Exclusive Garden Treasures of the French Riviera & Provence

A gardener must be an architect, sculptor, musician and painter all at the same time" - Dominique La Fourcade


April 26 - May 6, 2025

$13,790 per person, double occupancy

+$3,729 per person, single occupancy

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Château de Versailles

A very special visit to Château de Versailles follows a wonderful journey through Southern France


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Tour Highlights

4 Nights at the 4-Star Hôtel La Pérouse in Nice, France (all seafront rooms)

4 Nights at the 5-Star Hôtel La Mirande in Avignon

2 Nights at the 5-Star Hotel Intercontinental Paris Le Grand

Private Meet & Greet Transfer service from Nice Airport (NCE)

14 Garden & Estate Visits including several private, guided tours with the head gardeners and owners

Deluxe Private Transportation throughout the tour

All tips and gratuities

21 meals including: Breakfast daily, welcome dinner at La Pérouse, lunch on the terrace of Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild, lunch at Chateau Lacoste in the Brasserie de Tadao Ando, lunch in the Private Garden of Dominique Lafourcade in St Rémy-de-Provence, welcome canape and drinks reception at the InterContinental Paris Le Grand, and more!

Guided walking tour of Nice’s Old Town

Guided Visit to Fragonard Perfumery

Free time in St Rémy-de-Provence & Avignon

Special Huron Events Including: Private Dinner in the ancient kitchen of La Mirande with the head chef, Gourmet Cruise on the River Seine, Afternoon at Chateau Lacoste with guided visit in the vines to discover the artworks and architecture, Private Prestige Garden tours of Marie Antoinette’s domain: Le Petit Trianon & The Queen’s Hamlet at Château de Versailles

Superior Wines with all Meals

First Class Journey on the high-speed TGV train to Paris with private luggage transfer service

Return Private Transfer to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG)

Susan Worner as your bi-lingual Guide

Professional Tour Managers (Huron owners)


About the tour:

April 26 - May 6, 2025

$13,790 per person, double occupancy

+$3,729 single supplement

Price is land only - please see below in this box for flight search

$2,000 per person deposit

Walking required! This tour involves a fair amount of walking, including on uneven surfaces. Unfortunately it may not be suitable for anyone with mobility problems. Please contact us if you are unsure about whether it is suitable for you or your traveling companions.

Please give us a call with any questions: (800) 734-1192 or (504) 267-2057


Important Information about Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is MANDATORY for this excursion. Policies must provide coverage for trip cancellation, delay, medical coverage including Covid, and lost luggage. You do not have to purchase this coverage from Huron Tours although if that is something that interests you, please visit our website or call our office for more information when making your deposit. You can find out more details on our available travel insurance policies by clicking here.

Please give us a call with any questions: (800) 734-1192 or (504) 267-2057



Questions about our tour Policies? Refund and deposit deadlines?
Please consult our tour policies by clicking here (opens in a new window)

About Our Hotels


La Pérouse

Sheltered by a rocky promontory, La Pérouse provides a peaceful haven just steps from the bustle of central Nice. This four-star hotel delivers on luxury from its Mediterranean restaurant to its cliffside pool and sauna. The bird's-eye views over the Baie des Anges are second to none.


La Mirande

This doyenne of Avignon hotels remains the grandest and most tranquil haven in the heart of one of France's most delightful cities. La Mirande is an address to impress, with service to match.


InterContinental Paris - Le Grand

A piece of Parisian history, polished to perfection...

Le Grand was here first. The rest of the city grew up around the hotel, as guests poured into the Palais Garnier across the road and Opéra Métro opened underneath. You might now be able to watch the Eiffel Tower twinkle from the balconies, but it was just a twinkle in Gustave’s eye back in 1862. This is still the historic Haussmanian heart of Paris today.


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The Road to Avignon

Clouds sail over the distant trees, Petals are shaken down by the breeze, They fall on the terrace tiles like snow; The sighing of waves sounds, far below. A humming-bird kisses the lips of a rose Then laden with honey and love he goes. The minstrel woos with his silver strings, And climbing up to the lady, sings: -- Down the road to Avignon, The long, long road to Avignon, Across the bridge to Avignon, One morning in the spring.

