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Alsace Lorraine, Burgandy and Champagne - 14 Day Extended Tour - (Tour No. ABC) |
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DAY ONE - SUNDAY Our next stop will be Sens, noted as the site of France’s first gothic cathedral (12th Century). There's also a fine covered market here where we'll get our first insight onto the wonders of French food! Our final destination is the ancient and atmospheric town of Beaune.
En route, we’ll be driving through some glorious countryside. Naturally, a visit anywhere in France will offer the opportunity of visiting vineyards, but on this tour we have three very special regions; our first is here, in Burgundy. The first vine was planted here in Roman times and the produce of ‘La Cote’ has been revered virtually ever since. We’ll be visiting one of the vineyards as we tour. We’ll also visit the Burgundy Wine Museum when in Beaune. Our exploration of Beaune will take the form of ‘organised independence’. On the evening prior to our visit you’ll have been well briefed by your guide-companion about the town. You’ll have been advised of the main sites, supplied with maps and had questions answered. You’re then free to explore the delights of the city at your own pace, choosing the attractions that hold the most interest for you. Of course, if you’re raveling alone you need not fear being neglected, as your guide-companion will also be offering a walking tour for those who would prefer his/her companionship. Beaune offers a wealth of delights including the Hôtel-Dieu, a marvel of Burgundian-Flemish art. There are also the Musée des Beaux-Arts, and a museum sure to delight any of the many physicians who travel with Back-Roads Touring Co., that of the great experimental doctor and physiologist, Etienne-Jules Marey. Others will enjoy shopping in the old town or walking the 15th century
town ramparts. Michelin give Dijon a three star rating, and it certainly deserves every one of them. We’re going to spend a full day here to get inside this ancient university city, and seat of the Dukes of Burgundy. Highlights will include strolling pedestrian streets of the old town, such as the Rue des Forges, and exploring the rich remains of the Palais de Ducs (the Salle des Gardes in the Musée des Beaux–Arts cannot be missed). There’ll be an opportunity to visit the archeological museum (including fantastic local finds from Neolithic and Gallo-Roman periods), the botanic gardens, the cathedral and numerous smaller chapels. Or perhaps a visit to the mustard museum!?! Dijon is a gourmet’s and shopper’s delight! We’ll find the Auger shops for local products such as mustards, sweets, blackcurrant liqueurs and spicy ginger cake. Tonight dinner is not included to allow for some individual choice
in dining. There are several Michelin two and three star restaurants
in Dijon. Should anyone wish to sample the extremely expensive delights
of one of these, please advise us well in advance and we’ll be
delighted to make appropriate arrangements. We drive east, passing the ancient city of Bresancon and into the mountains where we’ll follow the Vallée du Doubs. To say that this is a remarkably pretty drive is a gross understatement. Indeed, the Gorges du Doubes between the towns of Morteau and Monteliard, is breath-taking. The Alsace is, of course, another area famed for its wines. No doubt we’ll find time over the next few days to sample a glass or two! The touring we're doing may afford us the opportunity of stopping at a scenic location in the mountains where we can enjoy a picnic of local produce, and simply enjoy nature in her magnificence. It should be evident from the description of this tour that those with
a mobility problem will not find this a suitable holiday. If you have
any doubts as to your fitness for this tour, please do consult with
us first. This morning you’re free to rise late and to explore Colmar. Highlights will include exploring the old town with its picturesque timbered houses, and perhaps enjoying a canal ride around ‘petite Venice’. There is also the Musée d’Underlinden, a fantastic collection of art housed in an old convent, a magnificent cathedral, and a small museum dedicated to the man who designed the Statue of Liberty. Colmar is a town not quickly forgotten. It is so quaint that you almost feel you're in a film set. Gift shopping here is good so you'll enjoy your day of 'organised independence'. And for those with a taste for beer and wine, the cafes and bars here afford ample opportunity of sampling some of the local brews in the company of friendly locals. Dinner is taken independently this evening and not included in your
