France Holidays

Day 1Villefranche-sur-Saone to Beaujolais Wine RegionBonjour, welcome to your foodie adventure! Today kicks off with a complimentary transfer from Villefranche-sur-Saone Station to our 16th Century Chateau. Rub your eyes, blink: yep, that's our accommodation for the night, complete with a bar, swimming pool and dreamy views of the surrounding vineyards. Once we've checked in and chilled out we'll be feeling like royalty, and that's before we enjoy some local wine paired with cheese. Then our team of live-in chefs will prepare an authentic French Dinner. We'll tuck in while enjoying magnificent views of the Beaujolais countryside. What a day, and we're just getting started...Day 2Beaujolais Wine RegionRise and shine! After a hearty homemade breakfast and some on-the-lawn yoga (consider the cobwebs cleared) we'll visit one of the local wineries that this region is famous for. We'll learn about the world-famous Beaujolais Nouveau, meet a local winemaker and of course, sample some of their finest drops - paired with an included lunch.  Stuffed with a new knowledge of wine and food, we'll head back to the château for a well deserved chilled night (and an included dinner too). Here you're free to chill out as you like... swimming, walking, or just kicking back on the terrace, the choice is yours!Day 3LyonAfter a spot of breakfast, we'll bid au revoir to our château for the day... and head into Lyon for a change of pace. Here in Lyon, we'll start by appreciating all things FOOD. On a foodie walking tour, we'll sample the city's prettiest and tastiest food spots, with a local guide to impart all their knowledge and wisdom. We'll also uncover 'Hidden Lyon' through secret passageways, known locally as Traboules. Then, it's time to head to the local village, for a 3 course farewell dinner of traditional French cuisine. This is the good life. Once we've had time to digest our dinner, we'll get to explore this cute village before heading back to the château for a glass of wine at the bar. Oh France, do we really have to leave you?Day 4Beaujolais Wine RegionIt's our final morning (sob), but that doesn't mean we can't enjoy one last breakfast together. You can take a complimentary transfer this morning back to Villefranche-sur-Saone, or make your own arrangements. The trip is over, but all of those delicious memories will put smiles on our faces for years to come.Dining Summary3 Dinner (D)3 Breakfast (B)2 Lunch (L)FAQsLondon: What is a Detour? Our Detour trips are minibreaks packed full of unique, local-led experiences. They’re perfect if you’re looking for a short weekend trip or just wanna spend a little more time at your destination.London: How many people will be on my trip? You know we love social travel here. While most of our trips have large groups, the Detour trips are all about small group travel. Check out the maximum group size on the trip page above, your group will never be larger than this.London: Can I share a room with my partner on this trip? Your Trip Manager will advise you on who you’ll share your room with. On this trip, you’ll stay in a multi-share room with other travellers of the same sex.London: What’s included? In classic Contiki style, your accommodation and transport are included in the trip. Plus, we’ll sort out some meals and activities that are outlined in the itinerary. That’s not all, though. You’ll also have an expert Local Host to give you an inside scoop at every destination.London: What’s not included? All you have to do is check whether you need a visa (and apply for one if you do!), book your insurance and arrange your transport to the start location of the trip. We’ll handle the rest!London: Can I stay for a few extra days? Our trips are short & sweet (and loaded with fun activities). That’s why we don’t offer pre or post trip accommodation.Beaujolais Wine Region: Can you cater to dietary requirements? We always try our best to cater to every dietary requirement. But for this trip, we’re restricted for what is available locally & seasonally. So if you require a vegan or gluten-free diet, there might be a few experiences on this trip that won’t have the option to cater to specific requirements.Beaujolais Wine Region: Is the wine provided vegan? Most French wines are made using products derived from animals, so they aren’t vegan.Beaujolais Wine Region: Are towels provided? We don’t provide towels on this trip. So, please remember to pack your own towel!HostToday in Lyon, we'll be joined by a Lyonnaise local who's passionate about their city... and its recipes. That's right, today is the perfect tourism & food combo - we'll walk the streets, sample local dishes and discover Lyon's best food spots. You'll be feeling like a local in no time.Included ExperienceVillefranche-sur-Saone: The wait is over. Find your new Contiki crew and be driven in style by one of our Trip Managers through the gorgeous Beaujolais wine region to the Contiki chateau.Beaujolais: Time to settle in and get to know your new BFFs - whilst learning about locally produced wine and cheese (and of course, taste it too)!Beaujolais Wine Region: Set within the rolling hills of the Beaujolais wine region, the legendary Contiki Château special stay has been wowing travellers for decades. From the luxe bar to the elegant new bedrooms, our Château is the perfect backdrop to long summer days lounging by the pool, capped off with French feasts, local wine and dancing the night away in ‘La Cave.’Beaujolais: Clear out the cobwebs and get in touch with you zen side with a guided yoga session on the sweeping lawns of the château.Beaujolais Wine Region: Head out to a local vineyard for a tour with an expert in all things wine. But that's not all. You'll dine on a luxurious three-course lunch paired with wine tasting.Lyon: Foodies, history buffs, anyone with a taste for culture, today is a true feast for you! Joined by a Lyonnaise expert, we'll explore Lyon on foot, checking out local restaurants, patisseries, food merchants.Villefranche-sur-Saone: It's almost time to bid farewell to the Beaujolais region. But, not before this iconic last meal in the historic town of Oignt - known for its stunning architecture and beautiful views.Beaujolais: And we'll head back to where it all began, at Villefranche Sur Saone Station. Happy hearts. Full stomachs. And unbeatable wine standards - that's how we roll.