Step by step, and he comes to her, Fearful lest she suddenly stir. Sunshine and silence, and each to each, The lute and his singing their only speech; He leans above her, her eyes unclose, The humming-bird enters another rose. The minstrel hushes his silver strings. Hark! The beating of humming-birds' wings! Down the road to Avignon, The long, long road to Avignon, Across the bridge to Avignon, One morning in the spring.

~ Amy Lowell
(1874 - 1925)

Château de Versailles

A very special visit to Château de Versailles follows a wonderful journey through Southern France

Exclusive Garden Treasures of the French Riviera & Provence

April 26 - May 6, 2025


A journey from the sparkling Côte d’Azur into Italy and through Provence, ending in Paris.


On the grounds of Jardin botanique Val <Rahmeh-Menton></Rahmeh-Menton>

On the grounds of Jardin botanique Val Rahmeh-Menton


The allure of the French Riviera and the promise of Provence has been calling Huron Tours for years. When we traveled to this region in between garden tours in 2022 we knew we had to make the dream a reality!

This luxury, tailor-made journey represents the most intimate and exclusive in Huron’s history. In travel, the phrase “bucket list” is wildly overused but we believe this tour will truly be the trip of a lifetime. Limited to just 18 travelers, this intimacy affords us the privilege of visiting several of the smaller, private gardens featured on this itinerary.

From private gardens only open by special invitation to restored historic gems, this unique tour features remarkable Mediterranean gardens, dramatic coastlines, ancient cities, traditional villages, and exclusive experiences just for Huron Tours. Along the way we’ll be fortunate to meet several enthusiastic and knowledgeable garden owners, designers, and head gardeners.

We are delighted to have teamed up with garden specialist Susan Worner, who used her considerable knowledge and history to help design this itinerary. Susan is originally from Yorkshire, England, but now calls Switzerland home. She has over 25 years of experience organizing floral journeys to some of the world’s most fascinating gardens, both public and private. A linguist and experienced gardener, she has a deep interest and excellent contacts in each area we’ll visit on this glorious itinerary. Susan designs and leads tours for garden designers, writers, nurserymen, and of course, those of us who just love gardens and long to visit them! Katie Kosta and Susan have been working for months to perfect this tour, and we are both thrilled by the resulting itinerary!


Susan Worner in her garden in Menton

France garden tour specialist Susan Worner (above) has been working with Huron's Katie Kosta for months to create the ideal Huron itinerary


If you’ve traveled with Huron Tours in the past, you know we’ve had spectacular moments in the most privileged and magical of settings. Our tour to France advances and enriches this tradition with private garden tours of Marie Antoinette’s domain at Château de Versailles, an afternoon in the private garden of famed landscape gardener Dominique Lafourcade, and a tour with the head gardener of Le Petit Fontanille - an extraordinary private garden created by the former American ambassador to Belgium (with help from Rosemary Verey).

Our garden travels begin in Nice, France, on the ravishing French Riviera, where the mild, sunny climate has attracted visitors since the 19th century. Garden enthusiasts throughout the world treasure the Côte d’Azur. We’ll be touring several beautiful gardens along the coast and around Grasse, an important center for perfume based on locally grown flowers.

Our Nice hotel, La Perouse, is ideally located in the historic Old Town just steps from the colorful market and with glorious views of the Mediterranean Sea.

In Italy, we’ll visit a classic Gardenesque-style estate on a promontory overlooking the Mediterranean. The site is dramatic, and the plant collection exotic. Sometimes, it seems that heaven on earth really exists, and Hanbury Botanical Gardens in Ventimiglia is such a place.


Hanbury Botanical Gardens

Hanbury Botanical Gardens


Our journey continues to Provence to discover the light, the landscapes, the scents, and the magic. Our home here will be the majestic walled city of Avignon; its rich attractions include the Romanesque Avignon Cathedral and the ornate Palace of the Popes, the seat of Western Christianity in the 14th century and situated just steps from our most gracious and beautifully restored hotel, La Mirande. Still family-owned and operated, the property was originally the palace of a 14th-century cardinal. Thanks to its beautiful 17th-century façade and the collection of treasures within, the property feels like a grand and gracious private house.


Provence, France garden

A secret garden in Provence


The gardens chosen for our time in Provence were created by leading garden designers around Avignon and St Remy de Provence. Many of these “invitation only” private gems are opening just for Huron because their owners know you’ll be interested, engaged, enthusiastic, and appreciative.

