La Belle France

Indulge yourself in this 15-day tour which includes an above average number of meals, excursions and visits to some of the most beautiful areas of France

This tour is aimed at those wanting a greater level of indulgence and includes as part of the package, numerous group meals and excursions both of which mean more time to relax and enjoy yourself. You will be taken to four of the most beautiful areas of the country where you will enjoy a balanced blend of organised excursions, free time and social events – lunches, dinners and get togethers. Lunch is included on all excursions bar one where it is felt an optional lunch is more appropriate.

The tour begins in the exceptional medieval town of Loches which overlooks the Indre River Valley and affords easy access to many of the famous Loire Valley Chateaux. From Loches we move on to Coulon in the “Venise Verte” (Green Venice) area. Coulon, listed as one of the prettiest villages in France is the Capital of the Venise Verte.

Our next location finds us in the Gironde region, in the Bay of Arcachon. The Bay or “Le Bassin” as it is known locally, covers an area of 150 km² and is a place of extraordinary beauty. For the fourth and final location of our tour we move on to the Dordogne where our campsite is located directly on the banks of the river. During the tour all excursions are by coach and will be accompanied by an English Speaking Guide ensuring that you are always kept informed

Day 1 – Tuesday 21st June
Arrive today at our campsite situated in the heart of Loches in the beautiful Loire Valley. This will be the first opportunity for the entire group to be together and later this afternoon we will all meet at the Tour Directors van for introductions and a Tour Briefing. This evening we will have a “Welcome Dinner’ in a local restaurant.

Day 2 – Wednesday 22nd June
Today we will walk to the Citadel in Loches where we will have a guided tour of the Chateau and the Donjon. The Chateau was the castle of the Anjou family. After our guided tour there will be ample free time to visit the Art Gallery and explore the rest of this very attractive town.

Day 3 – Thursday 23rd June
We enjoy a guided coach tour of the area today – Starting with a visit to the stunning Chateau of Chenonceau located on the edge of the River Cher. The building contains a collection of Old Masters’ paintings as well as a unique collection of rare tapestries that date back to the 16th Century. After a tour of the building there will be free time to enjoy the elegant gardens and maze before boarding the coach for our short journey to Amboise where we will have lunch in a local restaurant. After which we will travel just a few more miles to Vouvray for a wine tasting at a local wine producer before eventually returning to the campsite later in the afternoon.

Day 4 – Friday 24th June
We travel on to our next campsite located at Coulon in the Marais Poitevin. The area around Coulon is known as “La Venise Verte” (Green Venice) because of its vast number of canals and small islands. Our campsite which has excellent facilities is located about 2.5km from the town. 115 Miles

Day 5 – Saturday 25th June
Our coach excursion today, with a guide, takes us to La Rochelle. Lunch will be included.

Day 6 – Sunday 26th June
A day of leisure and relaxation – weather permitting the Tour Directors will prepare ‘Brunch” for the group at their van, you can then spend the rest of the day by the excellent pool, or take a pleasant walk or cycle ride (available to hire) into town

Day 7 – Monday 27th June
This morning we will make our way into town along the river edge and visit the Museum of the Marais Poitevin where we will learn all about the history of this unique area before taking a trip in a traditional “Barque” on some of the many canals. This evening we will enjoy a group dinner in the campsite’s own restaurant.

Day 8 – Tuesday 28th June
Today we travel to our next campsite located in the Arcachon basin where we will stay for the next 4 nights. The campsite is located within walking distance of the town. This evening we will have a group dinner in the campsite restaurant. 151 Miles

Day 9 – Wednesday 29th June
Today we will have a “Private Boat Excursion” to the L’lle Aux Oiseaux (Bird Island), which is located in the Bay of Arcachon and is haven for migratory birds and sea lions, it is also famous for its “Tchanquees Cabanes” which are built on stilts. We will sail over 100 hectares of Oyster Beds and visit the tiny oyster villages of the Cap Ferret peninsula before having lunch in a local restaurant. Returning to our jetty, you will see the amazing spectacle of the Dune de Pilat, the largest sand dune in Europe

Day 10 – Thursday 30th June
We will be collected by coach and taken into Arcachon where we will meet our guide before embarking on a guided tour of this fascinating town. Later we will continue our journey to the Dune de Pilat where you will have time to climb to the top and enjoy the view over the bay. We return to Arcachon, allowing you free time for lunch, shopping or sightseeing before returning to the campsite later in the day

Day 11 – Friday 1st July
A Free Day to relax, or take a stroll into town.

Day 12 – Saturday 2nd July
Our next journey will take us to our final campsite on the banks of the beautiful River Dordogne, near the town of Sarlat. The campsite has excellent facilities and benefits from its own swimming pool and borders directly on to the river. This evening we will have a group dinner in the campsite restaurant 155 Miles

Day 13 – Sunday 3rd July
A free day today – time for you to enjoy the many on-site facilities. If the weather permits we could have an Optional Group BBQ

Day 14 – Monday 4th July
This morning we have a coach excursion around the area followed by lunch in a local restaurant. After lunch we will take a trip by “Gabare” – a traditional flat bottomed boat, on the Dordogne affording us some stunning views of the numerous Chateaux which abound in this area. During our trip we may even see Kingfishers if we are lucky.

Day 15 – Tuesday 5th July
It is the final day of our tour. This evening we will have our farewell group dinner in the campsite restaurant where hopefully we will be able to recount many pleasant memories of our time together.

Day 16 – Wednesday 6th July
The tour ends this morning

PRICE

Motorhome with 2 people = £0000 per person
Motorhome with 1 person = £0000

TOUR DEPOSIT £000 per Motorhome

INCLUDED IN THE PRICE

• 15 Campsite nights with hook-up
• Transport for Excursions/Events as per the itinerary
• Entrance fees on Excursions/Events as listed in the itinerary
• Tour Information Pack with suggested routes
• Services of Tour Directors travelling in their own motorhome

Excursions/Events

• Welcome Dinner in a local Restaurant
• Walking, Guided Tour of the Citadel of Loches
• Coach excursion to Chenonceau & Amboise, including Lunch and Wine Tasting
• Coach excursion to La Rochelle with Lunch
• Brunch at the Tour Directors area
• Visit to the Museum of the Marais Poitevin followed by trip on the Canals
• Dinner in the Coulon campsite Restaurant
• Dinner in the Ares campsite Restaurant
• Boat excursion to L’lle Aux Oiseaux and Cap Ferret, including Lunch
• Coach excursion to Arcachon Town and the Dune de Pilat
• Dinner in the Vitrac campsite Restaurant
• Coach excursion to Sarlat and the local region followed by Lunch and a trip on the River
• Farewell Dinner

This tour starts in the Loire Valley area, but if you would like to travel on the outward journey at the same time as the Tour Directors, please book the optional tour package so that everything can be arranged on your behalf

OPTIONAL EXTRA PACKAGE

• Return Dover/Calais Ferry with 60-day Flexible Ticket + Club Class Lounge
• Two additional campsite nights with electric hook-up at Kent & France
• Tour information pack with suggested routes
• Services of Tour Directors travelling in their own motorhome

OPTIONAL PACKAGE PRICE

Motorhome with 2 people = £000 per person
Motorhome with 1 person = £000