S & E Tours LLC

We head further south today to the Perigord region and the Vézère River Valley where discoveries of prehistoric remains and cave paintings in the late 19th and early 20th centuries in sites such as Moustier, Cro-Magnon and Lascaux have resulted in Vézère’s rise to prominence as the European capital of Prehistory. On our way south, we’ll stop to visit the somber reminder of the tragedies and horrors of World War II at the martyr village of Oradour-sur-Glane. Later in the afternoon, we’ll check into our rural 16th century château-hotel where dinner is provided both nights. Sleep two nights in Château de la Fleunie.

Day 5 - July ? - Château de la Fleunie
We’ll take the whole day today to explore this beautiful region. You may prefer to wander the old town of Montignac and help shop for the picnic, or, if you’re looking for a bit more active day, you could canoe down the gentle Vézère past a pair of impressive cliff-hanging castles to join the rest of the group in the sleepy little village of St-Léon-sur-Vézère, our picnic site by the river. After lunch we’ll visit Rouffignac cavern with its 12,000- to 14,000-year-old cave paintings.

Days 2 - June?, - Chinon/Loire Valley After breakfast we will take a guided tour of Chartres cathedral and Gothic architecture. After lunch, it’s onto the bus and south to Chinon, former home of Henry II Plantagenet of England, his wife Eleanor of Acquitaine and their scheming sons Richard the Lionheart and Prince John of Robin Hood fame. It was in Chinon, as well, that Joan of Arc came to meet King Charles VII to coax him into chasing the British out of Orléans during the 100-years wa	Azay-le-Rideau
Days 3 - July ?- Chinon/Loire Valley Amboise, castle of Francis 1st	Today is Loire Valley castle day, and you will have the option of either going by bus to see three of the magnificent Châteaux of the Loire – Azay-le-Rideau, Langeais, and Villandry – or riding your 21-speed bike along the Loire River from Chinon to Langeais and Villandry. No hills. It’s a one-way trip on the bikes, and we all return on the bus after lunch and a visit to the famous gardens of Villandry. There will be free time in Chinon in the afternoon and an optional beginner’s French and art lessons at the hotel.
Day 4 - July ? - Château de la Fleunie We head further south today to the Perigord region and the Vézère River Valley where discoveries of prehistoric remains and cave paintings in the late 19th and early 20th centuries in sites such as Moustier, Cro-Magnon and Lascaux have resulted in Vézère’s rise to prominence as the European capital of Prehistory. On our way south, we’ll stop to visit the somber reminder of the tragedies and horrors of World War II at the martyr village of Oradour-sur-Glane. Later in the afternoon, we’ll check into our rural 16th century château-hotel where dinner is provided both nights. Sleep two nights in Château de la Fleunie. Day 5 - July ? - Château de la Fleunie We’ll take the whole day today to explore this beautiful region. You may prefer to wander the old town of Montignac and help shop for the picnic, or, if you’re looking for a bit more active day, you could canoe down the gentle Vézère past a pair of impressive cliff-hanging castles to join the rest of the group in the sleepy little village of St-Léon-sur-Vézère, our picnic site by the river. After lunch we’ll visit Rouffignac cavern with its 12,000- to 14,000-year-old cave paintings.	Chateau Fleunie Chateau Deb on the Vézère River
Rocamadour	Day 6 – July ? – Rocamadour The medieval / Renaissance town of Sarlat is our destination Saturday morning for one of the largest and most picturesque open-air markets in France. You’ll have the whole morning to take in the sights and smells of market day while you help us select the provisions for a group picnic. After lunch, it’s on to the celebrated perched pilgrimage village of Rocamadour where we’ll stay for the next two nights and discover why thousands of pilgrims still flock to the village at certain times of the year.

Day 8 – July ?– La Malène Roughly following a pilgrimage trail, we’ll head southeast into south central France where you’ll be free to explore and have lunch on your own in the remote village of Conques. And if remote villages are your cup of thé, you’ll love La Malène in the beautiful gorges of the Tarn river, our home for the next two nights.	Gorges of the Tarn
Tarn Gorge canoeing	Day 9 – July? – La Malène- You won’t spend any time on the bus today. You’ll be too busy canoeing or flatboating through the Tarn Gorges, playing “boules,” hiking along the river or in the hills, or just kicking back in this tiny village in the middle of nowhere. Our hostess Evelynne and her family will make sure that we’re properly fed both nights while we’re in La Malène.
port of Cassis	Day 10 – July ? – Cassis This morning we’ll cruise through the eastern portion of the Tarn Gorges and on through the wild, remote Cévennes where the Protestants hid from Louis XIV’s dragoons in the early 1700’s. Then we’ll cruise over the western edge of Provence on our way to lunch, and perhaps a swim, at the spectacular Pont du Gard, a 2000-year-old Roman aqueduct. A couple of hours more on the bus will take us to Cassis, our home on the Mediterranean for the next two nights.

Day 12 – July ? – Vaison-la-Romaine Today we head to the Vaucluse region of northern Provence, stopping along the way for market day in the village of Lourmarin and cruising through the lavender fields and vineyards of the Luberon. Possible options for this day also include visits to the famous Roman theatre and triumphal arch in Orange before going on to Vaison-la-Romaine. Sleep two nights in Vaison-la-Romaine.
Vaison-la-Romaine	Day 13 – July? – Vaison-la-Romaine Vaison-la-Romaine is actually three towns in one – the Roman remains and the modern 19th and 20th century town on the north side of the river and the Medieval town, crowned by its ruined fortress, occupying the hill across the river. This morning you’ll have a guided tour of the Roman town and then free time for lunch and exploring the area. This area, part of the Rhône wine- growing region, is noted for its peppery, robust reds, and later this afternoon, we’ll cruise to a local vineyard to taste their wares.
Day 14 – July ?– Annecy Today it’s off to the mountains and the beautiful town of Annecy, located in the foothills of the Alps. We’ll settle in for two nights in our comfy hotel a stone’s throw from the old town sometimes called the “Venice of the Alps.” Sleep two nights in Annecy.	Annecy - old town Annecy