ITINERARY - Paris and the Dordogne
MFA SENIOR ASSOCIATES SPRING TRIP
PARIS AND THE DORDOGNE
May 20 – 27, 2018
Sunday, May 20:
Depart Boston Logan Airport on Air France flight 333 at 7:10pm
Check in is required at the airport 2-3 hours prior to flight time.
1 free piece of checked luggage and 1 carry on plus a handbag is allowed at no extra charge.
Monday, May 21: Paris for 2 nights
Arrive Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport at 8:00am
Meet & greet private transfer from airport to hotel
8 deluxe twins + 1 deluxe single room, breakfast & taxes included at Hotel Le Pont Royal*****
Tour of Notre Dame Church with own docent in Paris followed by Latin Quarter upon arrival in the morning
This private walking tour in Paris features a tour of Latin Quarter, the seat of medieval Paris. Your private walking tour in Paris will begin at the Panthéon, home to the tombs of the “Great Men of France.” Your private tour of Paris will stop at the church of Saint Etienne du Mont, a Renaissance church featuring spectacular stained-glass windows, twin spiral staircases, gargoyles, 17th century organ and more. This chapel was dedicated to St. Geneviève, the patron saint of Paris, who was so popular in the Middle Ages that the abbey had to be enlarged to accommodate the pilgrims.
Then you will head to Notre Dame for an inside guided tour. Finally you will stroll some of the narrow and picturesque streets of the Latin Quarter. Time permitting you will pass through a cobbled passageway from the 1800s to stop by the oldest café in Paris: Café Procope, whose patrons have included Benjamin Franklin, Oscar Wilde, Voltaire and Bonaparte.
Afternoon guided tour of the Louvre Museum on own arranged by the group
Dinner at Brasserie le Grand Colbert, wine and coffee included
One of the few independently owned brasseries left in Paris, Le Grand Colbert, with its globe lamps and ceiling moldings, feels grand yet not over polished. It attracts a wonderfully Parisian mix of elderly lone diners, business lunchers, tourists, and couples, all of whom come for the enormous seafood platters, duck foie gras with Sauternes jelly, and steak tartare, as well as a few southern-influenced dishes. Finish with profiteroles (choux pastry filled with ice cream and smothered in a hot chocolate sauce). Popular with a posttheater crowd, Le Grand Colbert is also a pleasant destination between 3 and 6 pm for rich hot chocolate and cakes.
Tuesday, May 22:
Morning guided tour of to Giverny to see Monet’s gardens followed by lunch
This tour will be an introduction to the life and work of impressionist painter Claude Monet. You will have a guided tour of Monet’s house and workshop, the formal enclosed Norman Garden, and the romantic Water Garden with the Pond and Japanese Bridge. Time permitting you may also have a short self-visit to the Museum of American Art with revolving exhibits.
After a drive through the impressionist scenery.
Lunch at la Maison Fournaise (water, wine and coffee included): eat where Renoir painted one of his most famous painting Luncheon of the Boating Party, painted from the balcony of the Restaurant, today in the Phillips Collection in Washington.
As early as in the mid 19th century, boating attracted the Parisians on the banks of the Seine, where Alphonse Fournaise, a boat carpenter, had just installed his boat workshop. His wife opened a restaurant there, on the Island of Chatou : a peaceful place, a breath of fresh air and inspiration for many artists eager for mobile light and shivering shadows. Claude Monet, Alfred Sisley, Berte Morisot, Edouart Manet, Camille Pissaro et Pierre Prins ... these are the painters who enjoyed meeting in Chatou.
Wednesday, May 23: Dordogne for 4 nights
Private transfer from Paris to Les Eyzies
Have a stop for lunch on the road – to be paid locally by each person.
8 twin + 1 single, breakfast & taxes included at Hotel le Centenaire***
Dinner at Le Centenaire with wine and coffee included
Thursday, May 24:
Full day private guided tour Lascaux IV & the Art of the Caves
Today you will go to Les Eyzies, capital of Prehistory, where Cro Magnon men were discovered.
