Car Ferry
Short Break
Du Palais
Biarritz, France
deluxe
Formerly the summer mansion of Napoleon III and Empress Eugenia, the Hotel Du Palais occupies the most prestigious address on the seafront in the centre of Biarritz. Following a four-year refurbishment, the hotel reopened in June 2022 and is now among the most beautiful hotels in France.
The 86 rooms, including 56 suites, are decorated in an elegant and fresh traditional style with sumptuous furnishings and offer views over the private gardens, the outdoor heated seawater swimming pool and the two sandy beaches. Chef Aurélien Largeau’s Michelin-starred restaurant is open for dinner every day, whilst there is a less formal restaurant, ‘Côté Maison’, for Basque-inspired cuisine, served on the terrace in summer, as well as the elegant ‘Salon’, poolside ‘Le Sunset’ and the atmospheric ‘Napoléon III’ cocktail bar. The 3,000 square metre award-winning Guerlain spa has an indoor heated swimming pool.
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Enrique Novella
Product Manager
Short Break
Villa Clarisse & Spa
Ile de Ré, France
deluxe-boutique
The little sister of De Toiras, the Villa Clarisse, a former 18th century town house, opened its doors to guests in June 2011. Situated a stone’s throw from St. Martin’s harbour, it has just nine beautifully furnished bedrooms in a relaxed island style with white-washed walls and distressed wooden furniture. All overlook the town or the hotel’s quiet garden and outdoor heated swimming pool, where a continental breakfast is also served, or outside on the terrace.
Short Break
La Mirande
Avignon, France
deluxe
This exquisite hotel was opened after the restoration of a Cardinal’s mansion built in 1688. Located in an atmospheric part of Avignon, beneath the towering city walls, La Mirande has a wonderful, tranquil atmosphere and is decorated throughout with beautiful antiques.
Short Break
Montalembert
Paris, France
superior
Built in 1926, the Hotel Montalembert is in the heart of Saint-Germaindes-Prés, a short walk from the Musee d’Orsay and a stone’s throw from the Boulevard Saint-Germain.
Short Break
Hotel Barge Athos
Carcassonne, France
Originally built as a commercial vessel to carry cargoes of sand, grain and wine, Athos now carries up to ten passengers – as well as a certain quantity of wine – in comfort on the Canal du Midi in southern France.
Short Break
Castille
Paris, France
deluxe
We are delighted to feature this stylish boutique hotel with its outstanding location on Rue Cambon and interiors inspired by Coco Chanel whose first atelier, Maison Chanel is located next door. . The beautiful 18th century building has 108 bedrooms split between two wings.
Short Break
Le Saint Paul
St. Paul-de-Vence, France
superior
The best hotel in the centre of the village, Le Saint Paul has just 16 cosy and charming rooms in a beautiful 16th century Provençal house. Enjoy lunch in the lee of the ancient bastions at ‘Côté Terrasse’, or dinner at the well-respected ‘Restaurant Le Saint Paul’.
Short Break
Napoleon
Menton, France
superior
This bright, modern hotel is located on the Baie de Garavan, 100 metres from the beach, a short stroll from the Val Rahmeh Botanical Garden and a 10-minute walk to the atmospheric old town.
Short Break
Le Cavendish
Cannes, France
deluxe
In the heart of the city, 10 minutes’ walk from La Croisette, owner Christine Welter has created a really delightful boutique hotel.
Short Break
Royal-Riviera
Nice, France
deluxe
This elegant hotel stands at the entrance to Saint- Jean-Cap-Ferrat and has been a favourite for the affluent since its opening in 1904. It was renovated in a fresh Mediterranean style including Art Deco touches throughout the 78 rooms in the main building and the further 14 rooms in the Orangerie which is located in the delightful gardens.
Short Break
Villa Florentine
Lyon, France
deluxe
Once a 16th century convent, the Villa Florentine is a member of Relais & Châteaux and sits on the hillside of Fourvière with wonderful views of the old town
Tailor-made Holiday
Tailor-Made Brittany
The rugged Brittany peninsula feels far removed not only from its neighbour Normandy, but also from the rest of France, with a distinct and proud Celtic culture.
