Tauck Value Includes:
TAUCK’S YELLOW ROADS! Travel from Brittany’s rugged headlands out across the idyllic French countryside to the Normandy coast and the historic D-Day beaches
An evening at a private country estate in châteaux country, with dinner and a hunting hound demonstration in full regalia
A cruise along the scenic Golfe du Morbihan
A guided behind-the-scenes tour of Le Cadre Noir de Saumur, France’s world-famous national riding school
Visits to must-see sights including Chartres Cathedral, Mont-St-Michel, Monet’s home & gardens at Giverny, the Bayeux and Apocalypse tapestries and the Musée d’Orsay
Guided exploration of Normandy’s “D-Day” invasion sites with local experts, including Omaha Beach, Pointe du Hoc, Le Mémorial de Caen and the American Military Cemetery
Airport transfers upon arrival and departure
Colorful picture-perfect memories of Monet’s Giverny and the Eiffel Tower in Paris will be difficult to forget!
2. MEDIEVAL CHARTRES TO LANGEAIS Arrive in ancient Chartres for a visit to the International Stained Glass Centre and a demonstration of this delicate art; see more stunning examples inside Chartres Cathedral, followed by a walk through town. Continue on to the Loire Valley’s châteaux country to visit some of the region’s celebrated estates during a two-night stay at Château de Rochecotte, once the private estate of 18th-century diplomat Prince Talleyrand and the Duchess of Dino. Dinner tonight brings us to Château de Champchevrier, a private estate in the same family since the 1720s; meet Le Baron and his family; enjoy a reception, dinner and a colorful hunting hound demonstration in full regalia. Meals BD
3. THE LOIRE VALLEY CHÂTEAUX COUNTRY The châteaux, gardens, towns and unique culture of the Loire Valley are all yours to explore today. For starters, a guided tour of Le Cadre Noir de Saumur takes you backstage at the training center of France’s famed national riding school (Ecole Nationale d’Equitation), where students are instructed in the equestrian arts; see the stables and perhaps watch a training session (closed on Sundays). This afternoon, pay a private visit to the vineyards of Le Moulin Bleu, in Bourgueil on the Loire’s north bank, for lunch and a wine tasting. Explore Château de Villandry and its formal gardens, before returning to your hotels for dinner. Meals BLD
4. CHÂTEAU D’ANGERS & PORT DU CROUESTY In Angers, your guided visit to the 17-towered Château d’Angers affords a view of the renowned 14th-century Apocalypse Tapestry, the longest medieval tapestry in the world. Continue across the countryside to Port du Crouesty on the Atlantic coast for a two-night stay at the Miramar Crouesty. Meals BD
120
24 meals (12 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 8 dinners); service charges, gratuities to local guides, admission fees, taxes and porterage
5. GOLFE DU MORBIHAN & ROCHEFORT-EN-TERRE Your day begins with a sightseeing cruise along the island-dotted Golfe du Morbihan, and continues with a visit to the flower-filled town of Rochefort-en-Terre. Ablaze with red and pink geraniums from spring to fall thanks to a tradition established a century ago by Franco-American painter Alfred Klotts, the village is considered one of France’s premier floral towns today. Meals BL
6. ANCIENT VANNES & CHÂTEAU JOSSELIN Take a walking tour of Vannes’ ancient walled core; view its Gothic Cathedral, built over a span of 700 years, and stroll through the colorful Promenade de la Garenne. Visit Josselin, dominated by imposing Château Josselin, residence of the aristocratic Rohan family; learn about the castle’s turbulent history on a guided tour, and explore the Doll Museum’s collection of rare dolls from the 17th century to today. Drive to St-Malo for a two-night stay on the Channel coast. Meals BD
7. MONT-ST-MICHEL & SEASIDE ST-MALO This morning you’ll visit world-famous Mont-St-Michel, a thousand-year-old mountaintop abbey perched on an island off the coast; be prepared for a bit of walking during your exploration of one of Europe’s truly unique places. Set dramatically by the sea, St-Malo was once notorious as the base of French corsairs. Join your Tauck Director for a guided walking tour of its walled medieval center, La Ville Intra-Muros. Meals BL
8. TAPESTRIES IN BAYEUX, BEACHES IN DEAUVILLE Head across the countryside to the Normandy coast; see the celebrated Bayeux Tapestry. A scenic drive through the area
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