Wonders of France

On arrival in London, transfer to your hotel & join your fellow travellers and hosts for a welcome dinner this evening.

Distance: 264km (164miles)

Transfer to the depot this morning to collect your motorhome. Then travel to Folkstone to board the Eurotunnel shuttle to Calais. The journey under the English Channel only takes 35 minutes. We may the short drive to Eperlecques for our first night in France.

Distance: 272km (169miles)

Today, our first stop is the Wellington Tunnels in Arras, a WW1 site with significant ties to the New Zealand army. Led by the New Zealand Tunnelling Company, this underground city hid supplies and housed by to 2000 soldiers. On to the charming town of Epernay in the heart of the Champagne region. Enjoy a visit to the House of Mercier, one of the many famous champagne houses. Here you’ll enjoy a tour through some of the 18kms of underground cellars, some 30m below ground, before resurfacing and enjoying a flute of Mercier Champagne.

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Distance: 126km (78miles)

Enjoy some more time to explore the sights of Epernay this morning or perhaps make a quick side trip to nearby Reims, the city of Kings (26km). The city is known for its giant Gothic cathedral, Roman remains, art-deco cafes along handsome pedestrian boulevards and leading champagne houses like Veuve-Clicquot and G.H Mumm. Heading south, be sure to stop at the medieval old town of Troyes and wander around its narrow, cobblestone streets lined with colourful half-timbered houses dating back to the 16^th century.

From here it is a short drive to Lac d’Orient, our stay for the next two nights. Enjoy a full day of leisure to enjoy all that the Foret d’Orient natural park has to offer.

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Distance: 255km (159miles)

Recommended stops today include the architecturally rich city of Dijon and the walled town of Beaune, at the centre of the Burgundy winemaking region. Enjoy dinner this evening in the 16^th century Chateau de l’Eperviere at our campsite. Around and about there are lots of vineyards to explore on your free day and visits can be arranged to the local caves. The town of Tournus is close by and you can browse the many arts and crafts shops in the squares that surround its Romanesque abbey.

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Distance: 225km (140miles)

We suggest an early start this morning to make the most of your days travel to Lake Annecy, nestled in the heart of the French Alps and your stay for the next three nights. For those who wish, it’s possible to make a quick diversion across the border into Switzerland to visit the lakeside town of Geneva. The local village is known as the ‘Venice of the Alps’, with its canals lined with magnificent medieval buildings, floral balconies and bridges. During our stay we will take you to L’Edelweiss Restaurant for lunch where you will not only enjoy wonderful local cuisine but stunning views over the lake and surrounding area. You'll also enjoy a day trip to Chamonix-Mont Blanc, a resort area near the junction of France, Italy & Switzerland. Mont Blanc is the highest peak in Europe. The Aiguille du Midi is the highest mountain peak served by an aerial lift and is the closest you can get to the summit of Mont Blanc without hiking or climbing, Join the cable car for a spectacular ride to its summit at 3842m (higher than New Zealand’s Mount Cook at 3724m). At the top terrace, if you’re feeling brave, you can ‘Step into the Void’, an all- glass viewing platform, giving breathtaking panoramic views of the highest peaks in Western Europe and views of the Bossons Glacier from a dramatic perspective.

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Distance: 264km (165miles)

From Lac d’Annecy, we journey south towards the city of Grenoble. It is here we join the famous Route Napoleon that links Grenoble through the spectacular mountains of Provence, to the Mediterranean. It follows the path Napoleon took on his return from excile in 1815. Retrace his footsteps on this scenic road trip, passing through La Mure, Corps and Gap as you travel on to Sisteron on the banks of the Durance River.

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Distance: 178km (110miles)

Our journey continues to the steep and spectacular limestone Gorges de l’Ardeche. Enjoy a day at leisure to discover this beautiful area. We recommend visiting the historic village of Vogue, rated as one of the most beautiful in France.

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Distance: 184km (110miles)

The Tarn river has carved out a 500m deep canyon creating the spectacular Gorges du Tarn, some 52 kms long. Many castles have been built along the Gorges, most of them dating back to the Middle Ages such as Castelbouc, La Malene, Lacaze and Saint-Rome-de-Dolan. On to Millau, a town famous for its leather tanning and glove making and home to the Millau Viaduct, the world’s tallest bridge.

