La Grande France

Tour Information La Grande France

TOUR INFORMATION

You are travelling to Europe – a wonderful assembly of diverse countries that have, over hundreds of years, evolved and formulated their individual and often unique customs, styles and quirkiness. We want to (and sometimes have to) fit into the region’s natural patterns and irregularities. Much will appear so very different from ‘home’ – and surely it is exactly those very differences that inspired you to go there in the first place!

To help you, the following pages contains additional information specific to your tour including brief introductory information regarding the major sites and regions you will be visiting.

We would like to wish you a wonderful trip through Europe and a safe return home.

Best wishes from the Albatross Team La Grande France

This information is meant to provide a light overview of some of the towns and regions you will be visiting.

Paris To many, Paris is the romantic capital of Europe - and to some, the romantic capital of the world! And who could blame them: From the animated discussions and laughter at the pavement cafes, through to lovers strolling along the Champs Elysees and on to the grand structure of the Eiffel Tower, and other famous buildings.

A beautiful city situated on the River Seine, Paris has many fine buildings and monuments, ranging from the well-known sights of the Eiffel Tower and the cathedral of Notre Dame to modern buildings such as the Pompidou Centre and the glass pyramids in front of the Musée du Louvre. Each area of Paris has its own particular character and appeal: the classical architecture of the Right Bank, with its perspectives down long, broad boulevards; the narrow streets of the Marais lined with museums and small shops; and the traditionally bohemian Latin Quarter.

Paris boasts a wealth of famous museums from the large collections of the Musée du Louvre and the Mused d'Orsay, to smaller museums dedicated to specific artists, such as the Musée Rodin and the Musée Picasso. The city also attracts visitors for its famous restaurants and cafés, and for its reputation as one of Europe's fashion capitals, the home of haute couture. Make sure you spend free time strolling amongst the broad boulevards, shops and museums of Paris. Perhaps also visit the village-like Montmartre around the hilltop Basilique du Sacré Coeur.

Getting around the city is very easy using the extensive metro system. Maps of the city and the metro system will be available at your hotel reception.

Chateau Chambord During the 15 th and 16 th centuries, the Kings of France and their courtiers built their holiday palaces in the verdant Loire Valley. The grandest of all is the magnificent Chateaux Chambord. This enormous chateau was created by King Francois I as a hunting lodge within the surrounding grounds, which consisted of over 5,000 wooded hectares. This is the largest of all the Chateaux in the Loire valley with a 128 meters wide façade and more than 800 sculpted columns. The elaborately decorated roof with its assorted towers, spires and chimneys resembles the skyline of a town. Some suggest it was intentionally designed to resemble the skyline of Constantinople (now Istanbul).

Chateau Chenonceaux This chateau is possibly one of the most photographed of the Loire Chateaux, this 16 th century Chateau of Chenonceaux is famous for its romantic architecture spanning the river Cher on a series of arches. Two women played a role in its development—Diane de Poitiers, Henri II's mistress, whom he established there, and Catherine de Médicis, Henri's wife, who ousted Diane after Henri's death in 1559. It was Catherine who added the three-storey Long Gallery on the bridge spanning the river. The interior, with many original fireplaces and ceilings, is hung with tapestries and paintings. Entrance to the Chateau is via a driveway known as the Grand Avenue of Plane trees and to one side are the gardens of Diane de Poitiers and the more intimate gardens of Catherine de' Medici. In emphasising the grace of this chateau it was once said “If all the chateaux of the Loire Valley were parading at a grand ball it would be Chenonceaux you would beg to dance with!”

Amboise Amboise is famous for its Royal Palace and the famous Manor House ‘Le Clos Lucé’- which is located 500 metres from the Royal Château.

In 1516, Francis I invited Leonardo da Vinci to Amboise and provided him with the Clos Lucé as a place to stay and to work. Leonardo, a famous painter and inventor, arrived with three samples of his painting, namely the Mona Lisa, Sainte Anne, and Saint Jean Baptiste. Leonardo lived at the Clos Lucé for the last three years of his life, and died there on 2 May 1519.

Today, the Clos Lucé is a museum that reflects the prestigious history of the region and includes forty models of the various machines designed by Leonardo.

