Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip

Castles and Countryside for Couples
Paris, Versailles and Chambord

France - Paris - Versailles - Loire Valley

SLIP INTO THE PAST

Starting from between £1,770 to £2,500 per person for 7 days depending on the time of year, type of accomodation and activities

Itinerary Highlights

  • Travel through royal history, from Paris to Chambord, with the common theme being the elegance of the French way of life


  • Enjoy beautiful stops along the way: a former mansion in Paris, the Versailles palace, the chic Chambord countryside




  • Includes all our additional services, such as fast track airport services, airport lounge access and our local Concierge service
Introduce yourself to a few chapters of French history from Paris to Chambord, punctuating your road trip with stops at lovely properties along the way. You'll find out as you go: French royalty evokes unparalleled history and architectural heritage. The castles and their adjoining gardens attest to this: majestic in their appearance, they reveal intrigue and legend. Immersed in the romantic atmosphere, you'll start with a few days exploring the Paris of yesteryear, as you stride through mansions and elegant neighbourhoods. Parisian streets intertwine and delight - Montmartre and the Sacre Cœur, designer boutiques in the Marais district, countless museums tracing the history of bygone years and the creativity of today, old bookshops in the Latin Quarter, Notre Dame Cathedral, Place Dauphine. .. And so many others that you discover by chance, around a turn, at a dead end, as you venture a bit further. You then set off on country roads, leaving the hustle and bustle of Paris behind you. When you arrive in Versailles, you will, of course, notice the Chateau. Yet the city does not stop there and harbours treasures on either side of the great Avenue de Paris. The final stop takes you to the Loire Valley, where the longest river in France twists and turns through the landscape. The ideal season for this trip is autumn so you can enjoy the pretty colours and end the day by the fire after your visits, without having to deal with the crowds of the high season.



ELEGANT HOTELS



At each of the selected hotels, you'll find a certain kind of French charm. In Paris, you'll stop at a former mansion in Saint Germain des Pres, the quintessential left bank neighbourhood. The hotel has retained its spirit of old-fashioned splendour: the rooms are decorated in toile with four-poster beds. For the last two nights, you'll sleep in a hotel in the heart of the Chambord estate, facing the castle. Utterly sublime. This unique hotel immediately won us over because it embodies the balance between contemporary comfort and the charming atmosphere of the grand country houses.



YOUR TRIP



Throughout the journey, you'll learn about a place's heritage through the activities we have planned for you. You'll explore the finest mansions in Paris before visiting the Queen's Hamlet in Versailles, with a private guide each time. We'll also take care of making reservations at a Michelin-starred restaurant, for an intimate dinner and couple's treatment at your hotel's spa. In Chambord, you'll have bicycles to ride along the forest paths. And if there are any last-minute requests or something unexpected pops up, you can contact our local Concierge, who can be reached at any time.
Chambord Castle - France © Droits reservés
Chambord Castle - France © Droits reservés
Palace of Versailles - France © Faustine Poidevin
Palace of Versailles - France © Faustine Poidevin
Arch of Triumph - Paris - France © Droits reservés
Arch of Triumph - Paris - France © Droits reservés
Paris, France © Droits reservés
Paris, France © Droits reservés
Luxembourg Garden - Paris - France © Droits reservés
Luxembourg Garden - Paris - France © Droits reservés
The Palace of Versailles - France © Droits reservés
The Palace of Versailles - France © Droits reservés
Eiffel Tower - Paris, France © Droits reservés
Eiffel Tower - Paris, France © Droits reservés
Stairs - Paris - France © Droits reservés
Stairs - Paris - France © Droits reservés
Sacré Cœur -Montmarte - Paris - France © Droits reservés
Sacré Cœur -Montmarte - Paris - France © Droits reservés
Eiffel Tower - Paris, France © Droits reservés
Eiffel Tower - Paris, France © Droits reservés
French breakfast - France © Droits reservés
French breakfast - France © Droits reservés
Place des Vosges - Paris - France © Droits reservés
Place des Vosges - Paris - France © Droits reservés
Apothecary - France © Droits reservés
Apothecary - France © Droits reservés
Chambord Castle - France © Freesurf /Fotolia
Chambord Castle - France © Freesurf /Fotolia

Itinerary

100% customisable for you

Private transfer and two-night stay at a beautiful and very 'left bank' hotel. Housed in a former legendary mansion in the Saint-Germain-des-Pres district, this hotel offers a relaxing spa, a quiet garden and an intimate bar. From a rooftop suite to bedrooms with private terraces, each has its own distinctive character. The decor maintains the spirit of the mansion: vintage finds, silky velvet, beautiful inlaid woodwork, toile in some spots, and four-poster beds in others.

Included in the itinerary - Discover Parisian mansions on a private guided tour. Accompanied by a guide, you will explore two mansions in the capital, to understand how Parisian high society has evolved over the last two centuries: You'll visit the Musee Jacquemart-Andre first, with its large apartments and sumptuous decor. It houses a vast collection of paintings and sculptures, including works by Rembrandt, Botticelli and David. The day continues at the Musee Nissim de Camondo, just outside the Parc Monceau. You can also take a walk through the park.

