Luxury Paris and the Loire Valley

The Louvre is one of the most important and most visited museums in the world and extending over 210,000 square metres, it’s the largest in Paris. You’ll discover the Louvre’s three great ladies – Venus de Milo, Victory of Samothrace, and Mona Lisa, as well as other key works.

The Palace of Versailles dates back to 1038, and was the official residence of the Kings of France from 1682 until 1790. Used by Louis XIV initially as a hunting lodge, he had the property expanded to become the magnificent site of French classical architecture complete with extensive manicured gardens. Enjoy privileged access to the intimate life of the royal family in Louis XV and Louis XVI’s private apartments and visit the Royal Chapel.

Built for the most part in the 19th century, these arcades with glass roofs were created by piercing through already existing buildings and are a typically Parisian architectural feature. There are approximately 20 passages in Paris, the majority of them now house shops, tea rooms and restaurants. The oldest, Passage des Panoramas, dates back to 1799.

Start the day with an early morning hot air balloon flight. It’s an unforgettable way to experience the Loire Valley and its châteaux. You will take part in the assembling and the preparing of the balloon before boarding the vessel for your extraordinary flight.

Amboise is a charming town with an Italian feel. Explore the streets lined with small boutiques as well as the esplanades along the Loire River banks. Stop to discover the spectacular royal Amboise castle and the Clos Lucé Manor where Leonardo da Vinci spent the last years of his life.

You will be welcomed in this cellar-cave established in 1874 and enjoy a tasting of Vouvray wines including some old vintages. Owner and wine maker, Daniel, specialises in mature Vouvray wines and you will discover a large range of vintages from 1947 to today. Made of Chenin Blanc, the Vouvray is a mineral wine with a high acidity level which gives the wine a great aging capacity.

With its medieval streets, Chinon has remained an outdoor museum of architecture and history. Discover the half-timbered houses and the Renaissance townhouses built for the King’s financiers or ministers. With its fortress built by Henry II Plantagenet and Richard the Lions Heart, Chinon is the town where Joan of Arc met King Charles VII in 1429.