Paris and Loire Discovery

Whether it is strolling down the famed Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré with a personal shopper; exploring the Louvre Museum with your iPod-based Da Vinci code museum tour, or taking a Soundwalk through the lively St. Germaine district, there is something to suit every mood and interest. Discover St Germain des Pres as you stroll through the literary and historical neighbourhood along winding streets lined with boutiques, art galleries and other places of interest. Alternatively (or in addition), explore the Marais neighbourhood - the most fashionable district of Paris in one of the most well preserved neighbourhoods of the city. Marvel at the remarkable 16th and 17th century mansions, squares and museums, beautiful streets steeped in history and trendy shops and bars. Lastly, discover the Montmartre area of Paris - a neighbourhood of steps and narrow cobblestoned streets which evokes images depicted by Toulouse Lautrec.

Enjoy the many wonders of Paris. Consider taking a stroll down one of the many quays by the river Seine, or wandering around any of the fascinating neighbourhoods such as Montematre, the Marais or the Left bank. Of course there are a plethora of museums and galleries to choose from if you are so inclined. Consider getting a 2 Day Paris Pass that includes a Paris Transport Travel card for 2 days (zone 1-3) to see all of the sites that are of personal interest to you. The Paris Pass is a smartcard offering free access to 65 attractions in Paris such as the Louvre, the Arc de Triomphe, Orsay museum, Musee Rodin, commented cruise with Bateaux Parisiens and Pompidou museum. With this pass, you have access to 22 museums, 24 historical monuments, 15 art galleries, 3 tourist attractions, 1 cruise and special offers in shops and restaurants. Please contact your Sales Advisor if you would like more details.

Paris takes on a different hue at night and, with many of the magnificent buildings aglow which make it is possibly the best time to admire the beauty of the city. There are plenty of options to choose from for evening entertainment including an early evening wine tasting in a beautiful, airy Parisian loft of a French sommelier located close to the lively Marais district, a dinner cruise, a cabaret show, dinner in the Eiffel tower followed by a night-time cruise, or an evening tour of the city with many of the historical buildings aglow.

Discover Versailles Palace, the symbol of France's grandeur during the reign of the Sun King, Louis XIV.  Leave Paris by the western districts of the city and follow the Normandy motorway as far as Versailles in a luxury air conditioned coach. Your guide will take you straight in without standing in line and lead you through the most beautiful rooms including the Royal Apartments, the Hall of Mirrors and the Queen’s private Apartment. Then enjoy some free time to explore the palace gardens. This tour has a central pick up and drop off point in the centre of Paris and hotel pick up and/or drop off is not provided. Includes: entrance to Versailles Palace, authorisation fees for guided visits, a multilingual guide with individual earphones. Please note that shared tours can have up to approx. 50 people (depending on the number of people that have signed up for the tour on the particular day, and are carried out in a number of languages). Note: from April 2nd to October 29th, the entrance fees to the gardens are NOT INCLUDED: - On "MUSICAL FOUNTAIN DISPLAY" days ( Saturdays and Sundays, Tuesdays from May 21st to June 25th + May 8th + May 9th + August 15th)- On "MUSICAL GARDENS" days (Tuesdays from April 2nd to May 14th and from July 2nd to October 29th), on bank holidays.

Enjoy time at leisure to explore at your own pace, or relax at your hotel.

Take a private train station transfer with a private vehicle and English speaking driver.

Enjoy the train ride from Paris to Tours. There are typically numerous trains departing throughout the day, some of which are direct. Direct train travel time is approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes.

Enjoy an afternoon shared tour with an English speaking driver taking in a visit of both Chambord and Cheverny castles. Chambord is arguably the master piece of the Loire valley castles, and is the second largest in France with its 365 fire places, built by François 1st.

After Chambord, you'll be taken to visit the elegant XVII°C castle of Cheverny. Built in the 17th century, it is an original jewel among the more famous monuments that stretch along the Loire Valley. In fact, Renaissance style did not find its place in Cheverny, which is built in the purest Louis XIII classical style, distinguished by an extraordinarily symmetrical architecture. The interior is beautifully furnished. Thirty-four painted wood panels around the walls of the dining room depict the story of Don Quixote (the hero of the Cervantes novel). On the first floor, the King’s Chamber displays a particularly sumptuous design; the coffered ceiling shows scenes from the myth of Perseus and Andromeda and the panels depict the legend of Theagenes and Chariclea. The gardens are also wirth visiting as an ornamental and pleasure garden stretches from the castle to the orangery. This modern garden covers ground that was once a French-style formal garden, the plans of which are still kept at Cheverny. (Entrance tickets not included).

Enjoy a morning shared tour today with an English speaking driver. Visit two jewels of the French Renaissance, Azay-le-Rideau, so romantic on its island located on the Indre river and Villandry well known for its magnificent gardens. Built on the foundations of a medieval fortress in the heart of Touraine, and standing in the centre of a romantic park, the UNESCO World Heritage site of Azay le Rideau castle is a masterpiece of 16th-century architecture and showcases the elegance and grace of an exceptional Renaissance chateau.

Villandry is an elegant castle from the Renaissance period and is known not only for the castle itself, but also for its extensive and intricate formal gardens. The two large L-shaped wings contain typically Renaissance elements with large dormer windows decorated by superstructures with pediments and volutes and horizontal moldings. (Please note that entrances are not included).

Enjoy the train ride from Tours to Paris. There are typically numerous trains departing throughout the day, some of which are direct. Direct train travel time is approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes to the city centre and 2 hours to Charles de Gaulle Airport.