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Burgundy, Alps & Loire
France's heartland- palatial châteaux, classic cuisine and Alpine beauty...
Burgundy & Alps
Burgundy. Vineyard covered hills
dominate the Burgundy landscape, with the ruby-red wines renowned the world over and lavishly used in cuisine à la bourguignonne. The lush countryside is ideal for en plein air pursuits, including serene barge cruises on the Yonne and Saône, cycling through scenic Chablis vineyards and wildlife spotting trails through Morvan Natural Regional Park. Throughout the region are the rich architectural legacies of a prosperous and powerful past, including ornate Romanesque abbeys at the hilltop village of Vézelay, Dijon's many medieval splendours and grand Renaissance châteaux at Ancy and Tanlay.
Highlights at a glance...
· Visit the acclaimed Musée des Beaux
Loire Valley Arts in the sophisticated regional capital Dijon, and pop in to a pâtisserie for a delicious slice of pain d'épices.
· In the pretty riverside town of Sens, on
the banks of the Yonne, admire the magnificent stained glass window in France's earliest Gothic cathedral and stop by the treasure trove museum of Gallo-Roman artefacts.
· From the enchanting riverside town of
Auxerre, tour the picturesque Chablis vineyards and cherry-tree scattered hills of St Bris le Vineux, sampling the town's excellent sauvignon blanc in the 11th century cellars behind the church.
Alps. To ski snow capped peaks, walk flower-filled valleys and raft white-water rivers, the French Alps are one of the world's greatest adventure playgrounds and a genuine destination for all seasons.
Chenonceaux castle, Pays de la Loire Asnan near Corbigny, Burgundy
· Take your pick of adrenaline Alpine sports
in Chamonix, including snowboarding, mountaineering and paragliding or take a breathtaking cable car ride up Mont Blanc.
Loire Valley. Along the lush lower reaches of France's longest river, wealthy nobility through history constructed ever more impressive châteaux to outdo their rivals, with Chambord, Chenonceau, Chinon and Villandry magnificent examples of their grand ambitions. Today, hot-air balloon flights depart from the beautiful chateaux backdrops offering the ultimate heady view of the valley's spectacles and scenery.
Renowned for producing the greatest variety of well-known fine wines, the Loire vineyard `caves' are also a regional highlight to sample crisp white Muscadet, Vouvray or Sancerre, rich Bourgeuil red or refreshing Rose d'Anjou and the superb sparkling Saumur vintages.
Loire Valley
· Wander among charming Annecy's
medieval old town, down to the scenic lake shore with the Alps towering behind, for a cruise, canoe or pedal boat ride.
· The historic capital of Anjou and a
quintessential Loire city, Angers highlights include the Cointreau museum and 13th century château displaying the medieval Tapestry of the Apocalypse, over 100m in length.
Highlights at a glance...
· Choose a château: Chambord - hunting
lodge for Francois I and the largest of all Loire châteaux with a double-spiral staircase designed by Leonardo da Vinci; Chenonceau - an elegant example with Grande Galerie arching across the River Cher; Villandry - its formal Renaissance gardens are some of the finest in France.
· Stunning son et lumière shows take place
throughout the summer at many châteaux, including Azay-le-Rideau, Blois and Chambord.
Burgundy & Alps
· The May Fête de Jeanne d'Arc in Orléans
provides a colourful spectacle of medieval parades and music concerts.
· Enjoy a tantalizing wine tasting at one of
the vineyard dégustations, perhaps to co-incide with visiting the châteaux of Amboise, Angers and Chinon.
Key · Location of properties
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We can arrange flights from many local airports throughout the UK, see page 456 for details. Car Hire available from only £21 per car, per day, see page 456 for details.
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