Monet’s Garden, The Loire Valley & Fontainebleau
| Resort: | Monet's Garden, The Loire Valley & Fontainebleau |
| Operator: | Riviera Travel |
| Destination: | Europe |
| Price From: | £899.00 |
Overview
Itinerary DetailsDAY 1ARRIVAL IN VERNON ARRIVAL IN VERNONTravel by Eurostar from London St Pancras International (exact time of travel will be indicated on travel documents, arriving at Paris Gard du Nord approximately 2hrs 15 mins later). A coach will take you to Vernon near Claude Monetas house and garden, to the three-star Hotel Normandy, where we dine this evening. DAY 2MONET’S HOUSE MONET’S HOUSEToday you visit Monet’s house and garden. You have all seen Monet’s paintings reproduced in calendars and birthday cards, but to be here, in this spectacular display of colour, is simply an unforgettable experience. In the Japanese inspired water garden, shaded by a great willow tree and surrounded by bamboo trees, rhododendrons and azaleas, is the lily pond, where the famous Les Nympheas or Water Lilies were painted. Inside the house is also outstanding. Your journey continues to Chartres, where the cathedral is arguably the most magnificent in France with perhaps the most intricate 13th-century stained glass in Europe eventually arriving in the picturesque city of Tours, where you will be staying for four nights’ bed and breakfast at either the three-star superior Kyriad hotel, four-star Novotel Tours Centre Gare or four-star Mercure Tours Hotel, all centrally located on the edge of the Old Town. DAY 3TOURS & CHENONCEAU TOURS & CHENONCEAUAfter breakfast we enjoy a guided tour of the wonderfully preserved historic centre of Tours. The cityas rich and varied history stretches back as far as the Gallo-Roman period, later becoming the medieval capital of France and seat of the French monarchy. This afternoon we visit Chenonceau, home of Mary Queen of Scots and probably the most stately of the Loire chA?teaux, majestically hovering on the waters of the River Cher. Later we return to the hotel. This evening you dine in a charming restaurant, full of atmosphere so unique to France. DAY 4FONTEVRAUD ABBEY, SAUMUR & WINE TASTING FONTEVRAUD ABBEY, SAUMUR & WINE TASTINGThis morning we visit the stunning UNESCO World Heritage Site, Fontevraud Abbey, for a guided tour. Arguably the greatest monastic establishment left standing in France, the Abbey was once one of the richest and most powerful royal retreats in the world. Next we head to Saumur, described as the apearl of Anjoua, the town is a delightful spot to stop for lunch and wander amongst its magnificent architectural heritage. No visit here would be complete without sampling some of this famous produce, so this afternoon we visit the Ackermann wine cellars for a tasting of some of their award-winning Saumur wines. DAY 5CHINON & CHA?TEAU VILLANDRY CHINON & CHA?TEAU VILLANDRYThis morning we visit the charming town of Chinon, medieval in character dominated by the imposing castle where Joan of Arc first met the Dauphin. You have time to explore this lovely town. In the afternoon, we make our way down the beautiful Loire Valley to the ChA?teau Villandry, famous for its unique gardens, consisting largely of colourful vegetables. DAY 6AMBOISE & CHA?TEAU OF CLOS LUCA? AMBOISE & CHA?TEAU OF CLOS LUCA?This morning we visit Amboise, a delightful little town nestling on the banks of the River Loire. where a royal chA?teau sits. Nearby is the ChA?teau of Clos LucA(C), famous as the final abode of Leonardo da Vinci. Today it houses the Leonardo da Vinci museum, dedicated to his work and the regionas prestigious history. On display are models of his various innovations as well as a copy of the Mona Lisa. Afterwards we continue to our final hotel, where we stay at either the four-star Hotel Mercure Paris Sud Parc du Coudray or the four-star Novotel Fontainebleau Ury, where we also dine. DAY 7FONTAINEBLEAU & RETURN EUROSTAR FONTAINEBLEAU & RETURN EUROSTARThis morning we visit the beautiful ChA?teau of Fontainebleau, just south of Paris, where Napoleon departed to his exile on the island of Elba. It is decorated in fantastic style, with intricate frescoes and parquet floors inlaid with exotic woods. Most impressive is the vast display of exquisite furniture and the formally designed, extensive grounds. Fontainebleau encompasses everything you imagine about a French chA?teau: style, opulence, grandeur a even outrageousness. Later you transfer to Paris to take the Eurostar service (exact time will be indicated on travel documents) to London St Pancras International. |
