Beautiful Gardens
Day 1–Sunday
Landing in Paris mid morning, a private transfer will bring us to our home for 3 nights, a comfortable and very Parisian hotel, the charming Hotel des Grands Hommes.
This lovely 3* facing the Pantheon has only 31 rooms; many of the windows are actually opening on this national monument. In the heart of the Latin Quarter, it is surrounded by shops, small restaurants and art galleries.
Upon availability, we could stay at the Hotel Napoleon, an elegant 4* located one block off the most famous Parisian Avenue, the Champs Elysees, and a stone throw from the Arc de Triomphe. This beautiful hotel offer charm and luxury of an Empire decor with all modern amenities.
Take a two hours nap or a stroll in the surrounding streets or along the Seine River to get acquainted with Paris before a convivial dinner in a typical Parisian bistro or brasserie (wine included).
Day 2–Monday
There are many, many gardens and parks in and around Paris region or “Ile de France”. Some very famous such as Versailles and some hidden gems such as Villeconin. We picked only one garden for your first day, leaving some time on your own to visit or re-visit some famous sites or museums of Paris.
They are more than 100 museums to choose from; from the big names such as le Louvre or Orsay to the small ones such as Victor Hugo house, the Lacroix Museum or the strange ones such as the Catacombs.
Notre Dame, the Palais Royal, the Grand and Petit Palais, Montmartre, Place des Vosges, the Trocadero, Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Sainte Chapelle for the stain glass, Conciergerie, the Opera Garnier, are some among the sites most known.
Le Jardin des Plantes is the Ancient Royal Garden, this place was developed during the centuries and contains now the gardens itself, the Museum of Natural History and the Menagerie. Created in 1635 “Le Jardin du Roi” (King’s Garden) already presented the general design of the actual general design.
After the Revolution it was be re-baptized “Jardin des Plantes de Paris”.
You will discover the Alpine Garden which, created in 1938, contains 2000 mountain plants from all over the world, the rose garden, the iris garden, the Botany School’s Garden, where 4500 species are labeled and regrouped by families.
The glasshouses will take you either to tropical climates or to hot and dry Mexico.
You can also admire the centenary trees like this Lebanon Cedar, planted by Bernard de Jussien in 1734.
If available, our garden tour will be guided by a specialist.
After this long day, your Froggytravel rep will be happy to recommend tables in small bistros or superb restaurants.
Day 3–Tuesday
Two of the most famous Frenchmen are on the program: Louis the XIV, the “Sun King” in the morning and Monet in the afternoon.
A short drive will bring us to Versailles only 15k west of Paris for a visit if the “Grands Appartements”, a walk in the park to “Le Grand Trianon” and Marie Antoinette’s “Hameau”.
Versailles – the Parc
In 1661, Louis XIV commissioned André Le Nôtre with the design and laying out of the gardens of Versailles which, in his view, were just as important as the Château. The works were undertaken at the same time as those for the palace and took forty years to complete. André Le Nôtre designed the garden (Jean-Baptiste Colbert directed the project from 1664 to 1683; Charles Le Brun, “First Painter” of the King produced the drawings for a large number of statues and fountains, Jules Hardouin-Mansart drew up understated scenic plans and built the Orangerie). Lastly, the King had all the projects submitted to him and wanted the “details of everything”
The laying out of the gardens required enormous work. The earth was transported in wheelbarrows, the trees were conveyed by cart from all the provinces of France and thousands of men, sometimes whole regiments, took part in this vast enterprise.
Since 1992, the gardens have been gradually replanted, and after the devastating storm of December 1999, the work speeded up to such an extent that quite a few sections have already been restored to their original appearance.
Then: one hour drive to go from the formal garden “a la Française” to the colorful impressionism.
Monet. Maison et Jardins.
In April 1883, looking out the window of the little train between Vernon and Gasny, he discovered Giverny. He decided to move to Vernon, then to a house in Giverny where he painted for most of the rest of his life in 1926
By November 1890, Monet was prosperous enough to buy the house, the surrounding buildings and the land for his gardens. During the 1890s, a greenhouse and a second studio were built with a spacious building well lit with skylights.
Fond of painting controlled nature, his gardens in Giverny with its water lilies, pond, and bridge became one of his favorite subject. He also painted up and down the banks of the Seine, producing paintings such as Break-up of the ice on the Seine.
He wrote daily instructions to his gardener, precise designs and layouts for plantings as well as floral purchases for his collection of botany books.
