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98 15 Days Day 1. Arrive Paris Touch down in Paris and be transferred to your hotel in the historic Marais District. Tonight, enjoy a Welcome Dinner with your fellow travellers. Two Nights: Paris, Les Jardins du Marais. D Day 2. Paris Discover Paris's fascinating history on a tour this morning and marvel at its most famous attractions, including the Eiffel Tower and the Champs-Elysées. Enjoy the rest of the afternoon to explore this beautiful city at your leisure. B Day 3. Paris, Lille This morning, board a train and travel to Lille in the north of France. Here, set out on a guided walking tour of the city's sights, including the 15th-century Palais Rihour and the Notre Dame Cathedral. Later, enjoy a tasting of two of Lille's local specialities – beer and waffles. Two Nights: Lille, Novotel Best Western. BD Day 4. Somme Battlefields, Fromelles Today's full-day guided excursion takes you to some of the most important sites in France's modern history - the trenches and cemeteries of the Somme and Fromelles. The tour begins at Lochnagar Crater, the largest British mine crater on the Western Front, followed by Thiepval, home of the Memorial to the Missing of the Somme. After, visit Fromelles and VC Corner, the final resting place of nearly 1,300 Australian soldiers, as well as the museum which details the history of a battle considered to be the deadliest 24 hours in Australia's history. BL Day 5. Lille, Blois Today, your journey continues to the hillside city of Blois, serenely perched beside the Loire River. After checking in to your hotel begin your explorations with a unique guided tour. Climbing aboard a traditional horse and carriage you will head off around the streets of the Old Town, along the banks of the Loire and around the Château Royal de Blois. Two Nights: Blois, Holiday Inn. BD Day 6. Blois This morning, enjoy an excursion to the iconic Château de Chenonceau in the Loire Valley. The château elegantly spans the River Cher and is a fine example of Gothic and Renaissance architecture. After exploring the château and its picturesque fountain gardens, continue to Sambin, an area renowned for its wines. Here, enjoy a tasting of the delicious local produce at Domaine Chesneau et Fils wine estate and vineyard. B Day 7. Blois, Bordeaux This morning, travel by train through the stunning French countryside to glorious Bordeaux – the wine capital of the world. Enjoy a day at leisure to fully explore this grand city, perhaps taking a stroll in the elegant public gardens that line the river's quays. Enjoy dinner with your fellow travellers at a local restaurant tonight. Two Nights: Bordeaux, Hotel Novotel du Lac. BD GRAND TOUR OF FRANCE Paris Return Paris n Lille n Somme Battlefields Blois n Bordeaux n Carcassonne Avignon n Nice YOUR HOLIDAY PRICE INCLUDES ✓ 14 nights in premium accommodation ✓ Services of a professional Great Rail Journeys Tour Manager and expert local guides ✓ 23 meals – 14 breakfasts (B), 2 lunches (L) and 7 dinners (D) ✓ First Class rail travel ✓ Transfers and tipping ✓ All sightseeing and entrance fees as specified INSIDER EXPERIENCES Enjoy a tasting of beer and waffles in Lille Visit World War One sites of the Somme and Fromelles Tour the town of Blois by horse and carriage Take part in wine tastings in Blois and Bordeaux Enjoy lunch during a cruise on the River Rhone in historic Avignon Explore the delightful town of Aix-en-Provence Sip champagne and see the sights of Paris from Montparnasse Tower