Begin the day in Les Eyzies de Tayac
At 10:30 am Visit Lascaux IV cave, a perfect reproduction of the original cave. Opened in 2016, Lascaux IV is a triumph of technology. Unlike any other cave visits, Lascaux 4 is employing different set designs, displays, state-of-the-art interactive workshops and immersive technology to bring it to life. In fact, the atmosphere inside the replica cave is just like that of a real cave: dark, damp and muffled.
Lunch Box prepared by Hotel Le Centenaire
1:30 pm
Visit the Font de Gaume, which hosts a collection of prehistoric cave paintings. Prehistoric men living in the Dordogne Valley first settled in the Font de Gaume around 25,000 BC. The cave was forgotten until the 19th century. The paintings found here date back to 17000 BC, during the Magdalenien period. The most famous painting, a mural of five bison was discovered accidentally in 1966 while the scientists were cleaning the cave.
Visit of the National Prehistory Museum. Opened in 2004, this national museum possesses the largest collection of prehistoric artifacts in the world.
Friday, May 25:
Full day private guided tour Rocamadour and St Cirq Lapopie
Today you will head to a local farm producing and selling goat cheese. Then visit Rocamadour, one of the most visited places of France, first as a pilgrimage destination, but also because of its beautiful village built on a cliff side. The village is renowned for its historical monuments and its sanctuary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which for centuries has brought pilgrims from every country, among them kings, bishops, and nobles.
Follow your guide and visit the renowned Notre Dame Chapel, part of an extraordinary 13th-century chapel complex perched on a cliff and one of the most dramatic pilgrimage sites in Europe. .
After the visit of Rocamadour, we depart for the wonderful village of St Cirq Lapopie, known to be the most beautiful of all the beautiful villages of France.
Lunch at Restaurant Le Gourmet Quercynois, wine and coffee included
Its position, originally selected for defense, perched on a steep cliff 100 m above the river Lot has helped make the town one of the most well preserved in the area, almost as if it was an open air museum. After it was "discovered" by the Post-Impressionist Henri Martin, it became popular with other artists and the home of the writer André Breton.
Saturday, May 26:
Full day private guided tour of Sarlat market, Dordogne villages and Marqueyssac gardens
Guided walking tour of Sarlat and its market
Visit the charming town of Sarlat, a medieval town built around a large Benedictine abbey of Carolingian origin. Sarlat is one of the only towns in France which has kept its 14th century influence!
The market is held in Place de la Liberté and its produce depends on the season but expect truffles, duck, foie gras, mushrooms and nuts. The Saturday market draws crowds from far and wide. Probably the most popular market in the region, it is certainly worth a visit to stroll through, taste some samples and buy some fresh local produce.
At 11 am, we will then head to the village of Beynac.
Beynac-et-Cazenac lies 10 kilometres southwest of Sarlat, on the banks of the Dordogne, and boasts an imposing castle, once besieged by Richard the Lion Heart, around which "lauze" stone slab-roofed houses with their creamy façades are built.
Then time for lunch in the small village of La Roque Gageac
Lunch at Restaurant Domaine de Monrecour, with wine and coffee included
Reach Marqueyssac Gardens
The Gardens of Marqueyssac strech along a spur on the Dordogne valley with an east and west exposure.
The vegetation is quite remarkable because of the calcium soil and the lack of water also its particular aspect.
On the southern slope of the park, holm oak, traditional oak, maple & berry are planted. These trees which are usually found in the Mediterranean climate have adapted themselves to the dry soil of Marqueyssac. The dark and evergreen foliage of the holm oak is the origin of the « Black Perigord » in the area of Sarlat. On the contrary, on the northern side of the park which is more humid, can be found an atlantic vegetation eg. horbeams, rural maple and oaks.