7 night price from £1,885 per person
Includes
Accommodation
Kirker Concierge
Tailor-made Holiday
Tailor-Made Normandy
Deauville, Bayeux
Starting in the historic port city of Cherbourg, this seven-night holiday encompasses the coastline of Normandy, from the landing beaches around Arromanches, as far as Le Havre in the east.
7 night price from £1,998 per person
Includes
Car Ferry
Accommodation
Kirker Concierge
Cultural Tours & Music Holidays
Art, Opera & Ballet in Paris
Paris
The Opéra de Paris presents an extraordinary range of operas and ballets each season – casting, repertory and musical depth are of the highest international calibre.
4 nights price from £3395 per person
Includes
Eurostar
Accommodation
Performance tickets
Meals
+3
Cultural Tours & Music Holidays
The Western Front
Led by military historian Hugh Macdonald-Buchanan, we will visit the principal battlefields of the British Expeditionary Force, starting in the notorious Ypres Salient which saw intense fighting throughout the war, especially at Paschendaele.
5 nights price from £2324 per person
Includes
Return Eurostar
Accommodation
Meals
Sightseeing
+1
Cultural Tours & Music Holidays
Art of the Cote D'Azur
Nice
French artists began to discover the attractions of the Côte d’Azur and the iridescent quality of the region’s dazzling light towards the end of the 19th century. Monet was the first artist to be lured to the Riviera, arriving there in 1885.
5 nights price from £2225 per person
Includes
Flights
Accommodation
Meals
Entrance Fees
+1
Cultural Tours & Music Holidays
The French Revolution
Paris
Join Hugh Macdonald-Buchanan as he traces the story of one of history’s most important events. The French Revolution burst on the scene at Versailles where Louis XVI had convened the Estates General in 1789, then spread to Paris and the rest of France. It also provoked a world war that lasted 23 years.
4 nights price from £2787 per person
Includes
Eurostar
Accommodation
Meals
Sightseeing
+1
Cultural Tours & Music Holidays
Bordeaux - Wine Capital of the World
Bordeaux
At the confluence of the Garonne and Dordogne rivers, the elegant city of Bordeaux is not only one of France’s most charming, but has become a byword for fine wines over the course of many centuries. We will visit some of the best winemakers in the company of The Spectator's wine expert Jonathan Ray.
Includes
Flights
Accommodation
Tour Lecturer
Wine tastings
+2
Cultural Tours & Music Holidays
The D-Day Landing Grounds in Normandy
This tour is designed to tell the story of the famous D-Day landings in June 1944 that launched the invasion of France and opened the Battle for Normandy that led directly to the capture of Paris in August. Thereafter, the Allies ...
Includes
Ferry
Accommodation
Meals
Sightseeing fees
+1
Cultural Tours & Music Holidays
Gardens of the Riviera
There are many great gardens dotted along the Côte d’Azur between St-Jean-Cap-Ferrat and the border with Italy. Along with the artists, many gardeners were drawn to the Riviera, attracted by both its climate and its beauty.
5 nights price from £2158 per person
Includes
Flights
Accommodation
Meals
Entrance Fees
+1
Cultural Tours & Music Holidays
Christmas on the Côte d'Azur
Nice
The Côte d'Azur has attracted artists since the 19th century, and the unique microclimate and glowing light which brought Monet, Matisse, Chagall and Picasso to the Riviera makes this the perfect destination for an elegant Christmas escape.
Includes
Flights
Accomodation
Meals
Tour Leader
+1
Cultural Tours & Music Holidays
Wines of Alsace
A fascinating cultural blend of French and Germanic influences, Alsace is a region of half-timbered mediaeval towns and delicious cuisine which combines French refinement with hearty Germanic ingredients such as Choucroute, the regional speciality.
4 nights price from £2189 per person
Includes
Flights
Accommodation
Meals
Wine tastings
+2
Cultural Tours & Music Holidays
The Birth of Modern Medicine in Paris
Paris
Discover the foundations of the modern science of medicine in Paris, where the ‘Paris School’ of hygiene and hospital teaching flourished. From mummified écorché figures to bone-lined catacombs, the early history of medicine is sometimes gruesome but always fascinating.
4 nights price from £2757 per person
Includes
Eurostar
Accommodation
Dinners
Lectures
+2
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Our expert reservations team regularly travel to a wide range of destinations to explore new cities, visit hotels and to research museums, galleries and restaurants so that we can offer the most up-to-date advice and recommendations.
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