Chinon Chinon is a historic town on the banks of the Vienne River in the Loire Valley. The town sits at the foot of the medieval fortress of Chinon. In the winding streets below the castle walls are many Troglodyte dwellings which some are still being occupied and used by wine sellers. Further in town you can see the 15 th century cobble and timber houses lining the streets. Known for its wine; take time to visit one of the many wine cellars and cafes in the town to sample some local fine wines.

Chateaux Villandry Villandry was completed around 1536 and was the last of the large chateaus built in the Loire Valley during the Renaissance. Villandry was built by Jean le Breton, one of François I’s Finance Ministers, and who also supervised the construction of Chateau Chambord. During Le Breton’s time as ambassador to Italy he studied the Italian Renaissance art of gardening. Le Breton created Villandry on the site of an old 12 th century castle, keeping only the old tower behind the main courtyard. Villandry stayed in le Breton family until 1754 and then became the property of the Marquis de Castellane, the King’s Ambassador who built the classical style outbuildings that you can see on either side of the front courtyard.

The gardens of Chateaux Villandry, inspired by the classic gardens of the 16 th century, are famous for the variety of gardens designs and displays. There is a water garden, sun garden, music garden and love garden with ponds, topiary, ornamental hedges and an extraordinary kitchen and herb garden covering 12,500 square metres.

Abbey of Fontevraud Declared a UNESCO World Heritage site, the Abbey is a complex of religious buildings founded in 1101 by the preacher Robert of Arbrissel. The first of the many permanent structures were built between 1110 and 1119, making up four separate communities all managed by the same abbess. Oradour-sur-Glane The small farming village of Oradour-sur-Glane turned into a ‘ghost village’ in June 1944, without apparent provocation, soldiers from the 2nd Waffen-SS Panzer Division massacred all the inhabitants of this quiet, little village. The village was then destroyed. The village was never rebuilt and has been preserved as a memorial to this awful atrocity.

Here you can visit the dedicated museum ‘Centre de la memoire d'Oradour’ which features many recovered items from the massacre including personal items - melted glasses and wrist watches that stopped when the owners were burned alive.

Lascaux Famous for the Paleolithic paintings in the complex caves located near the village of Montignac is the UNESCO World Heritage listed site. Discovered in 1940, the caves opened to the public 8 years later. Due to the high number of visitors each day the caves had to be closed from the public by 1955 as the paintings were starting to become damaged by carbon dioxide. Some of the paintings inside are thought to be 17,300 years old and consist of images of large animals which lived in the area at the time.

A replica of a few of the caves ‘Lascaux II’ were created in 1983 not far from the original caves.

Sarlat la Caneda – Capital of the ’Black Perigord’ Perfectly preserved Sarlat la Caneda, is one of the most stunning towns in France. An exceptionally well preserved city, it boasts architecture dating back as far as 1,000 years. The fantastic Sarlat markets, renowned as being amongst the very best in all of France happen every Wednesday and Saturday. Enjoy the experience of sampling the myriad of local cheeses, foie gras, truffles, walnuts and wines. Time to buy some crusty bread and tapenade for a delicious picnic! This is the real France at its best!

La Roc Gageac This beautiful town sits at the base of a cliff along the Dordogne River with picturesque views. Listed as one of ‘The most beautiful villages of France’ it tends to feature on many calendar and guidebook covers. The traditional yellow stone houses with stone roofs have been built along the river’s edge and up to the cliff. At the end of the village is the imposing renaissance built Chateau de la Malartie which dates back to the 19 th century.

Domme This medieval village sits atop a hill overlooking the Dordogne River. Domme is a member of “The Most Beautiful Villages of France” association. Lining the charming streets, you will see plenty of flowers outside the houses. In the village there are a couple of historical buildings from the medieval times such as the Market Hall Square and Place de la Rode.