Finally, Enjoy a peaceful cruise on the the Dordogne River on board an authentic Gabarre to admire mighty castles that line the river. You can also discover the Gardens of La Roque that benefit from micro-climate conditions and where local vegetation stands alongside more exotic plants such as Banana trees, agave and Bougainvillea flowers.
Farewell dinner at Le 1862 Menu degustation, wine included
13 minutes’ walk from Le Centenaire
Colorful plates and original, impeccable cooking made with quality products, including vegetables from the kitchen garden: here's what awaits you in 1862.
Périgord duck foie gras, confit with strawberries, garden rhubarb and hibiscus pie.
Sunday, May 27:
Private transfer from hotel to Bordeaux Airport
Depart Bordeaux Airport on Air France flight 7627 at 12:15pm
Arrive Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport at 1:35pm
Depart Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport on Air France flight 334 at 3:15pm
Arrive Boston Logan Airport at 5:05pm
MFA SENIOR ASSOCIATES SPRING TRIP
PARIS AND THE DORDOGNE
MAY 20 – 27, 2018
May 21: Paris for 2 nights
Meet & Greet Private Transfer from Airport to Hotel
Flight AF#333 from Boston arriving at 8:00am
Your driver will wait for you just outside the custom area, in the arrivals hall, holding a sign with your name on it. Should you not see anyone, please call the telephone number above.
Supplier: Groupe Savac – Local phone: 01 30 52 45 00 - From a US phone: 011 33 1 30 52 45 00
Please note: The transfer listed is non-transferrable and applies only to this flight information. If you have any changes due to flight delays or cancellations, please contact the supplier directly and advise. Last minute requests cannot be guaranteed.
8 Deluxe Twins + 1 Deluxe Single Room, breakfast & taxes included at Hotel Le Pont Royal*****
5-7 Rue Montalembert, 75007 Paris, France
Local Phone: +33 1 42 84 70 00 – From a US Phone: 011 33 1 42 84 70 00
Please note: Local accommodation tax applies: 2 to 5 euros per-person/per-night, paid locally to the hotel directly.
Walking Tour of Notre Dame Church with docent arranged by the group
Followed by Latin Quarter Walking Tour with Essential Europe Guide
Pick-up in the hotel lobby at 10:00am
Our Essential Europe Guide will greet you in the lobby of the hotel.
Supplier: Pierre-Jean Cornuat Licensed Guide – Local phone: +33 6 07 50 59 03 – From a US phone: 011 33 6 07 50 59 03
Head back to the hotel around 1:00pm (about 25 minutes’ walk)
Afternoon guided tour of the Louvre Museum on own arranged by the group.
You need to be there around 2:45pm. Visit starts at 3:00pm and ends around 5:00pm.
Walk 12 minutes to go back to the hotel
Dinner at Brasserie le Grand Colbert at 7:30pm, 20 minutes’ walk from the Hotel
2 Rue Vivienne, 75002 Paris, France
Local Phone: +33 1 42 86 87 88 – From a US Phone: 011 33 1 42 86 87 88
Including: fixed menu (3 courses), wine and coffee
May 22:
Morning Guided Tour of to Giverny to see Monet’s garden
Pick-up in the hotel lobby at 7:00am.
Visit starts at 9:00am
Your guide will greet you in the lobby of the hotel.
