French Immersion for Students

Day 1:  Pont du Gard Aqueduct
A guide will meet you upon your arrival in the CDG airport and accompany you to Avignon, the heart of Provence, via TGV 5164 departing at 11:43am.  Enjoy a snack on board the train. After your train arrives in Avignon at 2:38pm your guides will take you through the countryside to the Gard region, where you will spend the next two nights at Le Castellas.  Le Castellas is a 17th century residence, located on a small street in the heart of the old Provence village of Collias.  Several old, but perfectly restored houses form an enclosure around a wisteria covered terrace, which is an ideal place of inspiration for artists, painters and sculptors.  Upon arrival at this charming hotel, we will toast your welcome with refreshments during your bike-fitting, safety talk and map review before hopping onto our bikes to spin through scenic villages to the Pont du Gard Aqueduct. One of the grandest structures ever built by the Romans, The Pont du Gard is a UNESCO World Heritage site built shortly before the Christian era to allow the aqueduct of Nîmes to cross the Gard river. The Roman architects and hydraulic engineers created a technical, as well as an artistic masterpiece when they designed this bridge. While at this incredible site, we will enjoy a historical tour that includes a walking journey to the top. After a delicious dinner, we will head back to Le Castellas for good night sleep. 
 
Meal: Breakfast/ Dinner
Destinations visited: Avignon, Pont du Gard, Castillon du Gard and Collias
Distance cycled: 33.20 km / 20.6 miles 
 
Day 2: Uzès Loop
Vineyards and fortress villages will pepper your route to Uzès. On the way, we will enjoy a visit at the Haribo Bon-Bon factory to sample world famous Haribo candies and get that extra energy jolt to keep cycling until lunch. Upon reaching Uzès we will have the chance to explore one of the most colorful Saturday markets in the south of France. This medieval town is the self-proclaimed first duchy of France whose importance grew as the source for water that flowed through the Pont du Gard on its way to Nîmes in Roman times. Today, Uzès is home to a magnificent cathedral boasting a beautiful organ on the inside and an Italian fenestrelle tower on the outside.  Uzès welcomes annual festivals of dance, music, pottery, truffles, gardening, and antiques throughout the year. The arcade-lined Place aux Herbes is home to its weekly market and it is here where you will be able to sit outside for a tasty lunch, speak with the artisans in their studios and wander through the pottery shops. Continuing on, we will cycle through Provence’s rugged scrubland and the villages of Flaux and Valliguieres to arrive at St. Hilaire d’Ozilhan for a visit. This evening enjoy a casual dinner in a crêperie before spending another restful night at Le Castellas.

Meals: Breakfast/Dinner
Destinations visited: Uzès, Flaux, Valliguieres and St.Hilaire D’Ozilhan
Distance cycled: 33 km / 20.4 miles

Day 3: Les Baux de Provence
Rustic stone churches will dot our path through the rural countryside before crossing the Rhône River at a majestic bridge and climbing a beautiful slope to the Abbey de St.-Michel-de-Frigolet. Located between Tarascon and Avignon, this Abbey was successively occupied by the Benedictines of Montmajour, the Augustinians, the Hieronymites and finally by the Reformed Augustinians.  Here we will enjoy a gourmet picnic then a tour of this beautiful and historical site. After our visit to the Abbey, we will cycle through the villages of Gravenson and Maillane, past craftsmen hand-painting the tiny santons (small hand-painted, terracotta nativity figurines traditional in Provence since the 13th century) to arrive at Les Baux de Provence. Leading up to the ruins of this fortified castle are among some of the most spectacular views in the region consisting of natural cliffs and lush greenery.  This route offers an amazing challenge, which is well rewarded by the views and the snacks awaiting you at the top of the climb. Enjoy free time in the majestic hillside village of Les Baux, a "nesting place for eagles” as Cardinal Richelieu called it. Tonight we arrive at another Provencal hotel, Mas de l’Oulivie, where the front door opens onto a spacious lounge of wooden beams and painted waxed walls which contrasts with the large rustic fire-place made from the chalky white stone of Les Baux. Tonight, you will experience a superb Provence-style meal in the Hotel.
 
Meals: Breakfast/ Lunch / Dinner
Destinations visited: St.Michel de Frigolet Abbey, Gravenson, Maillane & Les Baux
Distance cycled: 48.50 km / 30 miles         
 
Day 4: St. Rémy Loop
Today, we’ll start with a ride through the crumbling remains of the Roman market town of Glanum - marked by a large Roman arch and memorial tower – to St. Rémy. The birthplace of Michel de Nostradamus and favorite inspiration spot for artist Vincent Van Gogh, this village is now a shopper’s paradise and a great setting for a café lunch. Choose your favorite traditional Provençal print fabrics and ceramic cicadas (cicadas symbolize summertime, happiness and Provence) from the chic shops in town. This visit will include a famous olive oil tasting followed by a stopover at the local chocolate shop.  Before cycling back to the hotel we will have the opportunity to view Van Gogh’s mausoleum.   Tonight’s dinner will be at our favorite local pizzeria before we enjoy another restful night at Mas de l’Oulivie.