Please read on for more information on this incredible tour. We hope you'll decide to join us!

Happy Travels, - Katie and John Kosta


Friday, April 25
Flights to Nice, France

Though not an official tour date we include this day here to help your planning efforts.

Travel to Nice Côte d’Azur Airport (NCE) on your favorite air carrier. Most flights from the US will depart Friday, April 25 and arrive the morning of Saturday, April 26 (the first day of the tour).

Please give us a call for airfare prices and schedules. (800) 734-1192 or (504) 267-2057.

Your air carrier provides dinner and breakfast.


Saturday, April 26
Nice arrival, private transfer to our perfectly located hotel, meet your guides, walking tour of Old Town, private welcome dinner
Hotel La Perouse in Nice - a stunning location

Hotel La Perouse in Nice - a stunning location


You’ll arrive at Nice Côte d’Azur Airport (NCE) and privately transfer to the Hotel La Pérouse at the end of the Promenade des Anglais. Tucked away in an idyllic spot in Old Nice, just steps from the endless blue of the Mediterranean, La Pérouse offers an uncommonly beautiful setting for our home base in the French Riviera. How wonderful that your room overlooks the Bay of Angels, one of the most beautiful coasts in the world!

We’ll enjoy a lovely late afternoon guided stroll around the old town before enjoying a welcome aperitif and dinner together in the hotel’s enchanting restaurant where the cuisine is as divine as the setting. The perfect start to what promises to be an incredible garden journey.

(Meals on flight, welcome dinner included.)


Sunday, April 27
Guided tour and lunch at Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild

After breakfast on the hotel’s beautiful terrace, we follow the coastal road to Villefranche-sur-Mer towards the peninsula of Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat to visit the remarkable Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild. The estate is as famous for its art collection as for its gardens, which harmoniously combine formal and contemporary styles. The villa, where we will enjoy a guided tour, was built between 1905 and 1912 for Baroness Béatrice de Rothschild in the most beautiful spot on the Cap Ferrat peninsula, surrounded by marvelous sea views.

Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild

Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild


We’ll also extensively tour the gorgeous gardens surrounding the villa, each with its own distinctive and contrasting theme. This is a whimsical, fairytale-style garden designed in the image of a ship’s deck. Enjoy walking alongside hundred-year-old olive trees, cypress hedges, and Aleppo pines, leading you toward the Temple of Love. We’ll stop to admire the musical fountains that spring from the large pond. There are 8 beautifully designed gardens to appreciate. You will see it all on our private tour, followed by lunch together on the delightful terrace.

This evening you are free to explore the wonderful town of Nice. Be sure to consult our restaurant guide which includes a wide range of options from Michelin Starred fine-dining to small bistros we love.

Villa Rothschild spectacular interior

Villa Rothschild spectacular interior

(Breakfast and lunch are included today.)


Monday, April 28
Grasse, France to visit Jardin de la Villa Fort France and La Mouissone gardens
Grasse, France, from above

Grasse, France, from above


What would a tour of southern France be without a visit to Grasse, the world’s perfume capital?

Today will certainly be a feast for the senses! We begin at the Jardin de la Villa Fort France, developed in the 1930s by English writer Lady Fortescue, and her husband, the librarian for King George VI. The garden is now a source of inspiration to current owners, artist Valerie de Courcel and her husband Pierre. This is a true artist’s garden where we’ll find an intriguing harmony of shape, color, and texture during our private tour. Dotted with olive trees, aromatic plants, perennials, and a myriad of other gorgeous flora, we’ll experience each terrace full of unique fragrant flowers surrounding the charming villa.

If you wish to see what can be achieved in a relatively short space of time (in gardening terms), given seven acres of land, a good knowledge of plants, plenty of resources and, above all, determination and enthusiasm, you will cherish our visit to La Mouissone.

This property of Lady Lockett features Mediterranean-sea-facing garden terraces that are constantly evolving. Rooted in the scents of Grasse’s history but planted with contemporary verve, the garden walks unfold harmoniously, from wide flowerbeds punctuated with collections overflowing with exotic plants, to more intimate spaces. A meadow garden inspired by the Dutch landscape designer Piet Oudolf was recently created. An Italian terrace with a waterfall fountain offers freshness and serenity. The views of the hinterland and the Cannes coastline are spectacular. We’ll enjoy lunch in the garden to make the most of this special visit.


