France
Winter in France: Culture & Charm on the French Riviera
Program No. 22606RJ
Renowned artworks, sumptuous local fare and the beauty of the French Riviera are yours to explore on your own and with the experts while on a special journey through Nice.
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8 days
7 nights
12 meals
6B 3L 3D
1
In Transit to Program
In Flight
3
Discover Old Nice
Nice
4
Picasso, Antibes
Nice
8
Program Concludes
In Flight
At a Glance
Artists are inspired by it, chefs want to cook there and world leaders have called it a favorite place for a respite. Now, experience the beauty and cultural heritage of Southern France for yourself on this inspiring adventure in the opulent seaside city of Nice. Enjoy an opportunity to learn and explore here during the quieter winter months as you hear about the artists who have called this region home and view their masterpieces at local museums and churches. Gain insight into the history of quaint towns dating back to medieval times, sample delicious local fare and more!
Activity Level
Keep the Pace
Extensive walking up to 3-5 miles a day along cobblestone streets and very steep roads. Many villages are only accessible by foot and have stairs without railings. Participants should be able to stand for at least two hours at a time.
Small Group
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.
Best of all, you’ll…
- Savor the culinary heritage of the region with a culinary exploration of Nice and delightful dining throughout the week.
- Walk along the winding streets of Nice’s Old Town, then enjoy the exhibits at the Matisse Museum.
- Immerse yourself in the life and works of Pablo Picasso at the Picasso Museum in Antibes, housed in the Château Grimaldi where Picasso lived during his final years.
General Notes
Program includes independent time to explore the city and several meals on your own. Group Leaders will provide directions for self-directed excursions. Suggestions for free-time activities provided in preparatory materials.
Featured Expert
All trip experts
Caroline Buizza
Caroline Buizza was born and raised in Lyon, the capital of French gastronomy. After completing her master’s degree, she became a teacher in Europe. Through her teaching experiences, she decided that her purpose was travel education. Therefore, she went back to school to become a certified group leader. She loves French history, art and culture and she takes pride in sharing her country's wonderful heritage with adventurous groups.
Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.
Caroline Buizza
View biography
Caroline Buizza was born and raised in Lyon, the capital of French gastronomy. After completing her master’s degree, she became a teacher in Europe. Through her teaching experiences, she decided that her purpose was travel education. Therefore, she went back to school to become a certified group leader. She loves French history, art and culture and she takes pride in sharing her country's wonderful heritage with adventurous groups.
Suggested Reading List
(11 books)
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
Winter in France: Culture & Charm on the French Riviera
Program Number: 22606
Four Queens, the Provencal Sisters who Ruled Europe
Transporting you back to back to the apogee of independent Provençal power in the Middle Ages, Goldstone captures the drama of 13th-century Europe in this history of the four daughters of the count of Provence -- future queens of France, England, Germany and Sicily.
Lonely Planet French Phrasebook
This handy phrasebook focuses on pronunciation, basic grammar and essential vocabulary for the traveler.
Provence: Food, Wine, Culture and Landscape
A stunning portrait of an alluring, sun-drenched region. Whet your appetite for Provence with over 700 jaw-dropping images of the food, landscape, and local people.
The Food & Wine of France: Eating & Drinking from Champagne to Provence
Behr seeks out the best of French food, in encounters from Champagne to Provence, to tell the stories of French artisans and chefs who work at the highest level. He shares what he learns from these experts on French traditions and how to best enjoy this food.
A Year in Provence
The original best-selling tale of an ex-pat settling down in Provence, told with warmth and a great deal of humor. It offers a wonderful inside look at the charms and quirks of the people and the countryside in the south of France.
Cezanne and Provence: The Painter in His Culture
Cezanne departed from Paris in 1886 to permanently resettle in his native Aix-en-Provence. This book explores the importance of this place for the artist as well as the regionalist politics of his day.
Provence A-Z
A companion to all things Provencal, from bouillabaisse to lavender and vinaigre, by the British expatriate and Francophile Peter Mayle.
The Road from the Past: Traveling through History in France
Time travel through France by way of its finest castles, chateaux, cathedrals and monasteries. This unusual travelogue is an invaluable companion for traveling in Paris, southern France, the Dordogne and the Loire Valley, combining personal observation with large doses of well-presented history.
F is for France: A Curious Cabinet of French Wonders
An alphabetized catalogue of quirky French culture and history tidbits.
The Markets of Provence: Food, Antiques, Crafts, and More
An in-depth pocket guide to 30 of the best markets in Provence. Dive into the heart of Provencal culture and navigate the markets like a local with maps, tips, and handy phrases.
My Life
A memoir of Chagall's early life and influences, with whimsical illustrations by the artist