Your key to enriching experiences Spring 2022 - Authentique ...
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Your key to enriching experiences Spring 2022
Contents
WELCOME3
VALLEYS DISCOVERY 4
VALLEYS IN BLOOM 15
SOUTHERN SOJOURN 26
OUR STYLE OF TRAVEL 38
INCLUSIONS & EXCLUSIONS 39
2
Welcome
Welcome to Authentique France and our style of travel: The tours outlined in this brochure visit several of the most beautiful
leisurely-paced intimate tours of France’s regions, making real regions of France and each offer enriching experiences, delicious
connections with French people, their passions, their lives and regional food and wines and the opportunity to see, understand and
livelihoods. feel the differences and unique characteristics of regional France.
Travelling in small groups of no more than 10, our tours are The elegant châteaux and wines of the Loire Valley, the history and
customised and personal. We focus on celebrating regional France, extraordinary culinary culture of the Dordogne, the renowned sunlit
taking time to experience the rich diversity of rural areas, their history, valleys of Provence and the hidden treasures of Occitanie.
customs, and traditions. We immerse ourselves in an area; outside of
cities, we always stay a minimum of 5 days in any one location. Relaxed, personal and with style.
Just unpack and relax. We’ll be ready to go when it’s safe to go... we hope you will be too.
Dreaming of France &
COVID-safe travel
If our collective COVID experience has taught us anything, it is to
be flexible - and patient! So we’ve rescheduled our tour dates - in
optimistic anticipation of being able to travel safely in 2022.
In these uncertain times, dates and seasons may need to change
again - but in the meantime, soak up what could be - and like us, keep
dreaming of France.
3
Valleys Discovery
The Loire, Dordogne & Vézère Valleys
A 19-day journey of discovery of three of France’s
most beautiful & distinctive valleys
21 MARCH - 8 APRIL 2022 (19 DAYS)
TOUR CODE: VDS 2022
4
Introduction
Our Valleys Discovery tour explores the visual and delectable
charms of the Loire, Dordogne and Vézère valleys, shaped
physically and historically by their rivers and which show off some
of the best of rural France.
Shaking off winter chills, early sping brings a brighter light and the
gentle green of new life. The days are warming and the pace of life
and atmosphere are relaxed.
We begin and end in Paris, delving into its history and sense
of style and stay seven nights in each of the Loire and Vézère
valleys.
The lush countryside of the Loire Valley is dotted with fairytale
châteaux, surrounded by pretty villages, gardens, vineyards
and orchards. The Dordogne area is a treasure trove of history,
culture and hearty cuisine in abundance, while the Vézère valley is
renowned for its dense collection of prehistoric cave art.
You will discover and taste sumptuous distinctive regional cuisines
and specialities, enjoy private tours and tastings, gain insight
into prehistoric art and life, and stay in 4-star boutique hotels of
authenticity and charm.
© Kathy Bowden
5
DAYS 1 - 3
Paris – one of the most We arrive in Paris and check in at the Adèle et Jules Hotel our trendy
and charming hotel in the 9th district.
beautiful cities in the Our time in Paris begins in style with a Welcome Aperitif and a private
boat cruise on the Seine.
world, it feels familiar to Our local guide, Muguet, will unveil Paris’ history during walking tours
most visitors long before of the Saint Germain and Latin Quarters. Along the way we’ll taste fine
cheeses and artisan pâtisseries.
they visit We visit the glorious stained-glass masterpiece of Sainte Chappelle
and an evening tour of the Louvre Museum is followed by dinner on the
Right Bank.
6
© Kathy Bowden
© Michael Fousert © Kathy Bowden © Kathy Bowden
7
DAYS 4 - 10
Loire Valley - fine We enjoy tastings and a tour at an organic family farm that produces
specialty goat cheeses, and a private visit to a family Vouvray
vineyard.
wines and food, lush Meandering through pretty villages we meet artisans and producers
countryside dotted with who maintain traditional skills to produce regional specialties.
châteaux Along the way, we go with the flow on the Loire River in a traditional
sailboat.
