Product Description

Enchantment Christmas in Paris and the Loire Valley illuminated

reservation: travelfrance@guidesud.com

Discover the enchanting beauty of Paris and the Loire Valley in December, a season when these iconic destinations come alive with holiday magic. On this unforgettable trip, you’ll see the City of Light decked out in sparkling lights and festive decorations, while the great chateaux of the Loire Valley soak up the Christmas spirit. Join us for a winter adventure that promises cultural wonders, culinary delights and holiday warmth in two of France’s most captivating regions.

D1: Arrival in PARIS

Arrival in Paris and private transfer from CDG airport to your hotel in Paris. Rest of the day at leisure;

Overnight in Paris, 5-star Hotel Elysia or 4-star Hotel le Walt.

Services included :

• Transfer from airport to hotel
• Lodging

D 2 : Versailles

AM: Get ready to step back in time to France’s glory days with a visit to the Château de Versailles. This opulent château and its meticulously tended gardens bear witness to one of the world’s most prestigious artistic heritages, representing the finest and most comprehensive collection of 17th-century French art. It was once the beloved residence of the “Sun King” Louis XIV, and was home to three of France’s most illustrious kings for over a century. Your expert guide will take you on a guided tour of the palace’s interior. You’ll have the privilege of visiting the king’s and queen’s ceremonial apartments, the resplendent royal chapel and the legendary Hall of Mirrors. The Hall of Mirrors is a magnificent gallery adorned with 357 mirrors, large floor-to-ceiling windows and sparkling crystal chandeliers that will leave you breathless.
At the end of the palace tour, you’ll have free time to stroll through the famous “French gardens”, a sprawling 2,000-acre park masterfully designed by André Le Nôtre. You’ll discover magnificent bosquets, impressive statues and enchanting fountains that add to the charm of this remarkable estate.

Free afternoon in Paris to admire the Christmas market in the Jardin des Tuileries, the lights of the Champs Elysées or the covered passages filled with small boutiques and leading to the Grands Magasins.

Evening: Board your boat for a dinner cruise. A dinner cruise on the Seine is a magical way to discover the beauty of Paris in the evening, when the city’s monuments are magnificently illuminated. As you cruise along, you’ll have the opportunity to admire iconic sites such as the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Louvre Museum and many more, while enjoying a delicious meal. It’s the perfect way to combine fine dining, sightseeing and relaxation, and create unforgettable memories of your visit to the City of Light. Enjoy the breathtaking views of Paris!
Overnight in Paris

Services included:

• Accommodation, breakfast
• Half-day tour of Versailles with your private guide, including all tickets and transportation.
• Dinner cruise, 3-course meal without drinks

D3 : The Louvre
AM: Embark on a captivating journey through the Louvre, the former palace of the kings of France, and now the world’s largest museum, covering almost every facet of human history and artistic expression. Your adventure begins when you meet your expert guide at the Louvre, ready to reveal the treasures within.
On this private guided tour, you’ll immerse yourself in the world of art inspired by artists such as Da Vinci, Monet and many others. But it’s not just about appreciating art, it’s also an educational adventure. Your guide can arrange a tour of the Louvre specially designed for children, making it a family experience.
You’ll discover the highlights of the museum, coming face-to-face with some of the world’s most iconic paintings and sculptures. The Mona Lisa, the Venus de Milo, the Code of Hammurabi, the Regent’s Diamond and the Coronation of Napoleon I are just some of the magnificent works of art that will leave you breathless.
Beyond its artistic treasures, the Louvre is an integral part of French history. The Louvre Palace, built in the 12th century by King Philippe Auguste II, served as the royal residence. Over the centuries, it has come to symbolize the wealth, power and opulence of the French monarchy.
This private guided tour of the Louvre is not just a museum visit; it’s a journey through time, art and France’s rich heritage, promising a profound and enriching experience for visitors of all ages.

Afternoon at leisure

Night in Paris.

Service included:

• Accommodation, breakfast and tourist taxes
• Private tour of the Louvre, including guided tour tickets.

D4: THE Eiffel Tower and drive to the Loure Valley and its illuminated castles

AM: Climb to the second floor of the Eiffel Tower and soak up the breathtaking view of Paris.
A true symbol of Paris and an icon of France, the Eiffel Tower was masterfully designed by Gustave Eiffel for the 1889 Universal Exhibition. Today, it is one of the most visited monuments in the world.
Exploring the Eiffel Tower is an extraordinary experience, from strolling through its historic gardens to taking in the hypnotic views of Paris from its summit. On the second floor, the glass floor beneath your feet gives you the exhilarating sensation of walking above ground. Whether you visit in the heat of summer or the chill of winter, you can take a moment to savor the view from the terrace, perched 57 meters above the earth.
Access to the second floor is a feast for the eyes. Admire the beauty of the Louvre, the grandeur of the Grand Palais, the meandering Seine, the charm of Montmartre, the majesty of Les Invalides and the grace of Notre-Dame. Your visual journey is complemented by delicious culinary options, including the Michelin-starred restaurant Le Jules Verne, the Pierre Hermé Paris macaroon bar and a convenient takeaway.

