Itinerary
Friday, 8 September
Your Rugby World Cup 2023 adventure begins here. Fly from Dublin to Bordeaux, one of France’s most elegant cities and the host city for Ireland’s first match.
Saturday, 9 September
Spend the morning and early afternoon discovering Bordeaux. The medieval streets that bustle with bars, restaurants, and trendy boutiques. The panoramic views of the city from the Pey-Berland bell tower. The Porte Caillhau Gateway which looks as if it in belongs in a Disney fairy tale.
Then switch gears and let your adrenaline soar as you cheer on the Irish rugby team in their first match of RWC 2023.
Sunday, 10 September
Delve deeper into the city. Visit its golden triangle of boulevards which enclose architectural marvels such as the Grand Theatre and France’s biggest square. Stroll through the Chartrons district where the Irish, English, and Dutch of old set up wine houses that came to dominate the city’s wine trade.
Then make a beeline for the Cité du Vin. This six-storey museum celebrates the history, culture, and global passion for wine. You’ll definitely be given an opportunity to enjoy a tipple too.
Monday, 11 September
Today, you leave Bordeaux and travel to the seaside city of La Rochelle.
Get your bearings in the old port. Take in the views of the medieval towers that stand guard at the entrance to the port and then take a seat under the awnings of a quayside restaurant for a seafood lunch. Why not visit those iconic towers? They have roof terraces offering views over the old town and harbour.
Tuesday, 12 September
Start the day in Place du Marché, where a traditional food markets takes place every morning. As you chomp on your treats, decide on your plan for the rest of the day. Will you visit the natural history museum with exhibits from the city’s seafaring past? Or the aquarium that is home to 600 types of sea species? Or spend the day relaxing at the city’s beaches and parks?
Wednesday, 13 September
L’Ile de Ré is a mere 40 minutes from La Rochelle. You cross a sea bridge into a world of whitewashed villages, long sandy beaches, vineyards, and sea marshes of oyster beds and salt pans.
The entire island is covered in bike lanes that meander through vineyards, pine forests, and nature reserves. So, rent a bike and set off, stopping when the whim takes you to have a swim or to sit down to a feast of oysters from one of the shacks that line the marshes.
Thursday, 14 September
Today, you leave La Rochelle for Nantes, one of France’s most eccentric cities. Discover why it’s thought to be so silly with a visit to the Ile de Nantes, where whimsical animatronic creatures inspired by Jules Verne’s writings have been brought to life by artists. These extraordinary machines include a 12-metre-high elephant that can carry up to 52 passengers on its back.
Friday, 15 September
Ease yourself into your day with a stroll through the Jardin des Plantes, one of France’s top botanical gardens. Then visit the Château des Ducs de Bretagne, the one-time centre of royal power in Brittany that is now home to a museum that tells the centuries-old history of the city.
End your day with a relaxing river cruise, which will bring you past some of the castles and manor houses that are the pride of Nantes.
Saturday, 16 September
The morning and early afternoon are yours to spend in the Cathedral of Saint Pierre and Paul, admiring its 16th century marble masterpieces. Or marvelling at modern art in the Musée d’Arts? Or indulging in some shopping in the Passage Pommerave, a light-filled covered alleyway of elegant sculptures and luxury boutiques.
This evening will be spent in Nantes’ Stade de la Beaujoire where we will shout our support for the Irish team as they play their second match at RWC 2023.
Sunday, 17 September
Today, we fly from Nantes to Marseilles, a Mediterranean city with a cultural edge. The best place to start your discovery of Marseille is in the Old Port, which has been the city’s focal point for 2,600 years. It still bobs with pleasure craft and fishing boats that deliver their daily catch to the quayside.
Bear right along the quay and you will soon reach a wide stone staircase. At the top, you will find a 17th century fortress and sweeping vistas of the port below.
Monday, 18 September
Catch the hop-on, hop-off bus from the Old Port, which will bring you on a tour of Marseille’s greatest hits. Make sure you hop off at Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde basilica. Situated at the city’s highest point, it’s the emblem of Marseille and the most distinctive landmark in the city.
Spend the afternoon getting lost in the colourful Le Panier district, a place of steep steps, narrow stairways, and constant surprises.
Tuesday, 19 September
Start by exploring La Canebière, Marseille’s main street with its stately historic buildings. Veer into a whole other world at the all-day Capucin souk. This features spice emporiums, halal butchers, bazaars, and hole-in-the-wall cafés selling mint tea and blasting African music.
Then, take a boat from the old port to the islands just off the coast. The island of If served as the fictional prison for the Count of Monte Cristo while the Frioul Islands have fantastic cliffs, creeks, and beaches as well as breath-taking views of Marseille.
Wednesday, 20 September
Take a day trip to one of the many attractions to be found in the Provencal countryside surrounding Marseille. Arles has ancient Roman ruins and links to Van Gogh, making it perfect for lovers of history and art.
The Parc National des Calanques is a dramatic place of limestone cliffs and sheltered inlets. Because of how the light reflects off the white limestone, its waters are a stunning turquoise blue and ideal for swimming.
Thursday, 21 September
Today, we fly from Marseille to Paris. Our advice to you on your first night in the city is to spend the evening becoming acquainted, or perhaps reacquainted, with its beauty. Stroll along the Seine. Savour the sight of the illuminated Eiffel Tower in the distance. Enjoy some good food and wine. Soak in the sights and sounds of the city.
Friday, 22 September
If you have already climbed the Eiffel Tower and queued to see the Mona Lisa, you may want to visit some lesser-known attractions. The bohemian Le Maris district is one such place. Its boulangeries, Jewish restaurants, independent fashion boutiques, cutting-edge art galleries and winding lanes are full of surprises.
Or if you’re of a ghoulish nature, you might consider venturing underground to the catacombs and the bodies of six million Parisians.
Saturday, 23 September
How will you spend your final morning in Paris? Enjoying the blooms in the tranquil Luxembourg Gardens? Revelling in modern art at the Pompidou Centre? Or visiting Galeries Lafayette, one of the fanciest department stores in all of Paris?
Another option is to veer off the beaten track to Canal Saint Martin, where you will find cafés, quirky boutiques and a laid-back atmosphere.
Come late afternoon, it’s time once again to support the boys in green as they take on world champions South Africa in their third match of the tournament.
Sunday, 24 September
You depart for Ireland, brimming with exciting memories of France and Rugby World Cup 2023.
Cost, deposit and payment plan.
The price for this ticket-inclusive travel package is €6,095 per person sharing.
The single supplement is €2,499
The deposit is €750 per person. The deposit is non-refundable.
The balance is due 15 February 2023. The balance payment should be made by bank transfer.