Giverny, Auvers sur Oise

Situated in Normandy, the village of Giverny is world-wide known for Claude MONET’s house and atelier.
 It is at one hour far from Paris. During the trip, our guide will tell you about the impressionist painters who went to Giverny to meet Claude Monet.
 Claude Monet’s property has been left by his son to the Academie des Beaux Arts in 1966. After a large scale renovation in 1980 it becomes a Foundation.
 The house where the painter lived from 1883 to 1926 has its colourful décor and intimate charm of former times. The precious collection of Japanese is displayed in several rooms.
 The gardens offer for the admiration of visitors the “painting of the nature” which Claude Monet’s contemporaries considered one of his masterpieces.
 The rectangular “Clos Normand”, with archways of climbing plants entwined around brilliantly coloured shrubs, lies before the house and studios offering the palette of varying colours of the painter-gardener who was “ecstatic” about flowers.
 Lastly, the water garden with its famous Japanese Bridge, its wisterias, azaleas and its pond has inspired the pictorial universe of the water lilies.
 A full day with a visit to the Monet' home in Giverny followed by a charming visit of Auvers on the Oise river where many painters, disciples of Van Gogh were staying. Visit of Van Gogh’s grave and the Auberge Ravoux where he lived until his death.

               

 Chartres

 At one hour from Paris, you will cross the typi-cal French countryside of the Beauce corn attic of the region .
 You will discover with our guide the most impressive and majestic gothic cathedral of

 Free time to go for a walk in the old city around the cathedral.

 

 

 

Reims - Epernay - Champagne Region 

The Champagne’s region is for wine lovers and is also known for its great churches, the most famous one being the Reims Cathedral. Since the 11th Century all the kings of France have come to Reims, the city of coronation, to be crowned in the remarkable cathedral. This is a masterpiece of flamboyant gothic art. Its exceptional ornamentation is marked by curious gargoyles symbolising evil spirits. 

Epernay is the home of some of the best known “maisons de champagne”. You will visit the chalky caves and taste prestigious brands of Champagne, Moet et Chandon, Pommery, Louis Roederer. Dom Perignon, was a famous monk who discovered the secret of the alchemy of the Champagne. 

For all Tours ask for :
Culinary Adventures

 

                                 

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Versailles

 Versailles is at one hour drive far from Paris. During the trip our guide will tell you about the story of the Palace and how the cour during the Sun King reign.
 With its three chateaux, gardens and parks, Versailles is an immense estate. Lousi XIV the Sun King is the creative force of Versailles. He turned Versailles into a sumptuous estate and the symbol of absolute monarchy in the 17th century.
 Louis Le Vau and then Jules Hardouin-Mansart and Charles Lebrun are the main architects both Versailles and the Grand Trianon and André Le Notre for the gardens.
 You will visit the State Apartments with its 8 rooms, the Hall of Mirrors, the King and Queens’ apartments and since July 2006 some new rooms recently renovated , the Royal Chapel and the Royal Opera Opera.
 Depending of the choice you made with us, the visit will be guided or with an audio-guide in your language. There is a special entry for us avoiding long queuing.
 After this visit which lasts around 1hour and 10 minutes, our guide will accompany you to the gardens.
 Beyond the chateau, stretch the gardens and the park. At the foot of the chateau, Le Nôtre created the parterres, designed to be viewed from the terraces. You will see the Grand Perspective which draws the eye to the horizon with its Latona and Apollo fountains. You will stroll to the north and south parterres full of flowers. You will see the various groves in the gardens : the Baldroom and the Colonnade, the Enceladus…and some other our guide will let you discover.
 On Sunday from April 1st to October 1st there are the Musical Fountains display. Stroll around the fountains and admire the water jets, explore the groves while enjoying live music concert from Lully the most famous Versailles musical composer from the 17th century. You will have access to this gorgeous show with additional fee of 7 euros per person
 Our guide will drop off at your hotel after this very intensive visit which will throw you back to the century of lights.
  You will visit the Palace, The States Apartments in the morning as indicated in the Versailles tour description ( please look at it ). You will have also enough time to explore the Hall of Battles situated in the South Wing of the Palace covering the first floor and the attic on the park side. This is a setting for the vast paintings dedicated to the great French victories from Tolbiac won by Clovis in 497 to Wagram, a victory for Napoleon in 1809. You will then visit the gardens and the various grove with its 32 fountains.
 On Sunday from April 1st to October 1st there are the Musical Fountains display. Stroll around the fountains and admire the water jets, explore the groves while enjoying live music concert from Lully the most famous Versailles musical composer from the 17th century. Additional fee of 6 euros.
 Our guide will advice you how to have lunch or just a snack inside the estate. There are many possibilities. After Lunch, you will visit the Grand Trianon also called the Marble Trianon. It is richly furnished and decorated with Napoleon furniture from the 18th century. You will stroll in the Park to get in the new renovated “Domaine de Marie Antoinette” with the Small Trianon and the Hamlet Village. The architect Gabriel built this edifice in 1761 for King Louis XV and Madame de Pompadour. It becomes some years later the preferred residence of Marie Antoinette. The gardens , the Queen Theatre one of the most beautiful in Europe and the French and English gardens with many statues have just been renovated and re-opened in July 2006 as well as the Hamlet Village close to the Trianon.