Luxury Highlights of Paris & the Champagne Region - 7 Days

Highlights

• Learn about masters such as Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo at Le Louvre
• Stroll through artsy Montmartre and view the lights of Paris from Sacré-Coeur 
• Relax in the quiet luxury of your room at the 5-star Domaine Les Crayères Relais
• Savor private tours and tastings through the region's best Champagne houses
• Soar across valleys and vineyards on an early-morning hot-air balloon ride

Brief Itinerary

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Paris, Summit the Eiffel Tower

Welcome to France! Your flight lands in the capital city of Paris, otherwise known as the "City of Lights." This thriving metropolis blends far-reaching history with modern vibes, featuring ancient architecture alongside chic cafés, world-class museums, and high-end shopping.

Your private driver will collect you and transfer you to your accommodations at Hotel Napoleon, a stunning 5-star property located just steps from the Arc de Triomphe and Champs-Elysées. Rooms here are Parisian elegance at its finest, with sleek lines, a restful color palette, and the option for a private terrace with city views. Their on-site restaurant sits nestled behind tree-lined streets and is surrounded by a private hedge, creating an intimate atmosphere. After you've checked in and had a chance to regroup, it's time to explore!

Start with a visit to one of Paris' most iconic landmarks, the Eiffel Tower. Built by Gustave Eiffel as a temporary exhibit for the 1889 World's Fair, this 1,049-foot (320 m) spire has stood the test of time, and now, no one could imagine Paris without it. Your entry ticket provides access to the first two floors and the summit, changing lifts on the second floor to ascend a glass-walled lift to the top. Enjoy views of the city, visit a reconstruction of Eiffel's original office, and see a model of the top of the tower from 1889. Tonight, have dinner at a local café and take a stroll along the bustling boulevards. 

Day 2: Louvre Museum Guided Tour, Artisan Food & Wine of the Marais 

The day starts with a deep dive into the home of some of the most historic artistic works of the Western world—the Musée du Louvre. Originally built as a fortress and then used as a royal residence, the Louvre was inaugurated as a museum in the late 1700s. Today, its collections are valued at more than 45 billion, with works that include the revered "Mona Lisa" and the "Venus de Milo."

Team up with a private local art historian, who will help you discover these masterpieces and others, sharing insight into the different works and their history. The 2.5-hour VIP tour bypasses the general admission lines, and you'll be able to specify which artists you'd prefer to see. Explore this former royal palace and marvel at masters such as Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Delacroix, as your guide helps to demystify and decode each piece.

Later today, head to the north end of the historic Marais district for a privately guided tour that is sure to please any foodies in your group. Stroll the streets of the bohemian Canal Saint-Martin area, imbibing in a wide array of local food and wine. Sample flaky, sweet pastries at one of Paris' top boulangeries, visit a historic covered market to try fresh fruit, meats, and cheeses, and discover offbeat locales that many visitors don't get to see. The tour includes stops for wine tastings, with various local wines on offer, all accompanied by delicious snacks. 

Day 3: Discover Versailles Palace, Montmartre & Sacré-Coeur Walking Tour

Step back to the times of kings and queens today on a visit to the Palace and Park of Versailles. In the morning, meet your private guide and take a quick train ride to Versailles, where you'll exit the station and walk to the palace. This former royal residence, once the hunting pavilion of Louis XIII, was transformed into an opulent and decadent testament to France's "Le Grand Siècle" (the Great Century) by Louis XIV. You'll have the opportunity to see some of the 2,300 rooms that make up the palace, as well as the surrounding gardens. 

Your guide will whisk you past the waiting visitor queues and take you on an exclusive private tour that showcases the grandeur of the king and queen's apartments, the Hall of Mirrors, and the incredible Gardens à la Française. View the Gallery of Great Battles, the many art collections, and the garden's endless fountains and groves.

Stop for lunch, then head back to Paris in time for a privately guided walking tour of the Montmartre neighborhood. This artists' haven is home to the former residences of greats such as Picasso, Modigliani, and Toulouse-Lautrec. Together with your guide, you'll see the district's most well-known sites, including the Moulin Rouge, known for being the birthplace of the can-can dance, the Rue Lepic, the Moulin de la Galette, and the Montmartre Vineyard. End at Sacré-Coeur, a Roman Catholic basilica sitting at the top of Montmartre's hill, taking in the panoramic views of the city. 

