Your Adventure, Day by Day
- St-Paul-de-Vence Formerly a French frontier post, St-Paul-de-Vence is now one of the most famous and most visited hill villages on the Côte d’Azur. The 16th century ramparts surrounding the village offer incredible sweeping views, while the authentic winding streets of the medieval quarter provide many opportunities to explore.
- Walking Tour Enjoy a Walking Tour through the town’s winding streets, including the pedestrian-only Rue Grande. Rue Grande runs the entire length of St-Paul. Most of the stone houses that line it date from the 16th and 17th centuries and many still bear the coats-of-arms placed by the original builders. Along the way we will visit La Collégiale de la Conversion de St-Paul, which was constructed in the 12th and 13th centuries. The Romanesque choir is the oldest part, containing some remarkable stalls carved in walnut in the 17th century. The Bell Tower was added in 1740, but the vaulting was reconstructed in the 1800s. The church is filled with art, most notably a painting of Ste-Cathérine d’Alexandrie, attributed to Tintoretto and the Trésor de l'Église is one of the most beautiful in the Alpes-Maritimes.
- Continue to Antibes The resort town of Antibes, sitting just across the Bay of Angels from Nice, possesses a quiet charm unique among the Côte d'Azur towns. This historic Mediterranean trading port has drawn the rich and famous to its beautiful shores for centuries, though its most famous inhabitant was the artist Pablo Picasso.
- Nice Nice is the largest resort on the Mediterranean coast, and the fifth largest city in France. Its temperate climate has attracted visitors from the Greeks and Romans to Queen Victoria. As the capital of the Côte d’Azur, Nice also has plenty to offer in culture, museums, and atmospheric streets.
- Stroll along the Promenade des Anglais
- Le Château Walk or take an elevator up to the panoramic Le Château, the ruins where Nice’s first settlements were established. Only a few stones remain, but the site now features a pine garden, exotic flowers, and unforgettable views over Nice and the Mediterranean.
- Musée Matisse Survey the works of Henri Matisse in the Musée Matisse. Most of the works on display were painted in Nice and were donated by either the artist or his heirs.
- Cagnes-sur-Mer This seaside town is actually three villages in one: the medieval old quarter, the modern section and the harbor. Each has a particular charm that has attracted artists for centuries, most notably Renoir.
- Walking Tour Enjoy a walking tour that focuses on the Haut-de-Cagnes, the city’s old quarter.
- Maison Les Collettes Peruse where Renoir spent the last 12 years of his life. The house has been preserved exactly the way it was when he died in 1919, and features many of his finest works.
- Language Classes We will have the opportunity to participate in Language Classes that will enhance our cultural understanding and linguistic skills.
- Grasse The Provençal town of Grasse, cradled by hills with sweeping sea views, is surrounded by fields of fragrant flowers, herbs and shrubs, such as lavender, mimosa, jasmine, and rose. Since the 18th century this has been the center of France’s perfume trade.
- Musée International de la Parfumerie Visit the Muéee International de la Parfumerie, which houses interesting and – often bizarre – exhibits relating to the perfume industry. One of the most fascinating is a 3,000 year old mummy’s perfumed hand and foot, which owe their preservation to the perfuming process.
- Visit a Local School Today we will visit a local school and have the opportunity to interact with students.
- Language Classes We will have the opportunity to participate in Language Classes that will enhance our cultural understanding and linguistic skills.
- Grimaldis Castle The former castle of the Grimaldis stands to the south of the cathedral in Antibes. When it was built in the 16th century, remains of the Roman fort were used in its construction. Today the castle contains the interesting Musée Picasso, a collection of modern and contemporary art, with works by Pablo Picasso, de Stael, Ernst, Mirô and many more.
- Musée Picasso Featuring over 3000 works that span 75 years of the artist’s life and ever-changing style. Picasso’s personal collection from his favorite artists is also on display. France acquired the collection by accepting it in lieu of $50 million in inheritance taxes from Picasso’s descendants.
- Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild Visit one of the Côte d'Azur's legendary villas. It was once owned by a Rothschild baronne who died in 1934, leaving the Italianate building and its gardens to the Institut de France on behalf of the Académie des Beaux-Arts. The museum preserves the wealth of her collection, including 18th-century furniture, Tiepolo ceilings, Savonnerie carpets, screens and panels from the Far East, Fragonard drawings, and Sèvres porcelain. During our visit we will also stroll through the sprawling Gardens, which contain fragments of statuary from churches, monasteries and palaces.
- Language Classes We will have the opportunity to participate in Language Classes that will enhance our cultural understanding and linguistic skills.
- Village of Èze Balanced on a rocky pinnacle high above the Mediterranean, the village of Èze draws visitors through its 14th-century gates into its narrow medieval streets.
- Verrerie d'Art d'Èze Visit the Verrerie d'Art d'Èze, to view demonstrations and exhibitions on the art of glass blowing.
- Grande Corniche to La Turbie Enjoy a scenic drive along the spectacular Grande Corniche to La Turbie. Located high in the Alps above Monte Carlo, we will be rewarded with spectacular panoramic views as far as Italy. During our drive we will also visit La Trophée, a temple and monument constructed by the Romans in 6 BC.
- Language Classes We will have the opportunity to participate in Language Classes that will enhance our cultural understanding and linguistic skills.
- Cannes Cannes is a top Mediterranean resort whose name is synonymous with its film festival. There is, however, much more to this glamorous town. Beautiful architecture, wide palm-lined boulevards, and some of the finest beaches on the coast can all be found in Cannes.
- Independent Exploration We will have some free time for shopping and exploration.
- Language Classes We will have the opportunity to participate in Language Classes that will enhance our cultural understanding and linguistic skills.
- Principality of Monaco The tiny country of The Principality of Monaco is the world’s oldest monarchy and the most densely populated sovereign country in the world. It began as a Greek settlement, before the Romans took it. The Grimaldis took power in 1297 and have reigned ever since. Visitors primarily come to enjoy the Mediterranean atmosphere and the casinos, for which the principality has become famous.
- Monaco Cathedral Spend time in Monaco Cathedral, a Neo-Romanesque church containing a number of early paintings of the Nice School, including a St. Nicholas altarpiece by Louis Bréa. American actress and beloved Monacan princess Grace Kelly is buried here.
- Palais du Prince Take a tour of the Palais du Prince, home of Monaco’s royal family. Our visit will include the Throne Room and the State Apartments, decorated with fine furniture and portraits by European Masters. (Palace visit is available April-October and is subject to absence of the Prince.)
- Depart France for the U.S.