A pleasant spot to contemplate life (or check your email) at La Mouissone

A pleasant spot to contemplate life (or check your email) at La Mouissone


Shortly after the First World War, Eugène Fuchs and his family left Saint-Chamond and his notary’s practice to settle in the sun-drenched hillsides around Grasse. This entrepreneur at heart was soon won over by the magic of perfume and decided to create his own company. Thus, the Parfumerie Fragonard opened its doors to business in 1926. Eugène Fuchs chose to pay tribute to the most famous native of Grasse by naming his business after the painter Jean-Honoré Fragonard (1732-1806). We’ll have a tour of the factories with a private guide trained by a professional perfume maker who knows all about the history of the trade.

The evening is at your leisure to further explore Nice.

(Breakfast and lunch are included today.)


Tuesday, April 29
Menton, France to visit the Botanical Garden of Val Rahmeh for a private tour, then into Italy to visit Hanbury Gardens at La Mortola and to have lunch with Carolyn Hanbury
Menton, France

Colorful Menton, France


After breakfast, our morning departure will take us to Menton on the Franco-Italian border. Blessed by the mildest climate on the Riviera, it is sheltered by a semicircle of mountains, the eastern end of which forms the border with Italy.

Our first visit today is to the Botanical Garden of Val Rahmeh. A stunning garden full of exotic plants that hail from countries worldwide, the dense foliage makes for a charming haven of tranquility where you can take a gentle stroll to admire everything it on offer. You’ll get to identify and enjoy all kinds of flora, from agave plants and cactus to bamboo shoots and tree ferns, enhanced by a private, guided tour.

Val Rahmeh Botanical Garden by flickr user Gunera

Val Rahmeh Botanical Garden by flickr user Gunera


Next, we’ll head across the border into Italy and the famous Hanbury Gardens at La Mortola which has seen two world wars, visits from queens and several generations of Hanbury caretakers. The gardens were created in 1867 by Sir Thomas Hanbury who was captivated by the rocky outcrop while holidaying in the French Riviera. When subsequent members of the Hanbury family were unable to properly maintain the gardens, the heads of Kew and Wisley arranged for the gardens to be bought by the Italian state. The garden has an impressive collection of plants and banks of cascading scented flowers. An unparalleled collection of specimens festoon the steep site. Curtains of plumbago and bougainvillea, perfumed parterres, pergolas, exotic pavilions and citrus orchards adorn this garden paradise on a private headland. We’ll have lunch today with Carolyn Hanbury who still has a family home at the top of the garden.


Hanbury Botanical Gardens

Hanbury Botanical Gardens


(Breakfast and lunch are included today.)


Wednesday, April 30
depart Nice, visit to Château La Coste, lunch at Brasserie de Tadao Ando, sculpture walk, arrival in Avignon, welcome drinks in the garden

After breakfast this morning we depart Nice heading west towards Provence.

Provence, a picturesque region in southern France, is renowned for its landscapes, vibrant colors, and aromatic scents that vary beautifully with the seasons. The region's exquisite flowers inspired Van Gogh, Cezanne, and Monet, and you will soon experience this charming atmosphere yourself.


A seating area and architectural installation at Château La Coste

A seating area and architectural installation at Château La Coste


Our first visit is to Château La Coste, a vineyard and art and architecture paradise north of Aix-en-Provence.

The vineyards at Chateau La Coste span some 200 hectares and boast a wealth of history, including a wine-making tradition that dates back to Roman times. The remarkable setting features cypresses, stone pines, olive trees and oaks.

We’ll have lunch together in the vineyard’s Brasserie de Tadao Ando, designed by renowned Japanese architect Tadao Ando. The menu follows the seasons, using fresh produce from the kitchen garden.

After lunch we’ll be guided to see several sculptures by the biggest names in art and architecture. Every invited artist designs and chooses their pieces’ location when adding something new to the existing installations. We’ll then discover the potager garden designed by Louis Benech, regarded as one of the most remarkable landscape architects of his generation. This privately guided walk is an invitation to reflect and an opportunity to revel in our glorious surroundings.

You’ll have time to relax and discover the domaine while browsing the specialist bookshop and wine shop or simply enjoying a coffee or another glass of wine.

