and Monet`s Garden by Eurostar

Loire Valley
and Monet’s Garden by Eurostar
Superb six day holiday
=Return standard class reserved seat on Eurostar from London
St. Pancras International/Ebbsfleet International to Paris– JOURNEY
TIME ONLY 2 HOURS 15 MINUTES
= Three star superior hotels and three dinners
= Visit the most beautiful valley in France
= Magnificent châteaux
= Visit to Claude Monet’s house and garden
= Visit to Chartres
= Visit to Amboise and Leonardo da Vinci’s house
= Picturesque scenery
= Services of French speaking tour manager
Plus much more. . .
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Japanese Bridge - Monet
If you are looking to visit one of the most beautiful regions of France, then our tour of
the Loire Valley is ideal. The very name conjures images in the mind. The châteaux, the
translation of castle does not do them justice, are magnificent, and you have the opportunity
to sample the best of them: Chenonceau, Villandry, Chinon and Amboise. The scenery is
stunning, indeed the valley’s other name is the Garden of France and you can see why. The
harvest is very rich: plums, apples and of course grapes. The Loire produces some fine wines:
Muscadet, Rosé d’Anjou, Sauvignon, Vouvray and many more.
The golden colours of the ripening fruits add to the exceptional countryside. History
abounds. Every time you turn a corner you see a reminder of Richard the Lionheart, the
Hundred Years War or Joan of Arc. The Loire Valley seems to be set in a period fifty years
ago; the sleepy towns are a delight to explore. The local people seem to have time
on their hands, stopping to chat to each other or drinking endless coffees in the
nearby bars and cafés.
You also visit the Château of Fontainebleau, set in a vast forest
just outside Paris, and famous as the place where Napoleon
commenced his journey into exile. You also visit the house, and
most importantly the garden of one of France’s most famous
sons – Impressionist artist Claude Monet. All this, but there is
much, much more so for a unique combination of culture,
wine, superb and interesting monuments, châteaux,
beautiful scenery and French provincial life at its best,
come with us and see.
Day 3
After breakfast you make your way down the beautiful Loire Valley to the Château of
Villandry, which has some of the most unique gardens you will ever see. They are planted
purely with fruits, flowering shrubs and ornamental vegetables which sounds unusual, but
the whole scene combines to produce a spectacle of outstanding natural beauty. Next is the
town of Chinon, medieval in character with winding streets, pointed roofs, half timbered
houses dominated by the large castle in the English interpretation of the word and where
Joan of Arc first met the Dauphin prior to crowning him King of France in Reims cathedral.
You have time to explore the town so important to your own history.
Day 4
Clos Luce - Amboise
Day 1
You take the Eurostar from London St.Pancras International (or Ebbsfleet International) to
Paris, for details see booking form. A coach will then take you to Vernon, a very pleasant
town in the Seine Valley near Claude Monet’s House and Garden, where you stay at the 3 star
Hotel Normandy and also take dinner in a local restaurant.
After breakfast you take the short drive to Amboise, a delightful little town nestling on
the banks of the river. There is a royal castle to see, as well as Leonardo da Vinci’s house.
The aristocracy, who built the châteaux, persuaded craftsmen from all over Europe to work
on them but Leonardo liked the area so much he stayed after his work was completed
and eventually ended his days here. His house has been restored with many models of his
inventions on display including modern ideas such as the helicopter.
You then continue on to 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.
This evening you eat in a charming restaurant, full of the ambience unique to France. You
will be served specialities of the region prepared by a chef of the highest calibre in the true
tradition of French cuisine.
Day 2
After breakfast you take the short drive to Giverny, a small village where the Impressionist
painter Claude Monet lived for 43 years until his death in 1926. We have all seen
innumerable “Monets” reproduced on calendars and birthday cards but simply to be here
in this spectacular display of colour is an unforgettable experience. In the water garden,
in a Japanese style, surrounded by bamboo trees, rhododendrons, azaleas and shaded by
a great willow tree is the lily pond. This is where the famous “Nympheas” or “Water Lilies”
was painted. You can also see the Japanese bridge still there after all these years. The flower
garden preserved exactly how it was cannot be adequately described here – its beauty has
to be seen to be believed! Inside the house, is the precious collection of Japanese prints,
displayed in several rooms, hung in the manner chosen by the master of Giverny himself.
The dining room, with its yellow painted furniture, the bedroom, the “blue” reading room,
and the kitchen with its attractive wall tiles are especially appealing. The memories of this
morning will stay with you for a lifetime!