Dinner at a Michelin Star restaurant promises generous cuisine with its
roots in tradition, given a new twist by a young chef, born and raised in
the Touraine.
We take a TGV train to the Loire Valley and get to know the old city of We return to Tours for some last-minute shopping and have time for a
Tours, before settling in for 7 nights just 15 kms away at our charming game of boules.
19th century château hotel and estate, Domaine La Tortinière.
Saving the best until last, our visit to Château Chenonceau will be a
We mark our arrival in the valley with a Welcome Aperitif. fabulous afternoon - beginning with a picnic lunch. Barbara guides
us through the château, we have a private tour of the historic gardens
We visit the Royal Château of Amboise and nearby Clos de Lucé, and flower beds accompanied by the Botanical Director, and additional
where Leonardo da Vinci lived and worked for the last three years of exclusive experiences in this refined and elegant château are a
his life. memorable end to the day.
Our local guide Barbara leads us through the histories and distinctive We mark the end of our stay in the Loire Valley with a private
characteristics of Château d’Azay-le-Rideau and Château Chaumont, farewell dinner.
exploring a combination of history, gardens and contemporary art.
The citadel town of Loches on market day, where more than 100 stalls
laden with seasonal fresh produce wind around the medieval streets,
will be lively.
8
©Stevens Frémont, ADT Touraine Interloire
© E.Sander ©David Darrault - ATTCS
9
DAYS 11 - 17
Dordogne and Vézère We visit the villages of Domme, La Roque-Gageac, the towering
fortress of Beynac and the gardens of Marqueyssac, where we’ll enjoy
lunch with a view.
Valleys - rich cuisine, In the old city of Périgueux, a town of art and history, we learn of its
heady history, beautiful development from Gallo-Roman times through the Middle Ages to the
Renaissance.
villages and remarkable We board a replica of the traditional flat-bottomed boats used for
transporting goods along the Dordogne - gorgeous views from the river
prehistoric art and fantastic photo opportunities.
Visiting a walnut grove and mill producing nut oils takes us to the heart
of Perigord produce, traditions and flavours.
We take a TGV train to Angoulême, then a coach to Montignac in the
Vézère Valley, checking in at our 17th century former private mansion, We encounter diverse local artisans as we explore villages in the
the Hotel de Bouilhac. Vézère Valley, including Hautefort with its medieval fortress that was
transformed in the 17th century into a château of pleasure.
We meet our guide Yannick and begin our journey of discovery through
prehistoric art and life in the valley with a private tour of Lascaux 1V, A private farewell dinner of regional cuisine will be a sumptuous end to
the International Centre for Cave Art. We reflect on what we’ve seen our stay.
over a Welcome Aperitif before dinner.
Continuing our journey through the Valley of Man, Yannick leads us
to the village of Les Eyzies and National Prehistoric Museum and the
Grotte de Rouffignac, the largest of the art caves in the area.
Market day in the beautifully preserved medieval town of Sarlat-la-
Canéda is an 800-year-old tradition - there is free time to explore the
delights of the market and enticing boutiques.
10© Kathy Bowden © Dan-Courtice
© Kathy Bowden © Garbarre Caminade
11DAYS 18 - 19
Return to Paris A coach ride to Bordeaux, for a TGV train to Paris and return to the
Hotel Adèle et Jules.
Muguet guides us through the Marais quartier and then a free
afternoon for last minute shopping and packing.
Dinner on the Left Bank - a fabulous finale to our tour.
12A $15,960 pp
Launch offer, save $1,000 pp*
A single supplement of $3500.00 applies for solo travellers, subject to
availability of accommodation in the same category booked for this tour.
*Terms and conditions apply, not availble with any other offer.
Prices are correct at the time of publication and may change, you will
be advised of any changes prior to booking and once your booking is
confirmed, your price is guaranteed and will not change.
