FRANCE- PARIS AND CASTLES OF THE LOIRE - FLY & DRIVE ITINERARY



1º DAY : YOUR COUNTRY - PARIS

Arrival at Paris and after your rent a car according to the time you have enjoy a first approach with the "Ville Lumiere"and have a walk around  Place de l´Etoile-Arc de Triomphe and Champs-Élysées.The Arc de Triomphe, a majestic and triumphal arch located in the 8th arrondissement of Paris,in the Place Charles de Gaulle theold-Place de l'Étoile, at the western end of the Champs -Élysées.Built between 1806 and 1836, is probably the most famous triumphal arch in the world.Built to commemorate the military victories of Napoleon Bonaparte, who ordered its construction in 1806.Completed in 1836, the monumental work has engraved the names of 128 generals and 558 battles. At its base, lies the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.The arch is  one of the two ends of the Champs-Élysées.

The Avenue des Champs-Élysées is known in France as "La plus belle avenue du monde" "The most beautiful avenue in the world".The arrival of stores of global network in recent years has strikingly changed its character and a first effort to stem these changes the City of Paris decided in 2007 to prohibit the multinational Swedish H & M to open a store on the avenue. The avenue is 71 meters wide by 1.9 km long, starting at the Place de la Concorde, near the Obelisk of Luxor,the Louvre Museum and Tuileries Gardens, and follows the southeast-northwest direction and ends Charles de Gaulle in the square, where is situated the Arc de Triomphe.The extension to the northwest towards the Grande Arche de la Défense is performed by the Avenue de la Grande Armée.The name "Champs Elysées",refers to the place of the dead in Greek mythology.

Have a splendid walk in Place de la Concorde in the evening to admire this beautiful square located at the beginning of the Champs-Élysées,this impressive square is the second largest in France after Place Quinconces Square in Bordeaux.The square was built by Ange-Jacques Gabriel in 1755 as an octagon with the perimeter defined by the Champs-Élysées and the Jardin des Tuileries.The fountains, added later by Jacques Hittorff are inspired by those of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome.Place de la Concorde  becomes the scene of the bloody French Revolution with the installation of the famous guillotine.With the end of the Terror, the government decided to rename the Revolution Square as "Place de la Concorde."

2º DAY: PARIS

Paris... The story of this City begins 2000 years ago when the Gauls built a small city, the Ile de la Cite, (which has now become the heart of Paris) that later enlarged and enriched the Roman monuments. The architecture, green spaces inserted in harmonious urban structure, the Seine flows gently from time immemorial, the animation of the cafes, the joie de vivre of the Parisians, all contribute to make it a city full of impressive monuments the largest and most luminous Paris square.Visit the Hotel des Invalides,a huge monument, whose construction was ordered by Louis XIV in 1670 to give shelter to the disabled of their armies. Today, still welcoming the disabled, but also a necropolis military headquarters and several museums.Among the famous personalities buried there is Napoleon Bonaparte, as the heart of Sébastien Le Prestre of Vauban, a distinguished French military architect, responsible for poliorcética French, who created in the time of Louis XIV, a series of military fortifications to the kingdom , making it impenetrable.The architectural highlights of the golden dome, of the chapel St. Louis, that Louis XIV had built for private use of the king and as royal mausoleum, but subsequently failed to house the remains of any king of France.The mausoleum of Napoleon is organized around the remains of the Emperor Napoleon I, located in the center of a circular crypt around which is glossed exploits and achievements of his reign..Upstairs to the crypt, from which you can observe the imperial tomb, also exposed the coffins of Joseph I of Spain and Jerome Bonaparte, brother of Napoleon, Napoleon II, son of Napoleon.

Invalides church was built after the main buildings, due to dissatisfaction of King Louis XIV with the first proposal made by architect Libéral Bruant. Louis XIV wanted a building that would allow attendance at the same mass of soldiers and the king himself, but that the sovereign had to mingle with the soldiers. Finally, Jules Hardouin-Mansart gave solution to the problem by dividing the original temple project in two separate churches, though endowed with architectural continuity: the Saint-Louis-des-Invalides, called "church of the soldiers," and the church of the Dome prayer for the monarch and royalty.

