Past Tours

French Christmas Tour

1-15 December 2008

Fifteen days/fourteen nights
Seven nights - Chateau d'Amaye sure Seulles
Normandie, France
Seven nights - Paris, France

Highlights

Staying in an enchanting 18th century Chateau in the Norman country side. Nestled amongst an avenue of tricentenaire lime trees the Chateau lies a full kilometre from the nearest road, presenting uninterrupted views of the surrounding woods and park. We will visit the Bayeux Tapestry, explore wonderfully quaint villages, the tiny ancient fishing village of Honfleur, and shop for our cooking classes at local markets. Sample some of the beautiful food and wines that make the experience of France so memorable.

In Paris we will stay at The Hotel Caron de Beaumarchais. This elegant small hotel is in the Marais district, a perfect location, in one of the most charming and fashionable areas of Paris. Its cobblestone streets, elegant mansions and mix of smart boutiques, convivial wine-bars and bistros make it the "quartier branchee" of Paris.

During our stay we will be visiting galleries and museums, lively Parisian produce markets, and our French speaking guide will take us to a unique selection of shops for our Christmas shopping.

Day one: Friday 1 December

Guests meet in Paris mid morning at the Hotel Caron de Beaumarchais. We will then be transported by coas to Amaye sur Seulles. The trip should take 2.5 hours. On arrival we will be met by our hostess, Anna Ballieul. We can then settle in, explore the chateau and the surrounds. Afternoon tea will be available throughout the afternoon. Dinner will be served at the Chateau and will be early this evening so that those who are tired form the trip can retire early to their comfortable beds.

Day two: Saturday 2nd December

Breakfast will be served at the Chateau all the week. Croissants, Pain ae chocolate, homemade jam, stewed winter fruits, coffee, tea and freshly squeezed juices. This morning we are planning to visit, together with our chef, the produce marked of Honfleur. Honefleur is on the most picturesque ports in France. Characterized by high gabled roofs with slate-covered exteriors, Sainte Catherin's Quay at the centre of town is especially beautiful, and its Vieux Bassin is certainly on of the most painted harbors in the world, having been painted may times by artists, including impressionists Claude Monet and Eugene Boudin.

Day three: 3rd December

Mid morning is cooking class 1 lead by our chef. We will prepare Sunday lunch together. The menu for this is Foie Gras Crumble. Foie Gras baked in ramequins in the oven, layered with apples and pears (perfumed with calvados) with a short crust hazelnut crumble pastry on top. Also Capon stuffed with Prugne D'argen.

This afternoon please join us for a discussion on l'art de vivre in the 18th century. Anna will also show how to set a formal French table.

Day four: Monday 4th December

Day trip to Bayeux, the cradle of the dukes of Normandy and once a most important Episcopal city successively captured by the Britons, the Saxons and the Vikings. Bayeux has preserved the old historic centre and its medieval structure. Its exceptional architectural heritage emerged unscathed from the Allied bombing raids of 1944 and was the French city to be liberated. A unique masterpiece, the Bayeux Tapestry is embroidery, made form wool on linen canvas during the 11th century, is 70m long and 50cm high. It recounts, simply but with a wealth of details, how and why William the Conqueror conquered England on 14 October 1066. It is a jewel of Romanesque Art and is one the liveliest documents to survive the middle ages.

The afternoon is free time to wander and discover this beautiful town.

Day five: Tuesday 5th December

Today is a visit to the Hotel Normandy at Deauville. A divine belle époque hotel decorated by Jaques Garcia. Spend the day shopping in fashionable boutiques (e.g. Chanel and Hermes), or visit the Centre Thalasso therapie de Deauville for complete pampering from head to toe.

Diner tonight is at the Chateau de Audrieu

Day six: Wednesday 4th December

Morning visit to Caen. Already an important place in the middle Ages, Caen was seized by William the Conqueror during the XIth century.

In spite of sever destruction during the WWII bombings, a number of ancient houses and buildings have remained, some of them going back to XIth century. Caen is also famous for its Museum for Peace, built in 1988, as well for the museum of Normandy. Caen also has a thriving century filled with beautiful shops and intimate tearooms.

