Join beloved Indagare Art History Club host Page Knox for a journey through the Loire Valley, lower Normandy and Giverny in the region’s most inspired season: Spring. While staying at romantic and pampering retreats like Les Sources de Cheverny and Domaine de Primard—which present a contemporary take on the traditional French country estate—you’ll have special access to the most spectacular historic châteaux and gardens for private tours with Page—as well as horticultural expert and Insider Journey host Amy Kupec Larue—as you learn about the landscapes that inspired such masters as Claude Monet, Pierre-Auguste Rodin, Vincent Van Gogh and many others. While savoring this beautiful area’s many aesthetic and natural delights, there will also be plenty of opportunities to indulge in the Loire Valley’s world-famous farm-to-table cuisine and wine. It will be a true education in the French L’Art de Vivre!
The health and safety of our travelers is our No. 1 priority. We are committed to upholding the highest safety standards, while providing world-class hospitality and a seamless travel experience. For more information and questions about specific protocols that have been put into place to make your trip as safe as possible, as well as entry/exit requirements for France, please reach out to our team at insiderjourneys@indagare.com.
What to Expect
Itinerary highlights include:
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The country seat of French royalty since the 1500s, the Loire Valley is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that boasts Renaissance-era castles, sprawling gardens, rural villages, forests and vineyards that offer an intimate, well-curated view into France’s aristocratic traditions and spectacular art and design. With expert-guided tours led by art historian Page Knox and horticultural expert Amy Kupec Larue, this itinerary offers privileged entrance into the region’s most impressive châteaux, gardens and estates, including: Château de Cheverny (a showcase for French decorative arts and furnishings), Château de Chenonceau (the most-visited private château in France), Château du Clos Lucé (a 15th-century castle where Leonardo da Vinci lived and worked for the last years of his life), Château de Chambord (the most monumental of the Loire Valley castles) and Domaine du Champs de Bataille (which was restored to its full glory by famed designer Jacques Garcia). Highlights will include tours before these sites open to the public, meetings with estates’ owners and curators, private meals and more.
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Explore Giverny, the former home and great muse of Claude Monet. You will have the chance to explore his house and gardens, which inspired the celebrated Water Lilies series, among many other great works.
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Enjoy vineyard visits and tastings in an exploration of the Loire Valley’s famed wine culture.
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Soak in the beauty, elegance and joie de vivre of the French countryside while staying at two gorgeous luxury hotels: Les Sources de Cheverny (a pastoral estate envisioned by Alice and Jerome Tourbier, with a spa by Caudalie) and Domaine de Primard (a historic property in Normandy that was formerly the home of actress Catherine Deneuve).
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Connect with fellow travelers who share your interests and passions over fantastic, farm-to-table French meals.
- Worry less, experience more: Indagare’s expert Insider Journeys team will help you navigate a safe and rewarding travel experience—and help plan custom trip extensions. Plus: You’ll have complimentary 24/7 access to the emergency medical, security and evacuation services of Global Rescue, while on the ground.
Please note that elements of the itinerary may change.
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WhenApril 19 - 24, 2022
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Length6 days / 5 nights
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Type of TravelerArt Lovers , Intellectuals , Ultimate Indulgers
