Day 1: Following your home taxi collection you will join our platinum tour coach and we will make our way to Kent for our short sea crossing to France. Upon our arrival, we continue south through the French countryside to the City of Rouen and our hotel for the next 4 nights, the Novotel Rouen Sud Zenith Parc Expo, on a dinner bed & breakfast basis.
Day 2: Today we follow the Seine upstream in the direction of Paris to visit to the pretty village of Giverny and the home of Claude Monet. The artist lived here from 1883 until his death in 1926, and today his house, and in particular, the gardens – made famous by his painting of the water lilies – have been restored to Monet’s original designs. The gardens, stretching from his house down to the river, provided the inspiration for many of his works, such as the series of ‘Nympheas’ or Water Lilies, and his ‘Pont Japonais’ or Japanese Bridge, which has also been rebuilt for visitors to enjoy.
During the visit we’ll see Clos Normand, the beautiful flower garden that sits in front of the house, and then take the underground passage to see the contrasting, but no less stunning, Japanese-inspired water garden. Wander through the spacious house and feel the tranquillity and beauty of the place, enhanced by the riot of colour from the multitude of flowers. It is only thanks to generous donors that these beautiful gardens have survived and flourish.
Day 3: This morning we are joined by a local guide for a 2 hour city tour, firstly on board our coach and finishing as a walking tour. It was Victor Hugo who noted the many spires that give Rouen its distinctive skyline, and standing proud above them all, is the magnificent Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Rouen. Erected in 1876, this example of flamboyant Gothic style has the highest spire in France.
Picturesquely set on the banks of the River Seine, you will have time at leisure to stroll through this delightful Normandy town. Explore the half-timbered houses of the beautiful medieval quarter and see the magnificent cathedral.
Day 4: This morning we head to Chantilly to visit the magnificent Chateau de Chantilly. Created by immensely talented artisans and the inspiration behind Versailles, the Château de Chantilly has been rich in intrigue and glory since 1528. With its moated castle, French-style gardens, museums and record-breaking stables, Chantilly is simply breathtaking.
Our ticket gives you access to the castle, the grounds, the great stables and the Museum of the Horse – all of which you can explore at leisure. Highlights of this visit include the large suites on the first floor which were once used as reception rooms by the Princes of Bourbon – Conde: the private suites on the ground floor of the Petite Chateau: and the large le Notre flower bed set around numerous fountains and water features. There are also the great stables – the largest stables in Europe, where you will find the Museum of the Horse which presents the relationship between man and horse since the beginning of civilisation.
This afternoon we are free to explore Chantilly before returning to our hotel for our final evening.
Day 5: Sadly we depart our hotel and make our way back to Calais for our short crossing to Kent. We then continue our journey back to Norfolk arriving late evening to find our door to door taxi service waiting to return you home.
Holiday Information:
4 Nights Dinner, Bed & Breakfast (Dinner will be table service)
Price: £828pp
Single Supplement: £150 (Will be allocated a double room for sole occupancy)
Tour Reference: EUR1904
Deposit Required: £70pp
Balance Due: 10 weeks prior to departure