We then drive to Chartres, and as you travel across the plain the towers of the cathedral
can be seen from 20 miles. You enter the town and it seems like the land which time forgot,
with beautiful cobbled streets. The cathedral itself is arguably the most magnificent in
France with perhaps the most intricate 13th century stained glass in Europe. You
continue your southward journey arriving in the picturesque city of Tours, nestling on
the sublime river Loire. You check in to your hotel for the next three nights, either
the Holiday Inn, Mercure Centre or the Hotel Turone, all conveniently
located near the old town, where you stay on a bed
and breakfast basis.
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In organising this holiday we have allowed two criteria to govern our planning at
every point – quality and comfort. We have been successfully operating tours for over
twenty years, so we like to think we know what makes a good tour.
We regard six days as the ideal length of time for this holiday, with ample time to
explore, both on the tours, which are included in the price and, under your own steam.
The hotels you will be staying at are modern. The French classification of the hotels
is 3***nn (nouvelle normes) and is equivalent to 3-star UK hotels.
All the coaches we use are executive quality, equipped with soft air suspension,
reclining seats and PA system. Please note: all our coaches are non smoking.
Your holiday is organised by Riviera Tours Ltd. (ABTA number V4744) which
guarantees your holiday is in the best possible hands. We are a highly organised,
specialist tour operator and, as a specialist, we give your holiday the utmost care
and attention.
During your holiday you will be accompanied by one of our tour managers. We are
extremely proud of them and feel their professionalism really marks us out from the
crowd. They speak French to a high degree and are constantly being trained by us to
the highest attainable standards. They have a thorough knowledge of the tour they
are guiding and just as important, a love and enthusiasm for France, combined with a
natural affinity towards people.
What will it cost
Tours - Loire
Day 5
After breakfast you leave Tours for the morning’s drive to visit the beautiful Château of
Fontainebleau just south of Paris. This impressive building was famous as the place where
Napoleon departed for his exile on the island of Elba. It is decorated in a fantastic style, with
intricate frescoes covering each ceiling and parquet floors inlaid with exotic woods from
all over the world. Most impressive is the vast display of exquisite furniture. The grounds
of the château are both extensive and impressive, and formal in design. Fontainebleau
encompasses everything you imagine about a French château; style, opulence, grandeur
– even outrageousness, as you will see during our visit. You also have time to visit the
typically provincial French town of Fontainebleau. You then leave here and drive to your
hotel, the nearby Mercure, where you also take dinner.
Day 6
The coach will return you to Paris to take the appropriate Eurostar service to London
St. Pancras International/Ebbsfleet International.
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The price of this holiday is per person, based on two people sharing a twin room.
Single rooms are subject to availability at a supplement of £85. The holiday includes
return standard class on Eurostar, all coach transfers and transport, five nights bed
and breakfast at hotels as mentioned, dinner in hotel on day five, dinner in restaurant
on days one and four. Entrance to châteaux and places of interest not included
(approximate total cost £20 payable locally).
Leisure select upgrade
(First Class)
In order to enjoy your Eurostar experience to the full, you may upgrade to Leisure
Select for only £65 return. This price includes a complimentary light meal and drinks
appropriate to the time of day, served at your seat while you relax in the spacious
comfort of first class. To reserve this simply tick the relevant box on the booking form.
How to book
Simply complete the booking form and send it together with a deposit of £50
per person to the address given on the booking form. On receipt we will send our
confirmation and invoice which is payable eight weeks before departure.
A passport will be required for each client, and it should be valid for a period of not
less than three months after the date of return from your holiday. You will be able to
obtain an application form from any Crown Post Office and this should be forwarded to
your Regional Passport Office. Please note at peak times postal applications can take
up to six weeks, and personal applications are only available by appointment. Firsttime applicants will have to attend an interview. U.K. passport holders do not require
a visa, but other passport holders should check with the relevant embassy. There are
no current health requirements and also at the time of printing there was no adverse
Foreign & Commonwealth travel advice for this destination, but should you require an
update please consult www.fco.gov.uk. Whilst the travelling schedule shall pose no
problems for people of any age in normal physical health, we should like to point out
that we are visiting many historical sites and often enjoy walking tours of the various
places of interest. Therefore this holiday may not be suitable for clients of greatly
impaired mobility. Please bear this in mind when considering this holiday.
New Manor, 328 Wetmore Road,
Burton upon Trent DE14 1SP
Tel: 01283 742 300