Day Trips & Tours
Visit some of the world's most exclusive and private cellars in Champagne
Your guide will collect you from your hotel, with a few croissants, coffee and newspapers, then it's a comfortable 45 minutes journey via minibus before arriving in the scenic area of Champagne.
Before lunch you will explore surrounding vineyards, meet a wine maker, learn about what makes this 'terroir' so unique, the history, fermentation, bottling and sample at least 3 champagnes. Champagnes houses vary depending on the time of year but you will visit at least 3 well known brands such as Krug and Tattinger.
The elite champagne houses can be very difficult to access and all must be pre-booked, there's no "drop-in" policy in Champagne.
Your guide however will escort you to some of the more prestigious brands such as Veuve Clicquot, Tattinger, Ruinart where you'll receive a warm welcome and tour of the facilities.
Then it's off to Reims for a traditional french lunch in a quaint bistro, a stroll in the city and a guided tour at the Reims Cathedral where 26 French kings were crowned. A few more Champagne houses in Reims before enjoying a chilled glass, or two, at the end to celebrate your new-found knowledge of this special district in France.
Prices includes: All hotel pick up and drop off, lunch and guided tours - plus all the information you can retain about champagne and several tastings. Cost is 150€ per adult.
Why Go: a wonderful and stress free day in the French Country side with a professional guide. Lunch and morning tea included.
Chateau de Fontainebleau
One of the largest and most elegant chateaus in France. Rich in history, architecture and design. It was favoured by many a King and Queen for hunting in the vast forest, now classified National Park and extremely popular with bush walkers and climbers.
Situated about an hour’s drive from Paris by car, (you can also take a coach or train) this small town is interesting enough for an overnight stay. There are a number of quaint restaurants, shops and antique outlets. While visiting the chateau, don’t miss Henry IV's 'jeu de paume', this ‘real tennis’ court (a precusor to tennis today) is one of the largest; it was a game once played all over France. I believe you can still receive lessons by some very good pros.
Should you wish transportation or a guided tour please email us your detail and we will advise an all inclusive quote.
www.musee-chateau-fontainebleau.fr
Chateau de Versailles
Spend a night in town you'll have more time to enjoy the grounds and history and more time for the many out-buildings like ‘Le Petit Trianon’, resplendent from a recent renovation, and the ‘Le Grand Trianon’ which now hosts two restaurants by Gordon Ramsay.
If you arrive early, rent yourself a golf buggy for easy touring. Be warned, these buggies are very popular. Otherwise there’s the ‘petit train’ but so much more fun to stop and go when you please.
Summer Spectacles:
GRANDES EAUX MUSICALES: from April to 26 October, Saturdays, Sundays and holidays
Evening Fireworks:
Held in the months of August and beginning of September. A historical, aquatic and fireworks display, on the Neptune Basin, with the facades of the Palace as a theatrical backdrop
Reservations are required for all of the above:
Information and tickets:
+33 (0)1 30 83 78 89 : www.chateauversailles-spectacles.fr
Petit Trianon - After an extensive 5 Million euros renovation, don't miss Marie-Antoinette's preferred Versailles building.
Information and reservations at +33 (0)1 39 20 78 10 or www.cmbv.com or accueil@cmbv.com
Trains and buses leave regularly from Paris (every 20 minutes or so). By Train Ligne RER C direction Versailles-rive-gauche-chateau or from Montparnasse a SNCF train direction Versailles-Chantiers. You can catch a RER C to Versailles from Gare d’Austerlitz, St Michel-Notre Dame, Musee d’Orsay, Invalides, Pont de l’Alma or Champ de Mars-Tour Eiffel. Tariff: €6 round trip.
Bus – Pont de Sèvres ligne 171.
