DAY-TO-DAY PROGRAMME

Transcription

1 FRENCH LANGUAGE & CULTURE TOUR France 2012 BRETAGNE, AQUITAINE, DORDOGNE In the company of Chris Gossip Monday 24 September to Saturday 13 October 2012 DAY-TO-DAY PROGRAMME ( B = Breakfast L = Lunch D = Dinner ) Day 1 Monday 24 September (D) : 16h30 : Get-together meeting in Paris with Chris, Annie and David. Hotel Ibis Italie Tolbiac, 177 rue de Tolbiac, Paris : Metro Tolbiac (Line 7) Tel : h.0923@accor.com 19h30 : Group dinner : Le Bobillot, 79 rue Bobillot, Paris Day 2 Tuesday 25 September (B D) : 9h00 Group transfer by coach from hotel to the Gare Montparnasse. 10h12 TGV 8715 to Quimper in Brittany. Arrives 14h40 (Buy sandwiches for the trip, or snacks on the train) Transfer by coach to hotel and settle into hotel in Quimper (situated in the historic centre of Quimper). Hotel Escale Oceania, 6 rue Théodore Le Hars, Quimper Tel : escaleoceania.quimper@oceaniahotels.com 19h30 : Welcome Dinner in an excellent & typical regional restaurant : La Feuillantine, 6 rue Locmaria, Quimper. (QUIMPER, if not the capital of Brittany, is the oldest town in Brittany, and capital city of the most westerly region of France, known as Cornouaille.) Day 3 Wednesday 26 September (B L) : All-day coach tour : discovery of the region known as Cornouaille 9h00 : Leave hotel 9h30-10h30 guided visit of the Cidrerie Paul Coïc in Plonéis, including tasting. Then a coach excursion via the spectacular headlands Pointe du Van and Pointe du Raz (the most westerly tip of mainland France). 12h30 Group lunch in the charming town of Audierne : Au Roi Gradlon, 3 av. Manu Brusq, Audierne. We continue round the peninsula of Penmarch via the Chapelle Notre-Dame de Tronoën and its extraordinary 15 th century calvary with its 100 characters. 16h15 reach Guilvinec for the arrival of the fishing fleet. (Guilvinec is the third most important fishing port in France, but the most important for local non-industrial fishing.) 17h00 guided visit of La Criée (fish auction) Return to Quimper and rest of evening free.

2 Day 4 Thursday 27 September (B D) 9h30 : group sessions in 3 groups. -Historique du Finistère + introduction à architecture et art bretons. -Conversation autour d une tasse de café. -Questions de langue. 14h-15h30 guided visit of Quimper 16h00 guided visit of the Faïencerie Henriot. Faïence (glazed earthenware) developed in many regions of France in the late 17 th and 18 th centuries, and very much so in Brittany. Quimper has been historically the most important centre, Henriot the original and still the most important, and indeed exclusive name : you will learn about the techniques, the traditions, the artists, the regional differences, etc. 19h30 : Group dinner in restaurant La Nova, 33 rue Aristide Briand, Quimper Day 5 Friday 28 September (B D) : All-day coach tour 8h15 leave hotel by coach. 10h15-11h15 guided visit of Locmariaquer with its mind-boggling Broken Menhir, dating from 4500BC and estimated at weighing 48 tons. For reasons unknown it was knocked over three thousand years ago, and split into four pieces. Tumuli and dolmens galore, a most extraordinary experience! 11h30 for 11h45-13h15 A Navix cruise across the most beautiful maritime areas of Brittany, the Golfe du Morbihan, to reach the lovely capital town of the region, Vannes The coach will take us to le port centre ville : time for a quick late & light lunch! 14h30-16h00 : RV OT for guided visit of Vannes The coach will pick the group up at 16h15 to drive to Carnac 17h-18h00 guided visit of the most famous French megalithic site : Carnac Return to Quimper. 20h00 : Group dinner in Hotel. Day 6 Saturday 29 September (B D) 9h30 : group sessions in three groups. -Questions de langue -Visite accompagnée du Grand Marché de Quimper After language session: 12h15 leave Quimper for Concarneau 13h-14h45 Time for lunch and visit of beautiful walled town of Concarneau (started 14 th C. and completed by Vauban 17 th C.) Back in coach for 15h00 to arrive at 16h00 at Port de Corniguel to take the boat.