The Dordogne – also known as the Périgord The county of Périgord dates back to when the area was inhabited by the Gauls, it was home to four tribes, the name for "four tribes" in the Gaulish language was "Petrocore". The area eventually became known as the county of Le Périgord and its inhabitants became known as the Périgordins (or Périgourdins). There are four Périgords (regions) in the Dordogne: • The "Périgord Vert" (Green Périgord) with its main town of Nontron, consists of verdant valleys in a region crossed by many rivers and streams • The "Périgord Blanc" (White Périgord) situated around the department's capital of Périgueux, is a region of limestone plateaux, wide valleys and meadows • The "Périgord Pourpre" (Purple Périgord) with its capital of Bergerac, is a wine region • The "Périgord Noir" (Black Périgord) surrounding the administrative center of Sarlat, overlooks the valleys of the Vézère and the Dordogne, where the woods of oak and pine give it its name. This is the most famous part of the region with its sleepy villages, medieval chateaux, meandering rivers and lush landscape that so epitomises French rural life. The Dordogne river flows through lush countryside, past medieval castles and the incredibly picturesque villages including Beynac, La Roc Gageac and Domme

Rocamadour The ‘pilgrimage town’ of Rocamadour is an incredibly picturesque town sitting on the clifts of the Dordogne River. High above the old town are churches and monastic buildings, whilst below is an old town dating back centuries, and which once welcomed those on the ‘Pilgrims Trail’.

Gouffre de Padirac The astounding caves of the ‘Gouffre de Padirac ’ are a natural wonder. Located in France’s Lot region the site is the most visited in the area. You descend into 75 metres into a chasm, you can do it by elevator or by foot. From there you board a boat to follow a subterranean river for 500 metres through spectacular vaulted caves such as the Lac de la Pluie (lake of rain) where a 60 metre stalactite hands form the ceiling, and the spectacular ‘Grand Dome’. The caves are made up of 25 kilometres of underground systems boasting massive galleries and chambers. Visually stunning, the extraordinary rock formations and vast rock galleries are beautifully lit.

Castelnaudary Castelnaudary is a picturesque old market town, and the capital of the territory of Lauragais. Castelnaudary is located 50 kilometres (31 miles) southeast of Toulouse, and is the main port of the Canal du Midi. The impressive port has earned the ‘pavillon bleu’ award. Originally built around a castle in the 12 th century, the old market town has squares and back streets filled with 18 th and 19 th century grand townhouses.

Couiza The small town of Couiza is located at the foothills of the Pyrenees on the Aude River in the South of France. In the heart of the Cathar country this town has many beautiful architectural and historical heritage sights to enjoy such as the Church of St John the Baptist to the arched bridges over the river.

Rennes-le-Chateau Just up the road from Couiza is the village of Rennes-le-Chateau with impressive views over the valley. Home to the Church of St Mary Magdalene which has been rebuilt several times where you can see some remnants of the complex history of the Church.

There are many people who visit this village after watching Dan Brown’s film ‘The Da Vinci Code’ which was released in 2003. There are some speculations claiming that there was a possibility that after being exiled here, Jesus and Mary might have established a family in this village.

Carcassonne The magnificent castle city of Carcassonne has many ramparts to discover. The medieval castle, with its gigantic double walled fortifications and 53 watchtowers, is the 2nd most visited site in France outside of Paris. Dating back to the 13th century, Carcassonne is an extraordinary timepiece.

Beziers The ancient town of Béziers is located on the Canal du Midi, above the River Orb. It is one of the oldest cities in France dating back to pre-Roman times in 575 BC. At the entrance of the town is the Le Pont Vieux which is a middle age stone bridge crossing the river. Dominating the town is the majestic Cathédrale St-Nazaire, dating back to the 14 th century, it is a remarkable example of middle Gothic architecture.

Aigues-Mortes The well preserved 13th century walls of this historical town form a striking contrast to the vast salines (salt flats) that encircle it. Take the chance to climb the ramparts and walk around the city. Or perhaps wander through the many streets and get lost amongst the shops and cafes.

Nimes Nîmes, a city in the Languedoc-Roussillon region of southern France, It’s known for well-preserved monuments such as the Arena of Nîmes, a double-tiered circa-70 A.D. amphitheater still in use for concerts and bullfights. The Maison Carrée white limestone temple and Pont du Gard tri-level aqueduct are around 2,000 years old. Avignon This city has a grand central square with numerous side streets and alleys full of colourful cafes and shops.