Visit later the magnificent Paris the Eiffel Tower defined as "a diva 300 meters high".It is a tower iron trellis dated 19th century located on the Champ de Mars in Paris that has become a global icon of France and one of the most recognizable structures in the world.The Eiffel Tower,which is the tallest building in Paris,is the most visited paid monument in the world, millions of people climb to the tower each year. Named after its designer, engineer Gustave Eiffel, was built as the entrance arch of the Universal Exhibition of 1889.
The tower is 324 meters high,it was the tallest structure in the world from its completion until 1930, when he lost the job to the Chrysler Building in New York in Usa United.Not including broadcast antennas,the tower is the second tallest structure in France, behind the Millau Viaduct, completed in 2004.The tower has three levels for visitors.Tickets can be purchased on the stairs or lifts to the first and second level.The walk to the first level is over 300 steps. The third and highest level is accessible only by elevator.

Continue your visit with the Paris Opéra the first opera company of Paris. It was founded in 1669 by Louis XIV of France as Opera Academy and quickly became Real Music Academy The company produces operas, primarily in modern theatre Opéra Bastille, which opened in 189 and ballets in the old Palais Garnier, which opened in 1875.This prestigeous theatre was cited in the book "The Phantom of the Opera" by Gaston Leroux. The writer used an incident with the chandelier from the theatre and wrote one of the most read stories of the world.Currently the Opéra de Paris receives its main stage performances of dance, theatre and world music, and maintains a school and dance company. The company "Paris Opera Ballet" is known and respected worldwide, and is the oldest and most traditional is also one of the largest, in which virtually every major repertory ballets have been reproduced and where most of the major names in the dance began.

Enjoy your lunch in the famous Rue de Rivoli one of the most famous streets in Paris, a commercial street whose shops include some of the world's finest brands.It bears the name of Napoleon's first victory against the Austrian army at the Battle of Rivoli, fought between January 14 and January 15, 1797. The rue de Rivoli marked a transitional compromise between an urbanism of prestigious monuments and aristocratic squares, and the ways of modern urban planning via government regulation.After your lunch time for shopping in the famous in the famous Galerie Lafayette.known as Galeries Lafayette Haussmann,it is an impressive complex with 10 floors.Since the complex is formed by two more stores: Lafayette Homme: 4 floors; Maison Lafayette: Lafayette Haussmann and 5 floors: 10 floors It is located on boulevard Haussmann and it is fampus all around the world for. its slogan: "Ici, vit plus fort la mode." "Here, the fashion lives harder."

In the late afternoon,visit the district of Montmartre,one of the most picturesque district of Paris.Thanks to its strategic position, Montmartre was often military command center.In 1860, the neighbourhood was connected to the city and became a major meeting point for artists and intellectuals, famous for its lively nightlife.Models, dancers and painters such as Degas, Cezanne, Monet,Van Gogh, Renoir and Toulouse-Lautrec frequented the place, helping to create a climate libertarian.Today, its streets still animate with artists, tourists and hawkers. At the highest point of the hill, lies the famous "Basilique du Sacre Coeur" the Basilica of the Sacred Heart.This church is the iconic symbol of the borough of Monmartre.Located atop of the Mont Martre the highest point in the city. The Basilica of the Sacred Heart was built with travertine marble extracted from the region of Seine-et-Marne, which gives it a white hue.It is one of the most visited monuments in France, the basilica has the shape of a Greek cross adorned by four summits, including the central dome of eighty feet tall.In the apse, a tower serves as a bell tower to three meters in diameter and more than 26 tons.The architecture of the basilica is inspired by the Roman and Byzantine architecture, and influenced other religious buildings of the twentieth century.

Evening with dinner in Montmartre one of the historic districts of Paris and show in "Le Lido"or "Moulin Rouge" in Pigalle to commemorate the "beautiful Parisienne life" of the past years with a show of Can Can.