Mid afternoon will be cooking class II. The menu is Daube de Boeuf, a traditional Christmas dish and the Thirteen Christmas deserts (one for each participant at the last supper).

Day seven:  Thursday 7th December

Day trip to Mont Saint Michel. Le Mont-Saint-Michel is a rock, cone-shaped islet in north-western France, in the Fold of Saint-Malo, connected by a causeway to the mainland. The islet, celebrated for its Benedictine abbey, has small houses and shops on its lowest level. Above these stand the monastic buildings, many of which date from the 13th century and are considered outstanding examples of Gothic architecture. The entire islet is crowned by they abbey church, about 73m (about 240ft) above sea level. The village that grew up and around the abbey lies huddled within the fortifications and includes a Romanesque parish church remolded in the 15th century. The fortifications include crenellated ramparts, towers and a 14th century barbican, which reinforce the abbey's own defences. The tower Claudine protects the monastery entrance. If we have time on our return we can visit the D-Day beaches from WWII.

A celebratory dinner at the Chateau. Frank will be joining us and sharing his extensive knowledge of French wines with us.

Day eight: Friday 8th December

Au revoirs to our friends at Chateau d'amaye sur Selles. Departure for Paris after breakfast. A coach will return the group to Paris. Lunch in the local bistro in the Marais. The rest of the day is at leisure.

 Day nine: Saturday 9th December

Visit to the Musee de l'Orangerie. Jardin des Tuileries. The Orangeries offers a highly original insight into Modern Art, featuring Cezanne, Renoir, Picasso, Rousseau, Matisse, Derain, Modigliani, Sautine, Utrillo and Laurencin. A visit to the area St Germain des Pres to visit the wonderful shops there. This is the area bordered by the left bank of the Seine and is famous for its beautiful shops and for the radical intellectuals who made this their base at the turn of the century. A visit to laduree for the afternoon tea. Savour the towering cakes, and then sample the famous macaroons. Raspberry, blackcurrant, vanilla, pistachio and many other creamy fillings, all sandwiched between crisp, chewy almond biscuits. The gift wrapping here is delightful.

Tonight is at leisure. Highly recommended is a visit to the Paris Opera Garnier. Built between 1862 and 1875 by Charles Garnier, the Paris opera is a baroque example of neo-classicism: It has an ornamented facade, monumental stairs and Italian type hall with Chagall painting on the ceiling. Marais Callas and Tudolph Nureyev are among the many artists who its history as one of the world's foremost scenic stages for opera and ballet alike. Tonight is a performance of the beautiful ballet Giselle. Tickets must be organized for even well in advance.

Day ten: Sunday 10th December

A walking tour to the Marcha au Bastille. This is a lively market, filled with locals shopping for their Sunday lunch. Brunch at the Musee Jacquemart Andre. The afternoon is free to wander in the marais. Listen to the castrate singing in the Place de Vosges, pay a visit to Musee Picasso or visit to the Musee Cognacq-Jay. Ernest Cognacq and his wife, Louise Jay, were fabled for the exquisite taste. This museum is found in the 16th century Hotel Denon.

Day eleven: Monday 11th December

Today is a free day for shopping. Anna and I are more than happy to help you plan for your day so that it is tailored to your individual shopping requirements.

Day twelve: Tuesday 12th December

A visit to the Musee D'orsay Palais Royale. This museum houses the greatest collection of French 19th century art in the world. The collection includes some of the most famous paintings by Courbet, Manet, Monet, Pissaro, Degas, Cezanne, Van Gogh and other great masters. Afternoon is free.

Dinner tonight is with Leticia Bechy. After dinner we will see Paris by night. The Christmas lights on the Champs Elyse'es and the window displays in the area of the Grande Magasins.

Day thirteen: Wednesday 13th December

Today Leticia will be showing those secret parts of Paris that give the city so much charm and character. Wear you walking shoes and bring your sketch books and cameras.

Day fourteen: Thursday 14th December

The tour concludes. Transfers from the hotel to the airport can be arranged for those who are leaving France.