FRANCE
September 21 – October 2, 2022
Trip Planning Progress
| Flights |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
| Wed, September 21 | Ottawa (YOW) to Montreal (YUL) 6:30pm - 7:15pm | Air Canada Flight 8014 Economy |  Booked |
| Wed, September 21 | Montreal (YUL) to Paris (CDG) 9:05pm - 9:45am+1 | Air Canada Flight 870 Terminal 2A Business Class | Booked |
| Sun, October 2 | Paris (CDG) to Montreal (YUL) 2:45pm-4:20pm | Air Canada Flight 871 Terminal 2A Premium Economy | Booked |
| Sun, October 2 | Montreal (YUL) to Ottawa (CDG) | Transfer by road |  Pending |
| Reservation Numbers | Gunnar & Marilyn: 3YNYLO John & Margaret: 3EKSC9 Brian: 4O29SD Don & Sheila: 4O29SD |
||
| Seat Numbers | |||
| Gunnar & Marilyn 11A, 11C 5D, 5G 14F, 14G | John & Margaret 1A, 1C 1A, 1D 12D, 13E | Brian 12A 2A 14C | Don & Sheila 10A, 10C 2D, 2G 14D, 14E |
| Accommodations | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| September 22 - 25 3 Nights | Bourron Marlotte, France | Château de Bourron Maison d'Artagnan Cottage | Booked |
| September 25 - October 1 6 Nights | Cruise | Barge Aurora | Booked by you |
| October 1 - 2 1 Night | Paris | Hotel Bel Ami | Booked Brian: 11754694 Don & Sheila: 11754695 Gunnar & Marilyn: 11754696 John & Margaret: 11754697 |
Château de Bourron
The Château de Bourron has a long and rich history. The land the estate sits on was first settled by the Celts, who named the region “Bourron”, then spelled “Bouvron”. Over the next few hundred years, the estate passed from Lords to Viscounts, army officers to Equerries, and eventually to the Great Falconer of France at the court of Louis XI.
In 1725, the château hosted the disgraced King of Poland and his wife, whose daughter was to marry the young Louis VX and become the next Queen of France. It is said that while her parents were staying there, the Queen visited every day and even lost a diamond somewhere on the grounds.
In 1878 the estate was purchased by the Montesquiou-Fezensac family, whose descendants still live there today. Countess Marie-Laure de La Bédoyère was bequeathed the property by her late aunt and uncle, and passed the heritage property down to her daughter Estrella, your host.
The Maison d’Artagnan
While at the château, you’ll be staying in a beautiful five bedroom cottage on the grounds, and you’ll have the entire cottage to yourselves. Once the château’s fruit storehouse, it has been converted into a residential property. Like the château, it dates back to the late 16th century. This beautiful sandstone house is typical of the Ile-de-France region. The Maison d’Artagnan, which is located 50 metres from the château and moats, within 42 hectares of enclosed, walled grounds, was listed as an historic monument in 1971.
Breakfast is not included in your stay, and will be an additional €16 per person, payable locally.
Address:
Château de Bourron, 16, avenue Blaise de Montesquiou,
77780 Bourron-Marlotte FRANCE
Tél. : +33 (0)1 64 78 39 39
TRIP SKETCH
Arrival Day – Sept 22, Thurs
After arriving into Paris Charles de Gaulle airport at 9:45am, you’ll be transferred to the Château de Bourron (transfer by your barge cruise company). We anticipate you’ll arrive at the property between 12pm and 1pm.
On arrival, if your rooms are not ready, drop your bags and take a stroll into the village for lunch.
Lunch suggestion: Café de la Paix (address: 59 rue du général de Gaulle, 77780 Bourron Marlotte | Tel: 01 64 78 31 28). No reservation made, in case of delay. Open until 3:30pm for lunch.
Fully sated, head back to the château for a tour of the castle and grounds with Guy, stroll the woodland, explore the gardens, and perhaps enjoy a game of tennis on their clay courts (you will need to supply your own equipment).
There are many activities within the grounds of your hotel.
- At the Château du Bourron:
- Shiatsu Massages (on request, with 24hr notice)
- Guided walks of the grounds and estate
- All terrain biking within the grounds
- Clay tennis courts (guests will need to supply their own equipment)
Dinner reservation this evening 7:00pm at Le Bistrot du Broc (address: 5 Rue Murger, 77780 Bourron-Marlotte | tel: +33 (0)1 64 45 64 43). A 2km/~25 min walk from the château, or ask Estrella about a taxi.
Château de Fontainebleau – Sept 23, Fri
During your time in the Fontainebleau region, you can’t miss a visit to the historic and truly majestic Château de Fontainebleau. From the Middle Ages until the French Revolution, the château was the home of Kings and their families for centuries. In the early 1800s it became an Imperial Palace and the seat of Napoleon Bonaparte, and it retains the only Napoleonic throne room still in existence. The estate offers an incomparable glimpse of several centuries of French history and of power.