1314
Valleys in Bloom
The Loire, Dordogne & Vézère valleys
for solo women travellers
A bespoke 19-day Spring stroll of beauty & charm
through three of France’s most distinctive valleys
SPRING
23 APRIL - 11 MAY 2022
SOLO WOMEN TRAVELLERS
VDSW 22
15Introduction
Our Valleys in Bloom tour - created especially for solo women
travellers - explores the visual and delectable charms of the Loire,
Dordogne and Vézère valleys during Spring.
New growth is everywhere; trees are in blossom and flowers are
carpeted through fields and abound in parks and gardens. Days
are warmer and longer after the chill of winter.
We begin and end our trip in Paris, delving into its history and
style, and stay seven nights in each of the Loire and Dordogne
valleys.
Exploring the captivating châteaux and villages of the Loire
Valley we take time to smell the roses and admire classic French
gardens. In the Dordogne we discover some of France’s most
beautiful medieval villages and imposing fortresses throughout the
valley, and gain an insight into the prehistoric life of the Vézère
Valley.
Discover and taste sumptuous distinctive regional cuisines and
specialties, enjoy private tours and tastings, and relish the privacy
of your own double room in 4-star boutique hotels of authenticity
and charm – all imbued with the colours and fragrance of spring.
© E Sander
16DAYS 1 - 3
Paris - parks and gardens Arrival in Paris and check in at the Adèle et Jules Hotel our trendy and
charming hotel in the 9th district.
in April bloom and the Our time in Paris begins in style with a Welcome Aperitif and a private
boat cruise on the Seine.
soft, warm days of Spring With our local guide, Muguet, we visit the glorious stained-glass
add a special charm to masterpiece of Sainte Chappelle.
We adopt the French tradition of going out for Sunday lunch and dine
this beautiful city on the Ile Saint-Louis - a peaceful haven on one of two natural islands
in the River Seine, and connected to the rest of Paris by six bridges.
A visit to the Musée de l’Orangerie and Claude Monet’s Water Lilies
sets the scene for our visit to Giverny on our return.
17© Kathy Bowden
© Svetlana Gumerova © Kathy Bowden
18DAYS 4 - 10
Loire Valley - fine The citadel town of Loches on market day; where more than 100 stalls
laden with seasonal fresh produce wind around the medieval streets,
will be lively.
wines and food, lush We visit the garden village of Chedigny, whose spring blooms justify its
countryside dotted with certification of a Jardin Remarquable and enjoy tastings and a tour at
an organic family farm that produces specialty goat cheeses.
châteaux and graceful A unique vineyard visit and tasting hosted by the granddaughter and
wife of Vouvray wine makers will be an evening to remember!
gardens Meandering through pretty villages we meet artisans and producers
who maintain traditional skills and processes to produce regional
specialties.
Along the way, we go with the flow of the Loire River in a traditional
A TGV train takes us to the city of Tours in the Loire Valley, where we sailboat .
begin our stay with a walking tour.
Saving the best until last, our visit to Château Chenonceau will be a
We then settle in for the next 6 nights just 15 kms away at our 19th fabulous afternoon - beginning with a picnic lunch. Barbara guides
Century château hotel, Domaine La Tortinière. And, mark our arrival in us through the château, we have a private tour of the historic gardens
the valley with a Welcome Aperitif. and flower beds accompanied by the Botanical Director, and additional
exclusive experiences in this refined and elegant château will be a
We visit the Royal Château of Amboise and nearby Clos de Lucé, memorable end to the day.
where Leonardo da Vinci lived and worked for the last three years of
his life. We mark the end of our stay in the Loire Valley with a private
farewell dinner.
Our local guide Barbara leads us through the histories and distinctive
characteristics of Château d’Azay-le-Rideau, a jewel of the
renaissance, and Château Chaumont and its renowned International
Garden Festival, which will be in full bloom.
19© Isabelle Bardiau, Office de Tourisme Loches Châteaux de la Loire
© Didier-Ronflard © Léonard de Serres, ADT Touraine Interloire
20DAYS 11 - 17
Dordogne and Vézère We visit the villages of Domme, La Roque-Gageac, the towering
fortress of Beynac, the Chateau des Milandes and the gardens of
Marqueyssac, where we’ll enjoy lunch with a view.
