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Grand Tour of France & Switzerland

14 days6 cities
FranceSwitzerland2 countries
Tour rating: 4.86 / 5, Based on 97 Reviews
Private tour to France, Switzerland

Have the time of your life exploring the major attractions of France and Switzerland! Discover the top sights of Paris, Lyon, Montreux, and Zurich. Enjoy the Alpes and stay in scenic resort-towns: Chamonix and Zermatt. Immerse yourself in incredible mountainous landscapes and take in a tour around the Chillon Castle.

14 days6 cities
FranceSwitzerland2 countries
From
 $9,078 
Paris, France
3
days
France

The French capital, Paris is the most beautiful and romantic one of all cities. Dubbed "The Capital of Fashion", it is home to the world's finest fashion designers and a breadth of iconic landmarks, paying ode to more than 15 centuries of history.

Day by day
Hotel
Day-by-day program
1
day
Arrival to Paris

Welcome to the capital of France - Paris! Upon arrival, your driver meets you at the airport and transfers you to your remarkable hotel for check-in.

The rest of the day is free, so you can relax in your room, have dinner in a local restaurant or start exploring the nearby attractions.

No meals included.

2
day
Exploring Crème de la Crème of Louvre & the Latin Quarter

After breakfast, your guide meets you in the hotel lobby and takes you on a 6-hour walking tour of the two famous districts of Paris: Latin Quarter (5th) and Marais (4th). Your tour of the fabulous capital of France begins with the UNESCO Site Heritage - Banks of Seine river.

Continue to the Latin quarter and taste a Bohemian charm of the medieval narrow streets and stone-paved alleyways. Reach the Ile de la Cite where you see the world’s most famous gothic cathedral - Notre Dame. Walk through the Ile Saint Louis and get closer to more sights: Hôtel de Ville (city hall), Fountain of the Innocents and Palais Royal.

You then proceed with the tour of the Louvre Museum, one of the world’s largest museums, taking advantage of your skip-the-line tickets. You see the crème de la crème collections and the most celebrated works of art, ancient artifacts, Greek sculptures, including the famous Venus di Milo, Winged Victory, and masterpieces of Michelangelo, Eugène Delacroix, Paolo Veronese and the world’s most enigmatic Portrait of Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci.

After the tour, you return to the hotel and have the rest of the day free.

Breakfast is included.

3
day
Free Day in Paris & Train to Lyon

Today you have the day free to continue enjoying Paris on your own or join one of our carefully planned optional tours.

  • Optional tour: Louvre and Orsay Museums Tour
    See the Louvre Museum's most celebrated works of art, ancient artifacts, Greek sculptures, including the famous Venus di Milo, masterpieces of Raphael, Michelangelo, etc.
  • Optional tour: Day trip to Versailles
    Enjoy a guided tour of the magnificent Versailles - the famous residence of French kings. You see the castle of Versailles, walk through its well-known Hall of Mirrors, sand more.

Breakfast is included.

Your choice of hotels

We carefully select hotels to ensure your amazing stay. We will recommend the best available properties for your travel dates.

Hotel Opera Richepanse, Paris

The gorgeous Hotel Opera Richepanse boasts a top location right in the center of the prestigious district of Paris. It’s just a 5-minute walk from the amazing Champs Elysees and dozens of luxury shops.

train
Paris
Lyon
2 hrs

Enjoy a quick time-saving connection taking you from the French capital to the gorgeous city of Lyon. Along the way, your modern bullet train passes incredible views of the countryside of France.

Lyon, France
1
day
France

Providing a rich cultural scene, numerous architectural monuments and places to visit, the city of Lyon, set on the confluence of the French Rhone and Saone Rivers, is one worth visiting indeed.

Day by day
Hotel
Day-by-day program
4
day
Train to Lyon & City Tour

Following breakfast, you check out from the hotel. Your driver takes you to the train station to board the train to Lyon - the capital city in France’s Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes region (1st class train tickets included). Upon arrival in about 2 hours, you are met by your driver at the station and transferred to your centrally located hotel for check-in.