The 600 year old Palais des Popes was once the grand residence of the exiled Roman Catholic Popes. The Papal Palace and numerous religious buildings on both sides of the River Rhone are a legacy of the days when the Popes resided in Avignon. Between the years 1309 to 1378 seven Popes held court in Avignon. The period was one of conflict and controversy during which French Kings held considerable sway over the Papacy and rulers across Europe felt sidelined by the new French-centric Papal Court. The troubles reached their peak in 1378 when, having returned the Papal court to Rome, Gregory XI died. For the next 39 years, a period called the " Western schism " or "the great controversy of the antipopes", both Rome and Avignon elected rival claimants to the title of pope. It was eventually resolved in 1417 at the Council of Constance.

The Pont du Gard The Pont du Gard is an imposing 2,000 year old Roman aqueduct which was built with giant stones weighing up to six tonnes. In a beautiful setting, this remarkable structure spans 200 metres between the craggy hillsides of the River Gard.

It is part of a 50 km long aqueduct that runs between Uzès and Nîmes in the South of France. The aqueduct was constructed by the Romans in the 1st century AD and was added to UNESCO's list of World Heritage Sites in 1985.

The bridge has three rows of arches, standing 48.8 m (160 ft) high, and formerly carried an estimated 200 million litres (44 million gallons) of water a day to the fountains, baths and homes of the citizens of Nîmes. The aqueduct descends in height by only 17 m (56 ft) over its entire length, indicative of the great precision that Roman engineers were able to achieve using only simple technology.

When you think that is so incredibly impressive that, 2,000 years ago, they could construct a 50 km long aqueduct with such precision. How did they know the extent of the drop needed to be evenly distributed over 50 kms? How did they then construct it with such precision and with such durability that it is still intact 2,000 years later? By the 4th century, lack of maintenance meant that after it became increasingly clogged by mineral deposits and debris, and by the 9th century, well after the fall of Rome, the water flow was eventually choked off.

The Pont du Gard's subsidiary function as a toll bridge ensured its survival in the Middle Ages. Although some of its stones were looted, the local lords and bishops were for centuries responsible for its upkeep in exchange for the right to levy tolls on travellers using it to cross the river.

Les Baux Within the once deserted village of Les Baux you will discover craft shops and cafés scattered through the ruins. Set on the craggy hillside, this rejuvenated town is an extraordinary sight. It has a spectacular position in the Alpilles mountains, set atop a rocky outcrop crowned with a ruined castle overlooking the plains to the south. Its name refers to its site — in Provençal, a baou is a rocky spur.

The village gives its name to the aluminium ore Bauxite which was first discovered there in 1821 by geologist Pierre Berthier. Les Baux is now given over entirely to the tourist trade, relying on a reputation as one of the most picturesque villages in France. Its population of only 22 in the old village is a fraction of its peak population of over 4,000, and many of its buildings (in particular the castle) are picturesque ruins.

St Remy In this town in the heart of Provence, you will find all the charm of a typically Provencal way of life. Wander around the narrow little streets, discover the attractive boutiques and art galleries that make the town’s historic centre so lively.

Sit outside at one of the many cafes and restaurants. You will find a warm, friendly welcome in this charming little town, especially on market days and at the many celebrations and festivals throughout the year.

Cassis The old fishing village of Cassis is nestled on the Cote d’Azur in southern France. The beautiful town is a popular tourist spot famous for its picturesque Calanques – rugged inlets with steep cliffs tumbling into the azure waters of the Mediterranean which are best discovered by boat. Spend time wandering the harbour front which is lined with aromatic restaurants offering fresh sea- food dishes. Why not pair some gorgeous fish with a glass of wine? Cassis is renowned for its wine – predominantly white.

The Côte d’Azur or Azur Coast The name Côte d’Azur for one of France’s most southern region becomes clear as soon as one arrives at the southern coastline of France. This is where the sky-blue sea beats against the stone beaches and where purple coloured Bougainville crawls up the discoloured walls of charming old houses. Thriving cities such as Nice, with its abundance of museums, and fashionable Cannes and St Tropez face the Mediterranean Sea.

