Champagne & Castles: France

France is well-known for its abundance of spectacular castles, fine wines and Champagnes. Begin your tour in classic Paris and discover the rich history, architecture and culture of the villages in the Loire Valley and the Champagne region including cellar visits at Moët et Chandon, Dom Pérignon and more.

Highlights:

• Tour of Paris, Panoramic tour of Reims and Tours
• Champagne tastings at Moet et Chandon and Dom Perignon
• Visit stunning Chateaux in the Loire Valley

• Overview
• Itinerary
• Maps & Info
• Not Included

Package Includes: Total 9 nights accommodation at 4-Star hotels 3 nights in Paris  2 nights in Reims 3 nights in Tours  Transfers, touring and entrance fees as per itinerary Comfort-Class train tickets: Paris – Reims –Tours Continental breakfast daily and other meals as indicated Hotel taxes and service charges

International airfare not included. Minimum 2 passengers travelling together. 

*Small group tour sizes and schedules may vary based on seasonality.  Not valid during trade shows, Bank holidays and other special events.  Blackout periods may apply. 

Rates are subject to availability at time of booking.

 

Itinerary

Day 1 – Friday

PARIS   Welcome to Paris, the City of Lights! Situated on the River Seine, Paris is the capital of France and one of the most popular destinations in the world. Arrival and private transfer to your hotel. Take some time at leisure to begin exploring this stunning city.

 

Day 2 – Saturday

Breakfast

PARIS  After breakfast, enjoy your morning at leisure. In the early afternoon, depart from your hotel for your shared small group tour to discover Paris. Drive through Concorde Square, past the Louvre Museum, see the Seine River and its bridges, Notre-Dame Cathedral, the famous Champs Elysées Avenue, the Eiffel Tower and stop for free time in Montmartre near Sacré-Coeur Basilica. We recommend an optional tour at O-Château Wine Bar near the Louvre for a tasting of six wines from six different regions in France with a very knowledgeable sommelier – fantastic for beginners or wine connoisseurs alike (not included). Enjoy the city at night at your leisure.

Day 3 – Sunday

Breakfast

PARIS  After breakfast at your hotel, enjoy your day at leisure. We suggest you take time to visit some of the magnificent museums such at Musee d’Orsay or the Louvre to see the modern pyramid and the most reputed masterpieces such as the Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci.

Day 4 – Monday

Breakfast

PARIS – REIMS  After breakfast, transfer to the train station for your train to Reims. Upon arrival at the Reims Champagne-Ardenne train station, private transfer to your hotel. Enjoy the rest of your day at leisure.

Day 5 – Tuesday

Breakfast / Lunch

EPERNAY  After breakfast, drive along the scenic route des Champagnes to Côte des Blancs, to visit Grandes Maisons de Champagne. Enjoy a tasting at world famous Moët et Chandon. Stoll along the Avenue de Champagne in Epernay known as the Capital of Champagne followed by lunch and Champagne tasting at either a winery or a Champagne bar. Drive to the Marne Valley to ‘meet’ with another prestigious figure: Dom Pérignon, followed by a tasting at a family estate. Return to Reims for overnight.

Day 6 – Wednesday

Breakfast / Lunch

REIMS – TOURS  After breakfast, begin a panoramic tour of Reims. Enjoy more Champagne with a tasting at the world-famous Grande Maison de Champagne Mumm followed by a guided tour of Cathedral of Reims. After lunch, visit the Montagne de Reims vineyard for a tour and tasting at a family estate. Transfer to the train station to board your train to Tours. Upon arrival, private transfer to your hotel.

Day 7 – Thursday

Breakfast / Lunch

TOURS  – AZAY-LE-RIDEAU – LANGEAIS  – VILLANDRY  After breakfast, drive to Château Azay-le-Rideau for a guided tour of one of the purest gems of Renaissance architecture in the Loire Valley. Enjoy lunch at a family estate in the vineyards with several cheeses, cold cuts and organic wines or lunch at a traditional restaurant*. Take a guided tour of the Château Langeais, and the spectacular gardens of Touraine, Villandry. 

*Specific lunch setting will be determined that day.

 

Day 8 – Friday

Breakfast / Lunch

TOURS  –  BEAUREGARD  – CHAMBORD  – CHEVERNY   After breakfast, tour the private Château de Beauregard where you will discover the Gallerie des Portraits and the Jardin des Portraits, an enclosed garden with a variety of groves. Drive to Cheverny for a wine tasting and lunch at a local restaurant. Take a tour of Château de Cheverny then drive to the largest château in the Loire Valley, the Chambord Estate. Return to your hotel in Tours.

Day 9 – Saturday

Breakfast / Lunch

TOURS  After breakfast at the hotel, visit the stunning Château de Chenonceau which sits on the Cher River, then lunch at a wine specialists’ matured Loire Valley vintages vineyard. Tour the magnificent Royal Castel of Amboise on the Loire River, then return to your hotel in Tours.

Day 10 – Sunday

Breakfast

TOURS – PARIS – HOME  After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the train station to begin your journey home.

General Information & Maps

Not Included:

• International or domestic airfare; airport or departure taxes
• Gratuities to guides and drivers
• Items of a personal nature
• Travel insurance
• Reciprocity and/or local taxes if applicable
• Visas required for entry into the country as necessary. Please discuss this with your travel agent to determine your requirements prior to departure.