Tour to Monaco

Enjoy a wonderful tour through France, encompassing the western area including Les Sables d’Olonne, Cognac, and the beautiful Dordogne region. Continue south to the Midi-Pyrenees and Millau Bridge then across Languedoc to Avignon for the final two nights of the tour. Enjoy a superb day’s drive across the best of Provence to reach your final destination, Monaco, in time for the Monaco Historique Grand Prix.

Enjoy a visit of the National Prehistory Museum and the Lascaux Caves – for France’s finest prehistoric cave art, although there are plenty of examples in the caverns and rock shelters of the Vézère Valley. Drive through spectacular mountain scenery, incredible gorges, past ancient hilltop towns and villages, and the Gorges du Verdon, also known as France’s Grand Canyon. Indulge in rich food, an even richer history, whilst enjoying the chateau-studded countryside and pretty villages.

Whilst this tour is organised for the Bentley Drivers Club, it is open to all classic, vintage or sports car drivers.

Highlights of the Tour to Monaco

• Visit Hennessy in Cognac
• See the incredible Lascaux cave paintings
• Potter around pretty towns & villages including Sarlat, Rocamadour, Domme, Beynac and Brantome
• Experience the gourmet extravaganza of Sarlat’s market, with truffles, foie gras, walnuts and wines
• Explore some of the most beautiful villages in Provence and the south of France
• Cultural delights such as historic castles & churches, ancient towns & villages, and fascinating museums
• Finish in Monte Carlo for the Monaco Historique Grand Prix

Itinerary

May be subject to change.

Day 1: 6 May 2022

For those leaving from the UK, depart from Portsmouth on the overnight sailing to St Malo, with Brittany Ferries. There will be a welcome dinner on board. Two-berth sea view cabins have been booked as standard although upgrades may be available (limited availability).

Day 2: 7 May 2022 207 miles

Arrive in St Malo at 08.15 in the morning and take the coast road to a lovely little coffee/breakfast stop in a small secluded bay at Cancale, before continuing along the coastal road overlooking the Mont St Michel bay. The route then heads south, cross-country, on quiet ‘back-roads’ to the delightful medieval town of Vitre. Continue south to stay overnight on the Atlantic coast at Les Sables d’Olonne at a fabulous spa hotel. Enjoy dinner in the restaurant overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.

Day 3: 8 May 2022 180 miles

Head south, past La Rochelle and into the Cognac region. The journey south is through some of the loveliest countryside in France, sticking to little-known D-roads with precious little traffic. Stop in Cognac to visit Hennessy, one of the most famous cognac producers, and a chance to spend some time pottering around the pretty town.

Stay overnight in a most beautiful and utterly charming 17th-century former mill near Brantôme, with a superb Michelin-starred restaurant where we shall have dinner this evening. The rooms are beautifully decorated and the food is just exquisite.

Brantôme is described as ‘the Venice of the Perigord’ as the River Dronne completely encircles the town, effectively making Brantôme an island. Brantôme also boasts the oldest bell tower in France, attached to the ancient abbey.

Day 4: 9 May 2022 171 miles

Start with a cultural visit with a drive to Montignac to see the world-famous cave paintings of Lascaux, dubbed the ‘Sistine Chapel of prehistoric times’. The paintings cover the walls and roof of the cave and skillfully depict a variety of animals.

Drive through the stunning Dordogne region, visiting villages such as Rocamadour and Sarlat. Stay overnight in a superb chateau hotel and dinner is included at the excellent restaurant.

Day 5: 10 May 2022 167 miles

After breakfast drive south-east to see the iconic Millau Bridge. Continue across the Languedoc and through the stunning Cevennes National Park, visiting the Roman Pont du Gard, to Avignon. Stay for two nights in a sensational, luxury hotel. Dinner is included this evening only.

Day 6: 11 May 2022

Enjoy a day to explore the beautiful city of Avignon and the surrounding area. The hotel is within walking distance of the city centre and the Palais des Papes is well worth visiting. Dinner is at leisure this evening and there are a number of restaurants within a short stroll of the hotel.

Day 7: 12 May 2022 197 miles

Leave Avignon and drive through many of France’s most beautiful villages in Provence, such as Gordes and Rousillon. The drive continues through the outstanding Gorges du Verdon and on to Monte Carlo. Stay in one of the best hotels in the Principality in preparation for the weekend’s racing at the Monaco Historique.

This tour then joins the Bentley Drivers’ Club Monaco Historique Weekend. Accommodation at the Fairmont Monet Carlo is not included tonight as it is part of the weekend package

Accommodation

We have carefully selected just four fabulous hotels for this tour, three of which we have used previously for various tours and they have all been popular and enjoyed by clients. Each hotel has charm and character in abundance, although each is of a different style and period. The restaurants are each superb and you will be able to indulge in a variety of excellent French cuisine. Suitable parking is obviously a feature of each hotel.

Requirements

• This tour is open to all classic, vintage and sports cars of any age but preference is given to members of the Bentley Drivers Club
• Please ensure you have suitable travel insurance
• It is a good idea to carry a warning triangle, first-aid kit, fluorescent jacket, set of replacement bulbs and a national identification sticker
• The most important requirement is that you take pleasure in motoring through fabulous scenery, relish individual, character hotels and enjoy the company of like-minded travellers

Bespoke Fitted Luggage

Make packing for your next tour simple and easy. Classic Travelling Luggage offers bespoke fitted cases for a large range of classic and sports cars, including a range of Bentley models. Tour participants enjoy a 10% discount on the entire range.