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Gardens and Castles France
5 days / 4 nights
Paris - Angers - Saumur - Maulevrier - Grdes - Paris

Day 1 Paris - Angers (300km/3,30h)
Arrival at Paris airport and transfer to Angers. Check into hotel.

Day 2 Angers
Guided tour of the city of Angers and its castle, Built by Saint Louis around 1230, this imposing fortress (2000 m;) flanked by 17 towers offers an astonishing panoramic view of the Maine and the town. Inside the ramparts, you will find the 106-meter long Apocalypse Tapestry, displayed in a specially designed museographic area. In the afternoon, visit of Terra Botanica the first ever interactive plant adventure park. A fun and educational trip through the world of plant life. With almost 110,000 m' of gardens, aquatic parks and greenhouses, and almost 40 attractions and activities, the park is a multidimensional showcase of flora from the 6 continents, offering a unique experience. Return to the hotel and overnight stay.

Day 3 Angers - Saumur (70km/1h)
Departure to Saumur for the guided tour of the National Riding School whose teachers are none other than the famous "ecuyers" of the Cadre Noir of Saumur. Only school of its kind in France with more than 400 horses, one of the largest stables in Europe... We carry on with the guided visit of the Cave aux Moines and its mushroom culture. You will discover a "troglodyte" house, a breeding of snails and several varieties of mushrooms. Departure to Fontevraud-L'Abbaye for the guided tour of the Royal Abbey. Located in the heart of the Val de Loire region, royal necropolis of the Plantagenet's family, the Abbey of Fontevraud is striking both for its size and its originality. The majestic 12r century abbey church shelters the recumbent figures of Richard the Lion Heart, Eleanor of Aquitaine and Henry 2M Plantagenet. At the end of the day, guided visit of a sparkling wine cellar followed by a tasting session. Return to the hotel and overnight stay.

Day 4 Saumur - Maulevrier Garden (150km/2h)
Departure to Yzernay, a village close to Cholet, for an extraordinary excursion. Climb into old cars dating from 1920-1935 and a coach from 1952 with bodywork from before the war, used in a number of famous films, such as Peau d'Ane, Graine d'Ortie, Commissaire Maigret. Then set off on a magnificent tour: The Foret de Vezins, the Chateau de Villefort, the Cimetiere des Martyrs, Peronne Lake. After a short break, the tour will continue to the Chateau du Bois de Saint-Louis and the Chateau Colbert. Departure to Maulevrier, guided visit of the Oriental Park, the largest Japanese garden in Europe, laid out by Alexandre Marcel between 1899 and 1910. The only one of its kind in the extraordinary richness of its vegetation, Oriental architectural setting (Khmer and Japanese), its design and symbolism, the exhibitions of bonsais and ceramics, the joys of the garden area (music, smells, etc.). Return to the hotel and overnight stay.

Day 5 Paris
Departure to Paris and transfer to airport.