GEMS OF THE FRENCH ALPS

Depart towards north and the Beaujolais, the land of the golden stones or “Little Tuscany”. Take a scenic drive through the countryside. Free evening

Join us for dinner at the hotel tonight 

Meals B (on plane), D

Overnight Hotel Le Lac in Malbuisson - Lake View Rooms

This morning visit a unique Comté cheese maturing cellar located in a former military fort . You will see how this local gem is made. The gallery enjoys a unique climate. The thick walls and rock faces now offer their qualities to 140,000 wheels of Comté cheese. Then head to Salins Les Bains to visit the Royal Saltworks, a Unesco World Heritage Site and immerse yourself in the history of "white salt", a major economic resource in the Jura region for centuries. Join us for lunch at a lovely local restaurant for a typical jura menu.

This afternoon spend some free time in the lovely Jura Town of Arbois where you may want to visit Louis Pasteur's house (the famous scientist)

This land shaped by history possesses a rich heritage with majestic century-old wine properties. Stop in a local cellar and sample some of the property homemade wines. 

Overnight Hotel Le Lac in Malbuisson - Lake view rooms

Meals B,L,D

Depart to Lyon.

On the way visit the Royal Monastery of Brou, a pure masterpiece of art and jewel of Gothic Flamboyant style of the 16th century and labeled "one of the most beautiful churches of France". Enjoy lunch in the medieval village of Perouges, where you will have some free time to discover this village known as one of the prettiest village of France.

The rest of the afternoon is free for you to enjoy the city of Lyon

Meals B,L

Overnight Hotel Globe and cecil

This morning, take a panoramic sightseeing tour with a guide in Lyon to Fourvière Hill and Vieux Lyon old town walking tour of the « Vieux Lyon », the historical UNESCO district. Through 2000 years of History, start from St John’s cathedral and enjoy strolling around narrow streets passing from inner courtyards to the famous « traboules » (secret corridors between streets) and let yourself be charmed by secrets and fascinating stories…  You will then take a cooking class where you’ll learn how to make traditional Lyonnaise dishes or other regional specialties and enjoy a wonderful lunch with local wine.

In the afternoon, guided tour of Croix Rousse district to visit the so-called « working hill » by following the footsteps of the « Canuts », silk weavers. Commented tour of the « Maison des Canuts »: explanations on the technical, social and creative prestige of the silk industry of Lyon since 5 centuries, and attend to a rare weaving demonstration on a 4-meter high Jacquard loom! 

Overnight Hotel Globe and Cecil

Meals B,L

In the morning, drive to Annecy and explore the Old Town with a local guide. Often called the "Venice of the Alps", pass by its Palais de l’Isle, built in 1132, and the Castle of Annecy which dominates the town, the lake and the mountains : stroll along the canals that give the city its unique charm. Enjoy some free time for lunch.

Afternoon at leisure in this beautiful town

Overnight Hotel Le Pelican or similar

Meals B

Today, depart to visit the Paccard Bell Museum in Sévrier to immerse yourself in the fascinating history of the Paccard family. Bells will hold no more secrets for you! Then, attend to a singing and carillon concert, a performance - unique in the world - will allow you to discover Paccard bells with a voice and carillon duo.

Continue to the pass of Col de la Forclaz and have lunch in a typical chalet with cheese specialties with stunning lake views.

Make your way to Menthon and visit of the Château de Menthon Saint Bernard: it remains one of the few castles in France to have belonged to the same family for 23 known generations. This legacy from their ancestors, along with biodynamic viticulture and permaculture, is part of a renewed social responsibility that draws its energy from our roots. End the tour with a wine tasting.

Tonight join us for dinner and beverages on board a boat on the lake of Annecy, whose waters are from the purest in the world and is remarkable by its astonishing crystalline blue green colors.

Overnight Hotel Le Pelican or similar

Meals B,L,D

Drive to Chamonix and stop in the village of Combloux to visit the Baroque Church of Saint Nicolas, rich in gold, colors and sculptures. At your arrival, check-in and installation in your rooms and enjoy free time for lunch.

Then, take a first glance during a guided visit of this picturesque alpine town dominated by the Alp Mountains and glaciers rising majestically upwards to Mont-Blanc, the highest mountain of Europe. Join a local farmer for a leisure walk through his pastures and taste his homemade cheese.

Overnight Chamonix Hotel Le Prieure and Spa or similar

Meals B

This morning, take the Aiguille du Midi cable car to the top of Mont Blanc for unparalleled panoramic views. Ride up with the cable car till 3842 m height : often, the atmosphere in the cabin is unique: paragliders, mountaineers, guides, and mountain enthusiasts share these twenty minutes of dizzying ascent, which propel you from the valley to the summit ! Enjoy free time at the top to soak up the views on the different terraces. The French, Swiss, and Italian Alps stretch as far as the eye can see, dominated by mythical giants: the Matterhorn, the Grandes Jorasses, the Dent du Géant... and, of course, Mont Blanc, majestic at 4,810 meters… You may also try the famous “Step into the Void” adventure, a glass room built around a metal frame, allowing visitors to experience 1035 m void under their feet 

Enjoy a scenic red cog railway ride to Montenvers to visit the glacier Mer de Glace (“sea of Ice”) and learn about the region's alpine and mountain history with a local alpine guide. This once magnificent glacier is a natural living witness of climate change of our era. It offers several visits including the crystal gallery and the ice caves carved into the Glacier. Lunch wiull be served at the Refuge of Montenvers. Get back to Chamonix by train. 

Meals B,L - Overnight Chamonix Hotel Le Prieure & Spa art similar

Depart for a guided tour of Evian, discover the history of Evian from the Middle Ages to the Belle Epoque period, through the rich period of thermalism. Small anecdotes and hidden treasures of the town will be revealed.

Free time for lunch. Afternoon cruise onboard  an electrosolar  boat on lake Geneva with views of the Alps.

Overnight Hotel La Verniaz or similar

Meals B

Depart for Yvoire, a charming medieval village among the Most Beautiful of France on the shores of Lake Geneva. Guided tour to explore the Village of Yvoire, its beautiful medieval streets. 

Then visit the Garden of the Five Senses underneath the castle of Yvoire, to awaken your senses & rediscover simple gestures sometimes forgotten: smell the perfume of a flower, stroke foliage, squeezing a leaf to extract the essence…, a living garden heritage preserved and enriched each year.

Free time for lunch.

Afternoon short guided tour of Geneva

Return to the hotel and dinner. Overnight Evian Les Bains Hotel La Verniaz or similar

Meals B, D

Individual transfers from your hotel to the airport terminals.

Meals B