Day 1 - Travel via short sea crossing to Calais and continue the journey to Chateau de Montvillargenne arriving with time to relax before the evening meal.
Day 2 - Chateau de Chantilly, Park & Musée Vivant du Cheval
Depart after breakfast
and travel the short distance to Chateau de Chantilly which was once home to
the Princes of Condé and the son of King Louis Philippe, it contains a collection
of paintings that many say is second in the world, only to the Louvre.
The surrounding park offers visitors the opportunity to stroll around its vast 17th
century grounds. Situated within the Chateau estate, the Musée Vivant du
Cheval (Living Horse Museum) has stables, which are widely recognised as the
most beautiful in the world. Renowned in the 18th century for hunting, the
“Great Stables" housed 240 horses and up to 500 hounds. Now a museum, it
not only still houses some beautiful horses, but also offers an insight into the
history of the horse and there are daily dressage shows within the stunning “Dome".
Day 3 -vMonet’s Gardens & la Roche-Guyon
Drive to the border of Normandy and into
the region of the impressionist painters, this morning, start with a visit to
Monet’s Gardens; admire the gardens that are so recognisable from his
masterpieces. Continue the short distance to the picturesque village of La
Roche-Guyon for lunch and then it’s on to the chateau, which sits in the rock
face, overlooking the Seine. Situated in national parkland the views are
particularly green and attractive. Entry to Monet’s Garden is approximately
5 euros pp. Entry to Chateau Roche-Guyon is approximately 8 euros pp.
(payable locally)
Day 4 - Amiens
Depart homewards stopping at Amiens, the ancient capital of Picardy,
set on the south bank of the Somme. An old town with a labyrinth of narrow
streets crisscrossed by canals, the city's focal point is its famous Gothic
cathedral, one of France's finest. There are many fine cafés and restaurants
lining the canal, which make a delightful setting to enjoy a coffee or a beer
before continuing to Calais and the return crossing.