to the port you can contact our Customer Service Department on 01709 830333 two weeks before you are due to travel.
With regard to the route taken by the main tour coach, this is determined by the driver.
All main tour coaches have on-board toilets. Transfer vehicles to and from the interchange may not have on-board toilets. When non-British coaches are
used on transfers and tours (air holidays only) an on-board toilet may not be available. However, comfort stops will be made during long journeys.
All coaches feature air-conditioning. Should the air-conditioning system break down for a period exceeding 12 hours,
compensation will be awarded up to a maximum of £10 per fare-paying passenger per tour.
All our coaches and transfer vehicles operate a 'no smoking on board policy'. The use of electronic cigarettes is strictly forbidden.
In the interest of fellow guests, do not take hot food or ice cream on board.
Customers own alcohol cannot be consumed on board our vehicles.
Depending on the location of your pickup point, you may be picked up by coach (not necessarily the on you are touring on), minibus, taxi, National Express or Megabus service. You may then be taken to another centralised pickup location or service station. We operate a passenger interchange at Stop 24 Services, where you will meet the tour coach you are holidaying on and then continue on with your outbound journey. Similarly, on the way home, you may also change transfer vehicles at another location, to take you to your final drop off point.
Your allowance is one medium sized suitcase per person, which
should weigh no more than 20kg when full. We
may refuse to carry larger or heavier cases.
Hand luggage should be stored in the overhead
racks aboard the coach. Nothing should be stored under your seat.
When it comes to getting you to your destination, Leger Holidays make it easy, with a selection of travel options for you to choose from.
Silver Service Features
- Sit back and relax in specially-designed, deluxe reclining seats, with leather headrests, footrests and more legroom than standard coaches.
- Enjoy the perfect temperature onboard with climate control.
- Relax and have a chat in the spacious rear lounge.
- Servery on board offering a range of refreshments.
- Porterage* at most hotels, so you really don’t have to lift a finger.
- Time flies with our onboard entertainment system.
- With free personal headphones you can tune into the music channel, listen to the radio or watch DVDs.
- Onboard toilet
Silver Service Seating Plan
Silver Service Virtual Tour
Luxuria Features
- Deluxe armchair-style seats with leather exterior, central arm rests with cup holders and retractable calf rests give you a more comfortable journey.
- Every seat has its own, fully interactive, touch screen T.V. offering a wide choice of entertainment so you can control what you want to watch and when.
- There’s also a selection of double and single seats, including four seats face-to-face with tables. And with a total of 5 single seats available, these are ideal for passengers travelling independently.
- Plug sockets and USB points at each seat mean you can keep your devices fully charged throughout your journey.
- Onboard toilet.
Luxuria Seating Plan
Luxuria Virtual Tour
Find your nearest joining point
We have hundreds of coach joining points throughout England, Scotland and Wales. To find your nearest joining point, search using your postcode below.
*Please note joining points are subject to availability.
Travel Extras
Why not go the night before your tour for a relaxing start?
You can park for FREE for up to nine days at the Holiday Inn Ashford North and enjoy an overnight stay with English breakfast from just £41.50 per person (Based on 2 sharing a twin/double room on a B&B basis, subject to availability. Single supplements and terms and conditions apply.) We’ll then collect you from the hotel on the day of departure and return you there at the end of your holiday.
To book this package, please call the hotel on 01233 713333, select option 1, quoting ‘Leger Holidays’ and your booking reference. If your holiday is longer than seven days you can pay for additional days’ parking. Ask one of our friendly reservations team for more details when you book your holiday
On most holidays if you’d prefer to join your tour coach at Stop 24 services, you can park your car in the car park which is accredited by the Park Mark safer parking scheme and is monitored 24 hours a day by CCTV. Payment for the parking is made on arrival using the self-service machines. Excludes holidays to Ireland and the U.K. and tours travelling via Brittany Ferries.
Customer Reviews
To book this tour, just give our friendly team a call on 01709 787 463 or book online at www.leger.co.uk