3 ° DAY : PARIS - CHAMBORD - TOURS (KMS 245)

Breakfast.Continue to learn about the "Ville Lumière". In the morning visit the Louvre,which began back in 1200 under Philip Augustus, the Ile de la Cite, Notre Dame, as someone said: "If Paris has a heart, this is"The Louvre.is one of the largest and most famous museums in the world. Located in central Paris, between the Seine and Rue de Rivoli,itst central courtyard, now occupied by the glass pyramid, located in the central line of the Champs-Élysées, and thus forms the nucleus where it gets the historical axis.Inside the Museum several masterpieces famous worldwide such as  Mona Lisa,the Winged Victory of Samothrace, the Venus de Milo,huge collections of artifacts from ancient Egypt,the Greco-Roman civilisation, decorative and applied arts, and numerous masterpieces of the great artists of Europe as Titian, Rembrandt, Michelangelo, Rubens and Goya,one of the largest exhibitions in the world of art and human culture. The museum therefore covers eight thousand years of culture and civilisation both East and West.The Louvre is managed by the state through the French Réunion des Musées Nationaux. It is the most visited museum in the world, receiving about 8 millions of visitors a year.

Following the Latin Quarter with the important Roman and medieval monuments and dotted with theatres, bars, cafes and everything that is trendy,bohemian and captivating.Lunch at a restaurant and bistro in St.Germain.It is is an area that is on the 5th arrondissement and part of the 6th district of Paris, France, on the left side of the River Seine,around the Sorbonne University. the Sorbonne and the district of Saint Germain des Pres.The name derives from the Latin language, which was widely spoken in the Middle Ages and near the university.Currently, still houses several higher education institutions, such as the École Normale Supérieure, the Ecole des Mines de Paris and the Jussieu university campus. Other establishments such as the École Polytechnique were relocated to more spacious locations.It is known for its lively atmosphere and many bistros,and having met many artists and writers in its history.

After your lunch departure to the Loire Valley.Stop along the way at the large Castle of the region: Chambord, built by Francis I, whose crest stands the salamander in the reliefs on the facade. The castle has a chimney of 365, is adorned with gables, dormers, chimneys, terraces.Although it is the largest palace of the Loire River valley,it was built only to serve as a hunting lodge for François I of France, who maintained his residence at Château de Blois and Château d'Amboise. The original design of the Château de Chambord is attributed, though several doubts, to Domenico da Cortona, whose wooden models survived long enough to be drawn by André Félibien in the seventeenth century. Some authors, in any way, claim that the French Renaissance architect Philibert Delorme had a considerable role in the design of the house.

Continue to Tours. Upon arrival, walk through the streets of the old town known as "Old Tours" (former village of Chateauneuf), now one of the animated town with narrow streets, often walking, numerous medieval houses (with half-timbered), dating from the 15th and the 16th century. You will discover the famous square Plumereau which has a nice collection of medieval houses, Charlemagne Tower, the remains of the Collegiate San Martin, the new Basilica of San Martino, beautiful building of the nineteenth century. which contains in its crypt the tomb of St. Martin, dinner and overnight in Tours.

 4 ° DAY :TOURS - CHENONCEAX - AMBOISE - BLOIS - PARIS (KMS 320)

After your breakfast.Departure to Chenonnceaux and visit of the Castle an indisputable architectural masterpiece, would not be the same without the water that laps its beautiful stones.The castle was built  in its original core between 1513 and 1521 by the wealthy family Bohier - Briconnet. Well situated on the banks of the Cher River is surrounded by beautiful gardens one was built by Catherine de 'Medici. Considerable library and many parts of the castle. In the rich art gallery are preserved many works of the Italian Renaissance, Flemish tapestries and other works of French art.Castle also known as the "Seven Queens" and "Lord of the Castles"curiously the first castle was built on the site of an old mill, in a dominant position on the river Cher,sometime before its first mention in the text, in the eleventh century. The current palace was built by the architect Philibert Delorme and its history is linked to seven women of strong character, of which two queens of France.

Continue to Amboise. Upon arrival visit of the castle. Amboise, was the scene of the conspiracies against the future King Francis II and famous for preserving the remains of Leonardo da Vinci.Walk for the small town of town of white houses. orientation of the town considered one of the most striking in the small town of Loira.Lunch in Amboise.Later proceed to Blois. Upon arrival visit of the castle, a beautiful example of eclectic architecture, in particular is easy to see the transition between the Gothic and Renaissance.The castle complex is a large square building is open only to the south - east and can be divided into four areas: the most ancient "medieval", the part of the Renaissance, built by Francis I, with clear references to the Italian taste of the time; the wing built by Louis XII, in flamboyant Gothic style, it includes the neighbourhood of the sovereign pale stone and red bricks in a single building with two floors and, finally, the area of "classical", built by acclaimed architect Francois Mansart on behalf of Gaston d'Orleans. After the visit departure to Paris. On Arrival, dinner at a typical characteristic Brasserie of Montparnasse neighbourhood known for its artistic life and intimate restaurants.Overnight in Paris.


