Chablis, Champagne, Chateaux & More with a Chef

Arrive this morning in the City of Lights where you will be met by our Premier Tours & Travel representative for a group transfer into Paris (preferred arrival for group transfer by 10 AM).

Embark on the final stretch of your journey to your chateau near Montargis in the Loire Valley for the next five nights. Settle into your room and into the magic of a castle steeped in history and modern in its comforts and charm. The owner of this 17^th-century castle is a culinary artisan and she will welcome you with a traditional dinner this evening.

*Continental breakfast daily.

Set off this morning to an enchanted forest and the charming village alongside it: Barbizon.

Barbizon was once the base for the kings of France to hunt in the nearby Fôret de Fontainebleau. Enjoy a guided walking tour to learn about a group of painters who discovered the rural beauty of the Barbizon landscapes and created the Barbizon School of painting, which was dedicated to a new realism portraying everyday life. Walk along the main street and find a succession of beautiful homes, shops, and art galleries. Following, enjoy a light picnic lunch in the Fôret de Fontainebleau before a guided visit of the historic Château de Fontainebleau. The castle was a base for the Kings of France for about seven centuries with almost no interruption. Because of its historical importance to France, the chateau has been officially recognized as an UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Cross into the Burgundy region today to the town of Auxerre. Experience an authentic, vibrant French market to purchase items for the Chef’s dinners before exploring with your local guide the charming old town of this “Villes d’Art et Histoire,” (a protected historic site in France).

Head to Chablis, the “Golden Gate of Burgundy,” to experience this charming, iconic village famous for its namesake wine. The village is surrounded by vines for as far as the eye can see, which are exclusively Chardonnay grapes. Enjoy a guided tour of the old village, nestled on the banks of the River Serein, and venture out to a private Chablis winery tour and tasting with lunch among the vines. Return to the chateau with time to relax before assisting (as much or as little as you wish) with the evening’s Chef’s dinner.

Embark on a full-day adventure to the city of Orléans, which is in heart of the Loire Valley. Enjoy a guided visit to Les Halles Châtelet Orléans, including tastings of local products such as Cotignac, Mazet pralines, Jargeau sausage, and regional wines selected by our Expert Host as you wander through the market, and shop for ingredients for the Chef’s dinner. Following, take a guided tour of the historic center — an UNESCO World Heritage Site —to see such sites as beautiful Martroi Square and the Orléans Cathedral, and learn of the deep and cherished history of the city’s patron saint, Joan of Arc. Enjoy time at leisure for lunch, shopping, or visiting one of the many excellent museums before returning to the chateau to relax before the evening’s Chef’s dinner.

Spend today exploring Sancerre, France in the Loire Valley. Sancerre is a small town situated above the Loire River. Sancerre village is on a low hill from where you can look out over miles of the countryside. Enjoy a guided tour of the medieval old town and explore what this region is best known for: Sancerre wine and Crottin de Chavignol (goat cheese). Visit an acclaimed Sancerre winery and taste their exceptional wines with lunch. Return to the chateau for your final hands-on Chef’s dinner.

Depart the chateau this morning for Reims, which is the capital of the unofficial champagne wine capital of the world. What’s more, every single French King, from 987 to Charles X in the 19th century, was crowned at the Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Reims — an UNESCO World Heritage Site. Enroute visit a renowned champagne house for a tour and tasting. After checking into your 4* Superior accommodations for the next two nights, reconnect with the group for a city tour of Reims to immerse yourself in the history and enjoy a tasting of the famous pink “Boudoir” biscuit. Return to the hotel, which is conveniently located to explore at leisure this evening.

Start the day with a visit to an acclaimed champagne house. Enjoy a guided tour and tasting before transferring to Epernay for lunch at leisure and a brief guided tour, including Avenue de Champagne, which is lined on both sides by magnificent private dwellings constructed by the Champagne houses and now an UNESCO World Heritage site. Arrive at a boutique champagne house for a guided tour and tasting. Return to the hotel for time at leisure before enjoying a traditional regional dinner with the group.

Bravo, Champagne! Depart for Versailles, France to finish your tour in royal fashion. Enroute, visit the village of Meaux — home of the famous Brie de Meaux cheese — for lunch in a charming auberge. Enjoy some time at leisure before departing for Versailles. Arrive at your 4* Superior accommodations for your final two nights in France. Your evening is at leisure.

Enjoy a guided tour of Versailles Palace and visit its beautiful royal gardens today with no-wait access. The balance of the afternoon will be at leisure to explore the city of Versailles for any last-minute shopping or tastings. Reconnect with the group this evening for a farewell to France dinner.

Say au revoir to France this morning. Check out of the hotel and a group transfer to the airport.