Lyon was founded by the Romans in the 1st century B.C. as the capital of the Three Gauls and is often called the culinary capital of France today. You get to see the top attractions of Lyon during a 3-hour guided walking tour. Together with your guide you see the Old Town of Lyon, the Fourviere hill, the beautiful Basilique of Notre Dame de Fourviere, walk along the Saone riverbank, see Vieux Lyon, Bellecour Square, the Roman theater, Saint-Jean Cathedral, Hotel Gadagne and Juiverie Street.

After the tour, you are taken back to your hotel and have the rest of the day free.

Breakfast is included.

Your choice of hotels

We carefully select hotels to ensure your amazing stay. We will recommend the best available properties for your travel dates.

4-star hotel

Enhance your travel with staying in a remarkable 4-star property. As always, the location near all top landmarks, excellent quality service, and top-notch amenities are an indispensable part of your stay. The gallery demonstrates the examples of 4-star hotels we offer to our guests.

car
Lyon
Chamonix
2 hrs 50 min

Take in the views of the glorious French countryside as your driver takes you from Lyon to the glorious town of Chamonix. This route to Western France offers simply splendid panoramas.

Chamonix, France
3
days
France

Located in south-eastern France, Chamonix is adored by people all over the world, especially those in love with mountains.

Day by day
Hotel
Day-by-day program
5
day
Day Tour to Annecy & Transfer to Chamonix

Today following breakfast you check out and meet your guide-driver, who takes you on a touring program around the best sights of Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes, the charming mountain region of France. Within less than an hour, you reach Perouges to make a tour of this lovely medieval town. Perouges is quite small but full of history, with its authentic medieval appearance the town is often used as the setting for period films.

Next on your list is the tour to Annecy, nicknamed the 'Pearl of French Alps'. You have a walking tour to explore all the must-sees of the city. Then you have some free time for lunch and for an optional lake cruise.

After Annecy, your guide-driver takes you to Chamonix. Located close to the mountainous massif of French Prealps, Chamonix is one of the oldest ski resorts in France. Upon arrival, you are transferred to your centrally-located hotel for check-in. The rest of the day is free.

  • Optional tour: Lake Annecy Cruise
    Enjoy your time sailing the third-largest lake in France! Lake Annecy is often referred to as "Europe's cleanest lake” thanks to the strict environmental regulations.

Breakfast is included.

6
day
Montenvers Train & Mer de Glace

Today following breakfast you walk to the train station, board the famous little red railway train and start your trip to Mer de Glace, the largest glacier in France.

Please, note: the tour to Montenvers is just one of the 6 tours which your 2-day Multi Pass (included in the price) allows to take advantage of. The other 5 are Aiguille Du Midi, Tramway Du Mont-Blanc (starts in Le Fayet, 20 minutes car ride from Chamonix), Grands Montets Area, Balme Area and Brevent Area.

The scenic train journey shows the Chamonix valley and the glacier in a great way. It takes just 20 minutes to climb 1,000 m (3,280 ft) up and to reach Montenvers station (1,913 m or 6,276 ft). Then you take an air gondola for a ride down towards the glacier.

Please, note: the tour is not available from October 2nd to October 20th due to annual closure. Also, a gondola ride is not possible in case of a wind storm.

Upon arrival, you can visit the Glaciorium at new exhibition center, the Temple of Nature, an innovative optical theater, and the Ice Cave with its glacier exhibition that requires walking more than 400 steps down to reach. Nowadays all the central European alpine glaciers are disappearing and the trip to Mer de Glace is a striking evidence of this fact - just 100 years ago there were only a few steps to get inside the glacier.

For the way back you take the gondola and then the train. The rest of the day is free to have rest or to try some other activity from your Multi Pass list.

Breakfast is included.

7
day
Trip to Aiguille du Midi

Today following breakfast you head for the station located in the center of Chamonix and start a magnificent trip to Aiguille du Midi, a mountain in the Mont Blanc massif which has been a popular tourist destination for more than 50 years. The 2 cable-car rides, which last 20 minutes in general, take you up to an altitude of 3,777 m (12,392). The Telepherique De l'Aiguille Du Midi holds the world record as the highest vertical ascent cable car in the world.

