| Mention France and many North Americans think of the Eiffel Tower, Champs-Elysees and The Louvre. Most North Americans do not realize France is also a world soccer power. France is indeed a country of many faces, and connoisseurs know them all. There is Paris, one of Europe's most exciting capitals; the legendary vineyards of Burgundy; snow-capped Mont Blanc, the highest mountain on the continent, and Cannes, playground of the French Riviera. That's why we don't say that we offer a program in France, but rather a program in Paris or at the Côte d'Azur. And everywhere, of course, there is basketball. |  |
France has been a regular at EuroBasket, with 36 appearances, with its best result being a silver medal at EuroBasket 1949 and EuroBasket 2011. The French squad has also won two silver medals at the Summer Olympics, in 1948 and 2000. France's best result at the Basketball World Championship came in 2006, when it finished in fifth place. France has qualified for the European Championship a total of 36 times, more than any other nation. Its recent result at the EuroBasket 2011 was its best performance in Europe in over 60 years.
Tony Parker is a French professional basketball player with the San Antonio Spurs of the NBA. The son of a professional basketball player, Parker played for two years in the French basketball league before entering the 2001 NBA Draft. He was selected by the San Antonio Spurs with the 28th overall pick in the draft and quickly became their starting point guard, helping the Spurs win three NBA Championships in 2003, 2005 and 2007. Employing his pace and high field goal percentage to great effect, Parker has been selected as an NBA All-Star four times, an All-NBA Third Team member once, and was the 2007 NBA Finals MVP.
The entire Mediterranean Sea offers spectacular coastal scenery, but perhaps the most magnificent of all is in southeast France. The mountains of the Alps meet the deep blue sea; hence the name "Côte d'Azur". Many jet-setters have residences here, giving it glamour and glitz, European style. But the area is also a hotbed for soccer. As some of the best soccer is played in the cities of Marseille, Cannes and Nice, but nearly every inland village has a club too. Premier International Tours has a 30-year track record in the Côte d'Azur. The special Mediterranean ambiance makes a visit here quite worthwhile for soccer teams to travel to.
France program highlights and sights:
- Play games vs. local French teams
- Sightseeing in Paris including the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre and Champs-Elysees
- Sightseeing in the South of France including Nice, Cannes and Monaco – visit the beautiful beaches of the South of France
- Visit stadiums and/or matches of pro teams like Paris St. Germain
Tour examples
Tour 8701
France/Nice and Spain/Barcelona
Day 1 Departure from the USA or Canada
Day 2 Arrival Nice, transfer to accommodation
Day 3 Tour Nice, evening game
Day 4 Morning optional practice, visit Cannes
Day 5 Day trip to Monaco, evening game
Day 6 Transfer to Barcelona
Day 7 Tour the Costa Brava near Barcelona, evening game
Day 8 Morning optional practice, visit to the sacred mountain of Montserrat
Day 9 Sightseeing Barcelona including visit to the Nou Camp stadium, evening game
Day 10 Transfer to Barcelona airport, return flight
Participant Prices:
Between US$1800-US$1900 per person March-April departure
Between US$1900-US$2000 per person June-August departure
Between CAD2000-CAD2100 per person March-April departure
Between CAD2100-CAD2200 per person June-August departure
Tour 8702
France/Paris and England/London
Day 1 Departure from the USA or Canada
Day 2 Arrival Paris airport, transfer to accommodation
Day 3 Sightseeing Paris. Evening game
Day 4 Morning optional court available for practice, visit Versaille
Day 5 Visit Fontainebleau or more sightseeing in Paris, evening game
Day 6 Transfer to London
Day 7 Sightseeing Hampton Court Palace and Windsor Castle, evening game
Day 8 Morning optional practice, sightseeing in London
Day 9 Additional sightseeing London, evening game
Day 10 Transfer to London airport, return flight
Participant Prices:
Between US$1650-US$1750 per person March-April departure
Between US$2000-US$2100 per person June-August departure
Between CAD1800-CAD1900 per person March-April departure
Between CAD2200-CAD2300 per person June-August departure
Tour 8102
Belgium/Brussels – France/Paris
Day 1 Departure from USA or Canada
Day 2 Arrival Brussels, check in accommodation, optional training
Day 3 Sightseeing Brussels. Evening game
Day 4 Morning optional court available for practice. Sightseeing Antwerp
Day 5 Sightseeing Hasselt. Evening game
Day 6 Transfer to France/Paris
Day 7 Sightseeing Paris. Evening game
Day 8 Morning optional court available for practice. Visit Versailles
Day 9 Visit Fontainebleau. Evening game
Day 10 Return flight
Participant Prices:
Between US$1900-US$2000 per person March-April departure
Between US$2300-US$2400 per person June-August departure
Between CAD2100-CAD2200 per person March-April departure
Between CAD2500-CAD2600 per person June-August departure