Mix-and-Match Autumn and Winter Experiences

Although tourists flock to Paris and the Côte d’Azur in summertime, France is actually a superb and underappreciated Autumn and Winter destination. With the ski season just around the corner, it’s easy to combine a visit to the coast with a weekend on the slopes. Or plan your trip around a wine-and-gastronomy tour that takes you from the Châteaux of Burgundy to the vineyards of Provence…

The celebrated wine-growing region of Beaune and Burgundy at its best during October and November. Spend a few days discovering the highlights of Beaune, its historic center and surrounding vineyards, or a week venturing further afield. Visit centuries-old family wineries, sample legendary wines, or join in an actual wine harvest. Plan your trip in early November to include a day in Dijon, the capital of the historic Burgundy region, to take in the city’s annual International Gastronomy Fair. Whether you’re an amateur or connoisseur, it’s your chance for an unparalleled immersion into the world of fine wine.

With mild temperatures, fewer people, lower prices and greater availability, Autumn and Winter are ideal times to explore the French Riviera, taking in the local scenery, visiting uncrowded museums, and enjoying seasonal Mediterranean dishes in restaurants that are usually too busy to book. Take a walking tour of Monaco, then head across the port to Monte Carlo and sip an aperitif at the Café de Paris. Spend a leisurely morning visiting Antibes and its Marché Provençale. Discover the off-season allure of Cannes’ famous Croisette and old town of Le Suquet. Even the jet-set favourite Saint-Tropez is a delight at this time of year, as it recovers its sleeping fishing-village charm.

No matter what the season, there’s a certain magic in Provence. Savor the scents and flavors of Provence during visits to a goat cheese farm, or join in a truffle hunt. Visit Avignon, with its Papal Palace, or stroll along the tree-lined Cours Mirabeu in Aix-en-Provence, birthplace of Paul Cézanne. Trace the footsteps of Vincent Van Gogh in Saint Rémy and Arles, or spend a day in Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, browsing for treasures in its plethora of antique shops. And be sure to set aside time to taste the local wines, most notably the exceptional Provence rosés, a summertime favorite that’s now enjoyed all year long.

After months of soaring summer temperatures, it’s time to think cool: Head to Courchevel, the gateway to Les Trois Vallées. Spend the day on the pistes, then take time to enjoy lunch in a brasserie featuring Savoyard specialties. At the end of the day, relax in your rooftop Jacuzzi or hotel spa, then pick from a wonderful range of dining options from fine French cuisine to Japanese sushi prepared by master chefs And if skiing’s not your thing, there are plenty of other options, from snowshoeing, dogsledding and ice-skating to snowmobiling and hang-gliding.

A world of wonderful winter options is waiting for you with Andy Swann Voyage!