Brittany and the Loire Valley
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Highlights:
Combine the rugged coastal beauty of Brittany with the elegant Chateaux of the Loire Valley and you have the beginnings of a tapestry showing the charm of France.
The combination of the Oysters of Belon paired with the Sauvignon Blanc of Vouvray adds luster to the stay in a Chateaux, built by a man synonymous with French Perfume.
This suggested offering is ideal for those intrigued by all things French or who want to live like a French nobleman if only for a few days. It is also well suited to those who like Gourmet French Cuisine including Michelin – starred dining.
Combine the rugged coastal beauty of Brittany with the elegant Chateaux of the Loire Valley and you have the beginnings of a tapestry showing the charm of France.
The combination of the Oysters of Belon paired with the Sauvignon Blanc of Vouvray adds luster to the stay in a Chateaux, built by a man synonymous with French Perfume.
This suggested offering is ideal for those intrigued by all things French or who want to live like a French nobleman if only for a few days. It is also well suited to those who like Gourmet French Cuisine including Michelin – starred dining.
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Explore: BRITTANY & THE LOIRE VALLEY
Customizable Itinerary - 10 Days (from $5,561 per person)
Day 1: USA – France
This evening you board an aircraft for the flight to Paris and the beginning of your custom tour of Brittany and the Loire Valley.
Day 2: Bienvenue a Paris.
After you have cleared customs you will meet one of our drivers who will take you into Paris where we are recommending an iconic hotel located on the left bank. It was a centre for writers in the early part of the 29th Century. Albert Camus stayed at the hotel while writing his classic novel L’Etranger (The Stranger). Take the rest of the day to explore St. Germain de Pres and, in the evening, why not have dinner at Café De Flore, a literary hangout for 120 years?
Day 3: St. Malo and the Corsairs
After breakfast you will be transferred to the station where 1st Class seats will be reserved to the historic town of St. Malo. You will be met and taken to your hotel located in the historic old part of the city. Take the afternoon to explore the quaint streets and the port ramparts that helped protect the Corsairs who preyed on English ships returning to England. In the evening your hotel will recommend several restaurants within walking distance of the hotel.
Breakfast
Day 4: Treasures of the Brittany Coast
Your guide will be waiting to take you on a scenic tour of the Brittany Coast made up of quiet bays, rugged cliffs and some of the best seafood in the world. Your driver will know where to stop to try some iconic Belon Oysters and lunch could be a “tower” of fresh shellfish to be enjoyed with a crisp, dry white wine. A light meal may be in order this evening.
Breakfast
Day 5: A Drive to the Loire Valley
Today you will leave the Brittany Coast and drive inland to the Loire Valley, once the hunting preserve of the nobility and home to some of the most extravagant Chateaux. You arrive at your hotel which was, at one time a hunting lodge but now an elegant boutique hotel with both a Bistrot and a 2 Michelin starred restaurant on premises. This evening you will dine at the Bistrot.
Breakfast and Dinner
Day 6: Chenonceau and Chambord
After breakfast you begin your stay in the Chateaux Country with two of the best known Chateaux. The first is Chenonceau which people always remember as being built over a river. Since the 1950’s it has been owned by a family of chocolatiers. You will tour the Chateaux and have the chance to have lunch before heading to your next Chateau. Chambord was built by Francois I as a hunting lodge and is by far the largest of the Chateaux with 440 rooms, 365 fireplaces and a stable accommodating 1,200 horses. Unlike many other properties it is not privately-owned and has limited furnishings. Leonardo Da Vinci designed the spiral staircase. Return to your hotel where you will enjoy a Michelin starred dinner to cap off the day.
Breakfast and Dinner
Day 7: Four Fairy Tale Chateaux
Start your day with a visit at Chateau Rigny d’Usse forever intertwined with the story of Sleeping Beauty. Visit and you will see why. Another spectacular but les famous Chateau is Azay-Le Rideau, one of the last to be built in the grand style. Drive to Villandry and have lunch at La Doulce Terrace which sits at the entrance to Chateau Villandry noted for its gardens. Complete your day by arriving at Chateau D’Artigny a more contemporary Chateau built by Francois Coty the French perfume entrepreneur early in the 20th Century. Dinner is at the Chateau.
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 8: Amboise and the Last Days’ of Leonardo
Today you will visit a Chateau in close proximity to your own chateau. Historically, Chateau d’Amboise is one of the most important of the great Loire Chateaux. It was the home of kings, visited by Catherine De Medici and is the burial place of Leonardo da Vinci. Although the present structure represents only a quarter of the original size it is still impressive and offers superb views of the Loire River and Valley from its ramparts. You will walk the grounds visiting Chappelle de St. Hubert where Leonardo’s remains rest. You then visit the village of Le Clos Luce where Leonardo spent the last three years of his life. After returning to your Chateau, the evening is left open to give you the chance to sample the restaurants in Tours which is only twenty minutes away. We can make recommendations.