Travel between: From 22...

Day 1We’ll kick off our cheerful celebrations here in the sparkling City of Love. You’ll be greeted with festive displays in every nook and cranny. Tonight, we’ll cruise over the Seine to see Paris in all its glory. But not before grabbing dinner. Just you, your crew, and buzzin’ good vibes.Day 2No better way to get into the Christmas spirit than by smelling like cinnamon & pine (and everything nice). This morning, we’ll visit a French perfumery. Then, you’ve got free time to check out all the pretty markets here. We'll regroup this evening to visit the most spectacular theatre in all of Paris - and she'll be beautifully decorated this time of the year.Day 3We’ll leave the twinkling lights of Paris to find ourselves in France’s breathtaking Loire Valley. Lucky you! December is the BEST time to visit this wonderful Chateau. Expect surreal sights of decked up halls, decorated trees, and wonderful illuminations. This evening is reserved for tasting your way through Tours’ Christmas markets. Oh, and we're staying right in the centre of town. So, explore as late as you like!Day 4After a short n’ sweet stay in Tours, we’ll take the eastern road to Dijon where even more medieval charm (and mustard) awaits us. First things first - your Trip Manager will show you all the highlights of town. Wondering what to do with your free time? Just follow the owl symbols etched into the walls of the most famous monuments here.In the late afternoon, we'll drive down to Beaune. Drop your bags at the hotel of this beautiful walled town before we head out for dinner at a local restaurant.Day 5Goodbye Beaune. Today we’re visiting two of the most famous Christmas markets in Europe!On our first stop today, you’ll be greeted with vibrant Christmas markets & cobblestoned streets. You have some free time to take it all in before we head off to stop two. You guessed it - even more Christmas markets await us here. You’ll have the chance to join for a festive food walking tour to explore Strasbourg’s unique French-German cuisine. Bellies full, and souls satisfied - we’ll get cosy at our hotel in Metz.Day 6Morning, sleeping beauties! If you can pull yourself outta your cosy, cosy bed - we have a bubbly day ahead of us.Christmas in France is incomplete without champagne. Luckily, we’re right here in its hometown, where you’ll have the chance to try the fizzy goodness at a classic champagne house. Dreamy Reims is where we’ll have our final round of Christmas markets exploration. Stroll the streets with your Trip Manager on an orientation tour before joining us for a warm & wholesome farewell dinner.Day 7It might be our final day out here. But we promise, these 7 days of France’s festive charm will stay with you forever. If you’re hitching a ride with us to Paris, hop on for one last coach journey of this trip. And that’s it for now, folks. After a week of French food & festivities, it’s time to say au revoir. Don’t worry, there are plenty more merry destinations to explore. Maybe Germany's markets next time?

Travel between: From 29...