Please, note: the tour is not available from November 6th to December 15th due to annual closure. The cable car ride is not possible in case of a wind storm

Aiguille du Midi with its laid-out terraces offers a spectacular 360° view of Mont Blanc and all the French, Italian and Swiss Alps. On top, you can take a lift and reach the peak at 3,842 m (12,605 ft). The most fearless can take ‘A Step Into The Void’ - a 2,5 m (8,2 ft) glass cage out over a 1,000 m (3,2080) precipice.

For the ride back you take cable cars at first to Plan de l’Aiguille and then to Chamonix.

Breakfast is included.

Your choice of hotels

We carefully select hotels to ensure your amazing stay. We will recommend the best available properties for your travel dates.

4-star hotel

Enhance your travel with staying in a remarkable 4-star property. As always, the location near all top landmarks, excellent quality service, and top-notch amenities are an indispensable part of your stay. The gallery demonstrates the examples of 4-star hotels we offer to our guests.

car
Chamonix
Montreux
1 hr 20 min

Set off on a safe and fast ride to Swiss Montreux. While seated comfortably in a private car, traverse a truly picturesque area, passing charming towns and villages as well as driving along the shores of Lake Geneva.

Montreux, Switzerland gallery
2
days
Switzerland

If you have Switzerland on your travel radar, we highly recommend visiting the lovely Swiss Riviera with the capital in Montreux. Stretching along the shores of Lake Geneva, it boasts a mild climate and inspiring landscapes that are worth the ride.

Day by day
Hotel
Day-by-day program
8
day
Trip to Chillon Castle & Montreux Sightseeing

Welcome to the traditional resort town of Montreux located on the shores of Geneva Lake! After check-in, you take a public boat cruise on Lake Geneva to reach the most recognizable historic monument in Switzerland - Chillon Castle which dates back to medieval ages. Its charming architectural style and rich history inspired such literary geniuses as Victor Hugo, Jean-Jacques Rousseau and Lord Byron. First you admire the exterior of this historical monument from water. Upon disembarkation you have a private guided touring around the most spectacular parts of Chillon Castle.

Following Chillon you head for Montreux where you meet your guide and have a private walking tour.  

You learn about the history and culture of charming 'Swiss Riviera' strolling along the lake shores where the summer Jazz Festival takes place. On the way up to the old town you enjoy stunning views over the lake and pass by the oldest house in Montreux, dating back to the 16th century. 

While you walk the little streets of this charming town, your guide shares with you the stories of the famous expats in Montreux such as Vladimir Nabokov and Freddie Mercury. You see the statue of Freddie Mercury and have a chance to visit the Queen: The Studio Experience exhibition located in the original Mountain Studios, part of the Montreux Casino. Queen recorded a total of seven albums here at Mountain Studios in Montreux, which the band owned between 1979 and 1996, including the final album Made in Heaven. 

During the tour you also find out how fire at the Montreux Casino inspired Deep Purple's classic "Smoke on the Water." Since then the casino has been beautifully rebuilt, so have a great chance to visit it in the evening. 

After the tour you return to your hotel.

Breakfast is included.

9
day
Day Trip to Geneva

Following breakfast, you walk to the train station for a 1-hour train to Geneva. Upon arrival, you meet your guide and start exploring the highlights of Geneva, the second-most populous city of Switzerland and the capital of Romandy, the French-speaking region. Being the European seat of the UN and headquarters of the Red Cross, Geneva is known as the «capital of peace». 

You start discovering Geneva sights by the lakefront. You take a short water tram ride on lake Geneva and see one of the most famous landmarks, the Jet d'Eau fountain of 140 m (460 ft) and enjoy the view of the mountains.  

Then you proceed to the astonishing Old Town and see St. Peter Cathedral, the English Garden with Flower Clock, Ile Rousseau and Castle Tour-de-l'ile. Here you also see the city council building where the first Geneva Convention was signed, in the Alabama Room, as it is now called, and learn about the beginning of international Geneva. You also visit the grounds of the University of Geneva to see the Reformation Wall that features statues of the four Geneva luminaries and learn about the role Geneva played in the Reformation in the 16th century. 

