Often called the "Garden of France", the Loire Valley is an enchanted land of vineyards, flowers and rolling green hills dotted with more than a thousand chateaux. It is perhaps the charm of its gentle paced life that has, for centuries, made it a sought-after location for poets and writers.
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Day 1 Paris/Loire Valley (about 270 kms) Pick up your rental car at a Hertz location in Paris and drive to Orleans, the capital of the Loire Valley. Start by visiting the House of Joan of Arc, the Museum of Beaux Arts and the Hotel Groslot, a Renaissance mansion built in 1550. Continue on to Chambord and visit the impressive and majestic Chateau de Chambord, one of the most spectacular chateaux of the world. Built by Francis the 1st as a hunting lodge, you'll be impressed by the huge hunting reserve that covers as much ground as all of Paris. Your overnight stay is at the Chateau d'Artigny in Montbazon. Day 2 Montbazon/Tours/Chenonceaux (about 50 kms) After breakfast, begin your day with a visit to Tours. A place of art and history, this ancient Gallo-Roman city was once the capital of the Kingdom of France. Visit the magnificent Cathedral of St. Gatien which was begun in the early 13th century and completed in the 16th with its flamboyant Gothic facade and medieval stained-glass windows. After Tours, drive to the heart of the valley, along the River Cher where you'll find the most romantic French castle, the Chateau de Chenonceaux. Stop for your included lunch at La Cave, a delightful restaurant located, literally, in a cave. Before going back to your chateau/hotel, stop in the village of Mont Louis for a wine tasting in the city's cellar filled with reds, whites, roses and sparkling wines. Your overnight stay is at the Chateau d'Artigny in Montbazon. (B,L) Day 3 & 4 Montbazon/Saumur (about 70 kms) Today continue to visit the various chateaux of the region and discover the beauty that surrounds you. Depart for Villandry and visit the Chateau de Villandry best known for its magnificent flower and vegetable gardens. Then on to the Chateau d'Azay-le-Rideau, a beautiful 16th century chateau filled with period furniture. Continue on to the charming town of Saumur. Located on the Loire River, the town is celebrated for its fairy-tale Chateau, cavalry school, mushrooms and sparkling wines. Your overnight stays are at Le Prieure in Saumur. (B) Day 5 Saumur/Angers/Chartres/St. Symphorien (about 350 kms) This morning start by visiting Angers, one of France's most beautiful cities. Visit the Jean Lurcat and Contemporary Tapestry Museum to see the dramatic tapestry "Chant du Monde". Take a short stroll from the Cite to the Doutre, where you can find a lively atmosphere, or enjoy the quiet banks of the Maine. Continue on to Le Mans, on the Sarthe River. After Le Mans, continue on to St. Symphorien for your overnight stay at the Chateau d'Esclimont. (B) Day 6 St. Symphorien/ Gouvieux-Paris (about 100 kms ) Drive to Gouvieux and balance of day is at leisure. Overnight stay is at Chateau Montvillargene in Gouvieux Paris. (B) Day 7 Paris to USA (or extend your stay) After breakfast, return your rental car to the airport for your return flight home, arriving the same day. (B) |
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Chartres The world-famous Cathedral of Chartres is a remarkable testament to medieval architecture. Must sees include the sculpture, stained glass and the amazing collection of ancient musical instruments. The Old Town lies at the foot of the cathedral. Places of interest to visit nearby are the castles of Anet and Maintenon. Orleans An important city in the history of France, Orleans was liberated from the British by Joan of Arc in 1429. The house in which she stayed during the ten-day siege of Orleans can be visited. The city also features the Hotel Groslot, a brick and stone Renaissance mansion and the Gothic Cathedral of St. Croix. Blois Its famous castle has been linked throughout the centuries to the history of the Kings of France. Places of interest to visit in the surrounding area are the Chaumont-sur-Loire, which holds a famous International Festival of Parks and Gardens from mid-June through mid-October. Chambord The largest of all the Loire Valley castles, this magnificent Renaissance edifice, built by Francois I, is surrounded by an immense park and hunting preserve which can be visited by horsedrawn carriage. Not far from it, is the beautifully furnished Chateau of Cheverny. Tours Tours is a busy university town and the traditional point of departure for exploring the Loire Valley. During the Middle Ages, it was one of the great pilgrimage sites of Europe. Today the city boasts wonderful Renaissance and neo-classical mansions. Famous wine regions include Vouvray, Chinon, and Bourgueil. The most interesting sites in the surrounding area are the chateaux of Azay-Le-Rideau as well as the splendid medieval city of Chinon. Amboise/Chenonceaux Huddled under the shadow of its impressive royal castle, Amboise is a pretty town with white stone houses dating from the 15th century. Also of interest is the Clos Luce, the former residence of Leonardo da Vinci. A few miles away is the Chateau of Chenonceaux the Ladies Castle - built by one of France's great Queens. |
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Special Airfares are available for this selected packages.
Plus applicable airport taxes and fees.
Price is per person based on double occupancy and may vary according to hotel and airfare seasonality, weekend surcharges, holidays and local events. Rates for Single/Triple/Children and additional nights in Rome are available. A SELECTION OF OTHER HOTELS IS AVAILABLE. Airfare is from New York based on current estimates and is subject to change. Actual airfares from all gateways will be advised at the time of deposit. Other departure city airfares are available.
Some airfares may require instant purchase.
Note: Due to hotel seasonality some hotel rates are also valid from Mar. 1 to Mar. 31, 2009 and from Nov. 1, 2009 to Mar. 31, 2010.
Other hotels are also available on request
800.539.7098
