1 GARDENS OF PARIS & THE LOIRE VALLEY May 21 May 29, 2018 Monday, May 21 U.S.A / Leave the United States via Transatlantic Air Service for Paris. NOTE: All flights arranged and quoted separately. Tuesday, May 22 - PARIS Arrive in Paris in the morning. Upon arrival, after clearing Customs, proceed by own means from Charles de Gaulle Airport to your hotel. Panorama of Paris NOTES: The motor coach will be air-conditioned, with bottled water available on the bus, and all services will be provided by English speaking guides. Entrance fees included as required. When dialing from a local phone number, do not include (011), which is unique to U.S. based phone numbers or the country code (33 in France). The 0 in the area code must be included in all local calls. Further dining suggestions will be provided with your final documents. Breakfast included daily lunch and dinner included as noted. Personal microphone headsets provided for sightseeing tours.
GRAND HOTEL DU PALAIS ROYAL www.grandhoteldupalaisroyal.com Room rates include VAT, service, city tax and American buffet breakfast in Restaurant Le Lulli, Free access to the Fitness center and Turkish Bath and complimentary WiFi. Check in is at 3:00PM early check-in requested but not guaranteed this is a busy period, so early check-in probably will not be possible. Signature amenities include: VIP Amenities upon check in at your room. $50.00 USD discount per room for room service, minibar or the Lounge Bar Paris, the capital of France, is also the capital of the world to many travelers. Founded over two thousand years ago by a Celtic sub-tribe, today the bustling city it is a living memorial to its past with cultural reminders that are visible in the quartiers or tiny communities of which the city is composed. Built on the banks of the Seine River, Paris is an intellectual metropolis demonstrating historical influence from the Romans, Gauls, and the Franks, while also functioning as a modern business center. 8:00PM Dinner included in your hotel s Le Lulli Restaurant, privatized for your group three course meal with 1/3 bottle of wine, water and coffee or tea. 2 Wednesday, May 23 in PARIS In the morning, meet your expert English speaking guide in the lobby of your hotel who will remain with you during your stay in France with his private chauffeur driven motor coach. Transfer to Le Jardin des Plantes for a special tour with an on-site guide from the garden. The Jardin des Plantes (or Garden of the Plants) sits on the left bank of the Seine in Paris and is considered the main botanical garden in France as well as an official historical monument. The extensive garden covers almost 70 acres and also contains greenhouses, archives, libraries, a zoo, and four museums featuring art and specimen collections. Jardin des Plantes in Paris After your visit, continue west into the countryside to Rolleboise on the banks of the Seine River. Lunch included at Le Domaine de la Corniche - two course meal with one glass of wine, water and coffee or tea. Proceed to nearby Giverny to visit Monet s House and Gardens.
3 Giverny is a charming village located at the intersection of the River Epte and the River Seine. Monet, leader of the Impressionist School, lived here in his pink brick house from 1882-1926. The property has kept its colorful decor with all the charm of a bygone era. The house is still decorated as it was when Monet lived there. The exquisitely colored gardens offer the visitor an intimate view of the painter-gardener s palette. The weeping willows, the Japanese bridge and the lily pond all become a reality, like a painting coming to life. Return to Paris in the late afternoon. Thursday, May 24 PARIS / TOURS In the morning, after checking out, meet your guide in the lobby of your hotel for a transfer by private motor coach to your hotel in Tours. En route, stop in Chambord Chateau for a tour of the castle and the new French Gardens. Independent lunch stop. Chambord is the largest chateaux in the Loire Valley, on a scale foreshadowing Versailles. There is a fine structural unity to the building which owes its rich decoration to the Renaissance, which was at its height during the construction of the chateau. The foremost feature inside the castle is the great central staircase, actually consisting of two stairways starting at different levels and spiraling around the same shaft. Since 1931, Chambord has been the property of the state. Chambord Chateau Newly completed in the spring of 2017, the restored Formal French Gardens of Chambord Chateau are a beautiful recreation of the gardens original commissioned by Louis XIV in the 1734. The original gardens were well maintained until the 20 th century when they were replanted with a more minimalist form. In 2015, the 5 million euro Chambord Project was approved to bring the gardens back to their formal glory with a keen eye for historical accuracy. HOTEL DE L UNIVERS www.de-lunivers-tours.hotel-rn.com Room rates include VAT, service, city tax, complimentary WiFi and hot breakfast Tours was one of Europe s principal places of pilgrimage during the Middle Ages. The basilica of St-Martin, destroyed during the Revolution, was the prototype of all the pilgrimage churches along the road to St-James of Compostela. In the Cathedral of St-Gatien are lovely stained glass windows that date from the 13 th to the 15 th centuries. Dinner included at your hotel s restaurant - three course meal with two glasses of wine, water and coffee or tea.
