Day 1: Paris

Join the mix of vendors and buyers at a busy street market to get a real impression of Parisian life. Then, perhaps take time out in the superb Luxembourg and Tuileries parks or pay respects to the likes of Jim Morrison, Edith Piaf and Frederic Chopin in the Cimetiere du Pere Lachaise. Before the day is done, settle in at a restaurant and dine on classic French fare.

Day 2: Paris - Bordeaux

Catch the train and make a beeline for the coast. Marvel at the vivid details of the Bayeux Tapestry, a 70 metre-long embroidered narrative of William Duke of Normandys 1066 conquest of England. Take a bus to the dramatic D-Day beaches and pay respects to fallen soldiers at the military cemetery.

Day 3: Bordeaux

Be awed by the World Heritage-listed Mont St-Michel, dramatically rising out of the waters of the English Channel. Tour the stunning Benedictine abbey and admire the old vaulted ceilings.

Day 4: Bordeaux - Mont St

Set off on a day trip to one of the several islands scattered about La Rochelle and, in free time, check out 18th-century graffiti on the Tour de La Lanterne.

Day 5: Mont St

Travel into the Loire Valley by train, arriving in historic Tours. Head out on a scenic cycling adventure to the Chateau de Villandry and meander through its lavish ornamental garden.

Day 6: Michel

Arrive in Lyon, a city packed with culture and fascinating historical sites such as the Place des Terreaux, Musee des Beaux-Arts and a fascinating matrix of secret underground passageways.

Day 7: Mont St

Head through undulating fields to the walled city of Avignon, home to the striking Palais des Papes, once the home of French popes. Explore the palace’s vast halls and cavernous chapels and, in free time, perhaps cruise around town on a hired bicycle.

Day 8: Michel

Be spoiled by the scenic surrounds of portside Marseille, one of France’s oldest and most significant cities. See locals hauling in the day’s catch at Vieux Port, picnic on fresh baguettes and cheese in a leafy park or discover literary history in the Chateau d’If. Then, why not join new tour friends for a final dinner of hearty local bouillabaisse.