Valleys - rich flavours, We board a replica of the traditional flat-bottomed boats used for
pretty villages and transporting goods along the Dordogne - gorgeous views from the river
and fantastic photo opportunities.
prehistoric art and culture Yannick introduces us to medieval bastides, visiting the exquisite
village of Monpazier, and the flamboyant 15th century Gothic cloisters
at the Abbey of Cadouin.
An exclusive masterclass in regional cuisine in a former 17thC mill is
followed by a private dinner savouring our own cooking.
We take a TGV train to Bordeaux, then a coach to our hotel, the Visiting a nut mill take us to the heart of Perigord produce, traditions
charming La Villa Romaine, where 19th century stone architecture and flavours.
blends with modern comfort in an idyllic peaceful and rural location.
A farewell dinner brings our stay to a sumptuous end.
We enjoy a Welcome Aperitif before dinner.
Our glimpse of prehistoric life in the Vézère Valley begins with our local
guide Yannick and the village of Les Eyzies and National Prehistoric
Museum. The Château de Commarque is hidden in an isolated valley
and the story of 15,000 years of human history from pre-history to the
Middle Ages can be told through its architecture and art.
Market day in the beautifully preserved medieval town of Sarlat-la-
Canéda is an 800-year-old tradition, there is free time to explore the
delights of the market and enticing boutiques.
21All images this page © Kathy Bowden
22DAYS 18 - 19
Return to Paris A coach ride to Bordeaux, for a TGV train to Paris and return to Hotel
Adèle et Jules.
On our final day, we visit Monet’s home and garden at Giverny, and
marvel at the floral compositions and lilies, his greatest sources of
inspiration.
A free afternoon leaves time for last minute shopping and packing.
Dinner on the Left Bank - a fabulous finale to our tour.
23A $16,910 pp
Launch offer, save $1,000 pp*
*Terms and conditions apply, not availble with any other offer.
Prices are correct at the time of publication and may change, you will
be advised of any changes prior to booking and once your booking is
confirmed, your price is guaranteed and will not change.
2425
Southern Sojourn
Provence & Occitanie in Spring
A bespoke 22-day tour of the lyrical landscape,
culture and colours of Provence and Occitanie, two
of France’s most stunning regions
SPRING
27 MAY - 17 JUNE 2022 (22 DAYS)
TOUR CODE SS 22
26Introduction
The seductive beauty and relaxed lifestyle of the south of France
have long inspired artists and travellers.
Avoiding the harshest heat and crowds of mid-summer, this tour
takes in the best of Provence and the neighbouring Gard area of
Occitanie, spending 17 days in these glorious regions during the
lengthening days of late spring.
We begin and end in Paris, discovering some of the city’s leftovers
of Roman rule and honouring the artistic legacies of Vincent van
Gogh and Paul Cézanne. We stay four nights in the elegant city
of Aix-en-Provence, six nights near Les Baux de Provence and
seven nights at Uzès.
Between sunlit villages are elegant cities: Avignon, steeped
in religious history, Nîmes, with the finest collection of Roman
remains in France, and Arles, with Camargue traditions, an
abundance of Roman architecture and Vincent’s home for 14
months. Add in the unique Transhumance Festival, and this tour
is rich in cultural connections.
Savour fresh seasonal dishes and meet local producers and
artisans creating fresh and authentique products. You will relish
the sights and joie de vivre of these two gorgeous regions – and
© Kathy Bowden stay in 4-star boutique hotels of authenticity and charm.
27DAYS 1 - 3
Paris in Spring - gardens We arrive in Paris and check in at the Adèle et Jules Hotel, our trendy
and charming hotel in the 9th district.
and parks in bloom, café Our time in Paris begins in style with a Welcome Aperitif and a private
boat cruise on the Seine.
culture and fewer crowds Our guide Muguet, leads walking tours tailored for us, uncovering
surprising remnants of Roman rule of the city.
We begin our homage to Vincent and Cézanne with a visit to the
Musée d’Orsay to see some of their most famous paintings.
