The picturesque Loire Valley is known as the ‘Garden of France’, famed for its wine production and also its architectural heritage. With delightful historic towns and hundreds of chateaux dotted along the River Loire and its tributaries, it is an ideal destination for a leisurely break. Join us to explore this enchanting region and we also visit the lovely city of Rouen in Normandy, and the Impressionist artist Monet’s famous garden at Giverny.
TOUR INCLUDES
- Return ferry Rosslare-Cherbourg with en-suite cabin
- accommodation
- Luxury coach with fully qualified Driver/Escort
- 4 nights hotel accommodation with dinner, bed & breakfast
- Visit to Fondation Claude Monet, Giverny
- Entrance to Chateau Royal, Amboise
- Entrance to Chateau Chenonceau
- Entrance to Villandry gardens
- Entrance to Chateau of Azay-le-Rideau
- Visit and wine-tasting at the Cave des Producteurs
HOTEL
Mercure Champ de Mars, Rouen
Novotel, Amboise
COST
€895 per person sharing
€169 single supplement
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ITINERARY
TUESDAY 13TH JULY
After a pick up from your local area we drive to Rosslare for the overnight ferry to Cherbourg with en-suite cabins on board.
WEDNESDAY 14TH JULY
After disembarking we drive across Normandy to its capital city, Rouen. The city centre is dominated by the vast Gothic Cathedral of Notre Dame, which featured in a famous series of Claude Monet’s paintings. Nearby we also find the spot where Joan of Arc was burnt at the stake in 1431 and the Gros Horloge, an ornate astrological clock. There will be time to wander through the quaint cobbled streets before dinner at our centrally located hotel on the banks of the River Seine. (Dinner, B&B)
THURSDAY 15TH JULY
We leave Rouen after breakfast and travel to the Fondation Claude Monet at Giverny. Here we see the artist’s former home, now carefully restored, and the colourful flower and water gardens including the famous waterlily pond. We then make our way across a largely agricultural area, to the city of Chartres where we stop for a chance to peek inside the magnificent cathedral with its celebrated 12th and 13th century stained-glass windows. After a short break we continue into the Loire Valley and to our hotel in Amboise where we are based for three nights. (Dinner, B&B)
FRIDAY 16TH JULY
This morning we visit the Chateau Royal of Amboise, former residence of the French Royal Court. We see the State Apartments and admire the gardens then continue to the Chateau of Chenonceau, also known as the Ladies’ Chateau, which was built on the site of an old mill on the River Cher. With graceful arches spanning the river and stunning architecture, this chateau is the second most visited in France after Versailles. Its apartments contain a fine collection of furniture, tapestries and paintings and its landscaped gardens display superb planting of shrubs and flowers. Finally, it’s time to sample some of the famous local wine and we make a stop at the Cave des Producteurs in Vouvray to visit the cellars and enjoy a tasting. We return to the hotel for dinner and overnight. (Dinner, B&B)
SATURDAY 17TH JULY
After breakfast we drive to the 16th century Chateau of Villandry to visit the magnificent gardens, described by many as amongst the finest in the world. Repaired and redesigned in the early 20th century, the gardens are laid out in formal, symmetrical patterns created with low box hedges and include a water garden, ornamental flower gardens and vegetable gardens. This visit is sure to inspire your imagination! We then drive into the nearby city of Tours with time to explore the Old Town – look out for the Place Plumereau with its preserved half-timbered houses and plenty of pubs and restaurants to stop for lunch. This afternoon we head to the romantic Chateau of Azay-le- Rideau, built on an island in the River Indre. The interior is richly furnished and decorated with works of art and fine tapestries and the surrounding gardens contain many exotic specimen trees. After the visit we return to our hotel. (Dinner, B&B)
SUNDAY 18TH JULY
We check out of the hotel this morning and drive north past Le Mans, home of the world’s oldest 24 hour endurance sports car race, to Cherbourg for the overnight ferry to Rosslare.
MONDAY 19TH JULY
We arrive at Rosslare and then transfer you to your original pick up point. |