Travel to France in 2013!

Notice: Trying to access array offset on value of type bool in /chroot/home/ada52847/7bcdfc4e06.nxcli.net/html/wp-content/themes/frenchAffaires/single.php on line 12

It is the new year – Bonne année to all! – and the perfect moment to put France on the calendar. I invite you to join me and Garden Specialist Jane Holahan for this year’s very special trip to the Loire Valley and Paris from June 7 to 14, 2013. It is one of French Affaires’ most spectacular sojourns in France and includes exclusive visits and inside tours of fabulous gardens, châteaux, manor houses and more.

 

We’ll take in the beautiful architecture of châteaux such as Chenonceau known for its soaring arches over the River Cher. We also will be treated to guided visits of well-known gardens such as Villandry—notably the most magnificent and inventive garden in all of France—and lesser-known private gardens not usually accessible to the public. Our stay in the Loire Valley will be made all the more special by our lovely accommodations in château hotels in the region and gourmet meals with wine. Other trip highlights include two days based in Paris with guided visits to the King’s Vegetable gardens of the Château de Versailles and the exquisite Parc de Bagatelle in the Bois de Boulogne.

Included here is the trip itinerary with gorgeous images to tempt you. The Fall 2012 version of this trip sold out quickly, and our June 2013 offering will be our last Loire Valley and Paris trip for some time. If you have never been to the Loire Valley or feel your previous visit didn’t do it justice, then consider joining our once-in-a-lifetime trip. This region is one of the top 10 places to see in all of France – and the gorgeous gardens are a MUST in June!

Great Châteaux & Gardens of the Loire Valley, Plus Versailles & Paris

Day 1: Friday, June 7 – Depart your home city for Paris. Dinner & breakfast en route.

Day 2:  Saturday, June 8 – Arrival in Paris, Group pickup the Loire Valley.

Morning arrival in Paris! Gather your bags & take your TGV train from CDG airport to the Tours St. Pierre des Corps train station. Your trip hosts Elizabeth Seitz & Jane Holahan will meet you upon arrival in Tours. Pre-arranged transport to our hotel for the next two nights, the magnificent Château d’Artigny. This sumptuous château was built by the famous perfumer François Coty in 18th century style. Late afternoon guided visit to the Château de Villandry, a marvel of Renaissance architecture with superb gardens. NOTE: The French family who owns Villandry will give us a personal tour of their home – both the castle interior & the exterior grounds. Return to our hotel for a welcome aperitif followed by gourmet three-course dinner with wine. Turn in & get a good night’s sleep! (D)

Day 3:  Sunday, June 9Gardens of La Chatonnière, Château du Rivau & Elsie De Raedt

This morning, we will enjoy a guided tour of the lovely gardens of  La Chatonnière followed by an elegant picnic lunch with wine under the chestnut trees. After lunch, we’ll visit the 15th century Château du Rivau in its extraordinary setting. In the past 20 years, the château has been completely restored & its gardens recreated in the spirit of the Middle Ages. The collection of over 400 scented roses mingle with fruit trees, iris, lavender & lilies. Our visit will include a tour led by the owners. Later that afternoon, we will drive through the forest of Chinon to visit the special gardens of the charming Elsie de Raedt, writer & expert on old roses. We’ll then enjoy “afternoon tea” of a rose kir & local “tarte aux vignerons” at her home before returning to our hotel for a wonderful gourmet dinner with wine. (B, L, afternoon tea, D)

 

Day 4:  Monday, June 10 – International Garden Festival at Chaumont-sur-Loire & Town of Amboise

After breakfast, we check out from our hotel. Then we head to the International Garden Festival at Chaumont-sur-Loire. In its 22nd year, this International Garden Festival celebrates a different theme annually and includes creative & whimsical gardens of every style. Lunch as a group at Chaumont’s Festival Restaurant, Le Grand Velum. Next, we’ll make the short drive to our next château hotel, the marvelous Hôtel le Choiseul in the picturesque town of Amboise. Free time to explore the sights in Amboise including Leonardo da Vinci’s house & final resting place. Good shopping in town as well with lots of charming boutiques. Dinner on your own in Amboise, plenty of suggestions provided. (B, L)

Day 5: Tuesday, June 11Fairytale Chenonceau & the gardens of Château de Valmer

After breakfast, it is only a short drive to the magnificent Château de Chenonceau on the River Cher & the fabulous gardens of Catherine de Medici & Diane de Poitiers. After a guided tour of the château – including the amazing kitchens! – & grounds, we’ll buy a picnic lunch & enjoy it on site. That afternoon, we continue to Chançay, northeast of Tours, to visit the 16th & 17th century gardens at Château de Valmer. French owner & Countess Alix de Saint Venant, an acclaimed landscape designer & specialist in heirloom vegetables will be our guide. Madame de Saint Venant is wonderfully personable and welcoming – you will love meeting her and having her show us around her centuries-old gardens. We’ll also be treated to a wine-tasting of the delicious wines made and bottled at Valmer. Return to the Hôtel le Choiseul for our gourmet dinner with wine. (B, D) 

Day 6:  Wednesday, June 12Travel to Paris & Free Afternoon

After breakfast and hotel checkout, we will depart for Paris and the last two days of our France adventure. Check in at the casually elegant Hôtel Duc de St. Simon on the Left Bank. Free afternoon to explore & shop. Dinner on your own, plenty of good suggestions provided. (B)

Day 7: Thursday, June 13 – Gardens of the Château de Versailles, Parc de Bagatelle & Final Celebration Dinner

This morning, we’ll visit the inspiring & breathtaking gardens at the Château de Versailles, with a special tour of the Potager du Roi which began with Louis XIV & today produces over 50 tons of fruits & vegetables!  We’ll purchase lunch on site at Versailles & enjoy a picnic in the gardens. Then, we’ll return to Paris to visit the rose gardens of the Parc de Bagatelle in the Bois de Boulogne. This garden of Marie Antoinette now displays 1200 varieties of roses & will be resplendent during our June tour. Late afternoon return to Paris. Free time to shop or sightsee as desired. This evening, our group will gather for a farewell celebration dinner with wine at a local Parisian bistrot. (B, D)

Day 8:  Friday, June 14Departure for the U.S.

After breakfast, check out of our hotel. Pre-arranged transport to Charles de Gaulle airport for flights back to the U.S. Lunch & snack en route.

For the "Great Châteaux and Gardens of the Loire Valley, plus Paris" registration form and further trip details, please email me at info.french@frenchaffaires.com . The trip cost is $4450 per person double occupancy and includes our first-class hotels, all breakfasts, most lunches and dinners with wine, cultural excursions, airport /train station transfers, guides and transport. Single supplement additional. Our trip size is small for an outstandingly personal experience. Feel free to call me with questions at 214-232-5344 – I’d be happy to discuss the trip details with you!

To see more about the special places on our Loire Valley and Paris itinerary, please browse the list of web sites below:

Villandry: http://www.chateauvillandry.fr/

La Chatonniere: http://www.lachatonniere.fr/index.php?lang=fr

Rivau: http://www.chateaudurivau.com/fr/

Elsie de Raedt: http://www.elsiederaedt.com/ewelcome.htm

Chaumont: http://www.domaine-chaumont.fr/index.php

Chenonceau: http://www.chenonceau.com/fr

Valmer: http://www.chateaudevalmer.com/

Versailles: http://www.potager-du-roi.fr/site/potager/

Parc de Bagatelle: http://parcsetjardins.equipement.paris.fr/Parc_de_Bagatelle

 

Sign up to receive our newsletter:

Subscribe