A French love affair of the most enticing kind, this tour is about passion, ardour and infatuation. Passion for fine wine and long, lingering lunches. Ardour for ornate architecture and rich history. Infatuation for breathtaking scenery and a laidback lifestyle. It is La Belle France, a delightful discovery for both the first time visitor and those who've already fallen in love with France and wish to unveil more of its secrets.

Tour Inclusions

• 8 nights in unique & traditional accommodation
• Driver/Guide companion
• All mini-coach transportation
• European breakfast daily
• Three-course evening meals x 4

Entrance fees as listed:

• Monet’s Garden at Giverny
• Château Gaillard, Les Andelys
• Musée du Débarquement, Arromanches
• Château de Villandry
• Château d’Ussé or Azay-le-Rideau
• Argentomagus museum
• Château de Chenonceau or Chateau de Cheverny
• Wine tasting

Fri 3 Sep, 2010 - Sat 11 Sep, 2010 (8 nights) G - FULLFri 24 Sep, 2010 - Sat 2 Oct, 2010 (8 nights) G - FULLFri 15 Oct, 2010 - Sat 23 Oct, 2010 (8 nights) G - Guaranteed Departure

Itinerary:

Day 1    Honfleur
We depart Paris following the course of the Seine. Our first major stop of the day is the pretty garden at Giverney, home of the impressionist painter and passionate botanist, Monet. We wander though his house and garden as we admire the contrasts between his flower garden in front of the house and the Japanese inspired water garden which influenced his work for over twenty years.  Look out for the famous water lily pond and the Japanese bridge. A short distance away is Richard I's (better known as Richard the Lionheart) dramatic Château Gaillard perched high above Les Andelys. This is the place where legend meets reality; the evocative fortress was skilfully constructed in a single year by the English Duke in 1196 to protect an invasion of Normandy.  From here we meander to the city of Rouen, a city that spends more on monuments than any other in France! Alas, while there will not be time to see every single one, we make sure we see the Place du Vieux-Marché - the centre of Rouen, surrounded by handsome old houses and the site where Jeanne d'Arc was burned to death in 1431. Tonight we stay in the picturesque harbour of Honfleur, one of the best-preserved old ports of Normandy. This romantic town has attracted so many of France's artistic community over the years, not only painters but also musicians such as Eric Satie. We'll understand the attraction when taking an after-dinner stroll around the old centre.
(D)

Day 2    Honfleur
We begin the day with a splendid scenic drive along the ‘Normandy Corniche' offering spectacular views over the typically Norman countryside and an opportunity for us to delve into the local French lifestyle. This area of the northern French coastline is famed for its luxury resorts and attractive seafront towns. We explore two historic resorts; the lovely Cabourg and Dives-sur-Mer. Cabourg epitomised ‘The Belle Epoque' in the 19th Century as it attracted the rich and famous seeking exquisite sandy beaches and an exciting atmosphere, Proust being a frequent figure here. The nearby charming harbour of Dives-sur-Mer was where William the Conqueror built the first part of his fleet as he tried to invade England. More glamour awaits as we arrive in the prestigious yachting harbour of Deauville, where we will take a relaxing walk along its beach boardwalk and visit its bustling harbour and market. Passing through Trouville we return to our pretty impressionist's harbour of Honfleur which you may sit back and relax in one of its many restaurants or cafes.  
(B)

Day 3    Bayeux
We follow the coastal road alongside the Normandy Beaches. As we enter this region of France we cannot fail to appreciate the events that took place here during World War II, as we travel to Ouistreham, which played a significant part in the defence of the region during the war and which is, today, a lovely fishing village. We spend time visiting some of the famous museums, sites and monuments in the area, including the Musée du Débarquement at Arromanches and the battery at Longues-sur-Mer, where the bunkers still contain the original cannons, untouched since 1944. Later we travel to Colleville-sur-Mer to visit the famous American War Cemetery, overlooking Omaha Beach. Our historic day concludes with a leisurely drive to Bayeux.  
(B/D)

