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Provincial France Small Group Tour for Seniors
On this small group tour exploring provincial France, drift through Alsace, Burgundy, Provence and the stunning Jura Mountains on the byways and waterways of France. With a key focus on the region's history, our French foray commences in Alsatian wine country and concludes in Paris, after detouring through the south of France. Our escorted tours are designed specifically for mature-aged and senior travellers - whether travelling solo or with a companion - who prefer small group travel with an educational focus. These tours are fully escorted, accompanied by an Odyssey Program Leader and local guides.
Provincial France Small Group Tour Itinerary
Our dreamy tour of provincial France opens in Alsace to the country's north-east. Bordered by Switzerland to the south and Germany to the east, this region is unlike anywhere else in the world. Its vine-clad slopes and half-timbered villages are the stuff of fairy tales, and they are overlooked by the rolling Vosges Mountains. The Alsatian capital, Strasbourg, tells of a history of contention with Germany that has led to profound Germanic influences. Now the official seat of the European parliament, the city's medieval past is inscribed in the pastel-hued buildings that shimmer in its watery canals.
On our guided tours of the destinations, we visit Beaune, Dijon, Geneva, Lyon, Nice, and many more villages in between. We explore Burgundy, once a great medieval Duchy, but now better known for its quaint villages and slow-flowing canals. We cross briefly into Switzerland and check out the Jura Mountains, a region rarely visited by tourists. This range of wooded hills and undulating plateaux is known for its untapped wilderness.
We next explore southern France, exploring Provence and the Côte d'Azur, France's sun-drenched southeastern regions which have inspired artists such as Van Gogh, Cézanne and Picasso. In the summer months, holidaymakers flock to the beaches and chic resorts. However, in the relatively quiet spring we explore the remote mountain plateaux, perched villages and dramatic gorges, as well as the Mediterranean coastline. While in Provence we also learn about the region’s Roman heritage and the cultural aspects of this stunning place.
We board the Train à Grande Vitesse (TGV), France's famous high-speed train, traversing the countryside en route to Paris where the tour concludes after a farewell dinner in the city of light, possibly dining alfresco on the cobblestone streets.
You can learn more about France with our country profile where all other tour departures are listed as well. For more details about this tour, click the ‘Top 5’ or ‘Itinerary’ buttons above! If you’re keen to experience this tour, please call or send an email. Or, to book, simply fill in the form on the right-hand side of this page.
Articles about France published by Odyssey Traveller
The following list of articles, represents some of the articles published by Odyssey Traveller for mature aged and senior travellers to maximise their knowledge and enjoyment of France and in particular the Eastern side of the country when visiting;
- Ten of the best travel books on France
- Ten things to do in France when you visit
- Questions about France
- Studying Gargoyles and grotesques
- Around the world in six coffees
- Ten of the best French cookery books
- Ten of the Best art galleries in Europe to visit
- A guide on France for mature travellers
External articles to assist you plan your visit to France
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