As Monet’s wealth grew, his garden evolved. He remained its architect, even after he hired seven gardeners.
His home, garden and water lily pond were bequeathed by his son Michel to the French Academy of Fine Arts in 1966. Through the Foundation Claude Monet, the house and gardens were opened for visit in 1980, following restoration. In addition to souvenirs of Monet and other objects of his life, the house contains his collection of Japanese woodcut prints.
Back to Paris by late the afternoon for a third and last night
Dinner on your own.
Day 4–Wednesday
En route for the Loire Valley!
Our first visit will be to one of the most famous castle of the region:
Chenonceau. Built, owned and cared for by women during most of its history, flanked by a lovely rose garden, this spectacular castle has an obvious feminine charm and beauty.
Lunch in the small city of Amboise at the foot of the first renaissance Royal castle of the region. Built in the 14 hundreds, this “property of the King” introduced the Italian renaissance into the Loire valley. Buried in a small chapel on the castle ground, the great man Leonardo De Vinci spent his last years in the company of Francois 1er.
Villandry is next on our list.
Acquired in the early 16th century by Jean Le Breton, France’s Controller-General for War under Francois 1er, a new chateau was constructed around the original 14th-century keep. During the French Revolution, the property was confiscated and in the early 19th century Napoleon acquired it for his brother Joseph Bonaparte.
In 1906, Joachim Carvallo purchased the property and poured an enormous amount of time, money and devotion into repairing it and creating what many consider to be the most beautiful gardens anywhere. Its famous and really spectacular renaissance gardens include a water garden, an ornamental flower garden and a vegetable garden and a medieval one. In 1934, Château de Villandry was designated a Historical Monument. The Carvallo family still owns this “World Heritage Site”.
Our home for 3 nights will be the simple but charming Hotel Diderot in Chinon, family owned and operated.
Convivial dinner in the medieval town, with Chinon wines of course.
Day 5–Thursday
A very short drive to “la Deviniere”, house of to the best “public relation” of the region and its wines, Francois Rabelais (1494-1553). The garden is simple but in perfect sync with this old stone house.
After four days, your guide will have a better feel of what you like (and probably of what you dislike…), he will make a choice between the gardens of the chateau du Coudray and Azay-le-Rideau the most romantic of all Loire Valley castles or the Balzac museum and garden.
Back in Chinon late afternoon.
Dinner on your own.
Day 6–Friday
Early start today!
We need a little more than one hour drive to reach Chaumont s/Loire.
From the sumptuous décors created according to the wishes of Diane de Poitiers, to the extravagances of the Princess of Broglie, from Francis Poulenc’s recitals and Nostradamus to Germaine de Staël, from the Henri Duchêne Park to the Garden Festival, Chaumont-sur-Loire has always been at the cutting edge of artistic creativity
The castle of Chaumont owes part of its beauty to the beautiful site it occupies. Built in the late 15th century by the family of Amboise, it dominates the left bank of the Loire.
The luxurious stables, decorated in the late 19th century by Prince Amedee de Broglie, reflect quite accurately the attention that the rich aristocracy had for his horses. They were considered at the time as the most luxurious in Europe, benefiting from electric arc lighting, as well as the Opera Garnier and the Hotel de Ville in Paris.
The landscape park dominates the Loire River. It houses each year, from May to mid-October, the International Garden Festival. This event allows a score of artists and landscape architects from around the world to design theme gardens.
Lunch in the park’s restaurant.
By mid afternoon, after a stop by the charming village of Candes-Saint-Martin, we will evoke Alienor d’Aquitaine in the 11th century Abbey de Fontevraud. Twice Queen (France then England) and mother of two kings, Alienor’s life is a fascinating novel set in the 12 century.
If time permit and if you are interested, you will have the possibility to follow a brief crash course on “how to make bubbly wine” in Saumur, followed by a tasting.
Farewell dinner at Les Annees Trente, an excellent table.
Third and last night in Chinon.
Day 7–Saturday
For our last day, we will start by the chateau de Cheverny for the formal gardens and a visit of this fully furnished and occupied house, partially open to the public.
Saved for last: Chambord, the most spectacular castle of the Loire valley. Build in the 1520′s by Francois 1st, it is the largest of the Royal castles but there is no garden to visit….
A highway drive will bring us back to the Charles de Gaulle airport ending our services upon arrival at the Novotel****.
Day 8–Sunday
Stress free morning departure for the US and arrival the same day in the afternoon.