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Distance: 155km (96miles)

This part of France is dotted with spectacular villages and the medieval town of Najac is no exception. It is officially listed amongst France’s finest and is definitely worthy of a visit as you make your way to the award- winning town of Saint-Cirq-Lapopie. This perfectly-preserved , medieval hill village of narrow winding streets, stands high above the Lot Valley and is best discovered by foot at a leisurely pace.

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Distance: 80km (50miles)

A short drive brings us to the most famous town in the region and one of the most renowned and visited in France. Sarlat is a beautiful, well restored town a few kilometres north of the River Dordogne, dating back to both medieval and renaissance times. Lose yourself in the history of its winding streets and you’ll enjoy a visit to the Saturday markets where you can experience everything from truffles and foie gras to local cheeses and spicy saucisson. We make a day trip to the famous sacred village of Rocamadour, clinging precariously to the steep cliffs above the River Alzou. Also included is an excursion into one of Europe’s largest chasms, the caves of Gouffre du Padriac where you will enjoy a boat ride on an underground river 103m below the surface.

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Distance: 142km (95miles)

The famous French impressionist, Renoir, was born in Limoges and as a young boy, worked in a porcelain factory. Limoges porcelain industry is now regarded as the best in the world and a visit to the National Museum is a must-see for ceramic fans. The nearby village of Oradour-sur-Glane has often been referred to as one of the most powerful sites in France and certainly rates as a ‘Don’t miss’. The site of one of the worst Nazi atrocities on French soil, the village has been left exactly as it was on that dark day.

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Distance: 222km (138miles)

Continue the drive north today to the historic town of Tours with its fine architecture, narrow cobbled streets and half-timbered French houses. On to Blois, situated on the banks of Loire River, with its skyline dominated by its cathedral and famous chateau. Enjoy a guided day trip into the Loire Valley, visiting Chateau de Chambord, the largest, grandest and most visited chateau in the region passing many vineyards and other chateaux enroute.

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Distance: 322km (200miles)

Le Mans is famous as the setting for probably the world’s best known automobile race, the gruelling 24 hour Le Mans. But it is also an ancient town with Roman walls and a beautiful cathedral. The little city of Laval, on the banks of the River Mayenne, is also worth a stop with its chateau as its centrepiece and its timber-framed houses and stately mansions. The magical island of Mont Saint Michel is one of Europe’s unforgettable sights and you have a free day to enjoy all that it has to offer. Also nearby is the historic little city of Dol-de-Bretagne and Mount-Dol with its famous Menhir de Champ-Dolent, a neolithic upright standing stone of over 9m.

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Distance: 120km (75miles)

Leaving Mont Saint Michel, travel north to the charming medieval town of Bayeux, home to the famous 11^th century Bayeux tapestry, The town is the gateway to the D-Day Landing Beaches of Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno and Sword. Be sure to visit the numerous memorial sites and museums as you explore the windswept shorelines of the Normandy Beaches.

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Distance: 187km (116miles)

To get the most out of today, we suggest an early start with a visit to Beuvron-en-Auge in the Calvados region of Normandy. A picture-perfect, archetypal Norman village, it is rated as one of the prettiest in France. From here, it’s a short drive to Honfleur, its old port the subject of numerous paintings by Monet, Boudin & Courbet. With over 1000 years of history, you’ll discover colourful half-timbered houses along with art galleries and restaurants on the quays … a great place for lunch! On to Rouen, situated on the River Seine, with its history closely tied to the young French heroine, Joan of Arc.

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Distance: 146km (90miles)

The town of Versailles is full of fascinating museums to visit and parks and gardens to relax in. There are also plenty of markets to stroll around. Enjoy a tour of the stunning Palace of Versailles, the extravagant creation of Louis XIV and on your free day, explore the magnificent city of Paris, with all that it has to offer.

Distance: 155km (96miles)

The city of Amiens lies in the Somme valley. Its centrepiece is the Notre Dame Cathedral, whilst its floating gardens on the cities canals offer a unique and well preserved heritage. Located close by is the village of Villers-Bretonneux, a place of historic significance for Australian diggers and the site of the Australian National Memorial which hosts an ANZAC dawn service every year.

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