© 2010 Intimate France
5 November 2010
Tour price $3,895 per person sharing accommodation * single travelers add $450
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Detailed Itinerary Follows (or download a PDF copy here) Day 1 (Sunday, September 18) From the Hotel Novotel Roissy Aeroport Charles de Gaulle, we head southeast, first stopping at walled Provins, boasting half-timbered houses and the immense Tour César, a tower-castle from the 1100s. In early afternoon we arrive in the lovely town of Troyes and check into our chic hotel in the heart of town. Later, join us for a stroll around the half-timbered heart of Troyes, followed by a WELCOME DRINK at a cafÈ and DINNER. OVERNIGHT - TROYES Day 2 (Monday, September 19) This morning, after an orientation to the history and culture of Champagne, we find out why Troyes is known for its museums. What's it to be - modern art? Tools and the working class? Hosiery? The history of Champagne and Troyes? Fine arts and archaeology? Troyes has museums dedicated to each of these subjects. At noon we stop for LUNCH at a historic brasserie in the old town. OVERNIGHT - TROYES Day 3 (Tuesday, September 20) We make a day trip into the Champagne vineyards today, visiting a top producer of this famed sparkling wine for a tour and tasting. Later, we wind our way back toward Troyes, enjoying the vineyard scenery and stopping at the village of Chaource, famed both for a delicious, creamy cheese and for a remarkable carved wooden Entombment from 1515 in the village church. Enjoy late-day and evening free time in the pretty heart of Troyes. OVERNIGHT - TROYES Day 4 (Wednesday, September 21) We leave Troyes this morning for Nancy, stopping along the way at the village of Domrémy to visit the house where Joan of Arc was born and grew up. From here, we proceed to Toul, which boasts a magnificent cathedral in flamboyant gothic style. After lunch and free time, we arrive in Nancy and settle into our hotel immediately adjacent to the town's enormous cathedral. Late in the day, a walking tour orients us to the center of the old town. DINNER in the heart of Nancy. OVERNIGHT - NANCY Day 5 (Thursday, September 22) The center of France's Art Nouveau movement (similar to Art Deco) beckons today: Nancy, an elegant, harmonious, 18th century city of 300,000. Our hotel lies a few blocks from Place Stanislas, whose buildings boast lovely wrought-iron railings and other accents. Art Nouveau flourished here between 1885 and 1914, taking its themes from motifs found in nature. Nowhere in France are there better examples than in the Museum of the School of Nancy - an opulent residence crammed with furniture, posters, drawings, glassware, ceramics and stained glass. After LUNCH we visit the Museum of Fine Arts, featuring paintings, sculpture and graphic arts from the 14th century to the present. The Modern Art collection is particularly strong ñ works by Manet, Monet, Utrillo, Modigliani and others. OVERNIGHT - NANCY Day 6 (Friday, September 23) This morning we make a day trip into the nearby countryside to visit Lunéville, whose imposing château was built around 1700 to mimic Versailles near Paris. In the afternoon, we return to Nancy to explore the old town, with its Ducal Palace, 14th century fortifications and medieval architecture. OVERNIGHT - NANCY Day 7 (Saturday, September 24) We depart Nancy today, arriving in late morning in the pretty old town of Metz. Here, our group joins a guided, English-language walking tour of the old center and of the magnificent cathedral, St.-Etienne, one of France's finest gothic churches. After LUNCH in a typical regional restaurant, there will be a guided tour of the Centre Pompidou-Metz, a satellite of the Pompidou museum in Paris, featuring modern and contemporary art in an amazing building. Late in the day we arrive in Verdun, a compact town rising above the Meuse River. OVERNIGHT - VERDUN Day 8 (Sunday, September 25) Today we learn that World War I was far more devastating to France than World War II was. In Verdun, we visit the Underground Citadelle, used as a rest area for troops from the nearby trenches in 1916-17. After LUNCH in town, we go into the country, where the Battle of Verdun was fought. We visit the sprawling battlefield, where nearly 800,000 French, German and American troops lost their lives. Memorials, monuments and military cemeteries allow us to envision the battles that were a key turning point in World War I. OVERNIGHT - VERDUN Day 9 (Monday, September 26) Departing Verdun this morning, we follow the beautiful valley of the Meuse River to the pretty town of Mouzon, then on to Bouillon, across the border in Belgium. Through the hills and forests of the Ardennes, we come to Monthermé, nestled in a bend of the river. Late in the day we arrive in Reims, the heart of Champagne country. After settling into our hotel, join us for a walking tour of the pedestrian streets of Reims. OVERNIGHT - REIMS Day 10 (Tuesday, September 27) This morning we visit Ruinart, one of the most prestigious producers of Champagne, "the king of wines and the wine of kings." You'll be impressed by the underground cellars as well as the tour and tasting. Following LUNCH we visit the magnificent Reims Cathedral, where for 800 years French kings were coronated. OVERNIGHT - REIMS Day 11 (Wednesday, September 28) On a day trip from Reims, we head into the nearby countryside to visit the Montagne de Reims, a hilly area of prosperous villages, woods and Champagne vineyards. Later we come to stately Châlons-en-Champagne, which enjoys a splendid riverside site. Returning to Reims, we enjoy free time, followed by DINNER. OVERNIGHT - REIMS Day 12 (Thursday, September 29) We return to the Paris region today, arriving around noon in the glamorous town of Chantilly. Here we visit the famous château, a sumptuous palace sheltering a magnificent art collection, a beautiful chapel, lavishly furnished apartments and a splendid library. Late in the day we arrive at our comfortable hotel, a former hunting lodge convenient for tomorrow's departures from de Gaulle Airport. In the evening we enjoy a festive FAREWELL DINNER. OVERNIGHT - AUMALE Getaway day (Friday, Sept. 30) It's time to say goodbye to France as you fly home from Charles de Gaulle Airport, Paris. Notes MEALS – Tour includes breakfast every day, as well as eight other meals (lunches and dinners), as indicated in BOLD CAPS on the itinerary. OUR HOTELS Relais St.-Jean, Troyes Hôtel des Prélats, Nancy Hôtel Coque Hardi, Verdu Hôtel Continental, Reims Relais d'Aumale, Chantilly HOTELS AND RESTAURANTS – Subject to change according to availability. * TOUR PRICING – Price of $3,895 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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