This mesmerising journey takes in some of France’s most famous and colourful moments in history, with stunning artistic examples at virtually every turn. The region is blessed with illustrious palaces, each with its own story to tell and all equally as impressive as the next. Over 1000 years of history are celebrated through an impressive array of paintings, complex architecture, and ornate palatial gardens, bringing legendary characters to life and unveiling the inspiration to many an artist over the centuries. Whilst the main focus is about experiencing the grandeur of the palaces and staggering volume of classical artwork, there is still time to appreciate the modern-day towns and gardens.
Tour Inclusions
based on two sharing in a twin/double room, with a minimum of 30 passengers travelling in a specific month
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Considered to be one of the most magnificent achievements of French design and architecture in the 18th century, the Palace of Versailles makes for an astonishingly interesting visit. Once the royal residence of Louis XIV until 1789, there are many rooms and state apartments to marvel at, each displaying an unmatched opulence, immaculate elegance and stunning works of art. The magnificent Hall of Mirrors is not to be missed, along with the Opera House, the Gallery of Battles featuring 30 paintings depicting 1500 years of French battles, the Coronation Hall dedicated to Napoleon Bonaparte, to name just a few rooms. Outside, the gardens are simply stunning and include statues, ponds, glorious fountains, flowerbeds, an Orangery and formal lined walkways. A feast on the eyes.
Situated in Giverny, Normandy, Claude Monet’s country retreat is a colourful wonderland which evokes the impressionist painter’s famous works of art. The pastel-hued cottage sits amongst the Japanese-style water garden, easily recognisable from Monet’s Water Lilies series, and the flower garden presents stunning blooms in a composition that makes it a work of art in its own right.
The charming little town of Vernon sits on the banks of the River Seine and is notable for having over 200 half-timbered houses with ancient doors and carved timbers. The Church of Our Lady is an imposing sight - and a listed building – and is a blend of Gothic and Romanesque styles and boasts a 13th century lantern tower as well as modern stained glass windows. The famous Clemenceau Bridge is made up of the 16th century timber framed windmill sitting on old medieval piers, over the Seine, and makes a lovely picture stop. It isn’t hard to understand why Monet loved this area so much.
The baroque French Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte was built between 1658 and 1661 for Nicolas Fouquet, the finance minister to King Louis XIV. Visitors can admire the 17th century masterpiece, with interiors richly decorated and furnished as they would have been during Fouquet’s time. Explore Fouquet’s private apartments on the first floor, the ceremonial salons on the ground floor and the staff rooms and kitchen in the basement.
For a true journey into the heart of French history, there’s no place quite like Château de Fontainebleau, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, known as the residence of the kings. A succession of sovereigns from the 12th to the 19th century lived here at some point, unlike any other in the country and the diversity and complexity of both architecture and décor reflect the different tastes of its inhabitants. From gloriously lavish and ornate carvings and wall hangings to galleries of frescoes and Renaissance stuccoes, each room provides an impressive selection of treasures to admire.
Charming Amiens lies by the River Somme, dominated by its mighty Gothic cathedral. It has a maze of medieval streets to explore, and is also known for its network of canals. These glassy waterways are lined with pretty, pastel-hued homes and dotted with lush, verdant hortillonnages (floating market gardens).
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