Blue Illusion Chateau Tours
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Summer 2023 Program
Blue Illusion Château Stay
Exclusively tailored for the Blue Illusion community, this seven day all-inclusive experience offers an authentic and unforgettable week with activities including cooking classes, visiting local sights, exclusive tours and more. Embark on the trip-of-a-lifetime and completely immerse yourself in the magnificence of French Château living.
Château arrival:
Depart Montparnasse train station for the short train trip to Laval station where you will be met by your Château host.
After a short drive through the Mayenne countryside you will arrive at Château de la Carrière, the quintessential French Château, complete with fairy tale turrets. Built almost 200 years ago the Château has now been restored back to her former glory by its Aussie owner Suzie Jackson and will be your home away from home for the next 7 days. Check into one of the beautifully appointed Château bedrooms. All the bedrooms are large with private bathrooms, hotel quality bedding, linen and organic toiletries.
Once you are settled into your room, afternoon tea will be served on the terrace followed by a tour of Château and grounds where you will learn about the Château history and restoration. You can then enjoy some free time before aperitifs and dinner on the garden terrace and meeting your fellow Château guests.
During your stay the Château is yours to be explored. Wander through the light filled salons and explore the beautiful gardens which have been totally reimagined by Garden Designer Paul Bangay. Relax on a sun lounger by the pool or take a stroll through the woods. For a week you can experience what life really is like in a French chateau.
Meals and refreshments:
Enjoy your Château breakfasts of baguettes and croissants fresh from the bakery, homemade granola and jams, fruit from the Château gardens and good coffee, all served on the terrace. Depending on the days activities your lunch will be served at the Château, on the go or at local restaurants . Each evening you will enjoy an aperitif and canapes followed by a 3-course meal prepared with produce from the Château organic potager and trusted growers, accompanied with French champagnes, local wines and home made cocktails. Pool side you will find a fully stocked bar plus fruit and snacks. Dietary requirements can usually be accommodated.
Proposed itinerary:
During your Chateau stay you will experience the following:
Visit to a Perfume Atelier where you will learn how to handle the rare and most precious essential oils followed by the creation of a cologne, visit to the Perfumers Cabinet of Curiousities and then to the table for a perfumed lunch. https://en.nicolasdebarry.com/visites
Visit to Abbeye Royal de Fontevraud situated where the three regions of Poitou, Anjou and Touraine meet, is one of the largest surviving monastic cities from the Middle Ages. You will feel like you have stepped back in time as you explore the Abbey and grounds.
Spend delightful time in the walled garden which has been re-imagined by renowned landscape designer Paul Bangay. Pick flowers and forage greenery for a workshop were you will make a beautiful floral arrangement for your room.
Tour of the local privately owned Manoir de Favry followed with lunch in the medieval dining room hosted by the French owner who is passionate about the art of living, houses and gardens.
Day trip to Angers. Often referred to as little Paris with it's wide boulevards and haussman buildings, it's a city known for it's history, art and museums. You can enjoy great shopping and restaurants. Angers Chateau houses the Tapestry of the Apocalypse, one of the largest tapestries ever made. Cut up and hidden pre-revolution much of it was recovered and is now on display.
Visit the weekly Laval market with its abundance of local produce and goods. You can stroll through the centuries old streets, visit the chateau and indulge in some shopping. You will lunch like the locals with wine from the wine cave, freshly shucked oysters from the fish monger or speciality dish from one of the many food vendors.
Visit to Emmaus, the famous French thrift shop where you might find a few treasures to add into the suitcase
On Sunday you will get to indulge in the favourite French pastime of brocanting (antique hunting). You will visit one of the best local flea markets where professional merchants sell their wares along the banks of the river or along the city streets.
Spend time in the beautiful Chateau kitchen where Suzie will teach you simple French techniques and recipes using produce from the Chateau potager and local markets.
On the final night of your stay its time to frock up with a formal 4-course dinner in the Chateaus grand dining room.
Note - all activities are optional. You are always welcome to spend the day at the Chateau relaxing by the pool or enjoying the Chateau and grounds.
2023 TOUR DATES
In 2023 we will be offering two Chateau Stay Tours. Numbers however are limited for each tour. To secure your place simply complete the booking form below. You will then receive email confirmation of your booking and an invoice for the deposit amount required.
August 29th - 5th September 2023
7th - 14th September 2023
2023 PRICING
3,600 EURO PER PERSON – SOLO ROOM OCCUPANCY
3,250 EURO PER PERSON – SHARED ROOM
PAYMENT TERMS - on booking you will be required to pay a 500 euro deposit. This will secure your place for 14 days whilst you arrange/confirm your travel arrangements. If you decide not to proceed this deposit will be refunded back to you.
Once your booking is confirmed you will then be charged 50% of the stay price (less the 500 euro booking deposit) with the remaining 50% payable 60 days before arrival.
All inclusive price includes all meals/alcohol/transportation and activities as per the proposed itinerary.
Note itinerary changes can happen due to supplier issues and in that situation we would provide an equivalent substitute activity.
Not included are airfares to and from France, train travel to the chateau and spending of a personal nature.
For our full Terms and Conditions please refer to the following link TERMS AND CONDITIONS
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