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Gardens of Northern France
Gardens of Northern France
This particular tour is a sample of what we have arranged in Northern France and particularly associated with The Courson Flower Show. Naturally we can assist with other regions of Europe and can assist in tours in conjunction with any other plant or flower show in Europe, including of course Floriade. On this sample visit Parisian parks and gardens in amongst the Paris landmarks. See Versailles and Monet’s garden before heading to the French coast and the Normandy beaches. Enjoy The Loire Valley and several Chateaux gardens before ending with the Courson Flower Show.
SAMPLE DAILY ITINERARY BELOW
SOME OF THE TOUR’S SIGHTS.
Day 1 — Paris Arrival
On arrival meet with your professional tour guide for the journey in to central Paris to experience an introductory tour of some famous landmarks and a relaxing cruise on The River Seine. Overnight stay in Paris.
Day 2 — Paris
Today walk through the Jardin des Tuileries, Paris' most central garden. Covering an area of 25 hectares, and surrounded by the Louvre, the Place de la Concorde and the Rue de Rivoli, the Tuileries Gardens was first commissioned by Catherine de Medici but the present layout of the formal garden is attributable to Le Notre. This afternoon take time to relax in the Jardins du Luxembourg. Located near La Sorbonne and official garden of the French Senate, it is probably the most popular park in Paris. Overnight stay in Paris.
Day 3 — Paris
Today’s sightseeing includes visits to the Jardin des Plantes, the main botanical garden in France and the Parc Andre Citroen, a fourteen hectare public park located on the left bank of the river Seine. This afternoon, explore the Jardin d’Atlantique, a roof space that has been turned into a public park. Later on head to the Albert Kahn Museum Garden, a mixture of Japanese, French and English Gardens. Overnight stay in Paris.
Day 4— The Palace of Versailles and Monet's garden
After breakfast, drive west to the Chateau de Versailles. Built by Louis XIV, the Sun King, Versailles became the home of the French royalty during the 17th Century and eventually grew to represent all that was hated about the monarchy in the build up to the revolution in 1789. Tour the State Apartments, the Hall of Mirrors and the gardens. After the tour, drive northwest to Giverny, home to the impressionist artist Claude Monet. Visit the Museum of American Art. Located next to Monet’s home, it explores the artistic connections between French and American artists. Then tour the Claude Monet Foundation admiring the gardens in particular. Overnight stay in Rouen.
Day 5 — Le Bois des Moutiers and Le Vasterival
Visit Le Bois des Moutiers on the Northern Coast near Dieppe this morning. Part influenced by the English designer Gertrude Jekyll, the garden was planted around 1900 by Guillaume Mallet and is still owned by his family. Then we continue to Le Vasterival, a garden created by Princess Sturdza in 1957. Sweeping paths, long vistas and a huge variety of plants makes this garden breath taking in its scope. Later we head west to Caen. Overnight stay in Caen.
Day 6 — Normandy Beaches
Today explore the historic beaches of Normandy. Situated over Omaha Beach, the American Cemetery at Colleville-sur-Mer contains the remains of nearly 10,000 servicemen who died during the Normandy campaign. Also visit the D-Day Landings Museum. On request additional visits in this area are possible related to any and all aspects of the people involved in the D- Day landings. Overnight stay in The Loire Valley.
Day 7 — Loire Valley
A full day of visits in the Loire Valley. Known as the Garden of France, The Loire Valley is also famous for its cultural and architectural heritage and in particular for its world-famous castles. The Chateau de la Bourdaisiere was built by Francois the First for his mistress. Its park and gardens bring the art of living to its fullest potential. Later today, enjoy a walk through the gardens of the Chateau de la Chatonniere. Devoted to lilies and roses, the gardens of 7 hectares surround a small Renaissance castle with 6 Towers and a courtyard. Overnight stay in The Loire Valley.
Day 8 — Loire Valley
Today visit two of the most famous Chateaux in the Loire Valley. The Chateau of Villandry, built on the left bank of the Cher River, is the last of the Renaissance Chateau in the Loire Valley. Villandry gardens were created at the start of the century and are now the castle’s source of renown. After lunch, visit Chenonceau, a romantic pleasure palace created from the Renaissance onwards by a series of aristocratic women. This region is a very well known wine regions so a visit to vineyard with tastings is included. Overnight stay in The Loire Valley.
Day 9 — Paris
After breakfast, discover five centuries of garden history as you walk across the park at the Chateau de Courances. This afternoon, attend the Courson Flower Show before heading back to Paris. Overnight stay in Paris.
Day 11 — Departure
An executive motor coach is provided for the transfer to Charles de Gaulle International Airport.