Day 4: Transfer to Reims, Champagne House & Winery Tour 

Your next destination is the city of Reims, located in the Grand Est and Champagne wine-growing regions of northeastern France. Known for its cathedral, which was the traditional location for the coronation of the kings of France, Reims is also the headquarters of some of the region's largest Champagne houses. You'll meet your private driver in the morning and make the 1.5-hour scenic transfer, then check in at Domaine Les Crayères Relais.

This 5-star château-style hotel sits nestled inside a large park and was once the home of the De Polignac family. Today, rooms exude French classicism and include deep soaking tubs, luxury linens, and incredible city views. The hotel's on-site restaurant, Le Parc, holds 2 Michelin stars and features cuisine by Chef Christophe Moret (it's also renowned as having the best Champagne and sparkling wine list in the world). Take some time to settle in, but don't spend too much time in your room just yet—this afternoon you're off to visit Reim's top Champagne houses.

Your private tour starts with a drive through Épernay's Champagne Avenue and its various estates. Then, visit the Boizel Champagne House. This family-owned business has been making wines since 1834, with long aging periods that allow each Champagne to reach its full potential. Tour the cellars and taste their varietals, after which you'll continue to the town of Hautvillers, birthplace of Champagne and where the famous monk, Dom Pérignon, is buried. Finish at Le Clos Corbier House, where you'll test your knowledge with a Champagne quiz and have lunch—accompanied by the finest bubbly, of course.

Day 5: Balloon Flight Across Champagne, Guided City Tour, Fine Dining in Reims

You're up before dawn this morning, meeting your guide and heading out for a hot-air balloon ride across the breathtaking landscapes of Champagne. At the launch site, your pilot will take you through a safety briefing and then you're off, soaring across the rolling vineyards and picturesque villages as the sunrise casts a golden glow over the countryside. Your guide will point out different sights and share the history of the region as you go, offering you a different perspective and appreciation of the French countryside.

Later, take a privately guided city tour. Start at Reims Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Europe's most renowned Gothic structures. See the gorgeous stained glass windows and the 15th-century Gothic Organ Case, and walk among the more than 2,000 statues that adorn the cathedral. Then, step next door to the Palais du Tau, once the residence of the Archbishops of Reims and now showcasing an exhibit of the cathedral's treasury. You'll find many of the objects used in coronations, including the Holy Ampulla, the Chalice of Saint-Remi, and the Talisman of Charlemagne. 

The tour ends at the Porte de Mars (Gate of Mars), once part of a set of four monumental arches representing the gates of Durocortorum (the ancient name of Reims), and the only one that is still fully intact. Towering at nearly 50 feet high (15 m), this is the largest known triumphal arch in the Roman world. Afterward, wrap up the evening with dinner at L'assiette Champenoise, a 3-starred Michelin restaurant headed by award-winning chef Arnaud Lallement. Enjoy their tasting menu, all of which is based on fresh, seasonal ingredients and accompanied by local wines. 

Day 6: Full-Day E-Bike Adventure Through Champagne

Cycle through the lush greenery of Champagne via e-bike today, exploring the vast vineyards and learning more about the wine and Champagne-making process. Your driver will pick you up in the morning and take you to the ride's starting point, where you'll meet your private guide and get a briefing on the bikes and route. Cruise along rustic roads, taking in the serenity of these sprawling landscapes and stopping at wineries along the way for tastings. 

Stop for lunch at Le Clos Corbier, a family-run Champagne house that has been in operation since the 1850s. Tour the cellars, see how the vintages are made, and then sit outside (weather permitting) for a lunch of regional specialties, desserts, and their premiere Champagnes. Your driver will meet you after your ride and transport you back to Reims, where you can make the most of your last evening in France with dinner and a sunset stroll around town. 

Day 7: Depart Reims

The time has come to say goodbye to historic, romantic France. At the designated time, your driver will pick you up from your hotel and transfer you to the airport where your departing flight awaits. Au revoir! 

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