5 ° DAY: PARIS - VERSAILLES - PARIS (KMS 64)

After your breakfast,visit The Cathedrale de Notre-Dame one of the oldest cathedrals in French Gothic style.Its construction started in the year 1163, is dedicated to Mary,Mother of Jesus Christ hence the name Notre-Dame - Our Lady, located in the square Parvis, on the small island Île de la Cité in Paris,France, surrounded by waters of the River Seine.The cathedral appears closely linked to the idea of ​​the Gothic splendour, the clear effect of the needs and aspirations of high society, a new approach to building the cathedral contact and spiritual ascension.The Gothic architecture is a powerful instrument within a society that sees, in the early eleventh century, urban life become a fast pace. The city resurfaces with an extreme importance in the political field, in the economic field mirror the growing trade relations, rising also, in turn, the moneyed bourgeoisie and urban influence of the clergy. Result is a replacement also needs religious building outside the cities, in rural monastic communities, the new symbol of prosperity city, the Gothic cathedral. And as a response to the demand of a growing new dignity within France, comes the Cathedral of Notre-Dame de Paris.

After this great visit departure  to Versailles.The beautiful palace desired by the young "Sun King", considered among the finest residences of Europe.This famous and celebrated palace has very humble origin, however a simple hunting lodge.With the advent to power of Louis XIV, began the work of transformation that will continue, almost uninterrupted for the entire reign of Louis XIV. In 1660, according to the real powers of the directors who ruled France during the minority of Louis XIV was looking for a place close to Paris but far enough from the riots and disorders of the crowded city. Paris grew up in the disorders of the civil war between rival factions of aristocrats called the Fronde.The monarch wanted a place where he could organise and completely control a government of France by an absolute ruler. He decided to settle in the hunting lodge at Versailles and over the following decades expanded it to make it the largest palace in the world. Versailles is famous not only for the building but as a symbol of absolute monarchy which Louis XIV maintained.

Considered one of the largest palaces in the world the Palace of Versailles has windows 2153 windows,67 stairs,352 chimneys,700 rooms, 250 fireplaces and 700 acres of parkland. It is one of the most visited tourist sites in France, receiving an average of eight million tourists a year and is three blocks from the train station. Built by King Louis XIV, the "Sun King", the from 1664, was for more than a century model of royal residence in Europe and often copied.Given the task of transforming what was the hunting lodge of Louis XIII, the most opulent palace in Europe, the architect Louis Le Vau and gathered hundreds of workers began constructing a new building next to the existing one. were so performed successive enlargements - royal apartments, kitchens and stables - that formed the Patio real.
Le Vau, does not complete the works.After his death Jules Hardouin-Mansart became, in 1678, the architect responsible for continuing the expansion project of the palace. It was he who built the Orangery, the Grand Trianon, the north and south wings of the Palace, the Chapel Mirrors and Gallery,which was ratified in 1919, the Treaty of Versailles.In 1837 the castle was transformed into a museum of history. The palace is surrounded by a large garden area,a series of platforms with symmetrical flowerbeds,statues,vases and fountains worked, designed by André Le Nôtre.

Back to Paris enjoy a typical "Nuit Parisienne" a typical evening in Paris.. dinner in the Place de Trocadero and romantic cruise on Bateau Mouche on the Seine River listening"La Vie en Rose" or Je regrette pas n'est "on board.It is magic and very romantic and you could admire and understand why the nickname of Paris is the City of the lights,"La Ville Lumiere"

 6º DAY: PARIS-YOUR COUNTRY

After breakfast and depending of your flight departure to the Charles de Gaulle Airport,and .."Au Revoir et à bientôt Paris"see you soon Paris

Francesco Mari


 www.francetourism.com
 www.franceguide.com
 www.tourisme.fr
 www.france-voyage.com
www.parisinfo.com
 goparis.about.com
www.chateaux-de-la-loire.fr

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