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| From Paris in
high speed train to the Loire Valley Chateaux 1 - ONE DAY TRIP |
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PROGRAMME
7:20 am
Departure from Paris Montparnasse Train station in high speed train, 2nd class (or 1st
class) to St Pierre des Corps. (55 minutes trip) and to Tours in a shuttle. |
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8:26 am
Arrival at Tours train station.9:15 am
Meeting at Tours Tourist office located in front of the train station (3 minutes walk)
9:30 am
Departure in a luxurious and air climatised minibus for a day trip visit which will
includes:
Visit of the CHÂTEAU OF AZAY-LE-RIDEAU.
Built from 1518 to 1527, is one of the earliest French Renaissance chateaux. Built on an
island in the Indre River, its foundations rise straight out of the river. The long low
proportions and the sculptural decorations of Azay are Italianate, in the new antique
taste, but the bastion corners capped by pointed cones, the vertical stacks of grouped
windows separated by emphatic horizontal string courses, and the high sloped slate roof
are unmistakably French. The playful fortifications and the medieval donjon towers gave an
air of traditional nobility to the king's newly-ennobled treasurer. The sculptural details
at Azay are particularly remarkable. On the ground floor, fluted pilasters on high bases
support the salamander and the ermine, emblems of Francois I and Claude de France. |
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| Then, VILLANDRY, Visit of
the famous JARDINS OF VILLANDRY which surround one of the last castle built on the
Loire river edge during the Renaissance period (1536). |
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The mere mention of the name Villandry evokes splendor and
perfection in the art of gardens.This space, a contemporary creation, is unique in Europe.
It is inspired by the gardens of the 16th and 18th centuries.8 gardeners work full time in
the gardens of Villandry, and plant about 60,000 vegetables and 45,000 plants in its
gardens each year.
A small valley, with a stream running though it, descends from the plateau south of the
chateau. Its slope makes it possible to have three levels of gardens on terraces.
- The highest level, surrounded by lindens, has a large pool, where the water needed for
the moat is collected.
- The middle level, at the level of the chateau, is in three parts: "the garden of
love", "the music garden" and "the herb garden".
- Finally, at the level of the outbuildings, is the most original of the three gardens:
the ornamental vegetable garden that covers 12,500 square meters, that is renewed twice
per year.
12:30 pm
Return to Tours and lunch near the Tourist Office |
1:30 pm
Departure in air-conditioned minibus for the second half of the trip to: Visit of the CHATEAU
OF CHENONCEAU.
Built in the XVIth c., it is one of the purest Early French Renaissance style works. The
square dwellings, built in the riverbed itself on the piles of a fortified mill, the
square building is the original chateau. |
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On the bridge built by Diane, rises The two-level gallery completed
by Catherine de Medicis. . You will discover the guardroom, the chapel, a superb 60 metres
long gallery above the Cher river, Diane de Poitier and François 1st rooms. In the upper
levels, you will admire the bedrooms of Gabrielle d'Estrees, Catherine de Medicis and
Louise of Lorraine… Settled inside the two piles of the former mill anchored in the
Cher river bed, the kitchens will reveal the art and ingenuity of the Renaissance
builders. Not far from the gardens of Diane de Poitiers and Catherine de Medicis, stands
"La Galerie des Dames de Chenonceau" settled in the former Royal stables. Here
are told the dreams, ambitions, the great projects and the destinies of those women who
made the history of the place. A walk in the French style gardens will provide a pleasant
end to your tour. |
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Then visit of the CHATEAU OF AMBOISE.
Built in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries by Charles VIII, Louis XII and François
1er, the chateau is one of the first royal residences and a splendid example for gothic
and renaissance architecture.
Still nowadays it shelters an exceptionally well-preserved collection of furniture.
Leonardo da Vinci lived there his last years of life. |
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He is buried in the St Hubert chapel, built in high gothic
style of the fifteenth century. Overhanging the city of Amboise, you will discover from
the gardens of the chateau one of the most famous panoramas in the Loire-Valley.
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| Visit of the LEONARDO DA VINCI
PARC at Château du CLOS LUCE in Amboise : A marvel of the Renaissance art,
in red bricks and tuff, pure happiness accentuated by the playful game of red brick with
white stone, was the residence of Leonardo Da Vinci during the last years of his life. |
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THE CHÂTEAU where you
will enter Leonardo intimacy (visit of his bedroom, workshop, kitchen and beautiful rooms
of red brick and white stone) and dicover his 40 marvellous inventions;Fascinating exhibit
of models of his inventions.
THE ENVIRONMENTAL TRAVERSES where you will carry out an initiatory trip with Leonardo and
his disciple. You will activate 12 gigantic and spectacular machines, will listen through
8 sonorous points to listen Leonardo' reflections and will admire 32 translucides
canvass.THE HALL where the world of Leonardo will be explained to you thanks to the
technologies of today: a gigantic spectacle pictures, the flying machine, a big video film
screen and 5 thematic kiosks. 6:45 pm
Return in air-conditioned minibus to the Saint Pierre des Corps train station
7:24 pm
Departure in TGV for Paris. (55 minutes)
8:20 pm
Arrival at the Paris Montparnasse train station |
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| PRICE
PER PERSON : 119,00 EUROS |
The price includes : |
It does not include : |
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transportation in minibus luxury air-conditioned for the trip (9:30 am – 6:45 pm) The entrance into the chateaux of Azay-le-Rideau, Chenonceau,
Amboise, Villandry gardens, and Leonardo Da Vinci Parc at Clos Luce
The lunch in Tours (drinks not included)
Booking charges |
The round trip
train ticket Paris – Tours in TGV, 2nd class (extra charge : 100 €) The drinks at lunch
The round trip transfer from the hotel in Paris to the
Paris Montparnasse train station
Guided visit in the castles
The personal expenses
The upgrading in 1st class for the round trip train ticket
Paris / Tours . Supplement = 50 euros |
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