The crafts of Southern France include silk weaving, ceramics, pottery, wool weaving, santon carving, and more. We visit enchanting cities famous for folk art, colorful flower markets, flea markets, interesting museums, delicious food, and wonderful scenery. Our hotels are charming, conveniently located, and comfortable. We travel in the safety and comfort of a motorcoach accompanied by an expert decorative arts guide. Wait til you taste the food!
Your Itinerary
Day 1:
Depart USA
(D)
Day 2:
We arrive in Paris, transfer to the TGV train and speed on to Lyon accompanied by our guide. After check in at the Hotel Libertel Beaux Arts in Lyon, we are free to relax.
(B)
Day 3:
Lyon, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is capital of the silk trade in France. We visit the Fine Arts Museum. Our Welcome Lunch at the famous Brasserie George will help you understand why everyone raves about the food in Lyon.
(B) (L)
Day 4:
We explore the silk weavers' district in Lyon, visiting a reconstruction of a silk weaver's residence, then tour active workshops to see silk printing and painting, braid weaving and taffeta weaving. We spend the night in Lyon.
(B)
Day 5:
Visit Beajolais vineyards to see beautiful scenery and taste some wine. Back in Lyon we visit the Textile Museum to see fabulous antique textiles. Dinner is at the famous Tour Rose restaurant.
(B) (D)
Day 6:
We travel through the Valley of Rhone stopping for lunch in Avignon. Then on to Aix-en-Provence where Paul Cezanne was born. We check in to the Les Augustins hotel created from a 15th century convent.
(B) (L)
Day 7:
Aix was the capitol of Provence in the 15th century and is still an important cultural and intellectual center. We tour the Antiques and Flea Markets, visit the Tapestry Museum, then a Santons Workshop. Hand-molded in native clay, the santon is a true Provencal folk art. Then we visit a factory that makes the famous Calisson almond-paste candy.
(B)
Day 8:
This morning we are free to explore Aix on our own. This afternoon we travel to Marseilles and stop at the famous soap factory, Le Serail, the last soap factory in Marseille. Dinner tonight at Cafe Les 2 Garcons, a famous brasserie where Cezanne, Zola, and Winston Churchill dined.
(B) (D)
Day 9:
We visit a Provencal cloth factory where we see the creation of the beloved colorful fabric so well-known throughout the world. Lunch is at a typical restaurant among the cypress and olive trees. We visit Arles, where Van Gogh painted. We then travel to Nimes where we check in to the charming 3-star Hotel Imperator.
(B) (L)
Day 10:
Denim had its origin in Nimes, a textile town. We explore the Museum of Old Nimes. This afternoon we visit some of the many antique and second hand dealers and explore various city sites. Dinner tonight at a typical restaurant.
(B) (D)
Day 11:
We travel to Castres, famous for its wool products. We explore this town of textile mills, spinning mills, dying and dressing workshops. We continue to Sarlat-en-Perigord where we check in to the 3-star hotel la Salamandre.
(B)
Day 12:
Sarlat is an exceptionally preserved medieval jewel in the heart of the Perigord Noir region. We explore the town this morning. This afternoon we go to Aubusson where renowned tapestries and carpets are manufactured. We visit a weaving workshop, This evening we have a guided tour of Sarlat by night.
(B)
Day 13:
We travel to Limoges to visit an enamel workshop and the fabulous Enamel Museum. We explore the Porcelain Museum and the Old City before returning to our hotel in Sarlat.
(B)
Day 14:
Before going to Libourne to catch the TGV train back to Paris, we stop at Lascaux II, a reproduction of the famous caves. We explore the caves where animals are painted on the walls. We arrived in Paris and check in to the Grand Hotel St. Michel. Our Farewell dinner is tonight.
(B) (D)
Day 15:
We depart for home.
(B)
Notes:
Airfare is included in the tour price.
Price includes roundtrip airfare from New York, 5 dinners, 4 lunches, breakfast daily, all hotels with private bathrooms, entrance fees, motorcoach/driver, expert guide, tour escort throughout.
Also see tour packages in:
Europe
France
Artistry
Crafts Tours
Archeology/History
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