On arrival in the majestic walled city Avignon set on the banks of the River Rhône, we check-in to the luxury 5-star hotel La Mirande, our home for the next four nights. Here, we’ll step into the Age of Enlightenment. Built in the 14th century at the same time as the Palais des Papes (Papal Palace), La Mirande was once a hotel for cardinals; the property retains its history through medieval tapestries and 16th-century ceilings. Today, it's privately owned and family-run. Located right in the heart of Avignon, it offers easy access this town of superb restaurants, charming shops and the storied Provençal market lining its medieval streets.

This evening we’ll enjoy welcome drinks together in La Mirande’s beautiful garden.

Dinner this evening is on your own so we’ve included a nice list of restaurants to try just steps from the front doors of our hotel.

(Breakfast and lunch are included today.)

Stunning interior of La Mirande hotel

Stunning interior of La Mirande hotel


Thursday, May 1
Visits to gardens by Landscape Gardener Dominique Lafourcade
Avignon, France

Dominique Lafourcade's garden in Provence


Today we visit the gardens of an ancient monastery in the Alpilles hills, designed by famed Landscape Gardener Dominique Lafourcade, who imagines, designs and creates gardens in keeping with the topography and buildings: classical, formal and informal, from secret garden rooms asking to be explored to long, open perspectives inviting an afternoon walk.

Each one of Dominique Lafourcade's garden designs is unique. They share just one thing in common: they express their creator's desire to tell a story with plants, flowers and trees with the wind, earth, sun and rain providing the canvas on which she paints her colors.

This afternoon we’ve planned a very special private visit and lunch in Dominique Lafourcade’s own personal garden in St Rémy-de-Provence.

You are free this evening to wander the charming streets of Avignon. Be sure to consult our restaurant recommendations list which includes a wide range of options from haute French dining to quaint neighborhood bistros.

(Breakfast and lunch are included today.)


Friday, May 2
Le Petit Fontanille garden visit, free time in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, private tour of private garden, farm-to-table dinner

Mas Benoit

The private garden of Mas Benoît designed by legendary professor, sculptor and garden designer Alain-David Idoux. Renowned tree sculptor Marc Nucera, will be our guide here.


By special appointment, Susan has arranged a tour with the head gardener of Le Petit Fontanille, an exceptional private garden created by a former American ambassador to Belgium with the help of notable designers Rosemary Verey, Peter Coates, and Tim Rees. This beautiful garden, which surrounds a 12th-century farmhouse, features traditions from France, England, and America that have long inspired the owner. Contrasting rooms characterized by a playful use of water lie at the heart of the garden.

After our visit, we'll have free time in the picture-perfect village of Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, which is the ideal marriage of an understated French aesthetic with gorgeous boutiques, shops, bistros, and cafes.

Later, we’ll tour one of France's most famous private gardens featuring superb land art in an idyllic Provençal landscape. With the magnificent backdrop of the Alpilles in the distance and a sea of olive trees, the garden was laid out by the late Alain David Idoux who introduced a lavender wedge, an almond spiral, and sculpted holm oaks with tree sculpture specialist Marc Nucera.

This evening, back at La Mirande, we’ll enjoy an exclusive dining experience, beginning with a visit to the wine cellar for tastings. Then, in the medieval part of the hotel, a treasure is hidden - but not to Huron tour members. In the heart of the property, we find the old kitchen dating from the middle of the 19th century. On a venerable wood-fired cast iron range, surrounded by the instruments of great traditional cooking, a stunning farm-to-table meal will be prepared just for us!


A magical setting for our farm-to-table dinner at La Mirande

A magical setting for our farm-to-table dinner at La Mirande


(Breakfast and dinner are included today.)


Saturday, May 3
Saint-André Abey, free time, dinner together

Water Lilies at Saint-André Abbey

Water Lilies at Saint-André Abbey


The Saint-André Abbey, located within the walls of the Saint-André Fortress was built at the beginning of the 11th century, not far from the Sainte-Casarie gravestones. The abbey was partly destroyed during the French Revolution, and the early buildings disappeared. Here we’ll tour the magnificent terraced gardens that overlook the Rhône Valley featuring Tuscan flowerbeds, century-old olive trees and other Mediterranean plants, ponds and vestiges of Romanesque churches. The cypress-lined botanical trail offers splendid views of Avignon and the Popes' Palace. During our visit we’ll be treated to light refreshments. The Abbey boutique offers a selection of books, a fine grocery, wine and decorative items.