Friday, May 25 in TOURS In the morning, meet your guide in the lobby of your hotel for a full day of sightseeing. Drive first to Cheverny, owned by the same family for over 600 years. Meeting with a descendent of the Hurault family, subject to confirmation. 4 Cheverny, built in one piece in classical style, is more a lordly mansion than a castle. Retained are the 17 th century furnishings and decor from the period of its construction in 1634 by Hurault de Cheverny. A majestic staircase, decorated with sculpture, leads to the living apartments. It has four themed gardens Vegetable Garden; Apprentice s (ornamental pleasure) Garden; Tulip Garden, which blooms in April, and Bay Tree Maze Garden. Lunch included at a traditional French restaurant in the Loire Valley two course meal with one glass of wine, water and coffee or tea. Following lunch, proceed to Chaumont-sur-Loire for a guided tour of the annual International Garden Festival. Chaumont-sur-Loire is surrounded by spacious parklands and enjoys a fine view over the Loire Valley. The earliest castle on the site was built in the 10th century and was burned to the ground under orders from Louis XI. Construction of the present castle continued from 1465 to 1520, with 1,800 workmen employed for many years. In 1560 the present chateau was acquired by the widow of Henri II, Catherine de Medici, who forced the king's favorite, Diane de Poitiers to relinquish Chenonceaux for this feudal castle. Inside are tapestries, tiles and locally produced medallions. Since 1992, Chaumont-sur-Loire has hosted the annual Festival des Jardins or Garden Festival. Each year, around 300 landscape architects, designers, and florists from around the world submit to the festival and around 30 projects are chosen to be brought to life in the Loire Valley. The displays allow both landscape artists and visitors alike to discover new specimens and to explore unique combinations. Return to your hotel in the late afternoon. Saturday, May 26 in TOURS In the morning, meet your guide in the lobby of your hotel for a full day of sightseeing. Proceed to Rivau Castle for a guided tour of the Rivau Gardens and a meeting with the castle owner. Garden at Chateau du Rivau
Chateau du Rivau has a long and fascinating history, beginning with a visit from Joan of Arc in 1429 when she and her followers stopped in Rivau to collect horses during the Hundred Years War. The area was well known for its high-quality equestrian training and both King Francis I and Henri III kept their royal stables at the castle. In 1992, new owners undertook a major renovation of the castle and its whimsical gardens, which are all inspired by fairy tales and legends. Lunch featuring fresh, local products included at Rivau Castle three course meal with drinks included. In the afternoon, continue to Chinon for a guided city tour. 5 Chinon is an ancient town on the banks of the Vienne River, in the shadow and under the protection of a huge castle. Both the castle and the old quarter lend a truly medieval flavor to Chinon. The fortified outer walls of the city enclosed several castles, each with its own defensive system. Literary associations, along with its setting and beautiful view, adds to its artistic and historical interest. The great man of Chinon, Rabelais, was born at La Deviniere and spent his childhood here. Legend has it that Henry II of England and his son, Richard the Lion-Hearted, died at the Grand Logis. Return to your hotel in the late afternoon. Sunday, May 27 in TOURS In the morning, meet your guide in the lobby of your hotel for a full day of sightseeing. Begin with a visit to the Chateau de Chenonceau for a guided tour of the castle and gardens. Chenonceau Castle and Gardens Chenonceau is known as the Chateau of Six Women. Catherine Briconnet was the builder; Diane de Poitiers, the ever-beautiful, was given the castle by Henri II; upon his death his wife, Catherine de Medici, reclaimed it. It then passed into the hands of Louise de Lorraine, the inconsolable widow of Henri III. In the 18 th century Madam Dupin brought Jean Jacques Rousseau here to tutor her son and it was here that he wrote Emile. Then in the 19 th century, it became the property of Madam Pelouze who restored the chateau to its original design. The chateau is now the property of the Menier family, chocolate manufacturers.
6 Continue to Amboise. Amboise, in the heart of the Chateaux country, is the home of the stately medieval and Renaissance Chateau d Amboise. Perched high on a hill dominating the town, the chateau affords a view of the Manor of Clos-Luce where Leonardo da Vinci once lived. His remains are said to be interred in the Chapel of St-Hubert. The nearby Logis de Roi or King s House is splendidly furnished with antiques of that period. In the town center are the lovely medieval Church of St-Denis, with 16 th century works of art, and the Town Hall Museum that has exquisite 14 th century sculpture and Aubusson tapestries. Wine tasting lunch included at the cellar caves in Amboise. Proceed to the Gardens of Villandry for a private tour with a gardener (subject to confirmation). The Chateau de Villandry has a great tower, the keep of an earlier structure that is the only remaining part of the original fortress from the 16th century castle. The chateau is justly known for its lovely gardens that have been carefully restored to their original design. The highest of the three tiers is the water garden. This architectural design shows the influence of Italian gardeners brought to France by Charles VIII. In the 19th century, the owner had transformed the gardens to the English style, much in vogue during the 1800's. Return to your hotel in the late afternoon. Monday, May 28 TOURS / PARIS - ROISSY In the morning, after checking out, meet your guide in the lobby of your hotel. Leave Tours and drive to Vaux-le-Vicomte for a tour and lunch with Alexandre de Vogue, great great grandson of Alfred Sommier, who purchased the estate in 1875. The baroque-style French chateau in Vaux-le-Vicomte was constructed in the 1650s and was an important and unique architectural accomplishment as it marked the first time the architect, the landscape architect, and the painter-decorator all worked together toward one goal. This collaborative manner of design was later dubbed the Louis XIV Style. Panorama of Vaux-le-Vicomte Lunch with a cocktail (one glass of Champagne and appetizers) included at the Orangerie. There will be a guided tour of the Chateau and the French Garden, created by Andre Le Notre.
In the late afternoon, continue to Roissy Charles de Gaulle Airport and release guide and private motor coach upon arrival at your hotel. SHERATON PARIS AIRPORT HOTEL www.sheratonparisairport.com Room rates include VAT, service, city tax, complimentary WiFi and buffet breakfast Tuesday, May 29 PARIS / U.S.A. End of arrangements after breakfast at your hotel, with independent departures to your next destination. 7 NOTE: The program is subject to change, depending on local circumstances. END OF ARRANGEMENTS I-17176-03 Monet s Gardens in Giverny Prepared by: Rita Velten FROSCH TRAVEL A SIGNATURE Agency