28© Kathy Bowden
© Paris Tourist Office, Photograph © David Lefranc © Kathy Bowden
29DAYS 8 - 13
Provence – valleys of Our guide Raphaël introduces us to the area and the lively village of
Saint Rémy de Provence. There’s time to wander the narrow streets,
shady squares, chic boutiques and galleries in coming days.
olives groves, vineyards, At the compact medieval town of L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, stroll the
orchards and colourful renowned Sunday market, boutiques and artisan studios - then enjoy a
leisurely lunch and menu created especially for us.
villages We visit Vincent’s austere room in the Monastery de Saint Paul
Mausole, where he created more than 200 paintings and drawings.
Saint Rémy’s Transhumance Festival will be a memorable spectacle,
honouring the ancient practice of moving animals to summer pastures.
We take a TGV train to Aix-en-Provence, and our hotel, Boutique And, at Fontvieille, we immerse ourselves further in southern traditions
Hotel Cézanne for the next 4 nights - and mark our arrival with a dating back to the 15th century, before dinner at a local restaurant.
Welcome Aperitif. Spend time exploring this city of many fountains;
the elegant Cours Mirabeau, the old town and its daily market. The Camargue is an area of exceptional biological diversity and home
to 400 unique bird species - we take time to observe and photograph
We visit picturesque, colourful villages and on the coast, enjoy a just some of them, including pink flamingos in their natural habitat.
relaxing lunch near the harbour at a charming fishing village, and
rendezvous with a perfumier extracting the aromas of the south. We explore the World Heritage-listed city of Arles and trace Vincent’s
footsteps in the city.
Our stay in Aix-en-Provence comes to a memorable close with an
exclusive, authentique Cézanne experience. Enjoy tastings at a family farm producing specialty goat cheeses, with
more tastings at a mill that processes our hotel’s olive harvest.
We head to Les Alpilles, immortalised by Vincent in many paintings,
and settle in for the next 6 nights at Hotel Benvengudo. Your elegant You will be dazzled by the digital presentation of art and music at the
room offers a private terrace or balcony - and tranquillity - away from Carrières de Lumières Les Baux de Provence before we conclude our
the bustle of festival crowds on this national holiday weekend. stay in Provence with a private dinner.
30All images this page © Kathy Bowden
31© Kathy Bowden
32DAYS 13 - 20
Gard, Occitanie - an The lovely village of Saint-Quentin-la-Poterie has been synonymous
with pottery artisans since the middle ages and is home to more than
30 workshops of potters, ceramicists, and other crafts. We take time
ancient heritage and with ceramicists at work and enjoy an intimate private dinner.
culture on a road less A day spent in and around the striking, walled medieval town of
Aigues-Mortes which sits on the marshes of the Camargue, will be
travelled a memorable experience of this fascinating region and its unique
traditions and customs.
Taking the byways through the hills we come upon numerous
dry-stone huts called capitelles and enjoy tastings at a family winery
and a leisurely lunch.
Our visit to Nîmes combines seeing the finest collection of Roman
We explore Avignon on the way to the Gard area of Occitanie and
remains in France with exploring stylish boutiques and narrow streets.
settle in for the next 7 nights at the Hotel Entraigues, a former
We have lunch overlooking the Roman arena at the Musée de la
15-century mansion in the historic heart of Uzès, a town classified as a
Romanité.
City of Art and History.
White truffles are in season and we learn more about this mysterious
We mark our arrival with a Welcome Aperitif and a walking tour
fungus from none other than the President of the French and European
provides the key to understanding the heritage of this lovely town.
Federation of Truffle Growers.
The Saturday market at Uzès is a lively affair. Spend the morning
We stroll the streets of the medieval village of Lussan, with panoramic
browsing, buying or just watching it all unfold while you relax at a café.
views over the surrounding countryside.
We return to Avignon for a private tour of the Palais des Papes,
A memorable farewell dinner is a fitting end to our time in the south.
followed by an intimate musical performance.
A private tour of the magnificent Pont du Gard offers the opportunity to
explore the top-most level of the aqueduct.