3 16h15-17h30 : cruise on the lovely river Odet, one of the two principal river cruises in Brittany, from Quimper to Bénodet : history, legends, scenery! The coach will take the group back to Quimper. 19h30 : Group dinner restaurant Sur les Quais, 39 Bd Amiral de Kerguelen, Quimper. Day 7 Sunday 30 September (B L) : all-day coach excursion. Morning on the theme of the enclos paroissiaux, a major feature of Breton history and culture. (The standard English translation is parish closes, which are walled churchyards incorporating a cemetery, calvary and ossuary). These church enclosures, focal point of Breton heritage with their lively group sculptures which link the cemetery to the church, are quite extraordinary and no understanding of Breton culture is possible without a visit! You will have a guided visit of some of the most famous enclos : St Thégonnec, Guimiliau, Lampaul-Guimiliau (and during the visit you will see also another beautiful and typical Breton reredos). 8h45 leave hotel by coach. 10h00 meet guide in front of the enclos of Lampaul Guimiliau. 12h30 : Group lunch in a traditional and excellent crêperie in St Thégonnec : Crêperie Steredenn In the afternoon, if the weather allows it, we will stop at Roc Trévezel for the spectacular view over the north and south of Brittany. Then we drive to Pont Aven to enjoy this beautiful and typical Breton town famous for the school of painting it inspired. We will also visit the small chapel where Gauguin found his inspiration for his famous Yellow Christ. Return to Quimper and rest of evening free. Day 8 Monday 1 October (B D) : all day coach tour devoted to some of the great sites of Brittany! 9h00 Leave hotel by coach. We start the day with a visit to one of the most famous places in Brittany, the beautiful small town of Locronan, its wonderful setting and especially the central place often used by makers of historical films (including Polanski s Tess of the d Urbervilles). Then much of the day will be spent visiting the spectacular Crozon peninsula, in particular the port of Camaret with its World Heritage Tour D Orée built by Vauban towards the end of the 17 th century, then wandering through the 143 menhirs in Lagatjar (in the 18 th century there were more than 600 of them!), and then on to the Penhir headland, one of the most spectacular natural sites in Brittany. (Lunch stop in either Camaret or Crozon depending on time). Following round some more Vauban fortifications, panorama after panorama, each of exceptional beauty, a photographer s paradise, the whole of the Crozon peninsula to contemplate! On the return we go to the Ménez-Hom, perhaps even more spectacular, overlooking the port of Douarnenez. If time we will visit the Chapelle Ste Marie du Menez-Hom which offers superb examples of 16 th 18 th century reredoses Return to Quimper by the delightful town of Douarnenez for a long time the most important port for sardine fishing and preserving.

4 19h15 Group dinner in Douarnenez, Quai 29, 11 Quai du Petit Port. Return to Quimper approx 21h30. Day 9 Tuesday 2 October (B D) 9h30 : group session in three groups -La Bretagne d aujourd hui -Conversation autour d une tasse de café -Questions de langue Afternoon free for shopping, or armed with suggestions for other things to see/do in Quimper before leaving. 19h30 : Group dinner in the restaurant Le QG, 43 Quai de la Gare, Quimper Day 10 Wednesday 3 October (B D) from Quimper to Bordeaux. 9h00 By coach to Nantes with luggage. Arrival at Nantes station by 12h00. We will look after your luggage in the station so that you can have a little time to have a look at the beautiful town of Nantes and have a bite. Return to the station at the latest by 13h45. 14h13 Train to Bordeaux. Arrival at 18h11. Transfer by coach to Hotel. Hotel Continental, 10 rue Montesquieu, Bordeaux (situated in the heart of the golden triangle of Bordeaux.) Tel continental@hotel-le-continental.com BORDEAUX : Perhaps most associated with wine throughout the world, Bordeaux has in fact a rich historical, cultural, and commercial heritage spreading over more than 2000 years. In terms of strictly architectural heritage the city (by no means one of France s largest) has more historically protected buildings than any other in the country except for Paris. Bordeaux is especially renowned, however, for the development of its urban planning and architecture since the early 18 th century, recognized today in the classification of its port and city centre as a World Heritage site. 19h30 : Group dinner at Le Grand Café de Bordeaux, 65 Cours de l Intendance. Day 11 Thursday 4 October (B D) 9h-11h00 : guided visit of the historical and World Heritage part of Bordeaux, after which (11h-12h00) you can discover either its fine art gallery and museum (Musée des Beaux Arts), created at the personal wish of Napoleon which should be reopened after being completely restored just before your arrival in France or the Musée des Arts Décoratifs housed in a beautiful 18 th C hôtel particulier 14h30-17h00 Group session in 3 groups :

