History & Culture
LOIRE VALLEY – BRITTANY – NORMANDY GUARANTEED GROUP DEPARTURES 2012 DEPARTURES: 22 April / 08 July / 07 October
7 days from Paris to Paris
Day 1: PARIS – BLOIS – CHAMBORD – TOURS
Meeting with your guide at your hotel in PARIS and coach transfer to ORLEANS, BLOIS for a visit of the town. This tour takes you through the picturesque streets of old Blois: the castle moat, the Church of Saint Nicholas, the banks of the Loire… Free time. Continuation to CHAMBORD for a visit of the Château of François Ier, emblematic palace of the first French Renaissance, with its astounding harmony of proportions and imaginative architecture. Transfer to your hotel in TOURS, dinner and overnight stay.
Day 2: AMBOISE – CHENONCEAU
Breakfast. Departure to AMBOISE for a visit of the Château du Clos Lucé where Leonardo da Vinci spent the last three years of his life, painting and working at his thousand passions until 2nd May 1519, the day when he died in this house. Free time in the city. Transfer for a visit of the marvelous Château de Chenonceau straddling the Cher in a magnificent natural setting. It is nicknamed the “Château des Dames” (Castle of Ladies) as nearly all its owners were women, and some of the most beautiful women of France. Return to TOURS, panoramic tour of the town, dinner and overnight stay.
Day 3: SAUMUR – ANGERS
Breakfast. Departure to SAUMUR, nicknamed the “Pearl of Anjou”, for a visit of a cellar with wine tasting. Then you will have a panoramic tour of the city center: the banks of the Loire, the castle… Free time. In the afternoon, guided visit of the National Riding School whose teachers are none other than the famous “écuyers” of the Cadre Noir of Saumur. Only school of its kind in France with more than 400 horses, one of the largest stables in Europe… Transfer to your hotel in ANGERS, dinner and overnight stay.
Day 4: NANTES – RENNES
Breakfast. Departure to NANTES for a panoramic tour of the major architectural accomplishments and monuments of the town: Saint Peter Cathedral, the “Château des Ducs de Bretagne”, Hôtel de Ville, Graslin Theatre, Palais de la Bourse… Free time. Continuation to RENNES, capital of Brittany, for a visit of the town: the Cathedral, Mordelaises gates, Place des Lices square, rue de La Psalette and rue du Chapitre, Saint Yves Chapel, the squares in front of the Hôtel de Ville and the Parliament building. Transfer to your hotel, dinner and overnight stay.
 Day 5: LE MONT-SAINT-MICHEL – SAINT-MALO – DINARD
Breakfast. Departure to LE MONT-SAINT-MICHEL, which the rock and the bay are UNESCO World Heritage sites. Visit of the medieval town, the Parish church and the abbey (entrance included). Free time in this remarkable place. In the afternoon, transfer to SAINT-MALO to discover this city of buccaneers: the Solidor tower, the ramparts, the castle… Continuation to DINARD, which lies in a magnificent setting on the estuary of the Rance, stop. Return to RENNES, dinner and overnight stay.
Day 6: CAEN – THE LANDING BEACHES
Breakfast. Transfer to CAEN, panoramic tour of the town and free time. Departure for a half day tour of the “Normandy Landing Beaches”: COURSEULLES-SUR-MER, ARROMANCHES and its artificial harbor, the American Cemetery at COLLEVILLE-SUR-MER and the Interpretation Center in homage to the American soldiers who fought during the Second World War, Omaha Beach, the Pointe du Hoc, a symbol of the bravery of the 225 rangers under Colonel Rudder who climbed the cliff in the morning of 6 June 1944… Transfer to your hotel in CAEN, dinner and overnight stay.
Day 7: DEAUVILLE – HONFLEUR – ROUEN – PARIS
Breakfast. Half day tour along the coast to discover DEAUVILLE, a famous resort popular since 1830, which today owes its global reputation to the luxury and elegance of its facilities and events, TROUVILLE with its magnificent soft sandy beach… Visit of a Cider and Calvados cellar. Continuation to HONFLEUR, a charming town at the mouth of the Seine estuary, and free time. Transfer to ROUEN for a visit of the capital of Upper Normandy: Notre-Dame Cathedral, a flamboyant Gothic masterpiece, rue du Gros Horloge, the town’s liveliest area, the place du Vieux Marché with the cross marking the spot where Joan of Arc was burned at the stake... Transfer to your hotel in PARIS.
End of our services.
INCLUDED:
- Transport in a luxury long-distance coach
- 3/4* hotel accommodation in a double or twin room (6 nights)
- Half board from dinner day 1 to breakfast day 7
- Hotel porterage if available (1 bag per person)
- Tours and visits mentioned in the program
- Presence of an English speaking guide during the trip
NOT INCLUDED:
- Single room supplement
- B&B supplement in Paris
- Transfer airport / hotel supplement in Paris
- Cancellation and assistance insurances
- Lunches, drinks and all other services not mentioned in the program
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