With its Mediterranean climate, The Côte d’Azur attracts people from far and near. After a visit to the hilly inlands with the olive trees and old villages, most people head for some sunny days at the seaside. And not in the least, to see how the ‘jet set’ arrive with their fancy boats in the charming harbour, where life is all about seeing and being seen.

Nice This elegant resort town on the 'French Riviera' is nicknamed the ‘Queen of the Riviera’.

The 'French Riviera' is one of the most beautiful coast lines in Europe. If you decide to forgo the pleasures of the pebbly beach then devote your time to visiting some of the best-respected museums in the south of France. The "authentic" Nicoise live in Vieille Ville, the Old Town, beginning at the foot of "the Rock" and stretching out from place Massena (by your hotel). Sheltered by sienna-tiled roofs, many of the Italianate facades suggest 17 th century Genoese palaces. The old town is a maze of narrow streets, teeming with local life and studded with the least expensive restaurants in Nice. Try an onion pizza (la pissa ladiere) from one of the local vendors.

The main sea front boulevard is called the Promenade des Anglais. It is always bustling with humanity. There are tourists relaxing in the royal blue chairs lining the shore, as well as locals rollerblading, biking or jogging along it. Best of all, there are delightful (if over-priced) seaside restaurants. Overlooking Nice, and the old harbour, is the ‘Chateau‘. This is actually a small public park along with some remaining chateau ruins. Make sure you visit as the views are spectacular. You can get here on the ‘petite train’, or take the elevator up (small fee) or hike up the stairs.

Cannes Cannes grew up from a small fishing town on the south coast of France. In the 11 th century Cannes was owned by monks whose budget, fattened by wealthy pilgrims, allowed them to expand beyond their monastery to the nearby Island of St Honorat. They built a square tower on the top of the hill as a lookout post for Saracen pirates. It still stands next to the Castre Museum, in Le Suquet, Cannes' Old Town that was built on the site of a Roman military camp.

It was Lord Brougham, former British Chancellor of the Exchequer, whose visit to Cannes in 1834 established the city's reputation as a health resort among the British aristocracy. The trend spread to the French establishment and the arrival of the railway increased Cannes' accessibility. Soon the international aristocracy were playing golf and enjoying the hot and dry Mediterranean climate.

Cannes has an extravagant style of its own - the long, curvaceous, sandy beaches of ‘La Croisette’ (the Crescent), the luxury cruise boats of the Old Port, the palatial hotels, the designer shops and palm trees lining the famous sea front promenade and the gastronomic delights of the Côte d'Azur.

Cannes' moment of glory takes place in May, with the International Film Festival, when images of the stars descending the red-carpeted steps of the Palais des Festivals are flashed across TV screens worldwide. For many, this city on France's Côte d'Azur is synonymous with the glamour of this event.

Monaco Just to confuse you a little - the country is called Monaco and the capital is Monte Carlo. Yet the capital now covers the entire land mass of the country!

Monaco is for the rich and famous. The present territory of the Principality of Monaco covers 195 hectares, 31 of which have been entirely reclaimed from the sea! The population is close to 30,000 more than 83% of whom are foreigners; Monegasques number about 5,000. The ruling Grimaldi Royal family date back centuries. The official language is French but Italian and English are widely spoken and understood. There's also a Monegasque language (a very colourful dialect) used by the old nationals but also again studied in the schools of the Principality.

Monte-Carlo Casino Dress code for the Monte Carlo Casino is Smart Dress. Jeans, shorts, t-shirts, fleece jackets, trainers or any rubber soled footwear aren’t acceptable for males or females visiting the Casino. Men are advised to wear a shirt and tie. A Jacket is recommended. Please note the walk to the Casino is uphill, so we recommend sensible ‘dressy’ footwear (as mentioned above trainers and/or any rubber soled footwear isn’t acceptable).

St Paul de Vence In the foothills of the Alpes Maritimes sits the old town of St Paul de Vence with its imposing ramparts overlooking the Provençal countryside. Inspired by the stylish town and its wonderful natural light, a host of famous painters flocked here in the early 20 th century to found art schools. Later, film directors and movie stars followed and now it bursts with its artist colony and shops.