5 - Presentation of Bordeaux. - Discussion autour d une tasse de café ou de thé. -Questions de langue 19h30 Group dinner in the Bistrot des Quinconces, 4 Place des Quinconces, Bordeaux Day 12 Friday 5 October (B L) All-day coach excursion on the themes of : wine, historical towns and famous writers. 9h00 We drive to the World Heritage town St Emilion, a lovely town famous for its beauty, historic interest and most especially for its wine! 10h-11h30 The guided visit will take in the monuments souterrains, including the monolithic church, the largest of its type in Europe the athletic members of the group who would like to climb the 187 steps to the top of the tower will be rewarded by one of the most exceptional panoramic views imaginable across the historic town and right over the 8000 hectares of one of the most celebrated vignobles of them all, classed a World Heritage site. 12H30 Group lunch casse-croûte vigneron in vineyard of Château Haut Veyrac (appellation St Emilion) After leaving St Emilion, we go first to Sauveterre de Guyenne, a typical 13 th century English Bastide. The bastides were built during the 13 th and 14 th centuries, and although almost all of them (there are about 350 in the south-west region of France) are built round a large central place, each has a distinct character of its own. Then into the exquisite small town of St Macaire, dating back to the 12 th century, where there will be time to wander and explore the old medieval part. Before returning to Bordeaux we will visit first Malagar, home of the 20 th century Nobel Literature prizewinner François Mauriac, as well as the Château de La Brède where Montesquieu the great 18 th century philosopher and writer was born and lived even if there is not time to visit the interior of the château, you will be able to see the great gardens which Montesquieu described as one of the nicest places in France! Return to Bordeaux for the evening. Evening free. Day 13 Saturday 6 October (B L) The morning will offer you a quite exceptional experience, in the Bordeaux Ecole du vin. 10h-12h00 This is not an invitation to a binge, but a most serious presentation of all that goes to constitute the world-wide reputation of Bordeaux wines understanding the history and the process of making the wines, learning to appreciate the specific qualities, as well, for all who so wish, tasting the wines of the region. 12h15 Group lunch restaurant La Belle Epoque, 2 Allées d Orléans 14h00 coach tour to Blaye to visit the very interesting 17 th century citadelle built by Vauban, now classed a World Heritage site. (Vauban was one the most important military and urban architects in French history his work is still very much part of the French landscape today, a lot of it now classed as World Heritage). 15h15-15h45 : discover the town in le petit train touristique 17h-18h00 guided visit of the citadelle and its tunnels Return to Bordeaux for the evening and rest of evening free.

6 Day 14 Sunday 7 October (B D) Free morning (but take an early bite of lunch). 12h45-14h15 Short sessions in three groups. General presentation of the region known as the Dordogne, famous not only because it is one of the most spectacularly beautiful regions in Europe, but because it is extraordinarily rich in history going back to the Paleolithic age, geologically fascinating with all its caves and grottoes, equally famous for being the setting of many sieges and battles during the Hundred Years War. We will go by tramway to arrive by 15h15 at the Embarcardère (= Landing Stage) 15h30-17h00 Cruise to discover Bordeaux from the river, the harbour and the World Heritage Port de la Lune Free till dinner. 19h30 Group dinner at Le grand Café de Bordeaux. Day 15 Monday 8 October (B D) 9h00: the coach takes the group with luggage and drives from Bordeaux to Sarlat. (On the way, we will take a very short detour to see the Château de Montaigne, where Montaigne was born in 1533 and died in 1592.) SARLAT - Sarlat is arguably the most beautiful of the old historic towns in France, certainly most wonderfully restored, and has probably been the setting for more historic films than any other town in France.) And of course for the gastronomes, in Sarlat you are in the heart of foie gras country! After lunch and settling in the hotel in the centre of the town Hotel Compostelle, 64/66 avenue de Selves, Sarlat TEL : info@hotel-compostelle-sarlat.com 15h30 Guided visit of Sarlat. 19h30 Group dinner in the restaurant Criquettamu s, 5 rue des Armes, Sarlat Day 16 Tuesday 9 October (B L) 9h00 leave hotel by coach to visit some of the most celebrated sites round Sarlat. 9h15-9h45 the Cingle de Montfort offering one of the most wonderful views of the Dordogne from its castle overlooking the river, - though the castle itself has been destroyed and rebuilt four times since the 13 th century! Then on to three villages/small towns, each being officially classed as un des plus beaux villages de France. 10h15-10h45 discover La Roque-Gageac, nestling into the cliffs by the river, and enjoying a micro-climate which means that Mediterranean flowers and plants can be grown here without problem. 11h-11h55 If the state of the river is stable, excursion on a gabare, an exact model of the traditional boats of the 17 th and 18 th centuries, to see some of the sites from the river itself.

