Friends in France
Guided By Margaret Cassady
Travel in France is a celebration of the good things in life.
Three nights each in Nice, Lyon, Burgundy, and Paris.
“Margaret has incredible organization, infectious enthusiasm, useful knowledge, and has connections with really lovely people.”
—Diane, 2024
Friends in France
13 Days / 12 Nights
12—15 Travelers
$6495 per person (double occupancy)
+$1600 single supplement
$1000 deposit reserves each spot
October 5—17, 2025
(Sun—Fri)
Highlights
Burgundy
Spectacular trip! I'll remember it forever.
—Eileen, 2024
Vineyard Visit
“À votre santé! Burgundy's vineyards are gorgeous in autumn. We'll learn—and taste!—how French wine is not just a drink, it's an integral part of the country's culture and history.”
Villa Ephrussi
“On our Riviera daytrip we'll visit the early-1900's Villa Ephrussi, which boasts 360-degree views. The stories of its ahead-of-her-time owner are just as fascinating as its sumptuous rooms and gorgeous gardens.”
Pont du Gard
“We'll visit the Pont du Gard on our drive through Provence. A photo simply can't capture the awe of witnessing its history and beauty. It has to be experienced in person.”
Pastries!
“French food and wine are famous, but my favorite are the pastries. I make it a practice to enjoy at least one a day!”
Notre Dame Reopened
“After the devastating fire of 2019, Paris’s beloved Notre Dame has been rebuilt and restored, and is back open! Come witness this extraordinary achievement in architecture and history, and learn about the incredible effort to raise it from the ashes.”
Cooking Class
“Lyon is considered the gastronomic capital of France, and that’s really saying something in a country famous for its food. We’ll delve into its gourmet history and learn the how-to’s in a hands-on cooking class.”
Itinerary
Nice
Day 1: Meet at our Nice hotel in the afternoon to get acquainted, then we’ll take an orientation walk through the beautiful squares and waterfront of the city, and kick off our trip with French Mediterranean specialties for dinner. (Dinner included; sleep 3 nights in Nice)
Day 2: This morning we’ll meet my local foodie friend for a walking tour, tasting our way through the Vieille Ville’s (Old Town’s) maze of colorful buildings and the locals’ favorite fish and produce market, ending with a gourmet sampling lunch together. Your afternoon is free to enjoy Nice’s beach, shops, and museums; and the rooftop terrace and other amenities of our hotel. (Lunch included)
Day 3: We’ll daytrip along the breathtaking coast to the Villa Ephrussi in St-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, the stunning home and gardens of an ahead-of-her-time Rothschild heiress. We’ll continue to Monaco, where we’ll spot jaw-dropping yachts and tour the phenomenal Oceanographic Museum.
Day 4: Today is our biggest drive, but the countryside is lovely and we’ll make a long stop en route at the Pont du Gard, the ancient Romans’ incredible river-spanning aqueduct. We’ll reach Lyon in time for a dinner befitting this city’s reputation as France’s gourmet capital. (Dinner included; sleep 3 nights in Lyon)
Day 5: My local guide friend will lead us on a walking tour for a “show and tell” of the city’s long history. It stretches back to the Romans at Lugdunum, the remains of Roman Lyon, with its two intact theaters and fascinating museum. Next is the city’s symbol, the Notre-Dame de Fourvière basilica, with its gorgeous mosaics and commanding view. We’ll continue to the oldest part of town with—surprisingly—a museum of incredible movie props. Your afternoon is free for more exploring.
Day 6: This morning we’ll head to the funkier side of Lyon: the Croix-Rousse hill. Lyon was famous for its silk, so we’ll learn about the history of the silk-workers and see a Jacquard loom in action. Keep an eye out for the murals that make the city a huge open-air gallery, and for the unmarked entrances to passageways used by WWII Resistance fighters. At a hands-on cooking class we’ll learn to make Lyonnais specialties—and we’ll eat the results! (Lunch included)
Day 7: Our next destination is the bucolic heart of France: Burgundy. We'll stop en route for market day in Cluny, where you can gather a picnic or just admire the autumn produce; and explore the remains of the abbey, once the largest church in Christendom. Tonight we’ll savor the famous Burgundian cuisine at our group dinner. (Dinner included; sleep 3 nights in Meursault)
Day 8: With my friend Steve Smith, guidebook coauthor and part-time local resident, we’ll daytrip on a picturesque wine route, sampling the world-renowned vintages at a family-run winery, stopping for lunch in a charming small town.