tour price. We leave early this morning and follow the German border to the Capital City of the European Union, Strasbourg. Your day here will illustrate why the politicians chose it! Not only is this an historical crossroads for Europe, but it has an intellectual history that claims both Guttenberg and Goethe. It is rich in art treasures, has one of the finest gothic cathedrals, has superb shopping, and last but certainly not least, some of the best eating and drinking possibilities in the whole of the Union! We visit on a Saturday to take advantage of it being market day (there’re both traditional and flea market to explore and both are great for interesting souvenirs and presents), and to give you an opportunity of joining a special themed walking tour. Visit www.strasbourg.com for more information. Our return from Strasbourg takes us through Obernai where we’ll
stop for dinner. Another scenic day as we discover the Route des Cretes. This was a strategic road built during the First World War to ensure communications on the Vosges front line. We’ll obtain an amazing panorama of the area at Hohneck, from the Vosges to the German Black Forest, and later see the Vieil-Armand battlefield monument. This afternoon we enjoy a two-hour drive west, through the hills and
woods of the Vosges Forests to Nancy. Our description hardly does justice
to the day's wonderful sightseeing. We’ll arrive in time for your
guide-companion to offer a short orientation tour. Nancy is the former capital of the Dukes of Lorraine. It’s quite different in character from the towns of the Alsace and owes its elegance to 18th century town planning, though its roots go back to the 11th century! Art Nouveau is also much in evidence in Nancy’s architecture. There’s much to see and do here, especially for those with an interest in arts and craftsmanship. There’re the Ducal Palace, the superb glass and crystal collection in the Musée des Beaux-Arts (and paintings by Monet, Modigliani and Manet), the wonderful art gallery at Musée de L’École de Nancy and the old town with its ranges of buildings of architectural and historical interest. For those whose prefer to sit and stare, what finer way than at a pavement
café in the Place Stanislas. Go on, shut your eyes and imagine
yourself sitting in the shade, glass of fine wine to hand, a plate of
regional snacks before you, perhaps some street musician providing the
entertainment while you watch life go by without a worry in the world!
We’ll take an opportunity of visiting another country today, Luxembourg. En route, we’ll visit Metz, a pretty and busy city on the river Moselle. This city was at the centre of 20th century Franco-German history and following the war of 1870 between France and Germany, the town took on a very Germanic character with the cathedral, post office and railway station all being re-built or re-fashioned in some form. As this city was so important in France's defences against the Germans, it's not surprising that it's ringed by forts and we'll take the opportunity of visiting one of the ones that made up the famed Maginot Line. If we have time, then maybe an opportunity to follow the river north
to the independent country of Luxembourg. The First World War looms large again today. We won’t help but have noticed signs of the age-old conflict between France and Germany over the Alsace and Lorraine as we’ve traveled through the region but at Verdun, scene of one of the bloodiest battles of the Great War, we’ll stop to contemplate this aspect of European history. Our time here will include a visit to the Citadelle Souterraine where there’s an imaginative tour that takes us on a recreation of life in the trenches. We’ll also visit the battlefield and associated museums and memorials. DAY TWELVE - THURSDAY It’s time to raise our glasses for today we explore the famed Champagne region. Naturally, our day will include visits to well-known vineyards in the Marne valley, and to Champagne cellars (Moët et Chandon or Mercier) in Épernay itself, or perhaps the excellent wine museum. Whichever, there's obviously a great choice of wines and champagnes
to try! Our final day sees us first in the ancient university town of Reims. It was here, at the magnificent cathedral, that French kings were traditionally crowned. Architectural and cultural highlights here include the cathedral Notre-Dame (considered one of the finest in the world), the Basilica and Museum de St Remi and the Palais du Tau (the archbishops palace). We can also visit the fascinating Salle de Reddition, General Eisenhower’s HQ and where the act of German capitulation was signed. The actual room remains exactly as it was on May 7th 1945. We return to Paris by late afternoon and this evening you’ll be
free to enjoy this 'city of light'. Dinner is not included in your tour
price. Alas, it’s time to bid adieu with a transfer to the airport, unless you’re staying on to enjoy Paris, of course. At least you’ll be returning home with some of the fondest memories of a leisurely and varied tour through La Belle France. |
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