Later this afternoon you’ll enjoy free time to explore Avignon. We’ll dine together this evening in the gorgeous dining room at La Mirande. Another first-class culinary experience.

(Breakfast and dinner included)


Sunday, May 4
High speed TGV train to Paris, lunch cruise on the Sienne, welcome reception

TGV

TGV high speed train in Paris


This morning, we’ll travel in First Class aboard the high-speed Avignon TGV train to Paris, the city of Light!

One of our tour highlights, in a journey full of them, will be our welcome to Paris! We’ll experience a unique voyage on the Seine through contemporary French cuisine. Lunch will be elevated by the lively atmosphere of the capital while admiring the most beautiful monuments that line the route and offer you a new view of the city. The perfect opportunity to visit Paris differently!

After our lunch cruise we’ll check in to our home for the next two nights, The 5-Star Intercontinental Paris Le Grand, a Parisian icon!

The covered entrance to this Haussmannian-era Dame is as grand as the many city blocks that the property occupies, directly facing the Palais Garnier in the opulent 9th arrondissement. It is clear from the moment you are greeted and pass the threshold you’ll be staying in one of the original homes of Parisian luxury lodging. The extravagant accommodations offer elegant guest rooms, excellent French gastronomy, a superb spa, all just steps from the grand cafes, theaters, shopping, and landmarks of magical Paris.

This evening John and Katie will host a welcome to Paris reception in the hotel’s legendary bar. Le Bar is inspired by the divine French stage actress Sarah Bernhardt, a loyal customer and emblematic figure from the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. Her meetings with luminaries such as Guerlain, Escoffier and Victor Hugo all took place here. Today, an enchanting portrait of the actress by Georges Clarin hangs in the entrance hall, and the presidential suite is dedicated to her. This is the perfect beginning to our stay in Paris!


Paris

We've created a memorable stay in Paris!


(Breakfast, lunch and reception are included today.)


Monday, May 5
Full day in Versailles with exclusive private tours

Versailles

Extravagant Versailles is a timeless showcase of opulence and grandeur!


You are waking up in Paris! - and even better, you’ll have a day to remember at Château de Versailles.

When you travel with Huron Tours you won’t have to settle for long lines and audio guides. We’ll have the privilege of private “prestige tours” of the gardens of the Grand Trianon and Le Jardin du Parfumeur (The Perfumer’s Garden), and the atmospheric Queen’s Hamlet. An exclusive garden-centric visit to Versailles, what could be better?

Marie-Antoinette’s reconfiguration of the Trianon gardens can be divided into two distinct phases. The first, starting in 1777, corresponds to the creation of the English Gardens. Subsequently, in 1783, she tasked Richard Mique with extending the gardens to the north and building a model village around a beautiful lake. The Queen’s Hamlet does not belong to any particular style, combining as it does various influences from rural architecture. But it does create a sense of aesthetic coherency. Today, we will privately tour both! The flowerbeds still put flowers in the spotlight, as in the time of Louis XIV, when Trianon was nicknamed the "Palace of Flora."

The Perfumer’s Garden represents a return to the atmosphere of 17th-century gardens. Located in the Châteauneuf Orangery, at the center of the Estate of Trianon, this garden features hundreds of flower essences, telling the story of the history of perfume and its uses at the Court of Versailles.

After our tour of the gardens we’ll enjoy lovely lunch of refined Italian cuisine in a bucolic atmosphere. Set in the heart of the grounds of the Château de Versailles, between the Bassin d'Apollon and the Grand Canal, you will find the restaurant La Petite Venise, where we will privately dine. A building with French Historic Monument classification, the restaurant's dining room used to house a gondola workshop in the 17th century.

Following lunch, we'll tour The Queen’s Hamlet, an idyllic place in Versailles for strolling designed in the spirit of the age, reflecting the “return to nature” extolled by philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau. The Queen would regularly come here to enjoy the charms of country life, and nobody was allowed to visit her without her permission!

After our enjoyable day exploring the gardens of Versailles we return to central Paris. Consider extending your stay in this marvelous city to take in the sites, museums, sidewalk cafes and more. We can extend your reservation at the Intercontinental, just ask!

(Breakfast and lunch included today.)


