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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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Select your type of room
Price will update based on selection
Prices displayed below are based on per person,doubleoccupancy.
DATES & starting prices
PRICES
Jan 18 - Jan 25, 2024
Starting at
2,149
Feb 22 - Feb 29, 2024
Starting at
2,149
Filling Fast!
Mar 14 - Mar 21, 2024
Starting at
2,149
Apr 18 - Apr 25, 2024
Starting at
2,549
Nov 14 - Nov 21, 2024
Starting at
2,149
Dec 5 - Dec 12, 2024
Starting at
2,149
Jan 16 - Jan 23, 2025
Starting at
2,349
Feb 20 - Feb 27, 2025
Starting at
2,349
Mar 6 - Mar 13, 2025
Starting at
2,349
Mar 13 - Mar 20, 2025
Starting at
2,349
Apr 17 - Apr 24, 2025
Starting at
2,349
Nov 13 - Nov 20, 2025
Starting at
2,349
Dec 4 - Dec 11, 2025
Starting at
2,349
DATES & starting prices
PRICES
Jan 18 - Jan 25, 2024
Starting at
2,399
Feb 22 - Feb 29, 2024
Starting at
2,399
Mar 14 - Mar 21, 2024
Starting at
2,399
Apr 18 - Apr 25, 2024
Starting at
3,149
Filling Fast!
Nov 14 - Nov 21, 2024
Starting at
2,399
Dec 5 - Dec 12, 2024
Starting at
2,399
Jan 16 - Jan 23, 2025
Starting at
2,629
Feb 20 - Feb 27, 2025
Starting at
2,629
Mar 6 - Mar 13, 2025
Starting at
2,629
Mar 13 - Mar 20, 2025
Starting at
2,629
Apr 17 - Apr 24, 2025
Starting at
2,629
Nov 13 - Nov 20, 2025
Starting at
2,629
Dec 4 - Dec 11, 2025
Starting at
2,629

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
Walking up to five miles a day over varied terrain.
Small Group
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 Experts
Profile Image
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.

Profile Image of Caroline Buizza
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.
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.
F is for France: A Curious Cabinet of French Wonders
by Piu Eatwell
An alphabetized catalogue of quirky French culture and history tidbits.
Provence: Food, Wine, Culture and Landscape
by Lars Boesgaard
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
by Edward Behr
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
by Peter Mayle
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.
The Markets of Provence: Food, Antiques, Crafts, and More
by Marjorie Williams
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.
Four Queens, the Provencal Sisters who Ruled Europe
by Nancy Goldstone
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.
Provence A-Z
by Peter Mayle
A companion to all things Provencal, from bouillabaisse to lavender and vinaigre, by the British expatriate and Francophile Peter Mayle.
My Life
by Marc Chagall
A memoir of Chagall's early life and influences, with whimsical illustrations by the artist
Cezanne and Provence: The Painter in His Culture
by Nina Maria Athanassoglou-Kallmyer
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.
The Road from the Past: Traveling through History in France
by Ina Caro
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.
Lonely Planet French Phrasebook
by Marie-Helene Girard, Anny Monet
This handy phrasebook focuses on pronunciation, basic grammar and essential vocabulary for the traveler.
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8 days
7 nights
12 meals
6 B 3 L 3 D
DAY
1
In Transit to Program
In Flight
DAY
2
Arrive Nice, Check-in, Orientation, Welcome Dinner
Nice
D
Splendid Hotel

Activity note: Hotel check-in is available from 3:00 p.m.

Afternoon: Orientation: The Group Leader will greet everyone with a warm welcome and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule and any changes, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer any questions you may have. Please note that due to winter hours, there may be last minute itinerary changes. In the event of a change we will alert you as quickly as possible. Free time is reserved for your personal independent exploration. Please note that program activities, schedules, and personnel may need to change due to local circumstances. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.

Dinner: At a local restaurant.

Evening: At leisure. Continue getting to know your fellow participants, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.

DAY
3
Discover Old Nice
Nice
B,D
Splendid Hotel

Activity note: The center of Old Nice is pedestrian-only, thus only accessible on foot. Walking up to 3 miles in Old Nice on cobblestone streets and uneven ground; standing for up to 1 hour at a time during activities.

Breakfast: Hotel buffet includes breads and pastries, fruits, yogurts, cheeses, cereal, and a selection of coffee, tea, juice, and water.

Morning: At the hotel, we will enjoy an expert lecture on the history of the Riviera, presented by the Group Leader. With our Group leader, we will discover and savor the flavors of Nice as we explore the famous local food and flower market and stop at artisan shops where local specialties are made.

Lunch: on own

Afternoon: Together, we will embark on a brief walking exploration of the old town.

Dinner: At a local restaurant.

Evening: At leisure.

DAY
4
Picasso, Antibes
Nice
B,L
Splendid Hotel

Activity note: Getting on/off motorcoach. Walking up to 2.5 miles throughout the day. Standing for up to 2 hours.

Breakfast: Hotel buffet.

Morning: We will head out on our motorcoach to Antibes to explore the Picasso Museum. Rising high over the Mediterranean, the Picasso Museum occupies the stunning medieval Château Grimaldi. As rulers of Monaco, the Grimaldi family lived here until the revolution. Picasso was offered use of the chateau in 1946, resulting in over 200 works by the artist including paintings, ceramics, and lithographs inspired by the sea and by Mediterranean themes and Greek mythology. The museum also includes pieces by Miró, Calder, Léger and the Russian-born artist Nicholas de Staël.

