Loire Valley and Paris
Day 1–Sunday
Leaving the US Saturday evening, you will land at Paris CDG airport early Sunday morning where your tour director will welcome you.
A 2-1/2 hour ride to the Loire Valley will give you an opportunity to catch some rest.
Our first stop will be at the one of the most famous castle of the region: Chenonceau. Built, owned and cared for by women during its entire history, this spectacular castle has an obvious feminine charm and beauty.
Lunch in the small city of Amboise, at the foot of the oldest Royal castles of the region; built in the 14 hundreds, this “property of the King” introduced the Italian renaissance style into the Loire valley. Leonardo de Vinci spent the last years of his life and is buried in Amboise.
Arriving in Chinon late afternoon, you will be able to refresh in your room before dinner (with Chinon wines of course..) in this small medieval town before a well deserve good night rest. Our hotel is Le Diderot, a simple and charming hotel, family owned and run in the heart of Chinon, it will be your home for the next 4 nights.
Day 2–Monday
After breakfast, a guided walk in the old Chinon and a visit to the chateau will occupy the first part of the morning.
We will then visit “la Deviniere“, house of to the best “public relation” of the region and its wines, the writer poet Francois Rabelais (1494-1553).
After lunch, a short drive will bring us to Chateau d’Usse for a brief stop. This castle is still occupied by its owner’s since it was built in the XV century; his exceptional and imposing presence inspired Perrault for his Sleeping Beauty novel.
Then, Chateau de Villandry for a visit of the most beautiful medieval gardens.
Back in Chinon, if time permits, we will stop by Couly-Dutheil, consistently producing high quality Chinon or, at the Chateau de Coulaine where the welcoming family de Bonnaventure, has been working the land since the 13 century.
Dinner in Chinon. Night at the Diderot.
Day 3–Tuesday
En route for Saumur, we will stop by the village of Turquant for troglodytes house and artisans’ shops. This region produces remarkable bubbly as well as excellent still whites.
Before lunch, we will admire the castle built in the 14th century for the Duke of Anjou, towering above the old city and the Loire River. After the charming village of Candes-Saint-Martin at the confluence of the Vienne and Loire rivers, we will revive Alienor d’Aquitaine in the beautiful 11 century Abbey of Fontevraud. Twice Queen (France then England) and mother of two kings, Alienor’s life is a fascinating novel set in the 12 century.
Glasses of Saumur will help us to finish the day at the Langlois-Chateau winery for a short class on “how to make wine” and a tasting of their production.
Dinner on your own.
Night at Le Diderot.
Day 4–Wednesday
First castle of the day: Azay-le-Rideau is for many, the most romantic and harmonious of the region.
Tasting the famous whites of Vouvray in the caves of the Domaine Vigneau Chevreau will be our aperitif before lunch.
We will spend an afternoon in the most stunning gardens of the Loire Valley: Chaumont-sur-Loire. Besides the spectacular castle and the permanent garden, a “festival des jardins” is organized each year, following different themes. One constant: an always extraordinary display of imagination, charm and colors.
A degustation of local goat cheese at the farm, the famous Sainte Maure de Touraine, will end the day.
Evening at the excellent restaurant Les Annees 30 for a goodbye dinner to Chinon.
Last night at the Diderot
Day 5–Thursday
Leaving early this morning we will drive North towards Paris with two stops on the way. Full visit of the sumptuous Chateau de Cheverny a fully furnished private castle, only 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.
A two hours drive will bring us to the French capital and our hotel *; charming, very Parisian and wonderfully located.
Paris welcome dinner in a traditional Parisian bistro, wine included
* / Upon availability, we will stay at the Hotel des Grands Hommes, Hotel Le Pantheon (both located on the Pantheon Square or Hotel Napoleon near the Champs Elysees.
Day 6–Friday
Orientation and advices about transportation system, museums, sites etc.. will be available at breakfast.
If this is your first time in the “City of lights”, a Froggytravel representative will help you to plan your day and to discover Paris.
There are more than 100 museums in the city itself. Le Louvre and Orsay are the two “big ones”, a must if this is your first visit.
Notre Dame, Carnavalet, Delacroix, Invalides, Cluny, Sainte Chapelle, the Opera, etc ..
Many sites also deserve to be included: Montmartre, Arc de Triomphe and the Champs Elysees, Le Louvre, Le Palais Royal, Place des Vosges, Le Marais etc.. You know, you will have to come back!
Lunch and dinner on your own.
Day 7–Saturday
If shopping is on your program, the Galeries Lafayette, the Printemps and the small exclusive shops of the Marais, Opera, Bastille, Saint Germain, Faubourg Saint Honore or Avenue Montaigne districts are waiting for you today.
Pick up a bike (or “Velib”) at one of the many stations to ride freely around Paris, perfect to get acquainted with the City on Saturday, when the streets a less crowded.
Lunch on your own.
Convivial farewell dinner, wine included.
Day 8–Sunday
Early private transfer to CDG airport for arrival home same day in the afternoon.
Please note: Premier Vacations LLC reserves the right to modify hotels, restaurants, sites and wineries if deemed necessary; all to be replaced by accommodations, wineries or sites of comparable interest and quality.
