Villandry
Chinon
caves the Loire valley is famous for. Not far from Saumur is the Abbaye of Fontevraud, with its strong Plantagenet connections. You can see the effigies of Richard the Lionheart and his mother, Eleanor of Aquitaine here. From here it’ s a short drive to your next stop, amid the fertile land south of Chinon, fields of vines and sunflowers and orchards. You stay here for three nights.
DAYS SEVEN AND EIGHT On the bank of the river Vienne sits Chinon and the Chinon Fortresse Royale, dating back to the 10th century and the legend of King Arthur. On the edge of the Chinon Forest, sits the Château d’ Ussé, so elegant in its architecture and positioning that it inspired Charles Perrault’ s‘ Sleeping Beauty’. Or, to witness something very unusual, in the context of the French château tradition, tour the remarkable underground fortress at the Château de Brézé, sometimes called a château within a château. Nearby is the gem of a chateau at Azay-le-Rideau, built on an island in the Indre River, under the patronage of King Francois I. It combines French tradition and Italian innovation and typifies the style of architecture that developed in the 16th century.
Le Choiseul
What’ s included
• Eurostar standard class London to Paris return, and TGV second-class Paris to Tours return
• Hire of a group B car for 8 days
• 3 nights’ bed and breakfast in a Traditional double room at Le Choiseul, at Amboise
• 2 nights’ bed and breakfast in a Manor House double room at the Château de Noirieux near Angers
• 3 nights’ bed and breakfast in a Classic double room at the Château de Marçay near Chinon
• Concierge service and Expressions Holidays regional helpful hints
What’ s not included
• Personal holiday insurance. This is essential and cover should be in place from when you book the holiday.
• Local tourist tax, usually between Euros 1 and 3 per person per night, and payable locally to the hotel
• Transfers in Paris
DAY NINE Chinon to London You return your hire-car to Tours this morning to take the TGV back to Paris, with a change of stations, and then the Eurostar from Paris to London. There is a service that leaves Tours just after midday and you arrive in London just after 16.30 hrs.
Chateau de Noirieux
PRICES
Prices are per person based on two people sharing a double or twin room From £ 2,460
Supplements
• Standard premier on Eurostar and first class on the TGV £ 490 per person
Holiday code FRBR05
Chateau de Marcay
To speak to our specialist rail holidays team telephone 01392 441250 or see www. expressionsholidays. co. uk 31