Finally, you have a short ride by public transport to view the international district of Geneva and its heart - United Nations Office located in the Palace of Nations.

After the tour, you return to Montreux by train.

Breakfast is included.

 

Your choice of hotels

We carefully select hotels to ensure your amazing stay. We will recommend the best available properties for your travel dates.

Grand Hotel Suisse Majestic, Montreux

Boasting a fantastic location in the heart of Montreux, the favorite city of legendary Freddie Mercury, the Ads Grand Hotel Suisse Majestic is among the best places to stay for anyone who appreciates unparalleled comfort and great service. It offers 155 well-fitted guestrooms, providing everything you need for a good rest as well as fantastic views over the city.

train
Montreux
Zermatt
2 hrs 20 min

Enjoy the spectacular sceneries in Switzerland while onboard a train traversing the Pfyn-Finges Nature Park. Make sure to sit by the window for the best view!

Zermatt, Switzerland gallery
2
days
Switzerland

Set gracefully just at the foot of the highest summit of the Alps, majestic Matterhorn, the city of Zermatt, Switzerland is a popular ski resort that's all about gorgeous natural panoramas.

Day by day
Hotel
Day-by-day program
10
day
Train to Zermatt

Today following breakfast you check out from your hotel and head for the Montreux railway station.

During your 2.5-hour ride to Zermatt, a traffic-free mountain village, you enjoy the views of beautiful Pfyn-Finges Nature Park along the way (you have a train transfer in Visp).

Zermatt is famous not only for being a popular ski resort. This lovely village located in the southern canton of Valais which is home to some of the world's most spectacular mountains, including Matterhorn. Upon arrival you walk to your hotel for check-in and have the rest of the day at leisure.

Breakfast is included.

11
day
Day Trip to Gornergrat

After breakfast, you walk to the railway station, where you board a cogwheel train equipped with large windows which allow you to enjoy a journey across the highest open-air railway in Europe. The Gornergrat Bahn is the cog railway which was the first in the world to be fully electrified. Nowadays regenerative braking system of this eco-friendly railway generates electricity on the descent and so saves energy.

After about 45 minutes you reach the station of Gornergrat which is considered to be the highest open-air railway station in Europe at an altitude of 3, 090 m (10,135 ft). Gornergrat observation platform is accessible all year round and offers one of the finest panoramas in Switzerland. From there you have a glorious view of more than 20 four-thousand m (13,123 ft) peaks, one of which is Matterhorn. A truly unforgettable experience you cannot miss!

Please, note: It is important to wear something warm and wind/rain protective when going to Gornergrat. The temperature there is usually lower than in the cities even in summer. In case you feel too cold you can always go inside the restaurant which is close to the observation platform. The trains to/from Gornergrat are heated well.

After some free time in Gornergrat you have a train ride back to Zermatt. The rest of the day is free.

Breakfast is included.

Your choice of hotels

We carefully select hotels to ensure your amazing stay. We will recommend the best available properties for your travel dates.

Wellness Alpenhof Hotel, Zermatt

Located right next to the Sunnegga Cable Car Station and near the Gornergrat Railway, the family-run Wellness Alpenhof Hotel offers comfortable guestrooms with great amenities, such as cable TV, free Wi-Fi, minibars, and safes.

train
Zermatt
Zurich
4 hrs

Taking a train is among the most comfortable ways to travel between the beautiful cities of Zermatt and Zurich. All Swiss trains are fast, safe, and equipped with everything you need for a worry-free ride. Sit back and enjoy the breathtaking panoramas outside the window. 

Zurich, Switzerland
3
days
Switzerland

Zurich is the largest city in Switzerland, wealthiest in Europe, with the best quality of life in the world. Its history goes back to its founding by the Romans in 15 BC and has a rich medieval background.

Day by day
Hotel
Day-by-day program
12
day
Train to Zurich & Zurich City-Tour

After breakfast, you check out from the hotel and head to the railway station for a train ride to Zurich. In about an hour and a half, you arrive at the Zurich railway station. Upon arrival, you check in to your centrally-located hotel.