Tuesday, May 6
Departures for home

This morning you’ll bid ‘au revoir’ to France as you head home with incredible memories and stories to share of your remarkable journey through the most exclusive gardens in France! Your driver will transfer you to your flight from Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) at your leisureParis Charles de Gaulle Airport.

(Breakfast included today, airlines provide other meals.)


How to Book

A $2,000 per person deposit will hold your space. Please use the link above or below to access our online shopping cart. If you'd like to reserve over the phone, we'd be happy to talk to you and can be reached at either (504) 267-2057 or (800) 734-1192.


Hotel La Perouse in Nice - a stunning location

Hotel La Perouse in Nice - a stunning location

Flower bouquet at market stall in Nice, France

Gorgeous bouquets at a at market stall in Nice, France

About the tour:

April 26 - May 6, 2025

$13,790 per person, double occupancy

+$3,729 single supplement

Price is land only - please see below in this box for flight search

$2,000 per person deposit

Walking required!
This tour involves a fair amount of walking, including on uneven surfaces. Unfortunately it may not be suitable for anyone with mobility problems. Please contact us if you are unsure about whether it is suitable for you or your traveling companions.

Please give us a call with any questions: (800) 734-1192 or (504) 267-2057


Important Information about Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is MANDATORY for this excursion. Policies must provide coverage for trip cancellation, delay, medical coverage including Covid, and lost luggage. You do not have to purchase this coverage from Huron Tours although if that is something that interests you, please visit our website or call our office for more information when making your deposit. You can find out more details on our available travel insurance policies by clicking here.

Please give us a call with any questions: (800) 734-1192 or (504) 267-2057


The port of Nice - we will have amazing views this entire trip!

The port of Nice - we will have amazing views this entire trip!


France garden tour specialist Susan Worner (above) has been working with Huron's Katie Kosta for months to create the ideal Huron itinerary

France garden tour specialist Susan Worner (above) has been working with Huron's Katie Kosta for months to create the ideal Huron itinerary


Hanbury Botanical Gardens

Hanbury Botanical Gardens


Tresors Publics

One of Katie's favorite stores in Nice for French made items. Click here to view their instagram


A feel for the interior at Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild

Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild


A feel for the interior at Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild

A feel for the interior at Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild


The Fountain of the Sun featuring Apollo in Place Massena, Nice - a central spot near our hotel

The Fountain of the Sun featuring Apollo in Place Massena, the center of Nice - a central spot near our hotel


Our daily sojourns will take us through beautiful scenery

Our daily sojourns will take us through beautiful scenery


Lady Winifred Fortescue


Jardin de la Villa Fort France


Winifred Fortescue (nee Beech) was born in a Suffolk rectory on 7th February 1888. When she was seventeen she decided to try to earn her own living and started a career on the stage. Following training at F.R. Benson's Dramatic School she performed numerous plays in the West End. In 1914 she married John Fortescue, the King's Librarian and Archivist. Life was split between London and Windsor Castle, where John's work was, and where he was required whenever the Court was present. Although she ultimately gave up her stage career, she later founded a successful interior decorating and court dress designing business, hosting a fashion show at the famous Plaza Hotel in New York. At that point, she began writing for The Times, the Daily Chronicle, and the Evening News, finally inaugurating and editing a Woman's Page for the Morning Post. In the early 1930's, John and Winifred Fortescue, now Sir John and Lady Fortescue, moved to Provence and there she wrote her famous and best-selling ‘Perfume from Provence’.

The couple renovated an old house and created a home and spectacular garden called 'The Domaine' in the hills near Grasse. One day, while out on her rambles Winifred came across a tumbled down stone house perched on a hill and surrounded by olive groves. After a long and somewhat difficult struggle she managed to secure its purchase. Her second best selling book Sunset House, published in 1937, documents this adventure.


Stunning interior of La Mirande hotel

Stunning interior of La Mirande hotel


On the grounds of Jardin botanique Val <Rahmeh-Menton></Rahmeh-Menton>

On the grounds of Jardin botanique Val Rahmeh-Menton


Palace of the Popes, next to our hotel in Avignon

Palace of the Popes, next to our hotel in Avignon


Grasse, France, from above

Grasse, France, from above


Menton, France

Colorful Menton, France


A pleasant spot to contemplate life (or check your email) at La Mouissone

A pleasant spot to contemplate life (or check your email) at La Mouissone


Avignon, France

Avignon, France


Palazzo Orengo at Hanbury Gardens

Palazzo Orengo at Hanbury Gardens


Water Lilies at Saint-André Abbey

Water Lilies at Saint-André Abbey


Huron's Katie Kosta in Paris 15 years ago

Huron's Katie Kosta staring her research for this trip in Paris 15 years ago


Don't forget to ask Katie and John for their fantastic evening entertainment recommendations while you're in Paris!