7 12h15 the exquisite small town of Domme, a 13 th century bastide dominating the river, where there will be time to discover it and have group lunch in the restaurant La Poivrière, Place de la Halle, Domme. 14h30-15h30 Guided visit of the great Château de Beynac which was besieged many times during its long medieval history but which was only ever taken on two occasions, first by Richard the Lion-Heart, then later by Simon de Montfort. Then time to discover the striking town of Beynac-et-Cazenac. Return to Sarlat & get-together in a café (or two!) 16h30-18h30 conversation autour d une tasse de café ou de thé. FAQ : questions diverses sur la Dordogne et la France en général. Rest of evening free. Day 17 Wednesday 10 October (B D) : All-day coach excursion 8h45 Leave the hotel with coach 9h15-9h45 visit the Cabanes du Breuil - a unique group of traditional small houses still being used by farmers. Then on to Les Eyzies, the capital of prehistory : the astonishing discoveries into both the caves inhabited by our ancestors, going back to Paleolithic times, and their sanctuaries are exhibited in the museum 10h-11h30 guided visit of the French National Museum of Prehistory. 12h-12h40 guided visit of the Grotte du Grand Roc, is part of the World Heritage site, Vallée de la Vézère, for its unbelievable collection of stalactites and stalagmites. Time for a light lunch either in Les Eyzies or in Montignac. We then follow the valley of the River Vézère, designated World Heritage for its remarkable collection of drawings discovered in the 147 caves and 25 decorated grottoes. No other prehistoric site in the world can be compared with the Vézère Valley. The wall paintings are unique in the world, not only on account of their age, but especially for ethnological, anthropological and aesthetic values. If the most famous and remarkable is that of Lascaux (discovered in 1940, but where on account of their extremely fragile nature you can only see copies), the most striking originals are those to be seen in the grotto called the Font-de- Gaume, but because they are too fragile, groups are no longer allowed. (Arrive in Lascaux by 14h15) 14h30-15h30 : Guided visit of Lascaux II. After the visit, a short drive to Eyrignac. 16h15 Guided visit of the gardens of the Manoir d Eyrignac, one of the most famous and most beautiful gardens in France. Restored to their original state, the gardens are a perfect harmony of French and Tuscan styles and lovers of the art of topiary will be completely spoilt! After the visit, return to Sarlat 19h30 : Group dinner at the restaurant Criquettamu s (See Day 15) Day 18 Thursday 11 October (B L) : Coach excursion to two exceptional world-renowned sites. 9h00 Leave hotel with coach.

8 10h45-12h15 visit of the Gouffre de Padirac, the most exceptional underground and most visited natural site in France, of quite staggering monumental proportions. A most extraordinary hole in the ground! Lifts and staircases take you down to more than 100 metres below the surface to reach the underground river, which you will follow for more than a mile, half of the way by boat. Apart from the exceptional nature of the experience, you will be fascinated by the history of the great chasm (its existence was detected almost two thousand years ago), the legend of the devil of Padirac, its use during the Hundred Years War, and the more recent story of its exploration. Attention : the temperature is at 13 - so take appropriate clothing! 13h00 We arrive in one of the most famous small towns in the whole of the Périgord, the World Heritage site of Rocadamour. Any visit to Rocadamour is unforgettable, not least when you first see it from the hill above. Town of legends (the sword you can see held by stone is, according to legend, the great Durandal, the sword of Roland); a place of miracles performed by the Black Virgin (the Plantagenet King of England, Henry II, was miraculously cured by her, and others who came to worship her included Saint Bernard, Saint Louis, Blanche de Castille, Philippe le Bel); and a great centre of pilgrimages (one of the most important in the whole of Christendom for more than 400 years). 13h-14h30 Group lunch Restaurant Jehan de Valon (Hôtel Beau Site), Rocamadour 15h00 guided visit of La Cité Religieuse of Rocamadour. Return to Sarlat early evening. Evening free. Day 19 Friday 12 October (B D) Morning : free 14h-16h30 final sessions for discussion of all you have experienced, with individual presentations (preferably in French!) of that which has interested each of the participants most. Rest of the day free, until the Farewell Dinner. 19h30 Farewell Dinner : Bistro de l Octroi, 111 av. de Selves, Sarlat Day 20 Saturday 13 October (B ) : Departure. 8h45 Leave by coach to return to the Gare St Jean in Bordeaux in order to take the TGV back to Paris 12h28 TGV 8526 : Anticipated Arrival time in Paris Gare Montparnasse : 15h33. END OF THE TOUR