Day 9: Enjoy a “vacation from your vacation” with a day of rest and relaxation. With multiple wineries a stone’s throw from our hotel, perhaps you'll want to taste some of Meursault's internationally famous wines. You could go for a walk in the vineyards, or just enjoy some R&R at our comfortable hotel. We'll regroup this evening for a hearty homestyle dinner. (Dinner included)
Day 10: Today we’ll head to our grand finale, Paris. On our way, we’ll tour the fascinating Château de Guédelon, a replica 13th-century castle being built with only the materials, tools, and methods of that period. Dinner together will be savory and sweet versions of the quintessential French crêpe. (Lunch and dinner included; sleep 3 nights in Paris)
Day 11: With my Parisian guide friend we’ll discover Right Bank sights many tourists miss: a market street where locals do their shopping, a passageway that was the 19th-century version of a shopping mall, modern art in a vintage setting, and picturesque courtyards. Your afternoon and evening are free to stroll the boulevards and visit more Parisian sights.
Day 12: We’ll make a pilgrimage to iconic Notre Dame cathedral, newly reopened after the 2019 fire. Then I’ll lead you in the footsteps of medieval Parisians–and Hemingway–on the twisting streets and grand cafés of the Left Bank. You’ll have free time this afternoon to do more exploring, then we’ll say “bon voyage” to our tour friends over our farewell feast. (Dinner included)
Day 13: Tour over after breakfast and hotel check-out. We’ll help you arrange transportation to the airport.
Itinerary subject to change.
What’s Included
Notre-Dame of Fourviere, Lyon
Included:
A small group experience of 12—15 people
Twelve nights accommodation, including breakfasts
Six group dinners & three group lunches, drinks included (reasonable limits)
All group sightseeing activity entrances and local guides
Transport by private bus between cities; transportation within cities when traveling as a group
All tips for guides, hotels, restaurants, and drivers
Pre-tour travel consultation with Margaret
Not Included:
Airfare & airport transportation
Activities not included with the tour
Hotel extras and room service
Extra wine at group meals
Travel insurance
Conditions:
Tour itinerary and What’s Included details subject to change. Future substitutions will be approximately equal or better in value.
This tour requires a minimum of 12 travelers booked by May 1, 2025 to be viable.
FAQ
Oceanographic Museum, Monaco
Where will this tour stay?
We stay in very comfortable 3- and 4-star hotels right in the heart of the towns we visit. Each one is beautifully decorated, and has a friendly staff and a delicious breakfast. One is in a modern building; the others are in historic structures, so each room will be unique (and you may have to climb stairs!). Our Paris hotel even has a mini spa!
How much walking will there be on this tour?
There is some kind of walking tour each day, and you’ll certainly be walking more in your free time. Figure several miles a day, often on uneven cobblestones. Lots of standing on city sidewalks and marble floors can sometimes be equally tiring—make sure your back and knees can handle this. We’ll definitely work off our wine and pastries!
What’s the balance between group time and free time?
This tour is designed to strike a balance between group time and your own free time to explore or just relax. I will be on hand to help you plan your activities during free time.
When should I plan to arrive in Nice for this tour?
Some travelers like to arrive a day or more early and book a hotel on their own, to start adjusting to the time change and to explore Riviera sights we won’t be visiting as a group. You can also fly directly into Nice from all European hubs. If you arrive the day the tour starts, plan to get there before lunch to get settled before our start time.
What will we eat?
Of course we all know of croissants and baguettes—and we’ll certainly have our share!--but many Americans don’t realize how much variety French food has between regions. There’s pissaladiere in Nice, flatbread topped with caramelized onions and anchovies… quenelles, the famous fish dumplings with crayfish sauce in Lyon…coq au vin, boeuf bourguignon, and other hearty dishes in Burgundy…and croque-monsieur in Paris, the grown-up, deluxe version of a grilled cheese sandwich. Then of course there are the wines of each region to complement our food, and the more than one THOUSAND types of cheese. We’ll do our best to try it all!
What weather can we expect?
October is an ideal month to travel in France–the crowds have thinned out, and the weather’s moderate. But it’s changeable this time of year, and we’ll be traveling across several climate zones. Consider that the Riviera’s weather is similar to San Diego’s, and Paris’ is similar to Seattle’s. Expect anything from lows of 50F in Paris, up to highs of 70F in Nice. Pack layers and a raincoat just in case, and you’ll be fine!