Beautiful Summer Gardens of Central France

FULLY BOOKED

Overview

Spring has changed to summer and the glorious gardens are in fragrant bloom. The La Creuzette team has orchestrated the opportunity to experience a unique glimpse of a magnificent overview of French traditional and contemporary botanical and architectural design. From the spectacular formal gardens of Vaux-le-Vicomte on the outskirts of Paris to Villandry and Chenonceau in the Loire region, finally arriving in la Creuse and enjoying all that the centre of France has to offer. Join us on this remarkable expedition.


Cost Breakdown

La Creuzette holiday programmes are carefully compiled to ensure that you have the ultimate, hassle-free luxury holiday experience. Our all-inclusive land arrangement means that everything aside from flights, Schengen visas and personal expenses are taken care of as follows:

  • €3 500 per person sharing
  • Transfer from Paris through the Loire and to our hotel in Tours
  • One night's stay in an hotel in Tours in double or twin rooms
  • Transport from Tours to La Creuzette
  • Luxurious accommodation at La Creuzette for the 6 nights / 7 days
  • Full board accommodation (i.e. all meals with drinks, also at restaurants we visit)
  • All excursions (châteaux, gardens, markets) including entrance fees and gratuities
  • All cooking demonstrations and guest chefs
  • Transport to Châteauroux railway station and return train journey to Paris at the end of the week


A non-refundable deposit of €1 000 secures your booking with the balance due on or before your arrival at La Creuzette. A single supplement of €650 for the week applies for single occupation.


Itinerary

Day 1 (Sunday, 2 June)

This morning we meet at a central point in Paris. From here, we depart for the Vaux-le-Vicomte estate, 55 km outside Paris. This château is referred to as ‘the most beautiful in the world’ as you will see when we are there. After lunch at their restaurant, we continue our visit to the château and its gardens which made Andre le Notre famous. We then drive to the water garden of the French Renaissance Château de Courances, with its five centuries of history. The unique and celebrated water features of Courances are fed by the 14 natural springs that grace its magnificent park. Later, we drive to the Loire Region, check in at our hotel in Tours, and enjoy an early dinner at a nearby bistro.

Day 2 (Monday, 3 June)

After breakfast, we load up our luggage and drive to the evolutionary gardens of Villandry, the epitome of French formal garden style, known since Renaissance times for their incomparable beauty. We enjoy a light lunch at their restaurant before continuing to the beautiful Château de Chenonceau where unusual floral arrangements adorn each room. We visit the magnificent castle and wander through their exquisite garden. Later, we depart for Boussac. We have a gourmet dinner at the world-renowned truck stop L’Escale village (which boasts amongst other features no fewer than 9 full-time pastry chefs) en route to La Creuzette, your château holiday residence. Relax and unwind and settle into your rooms.

Day 3 (Tuesday, 4 June)

Breakfast will be served at 09:00 in the main dining room. Our excursions today take us to the Ateliers de la Marche in Aubusson. We first explore the picturesque village of Aubusson where French tapestries and carpets have been woven and restored for centuries. The Cité de la Tapisserie with superb collections of ancient and contemporary tapestries is our first destination. Lunch will be enjoyed at one of the restaurants on the banks of the river Creuse, and later we also visit a master weaver’s studio, the cartoon (tapestry pattern) museum, and a restorer of antique masterpieces. We head back to La Creuzette and meet in the dining room of the summerhouse at 19h30 for a glass of champagne followed by dinner.


Day 4 (Wednesday, 5 June)

After breakfast, we travel to the picturesque village of Apremont on the banks of the Allier River. Listed as one of the “most beautiful villages of France”, it is home to the romantic “French Folly” gardens. Here you find rare trees, floral borders, a Chinese bridge, and a Turkish pavilion that seems to float at the edge of a lake. We have lunch in the gardens at Bistro de la Lavoir with time afterward to amble through the rest of the village. We return to La Creuzette for cocktails and a cooking demonstration presented by a guest chef. Dinner follows.

Day 5 (Thursday, 6 June)

Today is market day in Boussac. After breakfast, we wander among the colourful market stalls which are laden with fresh fruit and vegetables, fragrant soap from Marseilles, and other artisanal products from the region. Here we find inspiration for our lunch menu. Using the fresh ingredients selected at the market, lunch will be prepared and enjoyed at the long stone table in front of the La Creuzette summer kitchen. After lunch, we take a short drive to the Priory garden at Notre Dame d’Orsan (the inspiration for the garden design at Babylonstoren in Franschhoek and now also The Newt in Somerset, UK). We spend the rest of the afternoon in this magical creation of pure delight, before returning to La Creuzette for cocktails and dinner.

Day 6 (Friday, 7 June)

We breakfast at 9.00 a.m. Our excursion today takes us to the remarkable Arboretum de la Sedelle. The gentle relationship of the successive gardens in this magic valley descending towards the Sedelle, with its different natural environments, makes it a unique example of a contemporary gardened landscape. Lovingly established in 1980 by Philippe Wanty and his wife Nell, it is possible to view over 500 trees and shrubs of which the owner has an intimate knowledge which he generously shares with an infectious passion. We enjoy a delicious picnic lunch ‘sur place’ under the trees whilst breathing in the beauty of the surrounds. Later, we return to La Creuzette, where you will have time to pack before we meet for drinks, followed by our farewell dinner.


Day 7 (Saturday, 8 June)

After a leisurely breakfast, we have some time to relax at La Creuzette before departing for Châteauroux where your fast train to Paris awaits.


Please note that this itinerary may be amended to accommodate suppliers, service providers and the weather.

Terms and Conditions apply

02 Jun 2024 - 08 Jun 2024

€ 3 500 per person sharing

  • Transfer from Paris through the Loire and to our hotel in Tours
  • One night’s stay in an hotel in Tours in double or twin rooms
  • Transport from Tours to La Creuzette
  • Luxurious accommodation at La Creuzette for the 6 nights / 7 days
  • Full board accommodation (i.e. all meals with drinks, also at restaurants we visit)
  • All excursions (châteaux, gardens, markets) including entrance fees and gratuities
  • All cooking demonstrations and guest chefs
  • Transport to Châteauroux railway station and return train journey to Paris at the end of the week

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