Spring Gardens of France

Spring Gardens of France

Experience the romance, beauty and grandeur of France with remarkable gardens, dramatic coastlines, picturesque villages and landscapes, distinctive regional architecture, superb seafood and mouthwatering cheeses.

Join in Paris prior to embarking on an exploration of the springtime gardens of Upper Normandy. Travel the ‘cider route’ to the medieval town of Bayeux, gateway to the World War II Normandy landing beaches and home of the world famous Bayeux tapestry.

Continue to Brittany in the northwest, and enjoy a leisurely stay on the coast, visiting a selection of superb gardens and quaint villages. Conclude with four nights in the Loire Valley known as the ‘Garden of France’. Explore chateaux, vineyards and attend the annual International Garden Festival at Chateaux du Chaumont.

French hospitality and countryside at its best!

AT A GLANCE…
• Tour the famous garden of Claude Monet at Giverny
• Discover gardens of grandeur and intimacy, including 17 private gardens
• Travel the dramatic coastline of Normandy and Brittany
• Browse the colourful markets, relish the local food and wine
• Explore charming towns and villages of provincial France
• Leisurely four night stays in Normandy, Brittany and the Loire Valley

ITINERARY:

Sat 28 May 2016 / Depart Australia
Suggested departure from Australia on Emirates/QANTAS Airlines flights to Paris (Charles de Gaulle Airport) via Dubai.

Sun 29 May / Arrive Paris
Afternoon arrival in Paris and check in to your hotel.

This evening, join Julie and fellow travellers for a welcome briefing and dinner. (D)

Mon 30 May / Paris – Rouen
Begin your spring tour with a visit to the magnificent garden and home of impressionist painter, Claude Monet. Enjoy both his famous ‘pond and water’ garden with its Japanese bridge, and his ‘Clos Normand’ garden known for a palette of colours.

After lunch at a local restaurant, enjoy time in the charming village of Giverny. Continue to Rouen, the capital of the Upper Normandy region.

Tonight, enjoy dinner in one of the local restaurants in the historic city centre. (BLD)

Tue 31 May / Rouen
Journey north to the coastal area of Sainte-Marguerite-sur-Mer. Visit the renowned garden of the late Princess Sturdza of Norway, ‘Le Vasterival’. Accompanied by one of the gardeners, discover a beautiful display of plants of the day.

Following lunch in a local village (own expense), continue to Château de Miromesnil set amongst beautiful woodland. Enjoy a guided tour of the fabulous walled kitchen garden and the castle park, with its 17th century fenced brick walls.

Return to Rouen via the farming village of Grigneuseville, home to Jardin Agapanthe, owned and created by landscape architect Alexandre Thomas. Spend time wandering these two intimate, secluded gardens; one which is relatively new, the other 20 years in the making.

Dinner at a local restaurant in Rouen. (BD)

Wed 1 Jun / Rouen
Begin the morning with a walking tour of Rouen. Visit the Notre Dame Cathedral, with its Tour de Beurre (butter tower), the Gros Horloge (a fourteenth-century astronomical clock), and the church of Saint Joan of Arc, located where Joan of Arc was burned at the stake in 1431. Remainder of the morning is free to meander the old market square.

Following lunch (own expense), depart for Montmain to visit Jardins d’Angelique. Created by the Lebellegard family, the garden surrounds a 17th century Norman manor house and was established in memory of their daughter, Angelique.

Later travel to Auzouville-sur-Ry to visit Le Jardin Plume. Meet the owners, Sylvie and Patrick Quibel as they guide you around their contemporary garden surrounding an apple orchard.

Dinner at a local restaurant in Rouen. (BD)

Thu 2 Jun / Rouen
Return to the coast via the town of Bosc-Roger-sur-Buchy and the Jardin de Valérianes, an English garden consisting of two parts; the ancient and the new.

Continue north to the garden, L’Etang de Launay, created by former art dealer Jean-Louis Dantec. The six-acre garden boasts high-pruned specimen trees, small ponds and many trees chosen for their bark.

