Arrival in France at Paris CDG airport – Welcome by France Golf Tours – Transfer to Loire Valley.
Visit of Château de Chenonceau Château de Chenonceau is a jewel of French Renaissance built in 1513 by Thomas Bohier, François the 1st Intendant of Finance. The first part of the Château de Chenonceau was the simple rectangular four-towered block with steeply pitched roof standing on piles in the River Cher This castle is now worldwide renowned for its five-arched bridge over the Cher river and was devoted to many Kings’ wives, including Diane de Poitiers, « la toujours belle », and Catherine de Medicis, « la fastueuse » who inspired the magnificent gardens in front of the castle.
Welcome cocktail and Arrival Dinner at Domaine de la Tortinière
Lodging at Domaine de la Tortinière In the heart of the Loire valley Chateaux country, between Chenonceau and Villandry castles, Domaine de la Tortinière is a charming family owned chateau hotel built in the 19e century with a delightful park overlooking the Indre river. The property offers 24 rooms and 6 apartments designed with charm and refinement, preserving the chateau atmosphere: History, vineyards, "Art de vivre à la Française" delightful and harmonious landscape, that is what visitors will enjoy in this peaceful place.
Day 2
Cooking class at Domaine de la Tortinière In the heart of Touraine region and its famous Douceur de Vivre, Olivier and Anne Olivereau will make you discover the culinary secrets of their preparation through first hand experience in a 3 hours cooking lesson including some wine discussion. Cooking session will be followed by lunch with dishes prepared during the cooking class
Visit of Tours City of Art and History, ancient Gallo-Roman city, then capital of the Kingdom of France, Tours enjoy, an exceptional place at the centre of the famous Loire valley chateaux, in the heart of the garden of France TOURS is also the original home of the French language and the "art de vivre", which of course includes eating and appreciating fine wines, giving the city an appropriate gourmet's paradise reputation. Rich in history and a well preserved heritage, Tours is a city of captivating charm, with a lively and convivial atmosphere due to the numerous street markets which animate all the areas of the city.
Then suggested visits of:
Le Manach Silk factory located on the right bank of the Loire river for a guided visit. Founded in 1829 this factory is run by the same family for 5 generations. It stocks, creates and reproduces copies from old documents of high quality either woven or printed from the 17th c. to 1930. You will discover an operational and real "conservatory" with approximately 80 hand looms upon which was added the Jacquard mechanism , most of them are 130 cm wide. All the equipment is classified and belong to the "Historical Monuments". You will see from the reeling to the weaving, the making of prestigious upholstery fabrics, ordered by decorators, museum curators, or owners of historical monuments throughout the world: Fontainebleau, Compiegne, and Vaux-le-Vicomte châteaux; Luxembourg Grand-Ducal Palace, the Sans Soucis Palace in Potsdam, Paul Guetty Museum in Los Angeles, etc. Explanatory video.
La Livre Tournois-Poirault In this famous Tours confectionery, the oldest in the city (1807), you will see how old-fashioned barley sugar sticks, flavoured with vanilla and elderberry blossom, are made, and you will taste some. You will also love the other homemade specialities: Tours style stuffed prunes and the muscadine. You will crunch a "Livre Tournois", a chocolate copy of the coin used all over the Centre West region for eight centuries, and which was stamped in Tours. Finally, you will taste the " Nougat de Tours", a famous local cake.
Lodging at Domaine de la Tortinière
Day 3
Golf at Tours Ardrée golf course Amid the most famous Loire valley castles (Villandry, Azay le Rideau…), Tours Ardrée golf Course is a lush parkland course containing magnificent old oak trees. The fairways, bordered by pretty manor houses, thread their way through the trees and water hazards, leading to large but well-protected greens.
Wine tasting visit at Château de l’Aulée, a Loire vineyard since 1856
Visit of Château de Villandry Gardens Villandry is renowned for the harmony of its architecture and is the last of the great Renaissance Châteaux built on the banks of the Loire. Originally, a feudal stronghold stood on the spot where Philip Augustus king of France and Henry II Plantagenet king of England met on July 4, 1189. Visitors are impressed by the splendour of its courtyard, the elegance of its facades reflected in the still water of the moat and the charm of its XVIIIth century state room. Villandry, undoubtedly owes its fames to the splendid and unique terraces of gardens which encase it like a jewelled casket.
Lodging at Domaine de la Tortinière
Day 4
Cooking class at Domaine de la Tortinière In the heart of Touraine region and its famous Douceur de Vivre, Olivier and Anne Olivereau will make you discover the culinary secrets of their preparation through first hand experience in a 3 hours cooking lesson including some wine discussion. Cooking session will be followed by lunch with dishes prepared during the cooking class
Visit of Usse Castle Usse Castle was built on the foundation of an 11th century fortress. Because of its combination of beauty and fortress like appearance, it is believed that Perrault wrote his famous story, “Sleeping Beauty,” based on Usse. The castle played another part in history when it stood as a model for the design of Disney’s famous Cinderella’s Castle in Disney World. Designers used this and other castles of the Loire Valley. Looking at a picture of the two, it is easy to see the similarities between the them.
