MARGE’S TOURS

In association with

Worldview Travel

                                                                                                                                    CST 1008676-10

                               Presents

 

Rendez-vous en France

11 days in Fabulous France

April 23 – May 3, 2008

with French Resource Consultant, Virginia (Ginny) Stephanian

 

Spring is a lovely time to be in France.  Architects - artists – gardeners – historians – shoppers - photographers will love this time in France.  It is a time to discover French history, culture & cuisine with the fresh renewal of the flora, fauna, fashions and food.  We’ve built in free time for your own exploration along with scheduled guided visits to important sites.  Local guides will share the French stories in Paris, Normandy and the Loire Valley.

 

Have a little longer to enjoy France?  Extend your stay to see the magnificent area of Provence!  The cities of Avignon and Aix-en-Provence are historical gems. You will discover why the impressionist painters were able to share their homeland with such beautiful artwork.

 

French Resource Consultant

Virginia (Ginny) Stephanian brings a wealth of experience with more than 35 years in teaching the French language and culture. Ginny earned a B.A. in French from Whittier College, studied at La Sorbonne in Paris, and sojourned more than 12 times to France.  Ginny will be available to assist in planning activities for your free time plus assistance with the French language on the main tour as well as the extended tour.

 

As you read our activities, you will see the meals that are included (B = breakfast, L = lunch, D = dinner) as well as the city where we will spend the night.

 

Wednesday, April 23                                                                                                                   (D) Paris

Make your way to our hotel in central Paris where we start our tour with a special Welcome Dinner.  Settle in to your rooms as we stay here for 5 nights.

 

Thursday, April 24                                                                                                                       (B,L) Paris

A “city get-acquainted” tour this morning will reveal the special locations of Paris – Eiffel Tower, Champs Elysees, Arc de Triomphe, Seine River, Place de la Concorde, the Left Bank, to name just a few of the locations we will see.  We stop for a visit to the Notre- Dame then on to lunch.  Our afternoon will be spent in the Louvre Museum.  This evening is your time to explore.

 

Friday, April 25                                                                                                                               (B) Paris

Use your 2-day museum pass this morning and afternoon to see favorite museums in Paris.(i.e. the D’Orsay, the Picasso, the Rodin, or l’Orangerie) Enjoy an early dinner so you will be back in time for our evening illumination tour of the Paris buildings, monuments & fountains.                        

 

Saturday, April 26                                                                                                                            (B) Paris

Today is your full day to use your museum pass, see Paris from the top of the Eiffel Tower, enjoy the Luxembourg Gardens, shop the flea market, stroll the city streets, or sit with a coffee and enjoy the people of Paris pass by.  Perhaps you will enjoy a classical concert at Sainte-Chapelle, the jewel box of Paris, followed by a walk down the main street of the Ile Saint-Louis to sample the famous Berthillon ice cream or cross the Seine River to the Left Bank and visit the Cluny Museum.

        

Sunday, April 27                                                                                                                      (B.L) Paris

We are off to see Château de Versailles and hear the story of King Louis XIV who created this magnificent palace; King Louis XV, “The Sun King” who enjoyed his surroundings; and King Louis XVI and his wife Marie Antoinette who paid a steep price for the opulence. The palace, gardens, and fountains are stunning. Following lunch, we visit the house and gardens of Claude Monet in Giverny.  This impressionist painter has taken the beauty of France and shared it throughout the world.  Now it’s your turn to see the garden, towns and areas he painted. 

 

Monday, April 28                                                                                                               (B,D) Honfleur

Normandy is our destination today.  Our lovely drive takes us to the west where we reach the Manche (English Channel).  Here stands one of the greatest religious buildings in Europe – Mont-St Michael.  Our guide to the Abbaye Mont St. Michael will share the story of how this huge rock became such an important part of Norman life. In the afternoon, we head north to Honfleur, the quaint little harbor village where Claude Monet and his artist friends developed the Impressionist style.  Honfleur will be our “home” for 2 nights.

