DISCOVER FRANCE

by ROAD and BOAT

7. DAY TRIPS INTO THE FRENCH PROVINCES

7.1 Chateaux Country (CL1)
The best of the Loire valley
Departure: In Winter: Tuesdays, Thursdays & Sundays at 7:15; Iin Summer: daily at 7:15
Duration: 12.5 hours

During the Renaissance period, the Loire valley was the favorite place of the kings of France and their courtiers. They left us many castles of amazing architectural elegance. Art and history mingle with a certain sweetness of life in this country called "The Garden of France". Motorway I'Aquitaine till Blois: Guided visit to the castle* which is a good introduction to the history of the region. Lunch on your own in Amboise or Chenonceau. Chenonceau: guided visit to this elegant Renaissance castle. Cheverny. Guided visit to Chambord** castle.
* In Winter: Chambord, Cheverny & Chenonceau; In Summer: Blois, Chenonceau & Chambord
** In October: Chevemy Castle instead of Chambord.

7.2 Landing beaches of Normandy (NP1)
Remember D-Day. Including a visit to the Memorial of Caen.

Departure: January - February 205: Tuesdays
1 March - April: Tuesdays and Saturdays
In Summer: Tuesdays, Thursdays & Saturdays, at 7:15
Duration: 14 hours

Guided visit and lunch included.

It will be with strong feelings that you will visit some of the areas where the Allies fought to recover freedom. This tour includes: Caen:visit the Memorial-Peace Museum. lunch (drinks included). Pointe du Hoc (stop), Omaha Beach: Saint-laurent (visit of around one hour to the American Cemetery), Arromanches (stop), continue on to the Landing beaches of Gold, Juno and Sword. Stop on the way back to Paris.

7.3 Mont Saint-Michel (MS1)
A bay, a rock, an abbey
Departure:
1 Jan - 31 Mar, Monday, Wednesday, Saturday at 07:15
1 Apr - 31 Oct, Daily at 07:15, except Sundays
Duration: 15 hours

Rocky island located in the biggest bay in Europe, the Mont-Saint-Michel Abbey, rightly named "The Marvel of the Western World" is still one of the most famous pilgrimage centres since the Middle Ages. Drive through the Normandy region. Brunch at the restaurant "Le Dauphin" at L'Aigle (drinks included). Guided visit to the Mont-Saint-Michel Abbey. Free time to stroll around the village. On the way back, dinner with local specialities at Pont l'Evêque (at Lion d'Or).

7.4 Reims Champagne (RC)
Champagne: the wine of celebrations

Departure:
Winter: Tuesdays and Fridays (ecept January and February) at 08:00
Summer: Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at 08:00
Duration: 10 ½ hours
Lunch not included

The sacred town of Reims is the capital of the Champagne region and known throughout the world for its sparkling wine, champagne. Reims is also the city of coronations where most of the French Kings were crowned. Our morning orientation tour of Reims includes a guided visit of the Gothic cathedral. At the Piper-Heidsieck champagne caves, we embark in small carriages for a magical with recorded commentary [personal earphones]. A champagne tasting completes the visit. Free time for lunch. In the afternoon, enjoy the picturesque landscape of vines between Reims and Epernay. At Epernay we visit the prestigious wine cellars of Moët & Chandojn.*
* The visit may be substituted with Mercier Champagne cellars

8. LONGER TOURS

8.1 Chateaux Country (CL2)
(2 days)
Guided visits, 2 meals included. Accommodation in 3* hotel in twin room with bath or shower
Departure: Apr - Oct, Saturdays at 07:15

Day 1: Aquitaine Motorway. Guided visit to Blois* castle. Lunch on your own in Amboise. Guided visit to Clos-Lucé, last dwelling of Leonardo da Vinci. Visit of a cellar and wine-tasting. Visit to Villandry gardens. Dinner and overnight in Tours at Clarion Univers Hotel or Mercure Tours Nord (or similar).

Day 2: Chenonceau: guided visit to the castle - Cheverny: visit to the castle and farewell lunch at Hôtel Saint-Hubert. Afternoon guided visit to Chambord castle.
*Visit to Amboise castle when Blois is closed.

8.2 Normandy / Saint-Malo
Mont Saint-Michel / Chateaux Country (NBC3)
(3 Days)
Guided visits and two meals included. Accommodation in 3* hotels in twin room with bath or shower.
Departure: May - Oct, Thursdays at 7:15

Day 1: Normandy motorway. Guided walking tour of the enter of Rouen [Gros Horloge, Cathedral and the Square where Joan of Arc was burnt at the Stake]. View the newly built Normandy bridge. Honfleur: free time for lunch. Deauville. Pegasus Bridge. The British Landing beaches [Sword]. Caen [visit to the Memorial-Peace Museum]. Dinner and overnight at Novotel Caen [or similar].

Day 2: Visit to St-Malo, city of pirates. Lunch on your own. Guided visit to the Mont-Saint-Michel Abbey. Dinner and overnight in Angers at the Mercure-Lac de Maine hotel (or similar).

Day 3: Angers (view of chateau from outside). Pass by Cunault and Saumur. Guided visit to Langeais castle. Amboise: lunch on your own. Guided visit to Chenonceau castle. Cheverny. Guided visit to Chambord* castle.
*In October: visit to Cheverny castle instead of Chambord.

8.3 Mont Saint-Michel and Chateaux Country (ML3)
(3 days)
Guided visits and four meals included. Accommodation in 3* hotels in twin room with bath or shower.
Departure: Apr - Oct, Fridays at 07:15

Day 1: Drive across the region of Normandy. Brunch at l'Aigle with drinks included. Guided visit to the Mont-Saint-Michel Abbey. Free time to visit the village. Dinner and overnight in Angers at the Mercure-Lac de Maine hotel (or similar).

Day 2: Angers (view of chateau from outside). Pass by Cunault and Saumur. Guided visit to Langeais castle. Amboise: lunch on your own. Guided visit to Clos-Lucé, last dwelling of Leonardo da Vinci. Visit to a cellar and wine-tasting. Visit to Villandry gardens. Dinner and overnight in Tours at Clarion Univers Hotel or Mercure Tours Nord (or similar).

Day 3: Guided visit to Chenonceau castle. Cheverny: visit to the castle and farewell lunch at Hôtel Saint-Hubert. Guided visit to Chambord castle.

Four days tour on request.

Please contact (012) 460 8382 for rates, or e-mail: info3@duto.co.za

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Updated:2006