Don't forget to ask Katie and John for their fantastic evening entertainment recommendations while you're in Paris!


A magical setting for our farm-to-table dinner at La Mirande

A magical setting for our farm-to-table dinner at La Mirande


A seating area and architectural installation at Château La Coste

A seating area and architectural installation at Château La Coste


The view to the Promenade des Anglais, a stretch of near constant activity, from our hotel in Nice

The view to the Promenade des Anglais, a stretch of near constant activity, from our hotel in Nice


Provence, France garden

A secret garden in Provence


We'll visit a few gardens purpose built to supply the ingredients for perfume - but as gardeners will do, they've made them beautiful as well as purposeful!

We'll visit a few gardens purpose built to supply the ingredients for perfume - but as gardeners will do, they've made them beautiful as well as purposeful!


Excerpt of 'Inside the New Perfumer's Garden at Versailles' by Town & Country Magazine


Stealth wealth may be having a moment, but we can never resist the spectacle of ostentation. Case in point: the enduring appeal of Marie Antoinette...

[The summer of 2023], a unique Perfumer’s Garden was unveiled in the heart of the Trianon estate, flush with more than 300 scented plants that showcase the diversity of nature—and the breadth of the perfumer’s palette...the garden stretches out in front of the picturesque 17th century Chateauneuf Orangery. Plants...are loosely grouped according to the component that provides an extract for perfume (leaves, flowers, bark, resin, rhizome), and blooms such as tuberose, iris, and rose are paired with many so-called “silent” flowers, such as hyacinth, lily of the valley, and magnolia, which emit heavenly odors but cannot be distilled.



Huron's John Kosta on a break between tours, enjoying some oysters at a street-side fresh seafood market in Paris in 2024

Huron's John Kosta on a break between tours, enjoying some oysters at a street-side fresh seafood market in Paris in 2024


Tulips in Paris

Paris in the spring - you'll be there!


Huron's Katie Kosta asking a local Parisian for their favorite seafood restaurant recommendations

Huron's Katie Kosta asking a local Parisian for their favorite seafood restaurant recommendations


Tour Member Feedback

"Hi John! I don't want to jinx things, but this trip has been amazing! All the places/gardens have been amazing! Thank y'all for making it happen!"

Anne S - Charlotte, NC


"Katie and John were so attentive and helpful. Thank you for a once-in-a-lifetime experience!"

Patty B - Oro Valley, AZ


Dominique Lafourcade


The most legendary French landscape designer has to be Dominique Lafourcade. If you don't know her work, you are in for a treat. She creates sublime gardens that are chic and welcoming all at once, manicured and formal at times, but natural and quintessentially French through and through. Her ability to create destinations in gardens of all sizes is exceptional. She uses antique planters, fountains and sculpture, (and even a tree house) to entice you to explore all parts of the garden. For her, a garden is to be used in the same way as the interiors of a home. She includes several spots for sitting, reading, eating, relaxing and enjoying the views. She also integrates the elements that are often included in a property - from established trees, to found rocks and natural water springs. She chooses plants with such extraordinary expertise and care - considering the sculptural qualities, the changing foliage throughout the seasons, the contribution that blooms will have and how they relate to other species. She is also very passionate about bulbs - she feels that they are buried treasures that will take you by surprise every spring and autumn when they put on their annual show.


The Road to Avignon

Clouds sail over the distant trees, Petals are shaken down by the breeze, They fall on the terrace tiles like snow; The sighing of waves sounds, far below. A humming-bird kisses the lips of a rose Then laden with honey and love he goes. The minstrel woos with his silver strings, And climbing up to the lady, sings: -- Down the road to Avignon,...

~ Amy Lowell
(1874 - 1925)

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Huron Tours and Travel
3436 Magazine Street #7188
New Orleans, LA 70115
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(800) 734-1192 or (504) 267-2057