Breakfast
Day 9: Sancerre, Vouvray and Cheverny
In the morning you will be picked up by a knowledgeable wine guide who will take you to a variety of vineyards offering region specific wines like Sancerre and Vouvray. You will also have lunch at a vineyard along with their wine. Finish up the day at Chateau Cheverny and admire their extensive pack of hounds used for hunting by the owners. Enjoy a farewell dinner with wine pairing, back at the chateau as a fitting tribute to your stay in the Loire Valley.
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 10: Return to USA
After breakfast a driver will be waiting to drive you to Charles de Gaulle airport for your return flight to the USA. Alternatively we could add on a few days in Provence to the trip.
Breakfast
This evening you board an aircraft for the flight to Paris and the beginning of your custom tour of Brittany and the Loire Valley.
Day 2: Bienvenue a Paris.
After you have cleared customs you will meet one of our drivers who will take you into Paris where we are recommending an iconic hotel located on the left bank. It was a centre for writers in the early part of the 29th Century. Albert Camus stayed at the hotel while writing his classic novel L’Etranger (The Stranger). Take the rest of the day to explore St. Germain de Pres and, in the evening, why not have dinner at Café De Flore, a literary hangout for 120 years?
Day 3: St. Malo and the Corsairs
After breakfast you will be transferred to the station where 1st Class seats will be reserved to the historic town of St. Malo. You will be met and taken to your hotel located in the historic old part of the city. Take the afternoon to explore the quaint streets and the port ramparts that helped protect the Corsairs who preyed on English ships returning to England. In the evening your hotel will recommend several restaurants within walking distance of the hotel.
Breakfast
Day 4: Treasures of the Brittany Coast
Your guide will be waiting to take you on a scenic tour of the Brittany Coast made up of quiet bays, rugged cliffs and some of the best seafood in the world. Your driver will know where to stop to try some iconic Belon Oysters and lunch could be a “tower” of fresh shellfish to be enjoyed with a crisp, dry white wine. A light meal may be in order this evening.
Breakfast
Day 5: A Drive to the Loire Valley
Today you will leave the Brittany Coast and drive inland to the Loire Valley, once the hunting preserve of the nobility and home to some of the most extravagant Chateaux. You arrive at your hotel which was, at one time a hunting lodge but now an elegant boutique hotel with both a Bistrot and a 2 Michelin starred restaurant on premises. This evening you will dine at the Bistrot.
Breakfast and Dinner
Day 6: Chenonceau and Chambord
After breakfast you begin your stay in the Chateaux Country with two of the best known Chateaux. The first is Chenonceau which people always remember as being built over a river. Since the 1950’s it has been owned by a family of chocolatiers. You will tour the Chateaux and have the chance to have lunch before heading to your next Chateau. Chambord was built by Francois I as a hunting lodge and is by far the largest of the Chateaux with 440 rooms, 365 fireplaces and a stable accommodating 1,200 horses. Unlike many other properties it is not privately-owned and has limited furnishings. Leonardo Da Vinci designed the spiral staircase. Return to your hotel where you will enjoy a Michelin starred dinner to cap off the day.
Breakfast and Dinner
Day 7: Four Fairy Tale Chateaux
Start your day with a visit at Chateau Rigny d’Usse forever intertwined with the story of Sleeping Beauty. Visit and you will see why. Another spectacular but les famous Chateau is Azay-Le Rideau, one of the last to be built in the grand style. Drive to Villandry and have lunch at La Doulce Terrace which sits at the entrance to Chateau Villandry noted for its gardens. Complete your day by arriving at Chateau D’Artigny a more contemporary Chateau built by Francois Coty the French perfume entrepreneur early in the 20th Century. Dinner is at the Chateau.
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 8: Amboise and the Last Days’ of Leonardo
Today you will visit a Chateau in close proximity to your own chateau. Historically, Chateau d’Amboise is one of the most important of the great Loire Chateaux. It was the home of kings, visited by Catherine De Medici and is the burial place of Leonardo da Vinci. Although the present structure represents only a quarter of the original size it is still impressive and offers superb views of the Loire River and Valley from its ramparts. You will walk the grounds visiting Chappelle de St. Hubert where Leonardo’s remains rest. You then visit the village of Le Clos Luce where Leonardo spent the last three years of his life. After returning to your Chateau, the evening is left open to give you the chance to sample the restaurants in Tours which is only twenty minutes away. We can make recommendations.
Breakfast
Day 9: Sancerre, Vouvray and Cheverny
In the morning you will be picked up by a knowledgeable wine guide who will take you to a variety of vineyards offering region specific wines like Sancerre and Vouvray. You will also have lunch at a vineyard along with their wine. Finish up the day at Chateau Cheverny and admire their extensive pack of hounds used for hunting by the owners. Enjoy a farewell dinner with wine pairing, back at the chateau as a fitting tribute to your stay in the Loire Valley.
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 10: Return to USA
After breakfast a driver will be waiting to drive you to Charles de Gaulle airport for your return flight to the USA. Alternatively we could add on a few days in Provence to the trip.
Breakfast