33©AllKathy
images
Bowden
this page © Kathy Bowden
34DAYS 21 - 22
Return to Paris Return to Paris - a coach ride to Avignon for a TGV train to Paris and
return to the Hotel Adèle et Jules.
We enjoy a late afternoon private tour of the opulent 19th century
Palais Garnier, inspiration for Victor Hugo’s Phantom of the Opera
novel.
On our final day, Muguet guides us through the historical district of the
Marais, with gourmet tastings along the way, and a free afternoon for
last minute shopping and packing.
Dinner on the Left Bank - a fabulous finale to our tour.
35A $18,590 pp
Launch offer save $1,000 pp*
A single supplement of $4,500.00 applies for solo travellers, subject to
availablility of accomodation in the same category booked for this tour.
*Terms and conditions apply, not availble with any other offer
Prices are correct at the time of publication and may change, you will
be advised of any changes prior to booking and once your booking is
confirmed, your price is guaranteed and will not change.
36© Arno Senoner
37Our Style of Travel
At Authentique France we focus on exploring and celebrating France’s We always mark our arrival in each region with a Welcome Aperitif.
diverse regions, how their culture, arts, traditions and economies have
been shaped by their landscape and history. Breakfast and one other meal each day are included in your tour.
Usually our tours begin and end in Paris, and we travel to and from The pattern of our days is relaxed: usually we set off at 9.00am and
the regions by First Class TGV trains wherever possible. In the spend the day walking at a leisurely pace, with breaks for coffee
regions, we travel in first class mini-vans, buses and coaches, often or lunch or free time to wander at your leisure or just sit for a while
accompanied by our local guide. observing local comings and goings.
Drawing on our own experience as well as our guides’ local We have time for flexibility, however, some private tours and visits are
knowledge, we go beyond the tourist hot spots, seeking out booked for a specific day and time, so to ensure we don’t miss our time
lesser-known places and activities offering deeper insight and real slot there are occasions when we must adhere to schedules.
interactions with French people. We immerse ourselves in an area;
outside of cities, we always stay a minimum of 5 days in any one There’s time to relax before dinner or an evening outing each day and
location. you’ll have some free evenings – sample a restaurant of your choice or
stay ‘at home’.
From Paris to the most rural location, we stay in 4-star boutique
accommodation. Usually, they are small family establishments Most importantly, you can settle in, relax and soak it all in – you’re on
providing uniquely French experiences and vary in setting, type, holiday, enjoy.
architecture, style and décor, and facilities.
Sometimes we stay in a village, where you will feel the daily rhythm of
life, other times we’ll be in a rural setting surrounded by tranquil and
picturesque countryside.
38Inclusions & Exclusions
Inclusions Exclusions
• 4-star accommodation in boutique hotels International or domestic flights, airport arrival or departure taxes,
• Breakfast and one other meal every day passport, visa, and vaccination charges, travel insurance or
• Welcome Aperitif on arrival in each new region emergency evacuation charges, taxis fares, optional excursions not
• Train and bus travel and all transfers included in the itinerary included in the itinerary; some optional excursions may be offered and
• Guide, museum and site entrance fees, excursions and activities will be dependent upon free time available in the itinerary, the seasonal
included in the itinerary release dates and availability of entrance, performance tickets,
• Taxes and special events optional excursions/activity surcharges and all costs of a personal
• Regional Cuisine Masterclass and dinner (Valleys in Bloom only). nature including but not limited to: alcoholic beverages, soft drinks,
coffee (outside of some meals which include drinks) laundry, services,
personal clothing, medical expenses, gratuities, Wi-Fi, data or phone
charges.
Terms & Conditions
Terms and conditions apply to all tours and are available on our
website.
Please ensure your read and understand the Terms and Conditions
included on your Booking Form.
All itineraries are subject to change.
39Bon voyage
Bookings via:
authentiquefrance.tours
bonjour@authentiquefrance.tours
Mobile: +61 (0)417778869
PO Box 90 Marden SA 5070 Australia
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