© 2009 Intimate France
7 July 2009
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Detailed Itinerary
Day 1 – Sunday, September 12 Our tour begins at 9:30 a.m. at the Novotel Hotel, Charles de Gaulle Airport, Paris. After a 90-minute drive, we arrive at our exciting first destination – the fabled house, studio and garden of Claude Monet at Giverny. After a tour of this living museum, including the studio of the artist who invented Impressionism, we have LUNCH at the famed Hôtel Baudy in the village – a historic hostelry that welcomed Impressionist painters a century ago. Later, we continue to beautiful Honfleur, our home for the next three nights. Near day's end, a walking tour orients us to the narrow, winding streets of the Old Town and the Old Port, followed by a WELCOME COCKTAIL. OVERNIGHT – HONFLEUR Day 2 – Monday, September 13 Today we visit the fascinating city of Rouen, capital of Normandy, exploring the lively Old City, bristling with spires and bell towers, and adorned with hundreds of half-timbered houses. See the square where Joan of Arc was martyred. Late in the day we return to Honfleur for free time, followed by DINNER. OVERNIGHT – HONFLEUR Day 3 – Tuesday, September 14 We travel to two of France's most famous Belle Epoque resorts, Deauville and Trouville, to experience life along the planches – wooden boardwalks facing the sea. For LUNCH, we enjoy super-fresh seafood at the Art Deco Brasserie les Vapeurs. As we head back to Honfleur, there may be time to swing by one of the many farms selling fresh cider and calvados (apple brandy). OVERNIGHT – HONFLEUR Day 4 – Wednesday, September 15 Today we enter D-Day country, driving through the green landscape of Normandy. Before lunch, marvel at the Memorial at Caen, a widely known monument to peace. In Bayeux, we view the tapestry woven to commemorate the victory of William the Conqueror over England in 1066. In the afternoon we check into our comfortable, centre-ville hotel. Here, after free time, we enjoy DINNER. OVERNIGHT – BAYEUX Day 5 – Thursday, September 16 Our visits today encompass the D-Day region, very close to Bayeux. We will do as many as time allows, including museum visits; Omaha Beach, where American troops landed on D-Day; the American Cemetery, final resting place for more than 9,300 U.S. soldiers; the moving monument to the Fifth Engineers Special Brigade; the nearby German cemetery, a somber place in stark contrast to the cemeteries of the Allies; and other monuments to this day that changed the world – June 6, 1944. We return to Bayeux in time for DINNER. OVERNIGHT – BAYEUX Day 6 – Friday, September 17 We head west today through Basse (lower) Normandie. First up: Villedieu-les-Poêles, where we stop for lunch and to tour one of the town's foundries, manufacturer of church bells that ring the world over. Then, via Avranches, the launching point for the July 1944 offensive by troops under Gen. George Patton, a decisive event in World War II, we head to the mainland overlooking the fabled monastery village of Mont St.-Michel. OVERNIGHT – MONT ST. MICHEL Day 7 – Saturday, September 18 We spend most of the day on Mont St. Michel, a magical place. This morning we visit its Abbey, one of the world's wonders. Our tour is timed to avoid the worst of the crowds. Climb to the crown of the rock that supports the abbey, then wander through the vaulted rooms of this atmospheric fortress-palace. After LUNCH, you may enjoy free time, or if you wish come along on an optional day trip to the pretty town of Fougères, surrounded by walls and protected by a castle. OVERNIGHT – MONT ST. MICHEL Day 8 – Sunday, September 19 Leaving Mont St. Michel, we drive east, to the Loire Valley. Arriving near mid-day at the pretty medieval town of Amboise, we check into our hotel, then take a break. In the afternoon, come along to visit the Château d'Amboise, an imposing fortress overlooking the town and river. Here, you'll be dazzled by the sumptuous rooms, expansive views and the tiny chapel that holds the remains of Leonardo da Vinci. Still later, come along on a visit to Leonardo's last home, Clos Lucé. The artist's masterpiece, the Mona Lisa, arrived in France in a saddlebag, brought by Leonardo when he moved to Amboise from Italy. OVERNIGHT – AMBOISE Day 9 – Monday, September 20 Chambord is the Loire Valley's most impressive château – 440 rooms and 365 chimneys set in a vast meadow surrounded by the ancient forest of Chambord, hunting preserve of kings. Following our visit, we travel a short distance to the old town of Blois for LUNCH and sightseeing. Here we can view the Château of Blois and its spiral staircase, designed by Leonardo da Vinci. OVERNIGHT – AMBOISE Day 10 – Tuesday, September 21 From Amboise, we make the short drive to the town of Chenonceaux, and visit one of the Loire's most beautiful châteaux. Chenonceau castle, cantilevered across the Cher River, will dazzle you. It's called the Château of the Ladies, because it was fought over by two women romantically involved with King Henry II. (After his death in 1599, his queen, Catherine de' Medici, seized the castle and ousted her rival, Diane de Poitiers.) Later, let's explore the heart of the most important town of the Loire, Tours. It's a half-timbered wonderland. OVERNIGHT – AMBOISE Day 11 – Wednesday, September 22 Two of the most beautiful châteaux of the Loire are on our itinerary today – Azay-le-Rideau, surrounded by water and guarded by swans, and Villandry, whose ornamental and vegetable gardens are renowned throughout the world. Our LUNCH today is a very special meal at the Michelin-starred Auberge du XII Siecle, in Saché. We return to Amboise in time to enjoy its lively streets, small pedestrian area and the views of the Loire River from its banks. Relax and enjoy yourself this evening, or do some last-minute shopping in preparation for our return to the Paris area tomorrow. OVERNIGHT – AMBOISE Day 12 – Thursday, September 23 From the Loire Valley we journey back toward Paris, but there's still one adventure along the way – medieval Chartres, boasting perhaps France's most beautiful gothic cathedral. Following a visit to this magnificent church, and a ramble around the old, half-timbered heart of Chartres, we continue toward the rolling countryside north of Paris. Here, near day's end, we check into the comfortable Relais d'Aumale, a former hunting lodge near the forest of Chantilly, and gather for a festive AU REVOIR DINNER. OVERNIGHT – AUMALE Getaway day – Friday, September 24 This morning we make the short drive to Charles de Gaulle Airport for our flight home – or on to new travel adventures. OUR LODGINGS Hotel Cheval Blanc, Honfleur Hotel Luxembourg, Bayeux Hotel Relais du Roy, Mont-St.-Michel Hotel Vinci, Amboise Relais d'Aumale, Chantilly HOTELS AND RESTAURANTS – Subject to change according to availability. * TOUR PRICING – Price of $3,795 is an estimate only as fluctuations in foreign currency rates may make a surcharge necessary. Call us for details - (800) 676-1247. ITINERARY – Details of this preliminary itinerary could change. A final itinerary will be issued closer to trip departure. SIGHTSEEING – All sightseeing listed in itinerary is included as part of the tour.
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