Suppliers
Driver: Groupe Savac – Local phone: 01 30 52 45 00 - From a US phone: 011 33 1 30 52 45 00
Guide: Pierre-Jean Cornuat – Local phone: 06 07 50 59 03 - From a US phone: 011 33 6 07 50 59 03
Claude Monet’s Garden at Giverny
Reservation Number: TM45163*01
Supplier: Fondation Claude Monet – Local Phone: +33 2 32 51 28 21 – From a US Phone: 011 33 2 32 51 28 21
Lunch at Restaurant La Maison Fournaise at 1:00pm
3 Rue du Bac, Ile des Impressionnistes, 78400 Chatou, France
Local Phone: +33 1 30 71 41 91 – From a US Phone: 011 33 1 30 71 41 91
Including: appetizer, fixed menu (3 courses), mineral water, wine and coffee
Drop-off at the hotel around 4:00pm
Rest of the afternoon at leisure
May 23: Dordogne for 4 nights
Private Transfer from Paris to Les Eyzies
Pick-up in the hotel lobby at 8:00am
Your driver will greet you in the lobby of the hotel.
Supplier: Voyages Rey – Local Phone: +33 5 53 07 27 22 – From a US Phone: 011 33 5 53 07 27 22
Have a stop on the road to have lunch. Please note that the lunch is not included, to be paid locally.
8 Twin + 1 Double Single Use, breakfast & taxes included at Hotel le Centenaire***
2 Avenue du Cinglé, 24620 Les Eyzies-de-Tayac-Sireuil, France
Local Phone: +33 5 53 06 68 68 – From a US Phone: 011 33 5 53 06 68 68
Please note: Local accommodation tax applies: 2 to 5 euros per-person/per-night, paid locally to the hotel directly.
Dinner at Le Centenaire at 7:00pm
2 Avenue du Cinglé, 24620 Les Eyzies-de-Tayac-Sireuil, France
Local Phone: +33 5 53 06 68 68 – From a US Phone: 011 33 5 53 06 68 68
Including: fixed menu (3 courses), wine and coffee
May 24:
Full Day Private Driver from Hotel Le Centenaire to Lascaux IV, Font de Gaume & National Prehistory Museum
Pick-up in the hotel lobby 9:15am
Please note that the driver will wait for you outside of Lascaux and Font de Gaume. After the National Prehistory Museum, you will walk back to the hotel.
Your driver will greet you in the lobby of the hotel.
Supplier: Voyages Rey – Local Phone: +33 5 53 07 27 22 – From a US Phone: 011 33 5 53 07 27 22
Private Guided Tour of Lascaux IV
Meeting Point: 24290 Montignac
Start Time: 10:30am. Please be sure to arrive 30 minutes before
In case of delay, your tour will be cancelled
Your guide will greet you inside of Lascaux IV.
Supplier: Semi-Tour Perigord – Local Phone: +33 5 53 05 65 60 – From a US Phone: 011 33 5 53 05 65 60
Lunch Box prepared by the Hotel Le Centenaire
Please be sure to pick-up your lunch box after the breakfast.
Private Guided Tour of Font de Gaume (Reservation Number: 1032063 / I832662*01)
Meeting Point: 1-4 Avenue des Grottes, 24620 Les Eyzies-de-Tayac-Sireuil, France
Start Time: 1:30pm for 13 people and 2:15pm for 4 people. Please be sure to arrive 30 minutes before
In case of delay, your tour will be cancelled
Your guide will greet you inside of Font de Gaume.
Supplier: Font de Gaume – Local Phone: +33 5 53 06 86 00 – From a US Phone: 011 33 5 53 06 86 00
Private Guided Tour of the National Prehistory Museum (Reservation Number: 11135)
Meeting Point: 1 rue du Musée, 24620 Les Eyzies-de-Tayac-Sireuil, France
Start Time: 3:30pm. Please be sure to arrive 15 minutes before.
In case of delay, your tour will be cancelled
Your guide will greet you inside of the National Prehistory Museum.
Supplier: National Museum of Prehistory – Local Phone: +33 5 53 06 45 45 – From a US Phone: 011 33 5 53 06 45 45
Visit ends around 5:00pm, walk 4 minutes to reach your hotel
May 25:
Full Day Private Guided Tour Rocamadour and St Cirq Lapopie
Pick-up in the hotel lobby at 8:00am
Your guide will greet you in the lobby of the hotel and will stay with you during your day.
