Car Ferry
Short Break
Chateau De Bagnols, Beaujolais
Lyon, France
With its towers, moat, drawbridge and distinctive honey-coloured stone walls, this is one of France’s most historic landmarks, now a member of Relais & Châteaux. The Château dates from the 13th century and is set in the heart of the Beaujolais countryside. Acquired by Lady Hamlyn in 1987, it is still under private ownership and is 20 kilometres north west of Lyon, next to the picturesque village of Bagnols.
The ‘Salles des Gardes’ is the location of the gastronomic restaurant ‘1217’, and in summer lunch or dinner are served on the south facing terrace under the shade of lime trees. The ‘Café du Château’ in the covered inner courtyard serves lighter dishes. There are just 27 bedrooms located in either the ‘Château Cellar’ buildings or the ‘Residence’ next door. Six new apartment rooms have been added, decorated in a contemporary style, as well as a spa and an indoor swimming pool. The attractive formal gardens are perfect for a relaxing stroll and there is a summer swimming pool. The Château can organise wine-tasting, horse riding, tennis and golf nearby. We suggest a hire car if you would like to explore the surrounding vineyards and market towns.
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Enrique Novella
Product Manager
Short Break
Château de Noirieux
Loire Valley, France
deluxe
Situated half an hour’s drive to the north of Angers in a pretty countryside location, the Château de Noirieux is a lovingly restored castle and manor house dating back to the 15th century where guests receive a warm welcome.
Short Break
Château de Fonscolombe
The Luberon, France
Located just outside the centre of Aix-en-Provence, this 18th century mansion has been comprehensively transformed into a luxurious country house hotel.
Short Break
Cour des Loges
Lyon, France
superior
Following a major renovation, this delightfully atmospheric hotel is due to reopen in spring 2024. Located right in the heart of the historic old town, it is made up of four integrated houses that belonged to wealthy merchants and date from the 14th to 17th centuries.
Short Break
Château d’Artigny
Loire Valley, France
deluxe
This is the former home of François Coty, the famous perfumer and is a grand, Belle Époque mansion which stands in a beautiful estate above the Indre Valley, a short drive south of Tours.
Short Break
Relais Chambord
Loire Valley, France
deluxe
Built by King Francis I in the 16th century, the Château de Chambord is one of the most impressive in the Loire, and this unique property is the only hotel on its private 5,440-hectare estate.
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
Intercontinental Lyon – Hotel Dieu
Lyon, France
A historic monument and former hospital dating from the 15th century, the Grand Hôtel Dieu has been transformed into Lyon’s newest residence in the heart of the Presqu’île, comprising the hotel as well as an upmarket food hall, boutiques, restaurants and La Cité Internationale de la Gastronomie.
Short Break
Westminster
Paris, France
deluxe
With a fantastic location on the prestigious shopping street Rue de la Paix, close to the Place Vendôme, this is one of the oldest hotels in Paris. Its 102 rooms are all furnished in the Louis XV style.
Short Break
Château le Cagnard
Nice, France
superior
Located a short walk from the main square where the locals indulge their passion for boules, this historic residence forms part of the stone walls of the village and dates from the 13th century.
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.
Tailor-made Holiday
Tailor-Made Normandy
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
Accommodation
Kirker Concierge
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
Car Ferry
Accommodation
Kirker Concierge
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 £2098 per person
Includes
Flights
Accommodation
Meals
Entrance Fees
+1
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.
Includes
Eurostar
Accommodation
Dinners
Lectures
+2
Cultural Tours & Music Holidays
Reims and Champagne
Champagne
Whet your appetite for the festive season with a pre-Christmas Champagne escape in the company of wine expert Tim Clarke. Based in the heart of Reims, walking distance from the magnificent gothic cathedral where the kings of France were crowned, we will enjoy exclusive tastings and delicious cuisine, as well as time to explore the atmospheric Christmas markets.
3 nights price from £2697 per person
Includes
Eurostar
Accommodation
Meals
Tastings
+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.
4 nights price from £2395 per person
Includes
Flights
Accommodation
Tour Lecturer
Wine tastings
+2
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.
Includes
Eurostar
Accommodation
Meals
Sightseeing
+1
Cultural Tours & Music Holidays
Carcassonne & Albi
Carcassonne
This tour is based at the pinnacle of the mediaeval citadel of Carcassonne where we stay at the luxurious Hotel de la Cité, built into the ramparts with panoramic views of the countryside. It is from here that we will explore the many distinctive regions of this beautiful part of southwest France.
6 nights price from £2986 per person
Includes
Flights
Accommodation
Three Dinners
Sightseeing
+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 £1998 per person
Includes
Flights
Accommodation
Meals
Entrance Fees
+1
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.
Includes
Return Eurostar
Accommodation
Meals
Sightseeing
+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.
Includes
Flights
Accommodation
Meals
Wine tastings
+2
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.
Includes
Eurostar
Accommodation
Performance tickets
Meals
+3
Speak to an expert - 020 7593 2288
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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