Day 1
To reach this unique place in the world, also known as the Marvel of the Western World, the sea has to draw aside to let anyone go through. The Mont Saint Michel is at the same time a village, an island and an abbey erected on the top of the rock at almost 100 meters high (300 feet).
Since the dream of the bishop Aubert in 708 to the current abbey generations of workers, pilgrims, monks, sellers, soldiers, kings… were irreparably attracted by this site whose construction was constant from the 10th century to the 17th century. The Mont Saint Michel is located in a bay which is, like the village and the abbey, in the World Heritage List of the UNESCO and where the tides are the largest in Europe, they can be 15 meters high (45 feet).
During your private guided visit you will understand how people could start a building site 1000 years ago on the top of a rocky island, surrounded by water with the largest tides in Europe. Your private guide will explain you why the worship of Saint Michael was started here and how a part of the story was made up and by who. It is a unique journey in a very special place.
After an enjoyable lunch break (lunch not included) you will head to Amboise, a beautiful town in the Loire valley.
(Overnight in Amboise)
Day 2
Would the construction of so many castles in the Loire valley have been possible without the main «ingredient»: the Loire river, the largest one in France that crosses the country from east to west, and its numerous tributaries ?
That makes the region a very old crossroad of ideas, culture, arts and trade of course since at least the Late Antiquity. St Martin who came from Pannonia in Central Europe started the evangelization of the locals in the 4th century, Theodulf was spanish and in the 8th century was bishop of Orléans, that same city liberated by Joan of Arc 700 years later during the 100 years war.
Most of the castles in the Loire were erected above old feudal defensive fortresses by Kings, wealthy nobles who worked for the governement such as ministers, officers, tycoons…
That is why the castles and their grounds are so impressive, wealthy and manucured.
Your private guide is going to take on a journey to what was the beating heart of France until the late 16th century.
You will start your day with the visit of the Ladies Castle : CHENONCEAU
Probably the most refined castle in the Loire valley, not only thanks to its incredible location over the Cher river, tributary to the Loire river, or the furnitures or the paintings (Primaticcio, Van Loo, Murillo…) or the sculptures (Jean Goujon) or the wealthy and elegant grounds it is also thanks to several unforgettable ladies.
It is named the Ladies Castle because the Queen Catherine Di Medici, Diane of Poitiers, Louise Dupin, representative of the age of Enlightenement, were, among others, the soul and the guardian angels of this beautiful place. It is one of the jewel of the Loire Valley your private guide will take you to.
After a very pleasant drive (45 minutes) through the countryside along rivers and forest you will reach one of the charming bright lime stone village for an enjoyable lunch break.
Then you will head to CHAMBORD.
The greatest example of the Renaissance architecture started in 1519 was the will of the King François 1st.
All the aspects of the medieval defensive architecture were used to make a massive jewel in the middle of a huge well livestocked forest.
This unique castle is built around an ornamented core : the famous double helix staircase, probably designed by Leonardo Da Vinci or inspired by his notes.
Your private guide will lead you in this unique construction through the King’s appartments, The Queen’s appartments, the Parade Appartments, the 18th century Appartments…But in this royal castle whose construction lasted over than 20 years and where the king himself spent 2 months in two decades the real beating heart and place to be is the Roof Terrace. That will be the highlight and the key of your private guided visit.
In Chambord architecture is magic.
The Loire valley is one of the French wine countries so to end this day you will have a tasting of several local wines.
(overnight in Amboise)
Day 3
You will start your day with AMBOISE Castle.
Last castle of the Middle Ages and first of the Renaissance it is a perfect example of how a strategic location of a medieval fortress was turned into a pleasant spot with a royal castle and an amazing view.
The two wings left, one Gothic and one Renaissance, are an interesting example of the evolution of the architecture that was more refined from the very early 16th century due to especially the influence of all the italian artists that left Italy to follow the french kings to France during what was called the military campaigns in Italy. The most famous among these artists, who was buried in the castle, is of course Leonardo Da Vinci.
That is also a place where examples were made during the Amboise Conspiracy in 1560 and from 1848 to 1852 when it was a state prison for the Emir Abd El Kader along with 80 other people.
After an enjoyable lunch break you will enjoy your stop in VILLANDRY.
During this visit you will enjoy the best example of Renaissance gardens. The construction commissioned by Jean Le Breton, President of the Revenue Court under the king François 1st, took place between 1532 and 1536 again above foundations of 12th century fortress whose keep is still here.
In 1906 Ann Coleman and Doctor Joachim Carvallo bought the place and redesigned the original Renaissance Gardens that will leave you breathless. The gardens works were inspired by the book of Jacques Androuet Du Cerceau, french architect in the 16th century.
The Ornament Garden with all forms of love, The Water Garden, The Sun Garden, The Vegetable Garden with an amazing palette of colors, are an appealing and evocative summary of this place where people were fed, healed, had fun and loved.
Take a moment in that dream!
After such beautiful trip you will be dropped off at your accommodation.
(Entrance fee included)