Pick up your hired car and drive to Versailles. Spend two nights in a historic hotel on the edge of Louis XIV's royal estate. For over a century, the palace has cultivated a very French-style refinement. A must-see for epicureans, Sarah Bernhardt, Proust, John Rockefeller and many personalities have all retreated to this place.
Just for you - A reservation at the hotel's Michelin-starred restaurant. At this intimate restaurant, you'll sample signature dishes created by the chef in his London restaurants, such as Scottish crayfish ravioli and blue lobster.

Included in the itinerary - Private guided visit of the Queen's Hamlet. Beyond the gardens of Versailles are the castles of Trianon and Marie-Antoinette's estate. You'll walk through this bucolic place, created to escape the constraints of the Court. Its peaceful atmosphere still contrasts with the main castle and its French-style garden.
Spend the late afternoon at the hotel's spa and enjoy a relaxing massage. You'll be transported into a truly rejuvenating experience for the senses.

Drive to the Loire Valley for a two-night stay in a unique location. The hotels is about 160 feet from the Chateau de Chambord, a singular building that forms the heart of the eponymous estate. Inside the hotel, the atmosphere is reminiscent of an elegant country house with a contemporary twist.
Things to do - Visit the Chateau de Chambord on your own. The building is located in the middle of the largest enclosed park in Europe, with an area of 13,442 acres, identical to that of Paris within its city limits. Among the architectural jewels of the Loire Valley, Chambord is certainly the most prestigious of all, with its famous double helix staircase and more than 4,500 objects of art in the refurbished apartments. This visit is an opportunity to learn about Francis I's intention when he decided to build this palace, and the role of Leonardo da Vinci in drawing up the plans. Everything here exudes history: not just aesthetics, but also a certain spirituality, even an element of mystery.

Included in the itinerary - A morning of cycling in the Loire Valley. Bicycles are available so you can take a jaunt along the water against the backdrop of the magnificent castles of the Loire Valley.

Return trip.

Suggestions

Everything in this itinerary is entirely customisable, down to the smallest details. Here are some more suggestions of what could be included

Saint-Germain-des-Pres explored with the accompaniment of a local guide



This neighbourhood may be famous as a meeting place for French writers, but today it is also home to some of the best pastry chefs, most beautiful boutiques, and trendy cafes. Your guide for the day will take you to the Ecole des Beaux-Arts where Monet, Degas and Renoir studied. After enjoying a gourmet snack, you'll pass the Cafe de Flore and the Deux Magots, the haunts of Sartre and Beauvoir, and discover all the places which have inspired French literature and art. The tour ends with a visit to the little-known Delacroix Museum, the artist's former studio and the magnificent garden that surrounds it.

Optional



Take a private pastry class



The macaron is a typical French pastry known all over the world but, technically speaking, few people know how to prepare them to perfection. During this course, your chef will teach you the best tricks: from ganache to meringue, you'll learn every secret about making this pastry yourself.

Optional



Hot air balloon ride over Chateau de Chenonceau



The greatest artists have long been inspired by the harmonious combination of the waters of the Loire and its vegetation: Rabelais, Ronsard or Du Bellay. Step up and discover Chateau de Chenonceau spanning the River Cher with its majestic arches. You may also have the chance to discover wildlife such as hares and deer as they awake.

Optional

Why visit France with Original Travel

Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.

ENQUIRE NOW

A few of the benefits of travelling with us to France

  • Our local Concierges
  • The Original Travel app
  • Airport lounge access
  • Destination Dossier
  • 24-hour helpline
  • Expert guides
  • 100% carbon absorption

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A rough idea of the price

Depending on the time of year, type of accommodation and activities

The estimated cost for this trip starts from £1,770 to £2,500 per person. The final cost of the trip depends on the way we tailor it especially for you. The final cost will vary according to several factors, including the level of service, length of trip and advance booking time. The exact price will be provided in your personalised quote. The average cost for this trip is £2,145 per person.
Included in this suggestion

  • Transport to Paris


  • Car hire for five days


  • Two-night stay in Paris in a double room with breakfast included


  • Two-night stay in Versailles in a double room with breakfast included


  • Two-night stay in Chambord in a double room with breakfast included


  • Private guided tour of Parisian mansions


  • Relaxing spa treatments at the hotel in Versailles


  • Bike hire for a ride around Chambord


  • Our local Concierge service

100% tailor-made holidays

Understanding Your Needs

Our team of destination experts will get to know you and your unique requirements for your holiday

Personalisation

We work with you to build an ultra-personalised holiday itinerary with your choice of accommodation, experiences and activities

Our Services

All of our holidays include little extras designed to make a big difference to your trip, from fast-tracking you through airport check-in and security to our network of local Concierges