Paris at Christmastime

Paris, Moulin Rouge, and Versailles

Join us on this exciting tour to Paris where you will experience that magical feeling of Christmas whilst enjoying French Cuisine and Wines. Our tour combines the best of the Paris “Christmas Markets” together with its “Night Life” The city sparkles with a million lights, hundreds of decorated trees line the boulevards, and Christmas markets spring up everywhere. You will have a three-day travel pass which gives you unlimited travel on the Metro-Bus-Tram network of Zones 1-3.

We also enjoy an excursion to the Palace of Versailles with lunch. A former royal residence commissioned by King Louis XIV, the Palace of Versailles offers an insight of French aristocracy of the past.

The Moulin Rouge is the most iconic cabaret in the world, and this night-time extravaganza delivers. Experience the cabaret show where the French can-can premiered. The furious rhythms and scintillating costumes, along with a champagne-fuelled dinner, make the Moulin Rouge a must-visit destination. This is an extraordinary evening you will remember for years to come.

After five action-packed days in Paris, we make our way back towards Calais and our final overnight stop at Chateau de Cocove where we will have a group dinner in the Chateau’s excellent gastronomic restaurant.

Day One – Saturday 7^th December
Our tour will commence in Paris, at the well-appointed campsite Camping de Paris, located right in the heart of the 16^th arrondissement, on the banks of the Seine and surrounded by nature our campsite is the ideal base for exploring this amazing city and the numerous Christmas festivities taking place. This evening we meet in the campsite bar/restaurant for a Welcome Reception and your Tour Directors will provide you with some hints on how best to spend your time in Paris.

Day Two – Sunday 8^th December
Our coach will collect us from the campsite, so that we can discover the opulence, beauty and history of The Palace of Versailles, a former royal residence commissioned by King Louis XIV. Also wander at your leisure through the magnificent gardens, which took over 40 years to develop before we meet up for a group lunch.

Day Three – Monday 9^th December
Opportunity today for you to visit some of the most popular Christmas venues in the city.  With over 15 different market options you’ll be spoilt for choice, just one prospect is the fabulous “La Magie de Noel” market located just a few minutes’ walk from the famous “Champs Elysees” festooned with its dazzling array of Christmas lights and trees. With over one hundred traders selling mostly French Produced food, wine, and gifts there will be something to suit everybody’s taste.  Maybe, take a ride on the “Ferris Wheel” and gaze down at the amazing, illuminated Place de la Concorde below – “enjoy the atmosphere”.

Day Four – Tuesday 10^th December
Enjoy a more relaxing day today and combine some traditional sightseeing interspersed with visits to some of the smaller traditional markets.  Early this evening we leave from our campsite by coach for our journey to the famous “Moulin Rouge”. The evening will begin with a Champagne Dinner followed by the Glitter and Excitement of the Revue consisting of a troupe of 80 artists including 60 “Doriss Girls”. The theatre lights go down, the curtain goes up and the entire troupe appears on the stage under the gaze of the audience…. After an amazing evening we return to our campsite and motorhomes, for a good night’s sleep.

Day Five – Wednesday 11^th December
Another opportunity today to visit more of the festive markets including the Marché de Noël sur le Parvis de la Défense, with over 350 decorated stalls to pass through, you will be amazed at the range of products on offer and become immersed in the “Seasonal Atmosphere”.  As an alternative to the traditional Christmas Markets a visit to one of the most prestigious department stores in France – “Galeries Lafayette”, is highly recommended.  This store is housed in an amazing galleried building topped with a magnificent domed roof and has a comprehensive range of products. Visit the outstanding food hall and perhaps sample some of the delights on offer.  After your visit to the store, you may like to visit the Musée de L’Opéra and the Palais Garnier, which are to be found adjacent to the store. Tonight, we get together in the campsite bar for a wine and pizza evening.

Day Six – Thursday 12^th December
We will start our return journey towards Calais and tonight we have been granted special permission to stay overnight at the eighteenth-century Chateau de Cocove, where this evening we will enjoy our farewell dinner in the Chateau’s fine gastronomic restaurant.  At the end of the evening, it’s no more than a few steps back to our motorhome beds. Note, there are no facilities available.

Day Seven – Friday 13^th December
Our tour ends this morning. It is only a short drive back to the port at Calais for those returning home and there you will be able to make your final purchases for the festive season.

PRICE

Motorhome with 2 people = £999 per person
Motorhome with 1 person = £1399

DEPOSIT £400

INCLUDED IN PRICE

• 5 Campsite nights with electric hook-up
• Welcome Reception with refreshments
• Coach Tour to The Palace of Versailles with Lunch
• Three Day Paris Travel Pass in zones 1-3
• Private coach transfer to/from Moulin Rouge
• Moulin Rouge evening with Champagne Dinner and Show
• Campsite bar wine & pizza evening
• 1 over-night parking at Chateau de Cocove with no facilities
• Farewell Dinner in Chateau de Cocove with wine
• Tour information pack with suggested routes & GPS co-ordinates
• Services of Tour Directors travelling in their own motorhome
• DK Eyewitness Paris Guidebook

This tour starts in Paris, but if you would like to travel at the same time as the Tour Directors on the outward journey, please book the optional tour package so that everything can be arranged on your behalf

OPTIONAL PACKAGE

• Meet with Tour Directors at Dover Docks on Thursday 5th December
• Return Dover/Calais Ferry with a Flexible Ticket + Club Class Lounge
• Two additional campsite nights with electric hook-up near Bruges from Thursday 5^th December
• Dinner at a restaurant with wine near the campsite
• Tour information pack with suggested routes & GPS Coordinates
• Services of Tour Directors travelling in their own motorhome

OPTIONAL PACKAGE PRICE

Motorhome with 2 people @ £335 per person
Motorhome with 1 person @ £519