Meals: Breakfast / Dinner
Destinations visited: Glanum, St. Rémy de Provence, Paradou
Distance cycled: 25.80 km / 16 miles

Day 5: Paradou - Eygalieres
Fill up on a hearty breakfast with homemade pain au chocolate, croissants and beignets before we hop on our bikes to cycle to Eygalierés.  On our way we will stop at a cooperative olive oil mill in Maussane to get a better understanding of the delicate process in which olive oil is made.  From a distance you'll see Eygalières, perched on the summit of a small hill. This village of tastefully restored residences is surrounded by the superb landscapes of the Alpilles complete with olive groves, green valleys and vine fields. On foot we will discover a village which has mastered the art of preserving its authentic charm. Every beautiful stone house seems to be framed with a touch of green or sweet smelling flowers which allow glimpses of beautiful gardens beyond.  We’ll have lunch at one of the local’s favorites to try different tapenades during our meal. The main street of Eygalières takes you up to the Saint-Laurent Church from where you can visit the chateau ruins and the esplanade of the old gatehouse. From up above there are magnificent views of the Caume mountain, the Alpilles and the River Durance.  Enjoy overnight accommodations and dinner at La Bastide d’ Eygalières.
 
Meals: Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner
Destinations visited: Paradou, Maussane & Eygalières
Distance cycled: 27.50 km / 17 miles

Day 6: Eygalieres - Avignon
After a relaxing breakfast surrounded by olive trees, say goodbye to the countryside however you see fit.  In the late morning we will depart for the beautiful, walled city of Avignon. Occupied since pre-history,
Avignon has always been at the crossroad of civilizations. Upon reaching the city we will enjoy a walking tour of this Avignon’s famous sites, including the Palais des Papes and the Pont d’Avignon. Known as the City of Popes, Avignon was home to seven popes throughout the 14th century, who protected their papal territory by building immense fortifications. The city continues to charm visitors with its ancient streets, restored medieval ramparts and gothic architecture. Its annual festival attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors every year to enjoy theater, dance, cinema and street performances. There will be ample time for shopping and exploring on our own after a local bistro lunch.  Tonight you will be residing at the Hotel Bristol after a delightful dinner.

Meal: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Destination visited: Avignon

Day 7: Avignon - Paris, City of Lights 
After a satisfying breakfast and some last minute shopping in Avignon, we will depart Provence for the City of Lights.   We will depart from the Avignon TGV station at 12:38pm on train 6174.   You will have lunch on the train before arriving in the city at 3:19pm.  Once settled into the hotel  your DuVine Parisian Adventure will begin with the breathtaking view from the top of the Arc de Triumph before strolling down the Champs-Elysées with your friends simultaneously playing Joe Dassin’s famous ballad, “Champs-Elysées” (which you should download onto your iPod or mp3 player).  Our destination is La Durée, home to the finest, most famous macaroons and unctuous hot chocolate that the City has to offer.  Founded in 1862, this Maison de Patîsserie made their mark as a social space for women at a time when they were formally banned from bars. In the early evening we will go to the Eiffel Tower to marvel at La Grande Dame de Paris glittering with light in the night sky. Tonight dinner will be in an authentic brasserie near the hotel.

Meal: Breakfast/Dinner
Destinations visited: Arc de Triumph, Champs-Elysées and Eiffel Tower

Day 8: Versailles
Today is off to Versailles!  After a 45 minute ride to the outskirts of Paris we will arrive at the grand Royal Chateau.  Versailles was the unofficial capital city of the kingdom of France for over a century, from 1682 to 1789. During the entire period, Paris remained the official capital city, with the official royal palace being at the Palace of the Louvre, but in practice government affairs were conducted from Versailles.  As the seat of political power, Versailles naturally became the cradle of the French Revolution at the end of the 18th century.  At this magnificent site we will have a guided tour of the Gardens and Chateau to learn all about the royal history and the fall of the royal power after Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette’s rule.  Lunch will be had in a café in town before we make our way back to the city.
Later this afternoon we will regroup at the Quai de la Seine for your tour on one of the ubiquitous bateau-mouche, which will offer a whole new perspective of the city.  Tonight we will enjoy another exciting meal in a Parisian Bistro.

Meal: Breakfast/Dinner 
Destinations visited: Versailles, la Seine

Day 9: Paris
Starting your day will be a visit at the Catacombes de Paris, one of the capital city’s most unusual and highly sought after attractions, recently re-opened in 2005.  The development of this site in the 18th Century is intimately linked with the social history and architectural creation of Paris itself, dating back to Roman times, which we will learn about in more detail during our private guided tour in French.  After the catacombs, grab a sandwich on your way to the museum of your choice.  Be astonished at La Louvre by the size and quality of its collection, enjoy the bright colors and solid brushwork of the remarkable impressionist collections of le Musée d’Orsay or jump into the contemporary scene at the Centre Pompidou.  L’Orangerie is also an option, where you can see Monet’s famous water lily murals, Les Nymphéas. After dinner, celebrate your last night in the most romantic city in the world with a Gerard Presgurvic’s musical Roméo et Juliette, de l’haine à l’amour, brought back to Le Palais des Congress for the first time since its 2001 success.

Meal: Breakfast/Dinner 
Destinations visited: Catacombes de Paris and a museum of your choice

Day 10: Au Revoir France!   
After over a week of exploring the enchanting country of France it will be time to depart. Today we will take a train from downtown Paris to the airport in time to catch your flight.