Then you meet your private guide and enjoy a perfectly-planned sightseeing tour around the most beautiful landmarks of Zurich. Immerse yourself in the unique atmosphere of the Old Town for the following 3 hours, walking through its narrow cozy streets and exploring its breathtaking medieval houses, churches and town hall.

After the tour the rest of the evening is free.

Breakfast is included.

13
day
Exploring Lucerne Region

Following breakfast, you head to the railway station to take a train to Lucerne. In about 50 minutes you meet your guide at the station of Lucerne.

Then you are invited to take an unforgettable trip with your private guide who shows you the magnificent views of Mount Pilatus and the Lucerne region. The tour starts with a cruise across the Lake Lucerne to Alpnachstad. There you board the famous cogwheel train that takes you across the world's steepest railway passing through lush Alpine meadows, spectacular rocks and sparkling mountain streams to the top of Mt Pilatus, the altitude of which is 2132 m (6995 ft).

For the return journey, you ride a cable car to enjoy the fantastic scenery once again. As the last part of your magnificent tour, you take a 20-minute bus from Kriens to Lucerne. Tickets* for a public boat cruise, cogwheel train, cable car, and bus are included.

Please note: boat and cogwheel train are available only from middle of May to September. The rest of the year they are replaced with cable car and bus.

After the tour, you take a train back to Zurich. The rest of the evening is free.

Breakfast is included.

14
day
Departure

This is the final day of your tour. Following breakfast, you check-out from the hotel and your driver takes you to the airport for the departure. We wish you a safe flight and hope to work on your future vacations!

Breakfast is included.

Your choice of hotels

We carefully select hotels to ensure your amazing stay. We will recommend the best available properties for your travel dates.

Glockenhof Hotel, Zurich

The beautiful Glockenhof Hotel is set right in the heart of the city next to the central shopping street. It offers top-class service and cozy accommodations. All guestrooms are comfortable and well-equipped.

What's included

  • Accommodation at remarkable downtown hotels in Paris, Lyon, Chamonix, Montreux, Zermatt, Zurich;
  • Delicious breakfasts at your hotels;
  • Airport transfers and all transportation according to the itinerary;
  • Private transfers: Lyon - Chamonix, Chamonix - Montreux;
  • Sightseeing tours with private professional English-speaking guides in Paris, Lyon, Annecy, Geneva, Chillon Castle, Montreux, Zurich, Lucerne Region;
  • 2-Day Multi Pass in Chamonix;
  • Entrance tickets to Chillon Castle;
  • Tickets for public boat cruise, cogwheel train, cable car and bus for the tour to Mt Pilatus;
  • 1st class train tickets: Paris - Lyon, Montreux - Zermatt, Zermatt - Zurich;
  • 2nd class train tickets: Montreux - Geneva - Montreux, Zurich - Lucerne- Zurich;
  • Non-guided tour to Gornergrat by cogweel train; 
  • Support line during the trip.

Note: we include 1 vehicle for your arrival and departure transfers. If multiple vehicles are required additional transfer costs will apply.

Note: hotels availability is subject to change. In case current hotels are booked out we will provide alternative hotels of an equal value for you.

Not included: international flights, multiple arrival/departure transfers, other meals not mentioned in the program, optional tours and services, all personal expenses.

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Tour Highlights

  • Tours of main Paris & Lyon attractions
  • A tour around Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes
  • Trip to Mer de Glace
  • Trip to Aiguille du Midi
  • A train ride to Montreux & Lake Geneva cruise
  • A day trip to Gornegrat
  • Exploration of Lucerne region

What To Know

  • In France, you can expect to find some shops, restaurants, and museums closed for lunch between 12 p.m. and 2 p.m.
  • French breakfast is not as heavy as other European breakfast meals, it usually includes sweet pastries, toast, fruit, yogurt, cereal
  • In France, tipping in restaurants might be included in the bill, "service compris" (tip included) or "service non-compris" (tip not included), but in any case, if you liked the service you can leave few Euros on the table either way
  • Most communication equipment in France takes 220/110 volts, you will need an adapter plug (type E) to make your plug fit into the socket