If you would like a private Tour or to walk in the footsteps of Marie Antoinette, please email us your details and we will advise an all inclusive quote. Book your tickets online to avoid queues.
www.chateauversailles.fr
Giverny
The former home and famous gardens of Monet. Many a ‘tableaux’ were painted here and the scenes from these gardens in galleries around the world. Visit the Japanese Bridge, Waterlily pond and of course his beloved kitchen. Each month brings with it a different flower. See their website for full flowering details.
There are numerous tour companies operating out of Paris. It is about 55 km east of Paris. You can take the train from Gare Saint Lazare to Vernon. Once you arrive in the station take a taxi or bus or walk around 4 miles one-way. The train tickets are around €25 round-trip allow 55 minutes each way.
Open daily from 9.30am to 6.00pm from April 1 to October 31.
Tip: Try renting a bike from the village or the Café du Chemin de Fer opposite the train station. However if you prefer a door-to-door service, let us know
giverny.org
Vaux Le Viacomte
Besides its spectacular beauty and history (Vaux was the tragic setting for the downfall of the famous Minister Fouquet who received life imprisonment for a crime he did not commit, he was imprisoned by the Louis XIV for daring to build a chateau that outshone his own!) its also the setting for many a French and Hollywood movie.
Take a horse-driven carriage around the grounds and learn more about the meticulous methods of maintaining a french garden. ‘Candlelight evenings’ are held between May and October on Saturdays but change to Fridays in July and August.
Children won’t be bored, especially if they choose to dress up as either a Prince or musketeer. Costumes can be hired on weekend and school holidays for 4€
Train from Gare de Lyon, then a shuttle bus to the chateau (or six minutes via taxi)
6 September 2008 (check for 2009) over candles light up the grounds.
New: Test period only: Shuttle from Paris to centre Vaux le Vicomte. Departs rue de Rivoli, Paris Vision office. Rates 40€ pp includes entry, see more info at www.parisvision.com.
Would you like private transportation and guide? Email us your details and we will revert.
www.vaux-le-vicomte.com
Chateau Chantilly
A beautiful 16th chateau with over 7,000 hectares of parkland and a fascinating history throughout the Medieval Ages and Renaissance until the museum it is today. From the grand apartments to the vast and exquisite library and even more important treasures in the galleries.
Stroll around the French and English gardens. A wonderful day in the French countryside among all things royal. Don't miss the very special 'living horse' Museum
Night of Fireworks 12, 13 & 14 June, 2008.
Approximately one hour from Paris. Take a tour coach or the a train line from the Gare du Nord or Châtelet (45 minutes) then a bus or taxi to the chateau. Closed Tuesdays.
Should you wish a guided tour we can provide an expert guide who can advise you about the very special art collection and history of the chateau or simply the transportation to the chateau and various attractions in the area.
www.chateaudechantilly.com
Chateau Malmaison
Once home to Joséphine de Beauharnais which she bought for herself and Napoleon 1. It was her favourite place to stay and she spent a lavish amount of money and time refurbishing the home. She retained the house after her divorce and stayed their until her death in 1814.
Exhibition: 22 October until 27 Jan 2009 -'De Pompéi à Malmaison, les antiques de Joséphine' In collaboration with the Louvre a collection of paintings and antiques
You can travel by train via the RER A line to ‘Grand Arche de la Defense’ station and then a bus 258 to the chateau.
Open 1 Oct – 31 March 10am – 12.30 then 1.30 5.15pm. Closed Tuesdays.
1 April - 30 September 10am – 5.45pm (no lunchtime closure). Entry €4.50.
www.musees-nationaux-napoleoniens.org
Ave du chateau 92500 Rueil-Malmaison t: 01 41 29 05 55
Musée d'Art Américain - Giverny
Portrait of a Lady - paintings by American artists John Singer Sargent, Thomas Easkins, John Alexander and others depicting images of women from 1870-1915. Many of these works were purchased by the French government for display in salons and French galleries.
1 April - 14 July 2008.
www.maag.org
99 rue Claude Money Giverny t: 02 32 51 94 65