Suppliers
Guide: Ophorus –Local Phone: +33 5 56 15 26 09 – From a US Phone: 011 33 5 56 15 26 09
Driver: Voyages Rey – Local Phone: +33 5 53 07 27 22 – From a US Phone: 011 33 5 53 07 27 22
Visit of a Local Farm La Borie d’Imbert
Meeting Point: Borie d'Imbert, 46500 Rocamadour, France
Start Time: 10:30am
Supplier: Ferme La Borie d’Imbert – Local Phone: +33 5 65 33 20 37 – From a US Phone : 011 33 5 65 33 20 37
Lunch at Restaurant Le Gourmet Quercynois at 1:00pm
Rue de la Peyrolerie En haut du village, 46330 Saint-Cirq-Lapopie, France
Local Phone: +33 5 65 31 21 20 – From a US Phone: 011 33 5 65 31 21 20
Including: appetizer, fixed menu (3 courses), wine and coffee
Drop-off at the hotel around 4:00pm
May 26:
Full Day Private Guided Tour of Sarlat Market, Dordogne villages and Marqueyssac Gardens
Pick-up in the hotel lobby at 9:00am
Your guide will greet you in the lobby of the hotel and will stay with you during the day.
Suppliers
Guide: Ophorus – Local Phone: +33 5 56 15 26 09 – From a US Phone: 011 33 5 56 15 26 09
Driver: Voyages Rey – Local Phone: +33 5 53 07 27 22 – From a US Phone: 011 33 5 53 07 27 22
Lunch at Restaurant Domaine de Monrecour at 12 :00pm
Lieu-dit Monrecour, 24220 Saint-Vincent-de-Cosse, France
Local Phone: +33 5 53 28 33 59 – From a US Phone: 011 33 5 53 28 33 59
Including: fixed menu (3 courses), wine and coffee
Visit of the Marqueyssac Gardens at 2:00pm
Meeting Point: Les Jardins de Marqueyssac, 24220 Vezac, France
Open tickets. Please note that the reservation is under “Essential Europe Travel” name.
Supplier: Château de Marqueyssac – Local Phone: +33 5 53 31 36 36 – From a US Phone: 011 33 5 53 31 36 36
1 Hour Cruise on the Dordogne River
Meeting Point: 24220 Beynac, France
Start Time: 4:00pm. Please be sure to arrive 15 minutes prior departure.
Supplier: Gabarres de Beynac – Local Phone: +33 5 53 28 51 15 – From a US Phone: 011 33 5 53 28 51 15
Drop-off at the hotel around 7:00pm
Farewell Dinner at Le 1862 – Les Glycines at 8:30pm
13 minutes’ walk from Le Centenaire
4 avenue de Laugerie, 24620 Les Eyzies-de-Tayac-Sireuil, France
Local Phone: +33 5 53 06 97 07 – From a US Phone: 011 33 5 53 06 97 07
Including: menu degustation (6 courses) and wine
May 27:
Private Transfer from Hotel to Bordeaux Airport
Flight AF#7627 to Paris CDG departing at 11:35am
Pick-up in the hotel lobby at 6:45am
Supplier: Voyages Rey – Local Phone: +33 5 53 07 27 22 – From a US Phone: 011 33 5 53 07 27 22
Please note: The transfer listed is non-transferrable and applies only to this flight information. If you have any changes due to flight delays or cancellations, please contact the supplier directly and advise. Last minute requests cannot be guaranteed.
PLEASE NOTE: Be sure to read all the information provided in the vouchers in their entirety.
ESSENTIAL EUROPE TRAVEL 24/7 EMERGENCY NUMBER: 514 285 8758
OUTSIDE OF REGULAR EAST COAST BUSINESS HOURS (9AM TO 5PM) DIAL “9” WHEN YOU HEAR THE MESSAGE OR JUST LISTEN TO THE INSTRU