AFTERNOON: Bid farewell to Paris and enjoy a scenic drive to the Loire Valley.
Overnight in Blois (5-star hotel) or Chambord (4-star hotel).
Overnight at the Fleur de Loire Blois hotel (5-star hotel) or the Relais de Chambord (4-star hotel).
Services included:

• Accommodation, breakfast and tourist tax
• Access to the second floor of the Eiffel Tower
• Private transfer to the Loire Valley.

D5: Chenonceau AND Chambord

Immerse yourself in a magical experience, stroll through enchanting Christmas décors and take part in extraordinary workshops and tours.
Meet your private guide at your hotel.

First visit to Chenonceau :
The history of Château de Chenonceau is defined by an almost unbroken succession of women who built, embellished, protected, restored and saved it. The first château was a medieval castle dating from the 12th and 13th centuries, of which only the keep remains: the Tour des Marques.

Lunch as recommended.

Chambord illuminated!

From December 1, discover Chambord as you’ve never seen it before!
Every winter, during the Christmas festivities, the Château de Chambord lights up
a thousand lights.
For this 10th edition, an all-new decoration will plunge young and old into the magic of
into the magic of Christmas. From the entrance porch, through the first floor of the château
furnished apartments through to the French gardens, it’s a setting worthy of a fairytale
a fairytale setting!
The outside walkways are also embellished with a hundred magnificent
illuminated every evening at dusk.
In the formal gardens, the yew trees are adorned with sparkling garlands.
Let yourself be carried away by the splendor of the setting…

In the colossal Château de Chambord, you can appreciate the work of Leonardo da Vinci and other great French architects. Château de Chambord is one of the best-known Loire Valley châteaux, with its distinctive French Renaissance architecture that, in the 16th century, blended French medieval design with classical Renaissance structures. The château, built by King François 1er of France as a hunting lodge, is surrounded by over 2,000 hectares of wooded parkland, which is a hunting reserve. The château is best known for its extraordinary roofs and double spiral staircase.

Overnight in  Chambord

Services included:

• Private day trip to the castles of Chenonceau and Chambord, tickets included.
• Accommodation, breakfast and tourist taxes

D6: Blois and return to PARIS

AM: Built into the side of a hill, Blois is a city made for walking, with stairs, slopes and climbs everywhere. Forming a bank of the Loire, it offers magnificent views of the royal river and the Jacques Gabriel bridge, built in the 18th century. Don’t miss the Renaissance mansions on rue du Puits-Châtel, or the “Maison des saltimbanques” on place Saint-Louis, one of the oldest buildings in Blois, dating from the reign of Louis XI. It was crowned “Most beautiful house in France” in 1960.

For Christmas, from December 7, 2023, immerse yourself in an unexpectedly enchanted atmosphere, where costumes and trees reinterpret the mythical scenes of the illustrious villains
illustrious villains from literature, legends and fairy tales who have marked our childhood, evoking the duality of good and evil.
Challenge Cruella and her black-and-white Christmas tree, tremble before Jafar in his oriental décor, meet Beauty and the Beast, brave Ursula surrounded by her “starfish” Christmas tree, stand in awe
Snow White and the Stepmother’s apples, or Sleeping Beauty and Maleficent! Superimposed rhinestones, pearls, lace, silks and lights
create the illusion! Your adventure ends in the State Hall, where a large gift box awaits you: you’re invited to slip in a message of hope, a wish for the future as a symbol of good versus evil!

Lunch at leisure

Pm: Return to Paris.
Overnight in Paris,4-star Hotel le Walt.

Services included:

• Private tour of Blois and private transfer to Paris
• Accommodation, breakfast and tourist taxes

Day 7: Departure

Transfer to the airport.

What is included in the price:

• Accommodation, breakfast, and city taxes
• All necessary transfers from airport to hotels and vice versa
• Prive tours or small group tours
• Entrance fees.
• A detailed road book describing routes, tourist information, historical information, and our favorites addresses.
• Operational and logistical support throughout, including triple checking all arrangements prior to your arrival; any last-minute changes necessary due to flight delays, inclement weather, etc.

What is not included in the price:

• Meals & drinks ,
• Cancellation insurance