Lunch: In Antibes, at a local restaurant.

Afternoon: We will continue to discover Antibes with our Group Leader. We will return to Nice by motorcoach

Dinner: On your own to choose what you like.

Evening: At leisure.

DAY
5
Chagall & Matisse Museums
Nice
B,L
Splendid Hotel

Activity note: Getting on/off motorcoach. Walking up to 3 miles throughout the day at Cimiez Hill and art museums. Standing for up to 1.5 hours at during each museum visit.

Breakfast: Hotel buffet.

Morning: At the hotel, we will enjoy an expert lecture on art in the Riviera, and learn about the strong influence that the Riviera and Southern France had on art and artists ranging from Picasso to Matisse. We will then depart the hotel via motorcoach for an overview of the sites of Nice. We will see the Russian Orthodox church, stop on the hill for a panoramic view of the city, and drive along the Promenade des Anglais. Next, we will depart for the Cimiez Hill Neighborhood to explore the gardens of the Monastery of Cimiez, which feature the ruins of Nice's Roman past and the Matisse Museum. We will visit the Matisse Museum and see a comprehensive collection of the artist's works. Pieces from all periods of his life offer a comprehensive panorama: from the first paintings made in 1890 to the famous gouache cutouts, 236 drawings, 218 engravings, and the complete presentation of the books illustrated by the artist.

Lunch: At a local restaurant near the harbor.

Afternoon: We will travel to the Chagall Museum. This Museum features Biblical scenes illustrated in 17 large paintings, sculptures, stained glass windows, mosaics, and tapestries. There are also 205 preparatory sketches, 39 gouaches (1930), 105 engravings (1956), and 215 lithographs. We will return to the hotel by motorcoach

Dinner: On your own to explore the local fare.

Evening: At leisure.

DAY
6
Moyenne Corniche, Principality of Monaco, Villa Euphrasi
Nice
B
Splendid Hotel

Activity note: Getting on/off motorcoach. Walking up to 2 miles in Monaco on uneven ground, flat surfaces, and inclined terrain; walking approximately 1 mile at Villla Euphrasi with some unavoidable steps in gardens. Standing for 1.5 hours at a time during activities.

Breakfast: Hotel buffet.

Morning: We will set out for a scenic drive via motorcoach along the Middle Corniche road, offering breathtaking views of the Mediterranean coast, making our way towards the Principality of Monaco. Upon our arrival to Monaco, we will walk to the Prince's Palace, where we will see the Changing of the Guard.

Lunch: On your own to enjoy what you would like.

Afternoon: We will head via motorcoach to the Villa Euphrasi to learn about the story of Béatrice de Rothschild. Uncover the many tales of her life and passions. Explore the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild; her rose-colored villa, then filled the mansion with antique furniture, Old Master paintings, sculptures, objets d'art, and an extensive collection of rare porcelain. The gardens are one of the most beautiful in all of France.

Dinner: On your own.

Evening: At leisure.

DAY
7
Saint Paul de Vence, Fondation Maeght, Matisse Chapel
Nice
B,L,D
Splendid Hotel

Activity note: Walking up and down a hill in St. Paul de Vence (at your leisure); .

Breakfast: Hotel buffet.

Morning: Via motorcoach we will go to the hill town of St. Paul de Vence. As one of the oldest medieval towns on the French Riviera, it is well known for its picturesque, winding streets, modern and contemporary art museums and galleries such as Fondation Maeght. The Maeght Foundation is a private museum of modern art that houses paintings, sculptures, collages, ceramics and all forms of modern art by many important 20th-century artists including Pierre Bonnard, Georges Braque, Alexander Calder, Marc Chagall, Sam Francis, Alberto Giacometti, Alexander Calder, Wassily Kandinsky, Ellsworth Kelly, Fernand Léger and Joan Miró. Following this visit, you will have some Free Time to explore the village of St. Paul de Vence on your own.

Lunch: Participants will be given “tickets restaurant” (or meal vouchers) that can be used at select restaurants, bakeries, brasseries and cafes. Choose what you would prefer to eat from any eatery that has a "TR" sticker on the front window to designate that they accept meal vouchers. Change is not given back if your meal cost is less that the value of the voucher provided. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions and directions.

Afternoon: We will continue on to Vence to examine the Chapel of the Rosary, a unique building which was designed and constructed by Henri Matisse as a monument to the gratitude he felt towards his nurse Monique Bourgeois. Matisse designed every element of the building, from the exterior to the details of decoration - a culmination of his artistic life. (Please note the chapel is closed annually from mid-November to mid-December and may not be available on all program dates and will be replaced by the Fernand Leger Museum in Biot).

Dinner: At a local restaurant near the hotel, we will celebrate our learning adventure with a delicious meal.

Evening: At leisure.Say farewell to new Road Scholar friends and prepare for departure in the morning.

DAY
8
Program Concludes
In Flight
B

Activity note: Hotel check-out is 12:00 noon.

Breakfast: Hotel buffet. This concludes our program. If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Please join our Facebook page and share photos of your program. Visit us at www.facebook.com/rsadventures. Best wishes for all your journeys!






Important registration tip:
If you want to attend the live lecture, please do not wait until the last minute to enroll.
If you enroll after a lecture is complete, we’ll send you a recording of the event.