Prior to returning to Rouen, visit the 30 acre coastal estate, Le Bois des Moutiers. The park and manor is the collaboration of the famous English architect Edwin Lutyens and garden designer Gertrude Jekyll. Antoine Bouchayer-Mallet, the current owner of Le Bois des Moutiers said “the house has been designed to look at the gardens, and the gardens have been designed to be looked at from the house.” (BL)

Fri 3 Jun / Rouen – Bayeux
Depart Rouen for a leisurely day’s drive to Bayeux. Journey through picturesque postcard towns, into the heart of Pays d’Auge, home of the Normandy Cider Route, adorned with apple orchards and half-timbered houses.

Visit Le Jardin du Pays d’Auge and eco-museum situated in the village of Cambremer. Located on a seven acre lush estate, the property boasts a number of themed gardens surrounding a 17th century farmhouse. Stroll through the grounds prior to lunch at their créperie.

Later in the afternoon, stop in at Domaine Duponts famous for its ciders, pommeau and calvados. Enjoy a tour of the distillery and cellars followed by the opportunity to taste some of the products.

Dinner at a local restaurant in Bayeux. (BLD)

Sat 4 Jun / Bayeux
Enjoy a day at leisure.

You may wish to mosey through the bustling Saturday market or visit the Bayeux tapestry. An embroidered cloth more than 60 metres long, made to commemorate events in the Norman Conquest of England in 1066 is located in the purpose-built Bayeux Tapestry Museum.

For those interested in war history you may wish to visit the battlefields of Normandy (optional extra). (B)

Sun 5 Jun / Bayeux – Perros-Guirec
Depart Bayeux and travel west to Perros-Guirec, a popular seaside town in Brittany.

Begin with a guided tour by the owner of Le Jardin de Castillon, a remarkable garden set in a leafy valley on the outskirts of Bayeux.

Continue to the riverfront city of Dinan, considered one of the most attractive and best preserved towns in Brittany. Stroll the cobbled streets filled with art galleries and craft shops, and enjoy lunch (own expense) at one of the many restaurants situated along the River Rance.

Dinner at a local restaurant in Perros-Guirec. (BD)

Mon 6 Jun / Perros-Guirec
Today visit two very different gardens that are maintained by the same gardeners.

First is Kerdalo, considered one of the finest gardens in the region. Created by the late Prince Peter Wolkonsky, these gardens are now looked after by his daughter, Isabelle, and her husband Timothy Vaughan.

Continue to the nearby port town of Tréguier, best known for being the birthplace of St Yves, the patron saint of lawyers. Time to explore the town and many eateries on the harbour.

In the afternoon, visit Isabelle and Timothy Vaughan’s private garden Crech ar Pape, overlooking the sea.

Dinner at a local restaurant in Perros-Guirec. (BD)

Tue 7 Jun / Perros-Guirec
Travel to Roscoff in northwestern France, a well-known seaside town that is linked to Plymouth (England) and Cork (Ireland) by its numerous ferries. Take a 15-minute boat ride to the Île de Batz to visit Jardin Georges Delaselle’s coastal garden. The garden comprises a unique botanical collection from the five continents.

Return to the mainland for lunch (own expense).

In the afternoon visit Le Jardin Exotique de Roscoff, overlooking the harbour. Due to the hot currents that make up the Gulf Stream that runs along the coast, a unique microclimate is created resulting in a superb variety of subtropical plants.

Continue to the charming village of Pontrieux. Enjoy an evening boat trip along the river; discover the many lavoirs that line the river, and bridges which have been beautifully illuminated, an ideal way to see the village.

Dinner in Pontrieux, prior to returning to your hotel. (BD)

Wed 8 Jun / Perros-Guirec
This morning is free to further explore Perros-Guirec, or perhaps take a coastal walk or relax and enjoy the seaside town.

After lunch (own expense) travel south to visit Le Grand Launay garden. Built around a manor, this modern garden has been gradually formed over 25 years by its owners, Jean and Jacqueline Shalit.

