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The Royal Residences Tour

Enjoy a unique travel experience and watch French history come to life as you literally walk in the footsteps of the Kings and Queens of France.

Over the centuries the amazing personalities and lavish lifestyles of the Kings and Queens of France have created a remarkable legacy. 

As significant as they are from an architectural viewpoint, the palaces and chateaux take on a fascinating new dimension when visited as royal residences, homes they actually lived in from day to day.

These tours have been specially designed to go beyond the usual tourist experience and provide an increased knowledge of French history and a deeper understanding of its most interesting characters, their relationships and intrigues. 

 


Go behind the scenes, avoiding the usual tourist crush, and see how the kings and queens (and their fabulous favorites) lived in private - the private apartments, libraries, dining room, secret staircases and passages -  and yes, you’ll see there are bathrooms and toilets in Versailles.


Visit the garden of Versailles armed with Louis XIV’s own instructions on how it should be visited, as well as enjoying the private domain of Marie-Antoinette at the Petit Trianon.

The Louvre is no longer just a landmark museum, but the Parisian residence of the French Kings from the time of Henry VIII’s contemporary, François 1.  Underground, discover the vestiges of the original medieval fortress palace.

In the Loire Valley, visit Amboise and Blois, as well as the impressive hunting lodge created at Chambord for François I with its celebrated staircase designed by Leonardo da Vinci (who is also often credited with designing the château). 

The rich history of Catherine de Medici and her rival (and husband’s mistress) Diane de Poitiers comes to life at Chenonceau, the stunningly beautiful “Queen’s Castle”.

Tours are available as modules, starting from three days for Paris and Île de France and three days in the Loire Valley.  

There is also a comprehensive three day visit to Versailles available. 

Departures are scheduled from April to June and September to November 2007. 

All tours include accommodation in charming hotels in Paris, Versailles and the Loire Valley, breakfasts, transfers, all museum entries and a private guide to introduce you to the homes of the most famous French monarchs . 

Add on itineraries are available, with a wide variety of royal residences dating from medieval times, as well as the summer and autumn residences of the kings. 

Personalised packages can be designed, including meals in a variety of select restaurants and extra days to allow you to experience the best of Paris.

Whether you’re interested in sightseeing or shopping (or both!), these are tailor made to suit your own personal interests.

French Travel Boutique only caters to small, select groups and has the flexibility to offer individual attention, making this a unique traveling experience - the kind you can only enjoy when you have a friend in Paris (who also happens to be a history expert!)
 

ITINERARY HIGHLIGHTS

DAY 1 

PARIS    

Start with an introduction to the kings and the history of their palaces from medieval times.  The tour explores the Conciergerie and the area of the Palais de   Justice including the beautiful Sainte-Chapelle.  (For those interested, tickets can be arranged for an evening concert in the upper chapel - an unforgettable experience!)

Then onto the Louvre.  This landmark museum will be seen in its original role as a royal residence.  

 

DAY 2, 3 

VERSAILLES

Over the next two days explore Louis XIV’s spectacular creation - the envy of all his peers throughout Europe.  In addition to the State Apartments, venture behind closed doors to areas not open to the public.

 

 


EXTENSIONS:

FONTAINEBLEAU - The autumn residence of the French Kings, favored for the hunting in the beautiful surrounding forests.  From the time of François I, many of the kings added to this château, making it a vast and intriguing residence.

COMPIEGNE   - The Château built by Louis XV, which became the official summer residence of the Kings of France. 
LUXEMBOURG PALACE - The residence of Queen Marie de Medici, second wife of the popular “Vert Galant” Henri IV.
ST-GERMAIN-EN-LAYE - Another important residence of the Kings of France, built by François 1 on the site of a XIVth century fort with a chapel dating from the time of Saint Louis (1238)
CHÂTEAU DE VINCENNES - One of the few castles at the centre of French history from the Middle Ages to our time. Although the Kings’ 13th century manor was destroyed, the 14th century walls and towers remain, as well as the remarkable Sainte Chapelle which began construction in 1380 and the Donjon.  The 17th century pavilions of Louis XIV, his mother Anne of Austria and godfather Cardinal Mazarin are of historical interest as they were constructed by Le Vau between Vaux-le-Vicomte and Versailles.

VAUX-LE-VICTOMTE -  Although this was not a residence of the French kings, it is the forerunner of Versailles and is a must see.
 

THE LOIRE VALLEY

DAY 1 

Depart Paris for Tours and a guided visit of:

AMBOISE, the château reconstructed in the 15th century by Charles VIII after his marriage to Anne of Brittany.

 

DAY 2 

BLOIS , an architectural masterpiece with its early 13th century feudal hall, and four wings built between the 15th and 17th century.

CHENONCEAU, the elegant “Queen’s castle” had been presented to Henri II’s favourite, Diane de Poitiers.  Although Catherine de Medici forced Diane out of Chenonceau when Henri died, between them, they created the galleried bridge which spans the Cher River.

 

DAY 3

CHAMBORD , even though “half finished”, a 16th century historian said this château “excites admiration and rapture in anyone that sees it”. The concept and design of  this “castle of tales and legends” is attributed to Leonardo da Vinci.  Molière’s “Bourgeois Gentleman” was performed for the first time for Louis XIV while on a visit to Chambord.

 

OPTIONAL LOIRE VALLEY CHÂTEAUX INCLUDE:

CHINON  
LOCHES
Tours are modules of 5 or 7 days based in Paris, but include at least an overnight stay in Versailles.  'The Queens, Favorites and Royal Residences' also include the Loire Valley.  Because we go behind the scenes to areas not normally open to the public, these tours cater to small groups only. Although the history component is consistent, tour costs are flexible.
Each can be costed 2 ways – the "Version Classique" – charming 3 star hotels, public transport (except for Loire Valley) and the "Version Luxe" – luxury hotels, limos etc. Basic tour costs cover accommodation, breakfast, all transport and admissions to museums. Lunch/dinner optional. We can also design extensions to each tour if you would like to stay longer. (See an example in the Marie-Antoinette tour)