Dordogne
3rd to 10 May 2020
8 Days
Discover the best of the Dordogne with hill top villages, medieval castles, mysterious caves and exquisite cuisine. Measuring 48km in length, the river changes completely in character during its voyage to the sea.
With stunning villages, castles and countryside at every turn you'll be immersed into the beautiful French dream that we all know and love. This tour is a cruisers dream.
Itinerary
Itinerary
Day One - Overnight Sailing
We depart from Portsmouth to St Malo on the overnight crossing with Brittany Ferries.
A cabin is included.
Day Two - St Malo to La Rochelle
We disembark shortly after 8am and take a leisurely drive to La Rochelle. Known as the 'White City' with Limestone facades that glow in the bright coastal sunshine. The city is full of arched walkways and half-timbered buildings decorated with ghoulish gargoyles. La Rochelle's main feature is Vieux Port - the Old Harbour, which is the heart of the city. We should arrive mid afternoon giving you the opportunity to explore.
Approx. 325km
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Dinner is included this evening.
What's Included
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​Tour Pack, which includes recommended places to visit, maps and directions, accommodation information and contact details
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Return ferry crossings
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Welcome drink on the first evening
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7 nights in 4 star hotels with breakfast
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Dinner on 4 evenings with wine
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Tour of Hennessy - The Signature Experience
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Local Vineyard Tour
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Entrance to 24-hours of Le Mans Museum and Circuit
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Accompanied by Tour Manager
Tour Prices
£1795 per person based on two people sharing a room
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Room upgrades are available on request, subject to availability and charge.
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Day Three - La Rochelle to Perigueux
After breakfast we travel south via Chateau La Roche Courbon for a morning coffee stop so you can discover 'Sleeping Beauty's Castle'.
Continuing on we make our way to Cognac for a visit to Hennessey and a pre-booked 'Signature Experience Tour'.
We then travel inland through Riberac to the outskirts of Perigueux and our 4 star hotel Chateaux de Lalande a boutique prestigious hotel full of personality.
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Approx. 232km
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Dinner is included this evening.
Day Four
A circular tour taking in enchanting villages and peaceful hamlets that are scattered along rolling hills, chalky cliffs and fields of sunflowers, the Dordogne's beautiful sun-kissed countryside never fails to impress its visitors. The Dordogne has amazing history and boasts 22 of the 'most beautiful villages in France'. we shall take in St Emilion a UNESCO world heritage site. La Roque-Gageac - a beautiful town where little seems to of changed since the middle ages. Domme labeled as one of the 'Most Beautiful Villages of France'
Today we shall visit a local vineyard and if time permits we could also have the opportunity to visit Abri du Cap-Blanc, a prehistoric frieze sculpture of horses and bison dating back 14,000 years.
Approx. 330km
Your evening is at leisure.
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Day Five
A beautiful tour taking in Montignac, Rocamadour, Autoire and Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne.
Our fist stop will be made in Montignac to visit the world famous cave paintings in Lascaux Cave. Rocamadour is built of three levels and is a place of both legend and history with house and castle keeps cascading of the cliff into the Alzou Canyon. The honey coloured village of Autoire cannot fail in winning every visitor over. It is a stunning location with majestic landscapes that oozes romantic, old fashioned flânerie, there's simply no other place like it...
Approx. 200km
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Dinner is included this evening
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Day Six - Perigueux, Le Mans and Chambord
We bid a fond farewell to the beautiful Chateau de Lalande and travel north to Le Mans. We have an afternoon to visit 24hour of Le Mans Museum and circuit tour before travelling to Relais de Chambord our stunning hotel where we shall stay for the next two nights.
Approx. 520km
Visiting Le Mans is subject to the confirmation of MOTO GP in July.
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Day Seven - a day at Leisure
Today gives you the opportunity to explore Chateau de Chambord or you have the opportunity to return to Le Mans. Perhaps its the city life that beckons you, Paris is under 2 hours drive way, a great opportunity to explore the city of love.
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Day Eight - Chambord - England
Today marks the end our our tour as you head to St Malo for your return day ferry crossing into England. Due to our location in Chambord we can arrange for you to return to the UK via Eurotunnel.
HotelS
La Monnaie Hotel, La Rochelle ****
4 May 2020, 1 night
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A four star hotel set in a 17th-century mansion filled with contemporary artworks. This upscale boutique hotel overlooks the Vieux-Port and is a 1 minute walk from Tour de la Lanterne and just 3 minutes from the beach.
Chateau de Lalande ****
5 May 2020, 3 nights
In this four star hotel you can live the French dream in this creamy stone chateau with smoky- blue shutters, pea-green vines adorning the walls creating a fairytale feel. Lalande offers a flawless blend of period grandeur and intimacy, the impeccably styled rooms have parquet floors and many have original fireplaces. Passion erupts from the kitchen and the results are superb - home-made foie gras, tender veal and succulent scollops.
La Relais de Chambord, Chambord ****
8 May 2020, 2 nights
Set deep in the French countryside is less than 2 hours from either Le Mans and Paris and no other hotel has such a unique selling point as this luxurious hotel which proudly sits on the private estate of Chateau de Chambord. Castle views, an indulgent restaurant terrace, wildlife and nature at your fingertips along with a spa to unwind, talk a walk and marvel at the works of King Francis I as you explore the Chateau.