 

Tuesday, April 29                                                                                                                 (B) Honfleur

June 6, 2008 will mark the 64th anniversary of D-Day.  We’ve seen movies, read the books, and maybe met some of the heroes of that day.  Now it is time to walk on the land, hear the stories of the French people who were living in the area, and honor those who gave their all for our freedom.  We will drive to the Caen area to visit the Memorial Pour La Paix, Musee Du Debarquement, stop at Pointe Du Hoc and visit the American Military Cemetery overlooking Omaha Beach. We return to Honfleur in the late afternoon to discover why artists love to paint the boats in the Vieux Bassin.

 

Wednesday, April 30                                                                                                                 (B,D) Tours

We begin our time in the Loire Valley today, driving southeast to the town of Blois.  The elegant Chateau de Blois monumental octagonal staircase is a superb example of French Renaissance design. Courtly intrigue are just some of the stories our guide will share.  Chateau de Chambord, our afternoon visit, is the largest castle in the valley.  Built as a hunting lodge for King François I in the 1500’s, the castle has an interesting history and architecture.  We travel on to Tours, the “Garden of France”, where we will enjoy dinner at our hotel. 

 

Thursday, May 1                                                                                                                         (B) Tours

On May 1st, 1561, French King Charles IX of France received a lily of the valley as a lucky charm. He decided to offer a lily of the valley each year to the ladies of the court. At the beginning of the 20th century, it became custom on the 1st of May, to give a sprig of lily of the valley, a symbol of springtime.

Honore de Balzac, in his book The Lily of The Valley, described our destinations today as “….a fresh discovery of a picture…” The Chateau de Chenonceau, the jewel of the castles, is built on/over a river. Photographers will love the reflection; flower lovers will delight in two large formal gardens. Chateau D’Amboise is steeped in history. A short walk away is Clos-Luce, where Leonardo da Vinci spent his last 3 years. An adjoining park displays many of da Vinci’s inventions.  A most interesting day topped off with another night in Tours and your opportunity to explore the old town.

 

Friday, May 2,                                                                                                                          (B, D) Paris

We bid the castles adieu and return to Paris for one last look.  Our special farewell dinner tonight will be served aboard a river boat as we cruise along the Seine.

 

Saturday, May 3                                                                                                                               (B)

For those who must return home, transfers will be offered to the airport.  Those who are fortunate to stay will follow the “Extended Tour” itinerary.

 

LAND ONLY TOUR FEE:  $2,845 per person double occupancy  

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT:  $1,200

TO RESERVE A SPACE:  $300 deposit

FINAL PAYMENT DUE:  February 10, 2008

Price is based on 20 participants. The price will be adjusted if there are less than 20 participants

Group Size:  minimum - 15; maximum – 25

 

TOUR FEE INCLUDES:

3 Star hotels in Paris, Honfleur and Tours

Breakfast daily, 2 lunches, 4 dinners including a special Welcome Dinner and a Dinner Cruise on the Seine River for the Farewell Dinner

City tour of Paris, including a stop at Notre Dame

Afternoon at the Louvre Museum

Paris Illumination evening tour

2-day Paris museum pass

Private deluxe bus transportation

Entrance and guided tour of Versailles Palace

Entrance to Monet’s house and garden at Giverny

City Tour of Mont Saint Michel including entrance to the Abbaye Mont St Michel

Guide and entrance to Memorial Pour La Paix, Musee Du Debarquement, American Military Cemetery overlooking Omaha Beach

Entrance and guided tour of Chateau De Blois, Chateau De Chambord, Chateau De Chenonceau, Clos-Luce Leonardo da Vinci House & Park, Chateau D’Amboise

Gratuities

Airport transfers

 

PLEASE NOTE:  Transportation to and from France is not included in the price.

This allows the option to see other parts of Europe.  Marge’s Tours & Worldview Travel (www.worldviewtravel.com) are interested in assisting you with your flight arrangements for this tour.  Contact Marge Ball at (949) 830-7791 to discuss transportation options.

 

Travel insurance is highly recommended.  Ask Marge about it when you call.

 

France is a very popular travel destination. In order for you to hear the guides and see the sites, we are limiting our group to 25 people. Call Marge’s Tours at (949) 830-7791 for additional information and availability.