Admire Monet’s Garden, Fontainebleau and the beautiful Loire Valley

Itinerary

1. Day

   1

   Arrival in Vernon

   Vernon, France

   Today you'll board the Eurostar at London St Pancras International and travel to Paris Gard du Nord. In Paris, a coach will meet you and take you to Vernon, where you'll check in at the three-star Hotel Normandy, where dinner will be served this evening.

2. Day

   2

   Monet’s House

   Giverny, France

   Today you'll visit Claude Monet's house and garden in Giverny. You'll have seen these beautiful gardens in several of Monet's most famous paintings, and to be here in person, among the riotous colours of the flowerbeds and climbing roses is simply an unforgettable experience.

   Wander through the Japanese-inspired water garden, shaded by a great willow tree and surrounded by bamboo trees, rhododendrons and azaleas, to find the famous lily pond, where Monet painted Les Nymphéas.

   After visiting the garden, you'll continue your journey to Chartres, where you'll visit the cathedral - considered one of the most magnificent in France - with its intricate 13th-century-stained glass, before arriving in the picturesque city of Tours, where you'll stay for four nights on the edge of the Old Town.

3. Day

   3

   Tours & Chenonceau

   Tours, France

   After breakfast, you'll head out on a guided tour of the carefully preserved historic centre of Tours. The city's rich and varied history stretches back as far as the Gallo-Roman period, and it later became the medieval capital of France and the seat of the French monarchy.

   Later this afternoon, you'll visit Chenonceau, home of Mary Queen of Scots and probably the most stately of the Loire châteaux, majestically hovering on the waters of the River Cher. Later you'll return to the hotel.

4. Day

   4

   Fontevraud Abbey

   Fontevraud-l'Abbaye, France

   After breakfast at the hotel this morning you'll visit the spectacular UNESCO World Heritage Site of Fontevraud Abbey for a guided tour. This is arguably the greatest monastic establishment left standing in France, and the Abbey was once one of the richest and most powerful royal retreats in the world.

   Your next stop is Saumur, described as the 'pearl of Anjou'. This town is a delightful spot to pause for lunch and wander along its streets marvelling at its magnificent architectural heritage. No visit here would be complete without sampling some of the town's most famous produce, so this afternoon you'll head to the Ackerman wine cellars for a tasting of some of their award-winning Saumur wines.

5. Day

   5

   Chinon and Château Villandry

   Chinon, France

   This morning you'll visit the charming medieval town of Chinon, and see the imposing castle where Joan of Arc first met the Dauphin. You'll then have some free time to explore more of this lovely town.

   In the afternoon, we make our way down the beautiful Loire Valley to the Château Villandry, famous for its unique gardens, consisting largely of colourful vegetables.

6. Day

   6

   Amboise and Château of Clos Lucé

   Amboise, France

   This morning we visit Amboise, a delightful little town nestling on the banks of the River Loire. where a royal château sits. Nearby is the Château of Clos Lucé, famous as the final abode of Leonardo da Vinci. Today it houses the Leonardo da Vinci Museum, dedicated to his work and the region's prestigious history. On display are models of his various innovations as well as a copy of the Mona Lisa.

   Afterwards we continue to our final hotel, where we stay at the four-star Hotel Mercure Orléans Portes de Sologne, where we also dine.

7. Day

   7

   Fontainebleau

   Fontainebleau, France

   This morning we visit the beautiful Château of Fontainebleau, just south of Paris, where Napoleon departed to his exile on the island of Elba. It is decorated in fantastic style, with intricate frescoes and parquet floors inlaid with exotic woods.

   Most impressive is the vast display of exquisite furniture and the formally designed, extensive grounds. Fontainebleau encompasses everything you imagine about a French château: style, opulence, grandeur - even outrageousness.

   Later you transfer to Paris to take the Eurostar service (exact time will be indicated on travel documents) to London St Pancras International.