Impressionism
20 days / 19 nights
CHAMPAGNE AND BURGUNDY
CHAMPAGNE AND BURGUNDY
15 days / 14 nights
Programme
An important place is given in this Tour to gastronomy and wine.
Day 1 - Paris (1 night)
- Late afternoon meeting of the Group at the Hotel.
- Programm overview and Questions / Answers
- Group Dinner at the Hotel
Day 2 - From Paris to Reims (3 nights)
Morning : Settle in 3 stars Hotel in Reims where you will stay 3 nights.
Early Afternoon : Guided visit of the World Heritage Cathedral, one of the largest in the Christian world, famous for its façade and the part it has played in French History. It was where the kings of France were crowned.
Later in the afternoon : Guided visit of the Caves Taittinger followed by tasting
Evening : Welcome dinner in a gourmet restaurant
Day 3 - Basilica & Abbey-Museum of Saint Rémi, Villa Demoiselle
Morning : Guided visit of the World Heritage Basilica of St Rémi and the Abbey-Museum of St Rémi.
Afternoon : Guided visit of the Villa Demoiselle (now owned by Vranken-Pommery) a superb exemple of the transition from Art Nouveau to Art Déco. Followed by a Champagne tasting
Evening : Group dinner.
Day 4 - Ecole des vins de Champagne
Morning : Wine school in Champagne (Institut National des vins de Champagne) in Ay-Champagne.
Champagne lunch in a winery.Afternoon : Visit of its cellars and its vineyards.
Evening : Free
Day 5 - From Reims to Troyes (3 nights)
- Morning : Via Epernay : Visit of Mercier (the celebrated giant tun with a capacity of more than 200 000 bottles of Champagne made for the Paris Exposition Universelle 1889, the 18km of cellars visited in small train and the panoramic lift). Followed by a Champagne tasting. Group Lunch in the Restaurant de l’Abbaye de Hautvilliers where Dom Perignon was cellar master for 47 years.
- Afternoon : To settle in 3 stars Hotel (3 nights)
- Evening : Free
Day 6 - Troyes
Troyes history started as a Gaul fortress. It became rich and famous thanks to the Comtes de Champagne who created the great Foires de Champagne. Now it is one of the loveliest towns not only in the region but in France.
Morning : Guided visit of Troyes.
Afternoon : Guided visit of the Modern Art Museum (housing one of the best collections of Derain).
Evening : Group dinner.
Day 7 - Troyes & its surroundings
Morning : Guided visit of the most wonderful place in Troyes( both the building and its collection) : the Maison de l’Outil et de la Pensée
Afternoon : Visit of Chaource (the best regional cheese) and its fromagerie artisanale : how it is made, tasting it and the other superb regional cheeses.
Evening : Group dinner.
Day 8 - From Troyes to Dijon (7 nights)
- Morning : On the way to Dijon stop in Flavigny sur Ozerain, one of the most beautiful villages in France. (The film Chocolat, with Julette Binoche, Johnny Depp and Judy Dench, was shot there). Leisurely discovery with Map and Notes.
To settle in 3 stars Hotel for 7 nights
- Afternoon : Guided visit of the World Heritage town.
Evening : Group dinner.
Day 9 - To Beaunes
Morning : Wine school in Beaune.
Lunch at at one of the great winegrower’s in the Côtes de Beaune.Afternoon : Guided visit of the famous Hospices.
Return to Dijon.Evening: Free.
Day 10 - To Fontenay Abbey and Ancy-le-Franc
Morning : Guided visit of the World Heritage Fontenay Abbey, 12th century cistertian romanesque is a heaven of beauty and peace.
Time for lunch in Noyers, a small medieval town, classified « one of the most beautiful towns in France ».
Afternoon : Guided visit of the Château of Ancy-le-Franc, a most perfect example of Renaissance châteaux in France.
Evening : Group dinner.
Day 11 - Discover the Côte des Nuits.
- Morning : via beautiful and rich villages Chenôve : its vineyards used to belong to the Dukes of Burgundy, Fixin produces some of the best Côtes des Nuits. Via the famous Gevray-Chambertin.
Guided visit of the Clos Vougeot, the seat of the Confrérie du Tastevin.Wine tasting.
Group lunch in Nuits-St-Georges.
- Afternoon : guided visit of the Cassissium where Cassis has been produced for a century.
- Evening : Free.
Day 12 - A day with the Celts and the Romans
Morning :Guided visit of the European archeological centre and Celtic Museum in Bibracte where Cesar wrote the Gallic Wars.
Gallic Group lunch.
- Afternoon : Coach guided visit of Autun (Augustidunum), the Roman town built by Emperor Augustus, as a gift for his Celt allies, the Eduens. Before leaving Autun you will admire the 12th century romanesque cathedral is famous for the beauty of its tympanum..
Evening : Free
Day 13 - Cours de cuisine in Dijon
Matinée : Cours de cuisine du matin : cuisine à Dijon.
Lunch is the meal you will have prepared.Afternoon : Guided visit of Dijon.
Evening : Free.
Day 14 - Arc & Senans et Besançon : both World Heritage sites
Morning : Guided visit of the Saline Royale d’Arc et Senans, built by Nicolas Ledoux in 1775 as the first « ideal city » . Then to Besançon for lunch
Afternoon : Guided visit of the World Heritage Citadelle built by Vauban in 1674.
- Evening : Farewell dinner
Day 15 - Paris
- Morning : Return to Paris by TGV.
Service
The price includes
- Accompanied by Tour Leader/Tour Manager throughout the tour.
- Ground transport : Trains first class, Luxury coaches.
- 4 star hotel accommodation, breakfast included.
- One main meal a day : lunch or dinner including a few gastronomic meals.
- All expenses related to entries, guided tours and visits.
The price does not include
- One meal a day
- Personal charges and expenses
- Insurances
- Travel to and from France