Day 4    Bayeux
Bayeux is a popular medieval town and today you can explore its hidden treasures at your leisure. As one guide book says, 'Bayeux’s perfectly preserved ensemble of medieval cathedral and world-famous tapestry of the battle of 1066, make it one of the high points of this part of Normandy'. In addition to the truly breathtaking tapestry and the Cathédrale Notre-Dame, you might also enjoy poking around the atmospheric streets and squares of the old town. You can probably see yourself now, sitting in a sidewalk café, a glass of wine in hand, nibbling from a plate of local cheese with olives, just watching local life go by!
(B)

Day 5     Rennes
Departing Bayeux we drive westward across the Normandy countryside to Brittany. Although there is much to marvel at in the area, it is Mont St-Michel which is our hightlight today. While not still the ‘Mount in Peril' from the sea, this 1000 year old religious complex still appears to rise from the surrounding waters. We then continue to the fortified town of St Malo. This characterful French town is well worth the visit. Wander its citadel walls to gain an elevated view of the old town and surrounding coastline then stroll through its ancient cobbled streets and enjoy its myriad of boutique shops and streetside cafes.  We follow the interesting coastal road through St. Briac-sur-Mer; the small port was the birthplace of many Cape Horners and Newfoundlanders, and on to Dinan, another attractive medieval town. As we head to our lovely Breton accommodation we stop at local villages and towns, as time permits, so you may absorb the French cuisine and local culture.
(B/D)

Day 6   Chinon
Today we travel to the verdant Loire Valley, renowned for its fairy-tale castles, historic villages and splendid food and wine. Our first port of call is Angers, capital of the ancient province of Anjou, a pretty and friendly town with a lively and welcoming atmosphere. It is considered one of the most beautiful cities in France and foremost among its many notable attractions are the magnificent Cathedral and the imposing castle with its moat and soaring towers. And this afternoon we will call in at a vineyard to sample the local wines as we make our way to delightful Chinon.
(B)

Day 7   Chinon
The pretty and peaceful town of Chinon, home of the famed writer Rabelais, makes an excellent base for our explorations of the eastern Loire. The Loire Valley is justly famed for its incredibly rich châteaux, and today we experience its most impressive. Our first port of call is the Chateau de Villandry. Completed in 1536, it was the last of the large châteaux built in the Loire Valley during the Renaissance, and it is renowned for its magnificent gardens. Not far away is the château that reputedly inspired the ‘Sleeping Beauty’ story, Château d’Ussé, or the delightful Azay-le-Rideau, the first of a number of Renaissance-style chateaux to be built in the area, beautifully located on an island in the river Indre. We will make time visit one of these before returning to Chinon where you will have plenty of opportunity to further explore this lovely town and taste the local delicacies.
(B)

Day 8    Blois
We depart Chinon and take the road to Richelieu. Built by the great Cardinal, it was one of the first truly planned towns, and it makes an interesting contrast with some of the medieval towns and cities we’ve seen over the past few days. If time permits, we might make a detour to the Parc Natural Regional west of Chateauroux where, amongst the hundreds of lakes, various birds of prey and other interesting species can be spotted.  Then we have the choice of two wonderful chateaux to visit. The Château de Chenonceau offers arguably the very best in terms of architecture, location and quality. The richness of its interiors is hard to credit, and this perhaps partly explains why the peasants were so quick to revolt and so happy to keep Madame La Guillotine busy! Our other option is the Chateau de Cheverny, a jewel amongst all the famous buildings along the Loire, though less well-known. A perfect example of a 17th century chateau, its white stone lightens with age, making it gleam in the acres of rolling parkland. Then on to our overnight stop, where we share a final dinner together as our tour sadly draws to a close.
(B/D)

Day 9    Paris
On the last day of our journey, a fitting climax to our tour is the celebrated cathedral of Chartres, incomparable anywhere in the world for its stained glass. There are 25,000 square feet of it, depicting over 5000 characters and dating from the 13th century. Old Chartres lies at the point where the river Eure cuts into the plain of Beauce; its picturesque streets evoke the bustling activity of a medieval street of merchants and craftsmen. It is delightful, and a great place to do some final shopping! We return to our Paris hotel in the early evening. Whether you are heading home right away, or spending more time in the ‘city of light’, memories of La Belle France will stay with you.
(B)

Price

Pick-up/Drop-off Information:

Tour departs at 08.30am and drop off (approx) at 6.00pm from Paris:
Jardins d'Eiffel
8 rue Amelie 
07 Arr.,
75007 Paris