Dinner at a local restaurant in Perros-Guirec. (BD)

Thu 9 Jun / Perros-Guirec – Saumur
Depart Perros-Guirec for a leisurely day’s drive to Saumur, stopping to visit the medieval fortress, Château de Josselin – a highlight of the French Renaissance. Enjoy time to stroll the castle grounds and three distinct gardens: the Formal French, the English and the Rose garden.

Following a break for lunch (own expense), continue to Saumur.

Dinner at a local restaurant in Saumur. (BD)

Fri 10 Jun / Saumur
Today, visit the Château de Chaumont overlooking the River Loire to attend the annual International Festival of Gardens. Every year landscape architects and garden designers are invited to create a themed garden. Enjoy the day exploring the 30-odd gardens in the magnificent grounds of the Chateau.

Later in the afternoon return to Saumur via the village of Chédigny, famous for its Rose gardens. Drive through Langeais in the heart of the Loire valley.

Dinner at a local restaurant in Saumur. (BD)

Sat 11 Jun / Saumur
Morning is free to further explore Saumur and its Saturday market.

In the afternoon visit the estate Clos Cristal Souzay-Champigny. Enjoy a tour and tasting of this 25-acre vineyard, the first in Saumur to produce and market the red wine which later became known as Saumur-Champigny.

Continue to Chinon to visit the beautiful Le Jardin d’Elsie. Situated on the site of an old vineyard the owner, Elsie De Raedt, has created a fascinating garden of ancient, modern and rare roses. (B)

Sun 12 Jun / Saumur
Today visit two outstanding gardens. The first is the Château de la Chatonnière, situated in a valley with sweeping views across the forest of Chinon and the river Indre. The Château is home to 14 remarkable gardens.

Continue to the village of Azay le Rideau. Free time to explore the narrow cobbled streets of this picturesque village.

Following a picnic lunch, visit Château de Villandry. One of the largest and last castles built along the Loire River, it consists of six outstanding gardens. Enjoy the afternoon strolling through its extensive terraces.

Tonight celebrate the conclusion of the tour with a farewell dinner at a local restaurant. (BLD)

Mon 13 Jun / Saumur – Paris
Tour arrangements conclude with an early morning transfer to Charles de Gaulle (CDG) Airport, in order to arrive by 12.00, in time for flights departing at 15.35, or later.

If returning to Australia today, depart on Emirates/QANTAS flights at 15.35 via Dubai to Australia.

Evening arrival in Australia on Tuesday 14 June. (B)

* At the time of brochure printing (June 2015) most but not all garden visits are confirmed. Private owners, in particular, are reluctant to commit more than 2-3 months prior. Therefore, whilst we undertake to operate the tour as published, there may be some possible changes of itinerary.

• Renaissance Tours Spring Gardens of France 2016 Download

No testimonials exist at this time.

TOUR PRICES:

Per person, twin-share AUD 9,500
Single supplement * AUD 2,180

Deposit per person AUD 500

Final payment due 25 Mar 2016

*Single travellers may request to share. Please advise at time of booking.

Tour Code GD1602

Fitness level Moderate
Please see booking conditions for fitness level definitions

Airline
Please contact Renaissance Tours for current airfares and flight reservations

Visa
Australian Passport holders do not require a visa for France

Tour price includes
• Accommodation in centrally located hotels with private facilities and daily breakfast (B)
• Meals as per itinerary (L=Lunch, D=Dinner). Wines with welcome and farewell dinner
• Transfer on departure to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport
• Comfortable air-conditioned coach transport throughout
• Comprehensive sightseeing, including local guides and entrance fees as per itinerary
• Gratuities for local guides and drivers
• Hotel porterage (one piece per person)

Tour price does not include
• Transfer on arrival in Paris
• Items of a personal nature (e.g. telephone, laundry, mini-bar, taxis etc.)
• Travel insurance (recommended)
• Airport porterage

Your hotels:
Paris – Paris Marriott Opera Ambassador ****
Rouen – Hotel De Bourgtheroulde *****
Bayeux – Churchill Hotel ***
Perros-Guirec – L’Agapa *****
Saumur – Mercure Bords de Loire ****

NB. Hotels of a similar standard may be substituted