DETAILED ITINERARY

Day 1: Calais to Honfleur

You cross the Channel by Eurotunnel from Folkestone to Calais and then drive south past Boulogne and Le Touquet, crossing the river Somme at Abbeville and then you head for the coast near Le Havre.

Here you take the Pont de Normandie across the mouth of the Seine, arriving very close to Honfleur.

Take time to visit Honfleur, favourite haunt of artists, with its picturesque fishing harbour before reaching your hotel which is in the countryside not far away.

Day 2: Honfleur to Loire Valley

Today’s drive takes just under three hours, so there is time to linger in Normandy, perhaps to visit the seaside towns of Deauville or Trouville or to drive across the charming Calvados countryside south of Honfleur and stopping to admire the pretty villages and the scenery. The road takes you towards Le Mans and then it’s motorway towards Tours, the capital of the Touraine at the heart of the Loire Valley, and then south to a chateau hotel in the countryside nearby.

Day 3: Loire Valley to Monestier, Dordogne

Today you drive south passing Poitiers in the direction of Bordeaux. North of Bordeaux you skirt the edge of the famous Pomerol vineyards before turning south, crossing the river Dordogne west of Bergerac to arrive at your first chateau-stay in the Dordogne. You have three nights here.

Days 4 & 5: In Monestier

You are situated conveniently in the lush Dordogne countryside between the towns of Bordeaux and Bergerac. There is a wealth of visits and local sightseeing from here, to the east and west. To the west you have Bordeaux, the city and its surrounding vineyards and wine towns such as Saint-Emilion.

Bordeaux itself is shaped by bold and impressive architecture, from the amphithéâtre of Bordeaux, called Palais Gallien, to the amazing cathedral of Bordeaux, Basilica of Saint Michael, and Bordeaux National Opera.

Spend a leisurely afternoon taking in the sights, and really appreciating the aesthetics of these buildings, before seeing a show at the Grand Theatre or viewing the artwork in the Museum of Fine Arts.

Visit such châteaux as the Château Rauzan-Gassies, or the Château Mouton-Rothschild, to taste the fruity Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. To the east of Monestier, Bergerac also offers wine-tasting opportunities in the Musée du Vin et de la Batellerie. In Bergerac, experience the lively hubbub of conviviality at the weekly (Wednesday and Saturday) market in the centre of town, whilst picking up a few local treasures, be it food, wine, or arts and crafts.

Day 6: Monestier to Tremolat

This short journey takes you into a different part of the Dordogne: that north of the river and close to the prehistoric sites of Lascaux and Les Eyzies, where Cro-Magnon man was discovered, as well as the medieval market town of Sarlat. You have three nights here.

Days 7 & 8: In Tremolat

Whilst in this part of the Dordogne there are all sorts of activities and sightseeing possibilities of a cultural, historical, gourmet and active nature. Sarlat is a thriving town with numerous shops and food stalls selling local delicacies such as foie gras and other duck and goose products. There are several excellent restaurants in the town.

Take a scenic drive along the river Dordogne, stopping to see the ruined medieval castles that dot the cliffs. Along the length of the river be sure to see the Chateau des Milandes, the Chateau de Beynac-et-Cazenac, and the Chateau de Castelnaud-la-Chapelle with its collection of medieval weapons.

Nearby are the gardens of Marqueyssac, listed as a National Monument and planted with box through which there are numerous paths, creating a maze-like effect. There are fantastic views from a belvedere. Other gardens nearby include the Clos des Sources at Vitrac and the Jardins d’Eyrignac.

Other notable villages in the area are La Roque-Gageac, Domme and Beynac. From La Roque-Gageac it is also easy to hire a canoe or to take a river trip on one of the gabarres, a boat designed after the old river trading boats. The prehistoric sites at Les Eyzies and Lascaux should be visited but you should try to book entrances in advance as it does get very busy.

Day 9: Dordogne to Amboise

Today your direction is northwards but take a different route, perhaps to Limoges and on to Poitiers or through Perigueux and then Angouleme and Poitiers. Your destination is to the east of Tours and the small town of Amboise. You have two nights here.

Day 10: In Amboise

Amboise, on the banks of the river Loire, is home to the Chateau d’Amboise, a 15th century residence of Charles VIII and where you will find the tomb of Leonardo da Vinci. Nearby is the Chateau du Clos Lucé where Leonardo da Vinci lived. In the grounds are displays of working models of his designs. Not far from Amboise is the Chateau de Chenonceau, famous for being primarily owned by women throughout its history and home to a vast art gallery and a collection of Flemish tapestries.

Day 11: Amboise to Calais

There are a couple of routes today as you drive back to Calais: one route takes you via Paris and the other, slightly longer, but perhaps an easier drive, takes you past Le Mans and Rouen. At Calais you take the Eurotunnel crossing back to Folkestone.

PRICING

Price is based on two adults sharing en-suite accommodation on a bed & breakfast basis, including Eurotunnel crossing from Folkestone to Calais. Alternatively you can opt for the ferry from Dover to Calais, or one of the other ferry crossing from England to France.

We offer a choice of hotels at different prices, so please discuss your requirements with us. All hotels are subject to availability.

Before your departure, you will receive personalised holiday information including recommended routes and suggestions on places to visit, to help you get the most from your holiday.

It is essential that you have personal holiday insurance, vehicle breakdown cover, a Green Card from your insurance company for taking your car abroad and an appropriate driving licence. All these items should comply with whatever rules are in place at the time of travel. The AA and the FCO should also be consulted.