Day 1Bonsoir travellers! Hope you’re ready for 7 epic days of French food, culture and views. Our first rendezvous is in the City of Love (obvs). This evening, we'll grab a welcome dinner with the crew, before hopping onto our coach to discover Paris by night. Get ready to capture the view of the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe AND the Louvre! Then we’ll set sail on a Seine River cruise to see the City of Love sparkle in all its glory at night. This is what love at first sight feels like!Day 2Croissants, coffees, pastries and perfumes - feeling like a Parisian already? After a tour of the city's charming Patisseries, you'll have the chance to discover a French perfumery. Then, you’ve got free time to hit all the epic museums here (you’ll love The Louvre!), and hit a local foodie hotspot for dinner.Day 3Au revoir, Paris. Next stop? The historic region of Normandy. History nerds, it’s your time to shine. We’ll stop by for lunch in the quaint medieval town of Bayeux. Then you’ll visit the historic D-Day Landing Beaches & all its memorials. A quick tour of the Omaha Beach Museum will fill you in on their significance. A short drive later, we’ll reach Caen - our home for the night. You’ve got plenty of restaurants to choose from for dinner tonight. Something tells us you’ll be eating a lot of apples here…Day 4Morning, sleeping beauties. Today’s agenda is all about jaw-dropping views. So freshen up, feast on breakfast and hop on! Cameras at the ready! This beautiful island (topped with a charming Abbey) will have you swooning over its unique perfect silhouette. Come explore all the intricate streets before we head on to our next stop. We’ll drive through the Loire Valley that’s famous for its chateaus. Best part? You have the chance to visit THE most charming one out here - Château de Chambord! The sun’s about to set. Tummies are starting to grumble. Surprise! Dinner’s on us tonight. So fuel up before we head out again tonight to discover Orlean’s historical hotspots.Day 5Adieu, Orleans. The home of elegant bubbles awaits us. Raise a toast, because today you have the chance to discover a historical Champagne house on a guided tour (and taste some of that fizzy goodness too, ofc!). When in France…right? Time to tick another delightful French city off our list. Welcome to Reims! After checking into our hotel for the night, we’ll head out to get oriented with the city’s sights (including the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Cathedral of Notre-Dame of Reims).Day 6Oh, Reims - you’ve been a dream. But before we head back to Paris, we’ll stop by another chateau!  You’ve got the option to frolic around the garden, or check out how the finger-licking tasty Chantilly cream is made in a local workshop. This is your final chance to live like French nobility. Nice to see you again, Paris. It’s our final night here, so there’s only one thing left to do - watch a Moulin Rouge show with a delicious dinner, ofc!Day 7And after breakfast, it’s time to say goodbye to France. Don’t forget to exchange socials with your crew (no French exits here, please!). Who knows which shiny new destination is on the cards for the next time…

Travel between: From 07...

Day 1Start your unforgettable European adventure in Amsterdam. If you can tear your eyes from its scenic canals, you'll be staring at the city's teetering gabled homes that proclaim their birthyear with pride on their colourful facades. There's no better way to immerse yourself fully in Amsterdam's gezelligheid than taking an optional canal cruise in a glass-topped boat this evening.Day 2From Amsterdam’s leafy canals to the towering spires of Cologne, your morning will be jam-packed with sights you’ll want to capture on camera as you head east into the lush landscapes of Germany. View the imposing Gothic Cologne Cathedral, then head to Boppard, where you’ll board a river cruise down the Rhine. Pass storybook villages, terraced vineyards and medieval castles where feuding lords must have surveyed their lands once upon a time. Watch the soul-stirring scenery of the Rhine Valley unfold as you kick back and watch the world go by. Arrive later at your hotel where you’ll join your travel companions for dinner.Day 3Straight out of a Brothers Grimm fairy tale, Germany’s Black Forest is the perfect backdrop for this morning’s scenic drive. You’ll see why its enchanting landscapes have inspired myths and fables throughout the centuries before crossing into Switzerland. A quick stop in Schaffhausen means there’s time to witness the cascading waters of the Rhine Falls, Europe’s biggest waterfall, before you arrive in the scenic region of Lake Lucerne. This evening, consider a Choice Experience to a Swiss folklore show which will highlight many Swiss traditions including yodelling and alpine horn playing.Day 4Join your Travel Director for an orientation through the Old Town to view the ancient Chapel Bridge and Lion Monument. Hear the story of the mournful lion hewn from rock to commemorate the sacrifice of the Swiss Guards who died defending Louis XVI during the French Revolution. You’ll then have the full day to discover why Lucerne earned its place on the 'Grand Tour' of Europe. You could choose to ascend to the alpine heavens, joining an optional scenic cruise across Lake Lucerne, then travel by railway and cable car into the mountains for exhilarating views.Day 5Enjoy a brief second encounter with the Rhine River when you head north, passing Basel en route to France. Admire the scenic views of the Burgundy wine region that follow your journey north to the French capital. Get a head start on your sightseeing and delve into Paris’ grand past, dynamic present and exciting future on your own this evening. Why not join a Choice Experience featuring a scenic river cruise and a drive through this glamorous city?Day 6Embrace elegance today with a full day to get under the skin of the City of Lights. Your Travel Director will deliver an excellent introduction during your sightseeing tour which includes views of the Arc de Triomphe, Eiffel Tower and Champs-Élysées. There’s time to see the sights on your own this afternoon. You could choose to hit the shops or tread in the footsteps of Picasso and Dalí in Montmartre, exploring its maze of streets and Artists' Square. Tonight, the frills and flounces of the can-can girls at a cabaret promise an entertaining evening should you wish to join this Choice Experience.Day 7After breakfast, say farewell to your fellow travellers at the end of your holiday.

Travel between: From 30...