Lodging at Domaine de la Tortinière
Day 5 Departure for Paris. On the way:
Golf at Les Aisses golf course Located in the heart of the Sologne forest, Les Aisses is a 27-hole international class golf course set in magnificent oak, pine, and silver birch woods. In addition to the serenity of this place, visitors will enjoy the diversity of this challenging course which offers a remarkable combination of huge bunkers and water hazards along the fairways. Les Aisses is definitely worth the look.
Lodging at Relais Christine On the remains of a 13th century abbey founded by Saint-Louis, was built three centuries later the vast mansion which now houses the Relais Christine. Within a stone’s throw of Notre Dame Cathedral, the Relais Christine is located in the heart of Saint-Germain des Prés, a district bustling with life, famous for its intellectual and artistic circles. Tucked in the end of a narrow street, the Relais Christine is a real haven of peace set back in a cobbled, flower-filled courtyard. This delightful and luxurious hotel preserves the intimacy of its guests as in a private residence, and the comfortable rooms and suites offer a warm and historical atmosphere.
Day 6
Fashion guided tour in Paris All over the world Paris is considered as fashion’s capital. The "fashion and design Tour" is a guided shopping tour featuring visits to fashion stores, as well as interior decoration and design stores, galleries and designer showrooms, filled with unexpected encounters with those who make the news in the design world in Paris: creators and designers who assert their originality while representing contemporary trends. A unique and appealing way to explore Paris design and to pick up brand new ideas for dressing and decorating
Discover Montmartre’s secret vineyards; including wine tasting with an accordionist, the traditional music of Montmartre. You will start by a personalized visit of the vines of Montmartre, exceptionally open for you, where one of our local guides will make you to discover this privileged site, closed to the public. After the visit, you will pass by a secret passage of Montmartre to arrive at Montmartre Museum. Our guide will introduce you the astonishing collections of this museum, before opening the doors of the Demarne Hotel (also closed to the public) whose gardens are contiguous to the museum. You will then taste the very rare wine of the “Montmartre Vineyards” with an oenologist. A dinner, in the pure French gastronomical tradition, will be served in a typically Montmartrean establishment, or in a room of the Museum. The dinner will be animated by a “sommelier” who will make you discover a wine selection chosen in agreement you’re your meals.
Lodging at Relais Christine
Day 7
Golf at Paris International Club golf course Located within 15 miles from the French Capital, Paris International Club is the only golf course designed by Jack Nicklaus in France. This hilly parkland course with great water hazards and island greens is a championship eighteen holes which has hosted the French Ladies Open part of the European PGA tour. With its impeccable fairways and manicured greens, Paris International Club is one of the highest quality course in Paris area. It is also a very exclusive golf country club, member of ClubCorp, featuring an outstanding traditional clubhouse and luxury facilities.
Sightseeing and shopping in Paris.
Champs Elysées, Montmartre, Le Louvre Museum, Saint-Germain des Près, Notre Dame Cathedral, The Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, …
Cruise Dinner on the Seine River in Paris
Lodging at Relais Christine
Day 8 Transfer to Paris CDG airport – Departure.
Transportation
Your vehicle with English speaking driver : VIP coach 12 to 15 seats with tables, air conditioned, leather seats, refrigerator, cd player.
Ladies Golf Tour in France - 2009
Cooking, Fashion & Art
8 days / 7 nights / 3 golf rounds
Prices indicated are per person, based on double occupancy for a minimum of 8 persons.
Price per golfer
Single supplement
8 participants
3375€
1025€
16 participants
2975€
1025€
Including : * Lodging in a twin bedded room in four star properties * Daily buffet breakfast * 3 rounds of golf with pre-booking of tee times * Chauffeur driven service for all ground transportation * Welcome cocktail on arrival day * 2 dinners (including cruise dinner in Paris) * 2 cooking sessions (half day each) followed by lunch, including drinks * 2 wine tasting visits at Chateau de l’Aulée, in the Loire Valley, and Montmartre’s secret Vineyard in Paris * Availability of a professional guide for Loire Valley Castles visit (1 full day or 2 half days) * Fashion guided tour in Paris * Entry tickets to visits mentioned Guided Tour * Travel book including all travel documents and sightseeing suggestions * Meet and greet service * France Golf Tours assistance and services * All local taxes
Not included : * Meals, excepted those mentioned above * Drinks, tips and other personal expenses * Electric golf carts rental or caddies
Attention : the hotels, golf courses, and visits indicated in the program are subject to availability according to the clients’ travelling time.