- Inside the château:
- The château has over 800 years of French Royal and political history living inside its walls; it features the most furnished of the French royal castles. It presents both Renaissance masterpieces commissioned by François I, the refined interiors of Marie-Antoinette, and the ceremonial apartment of Napoleon I.
- Take a guided tour of the Château de Fontainebleau, from its origins to the Second Empire. A dedicated route lead by a knowledgeable English speaking guide will introduce you to the intimate living quarters of the Sovereigns over centuries, and give you a glimpse into their reigns. (Duration 1h30)
- There are multiple tour options designed to highlight a specific aspect of the château and its history (The Small Apartments, The Theatre, A Day At The Castle)
- The Gardens:
- The château sits on over 130 hectares of parks and gardens. Discover countless manicured lawns, incredible feats of topiary, lakes and fountains. Stop for a drink or an ice cream at one of the many stalls and trolleys along the way.
- The grounds offers activities like horse drawn carriage rides, boating on the lake, and even a small trolley train with audio guides.
- The gardens are accessible and don’t require an entrance fee or ticket.
We suggest a leisurely morning, before being picked up and transferred to Fontainebleau for lunch, followed by an afternoon tour of the castle. That said, Friday is market day in Fontainebleau, so we have booked your start a little earlier so you can visit the market before lunch (most markets begin early and wrap up by midday). It’s just a ~10min drive from your hotel.
Schedule: 11am pick-up / 2:30-4:00pm Tour of the château / 5pm return to Château de Bourron
Vouchers for your outbound transfer, guided tour, and return transfer are linked.
Chauffeur : CESAR LEMA +33 6 49 86 19 34
Guide: ARUSYAK MELKONYAN +33 6 42 33 77 10
Arrangements have been made through Fontainebleau Tourism, contact: Audrey. Tel: +33 (0)7 84 46 70 21. Audrey will be meeting you at Château de Bourron’s reception to introduce you to the guide and give you your printed vouchers.
Our lunch recommendation is: La Taverne (address: 23, rue Grande, 77300 Fontainebleau | Tel: 01 64 22 20 85). Your table is confirmed for 1pm.
Dinner reservation: 8pm – Café de la Paix (address: 59 rue du général de Gaulle, 77780 Bourron Marlotte | Tel: 01 64 78 31 28). We suggest a return to this spot for dinner, as it’s just a short walk from the Château de Bourron (and have made a reservation).
If you prefer a casual pizza spot, Ô Dix Sept, is at the other end of the village.
Fontainebleau region – Sept 24, Sat
There are several sites to visit in the region.
- The village of Bourron Marlotte, location of your hotel.
- Church of St. Severus, one of the oldest French Gâtinais. Dedicated to St. Severus and St. Avoie, it has a very unusual decor called “funeral littre”
- Tour the City Museum, created in 1907 by painter Charles Moreau-Vauthier, who wished to make art accessible to all and asked his artist friends living in the village to donate a work to the municipality. This tradition has continued and today there are more than 250 works featured.
- Nemours Village, approx. ~10min drive from your hotel.
- The small town of Nemours is right on the banks of the Loing river and famed for its 12th century medieval castle and many prehistorical sites.
- Kayak down the Loing River
- Take a guided walking tour of the major sites
- Visit markets, farm to table restaurants, and browse the arts and crafts shops that dot the main street
- Saturday is market day – the perfect time for a visit!
- Moret-sur-Loing, approx. ~20min drive from your hotel.
- A pretty medieval village
- Alfred Sisley, the British-French Impressionist, lived here and was inspired by the surrounding landscapes. His bust is located at the corner of Place de Samois.
- Taste candy at Musée du Sucre d’Orge, a sweet made from a secret recipe from 1638! (Open Saturdays 2pm-6pm, address: Rue du Pont, in a former mill beside the river.)
- Enjoy lunch at Le Jardin des Lys.
Begin your day by heading to Nemours for the morning market, and continue to Moret-sur-Loing for the afternoon.
Schedule: 9am pick-up / 5pm drop-off.
Your vouchers are here: for the vehicle/driver, and both guides: in Bourron-Marlotte and in Nemours/Moret-sur-Loing.
Chauffeur : CESAR LEMA +33 6 49 86 19 34
Guide: ARUSYAK MELKONYAN +33 6 42 33 77 10
For lunch, we recommend: Le Jardin des Lys, (address: 14 rue du Peintre Sisley 77250 Moret-sur-Loing | Tél: 01.60.71.61.42)
Reservation made for 1:15pm.
Dinner reservation – 7:30pm at Les Prémices, at the edge of the château’s grounds.
Farewell to the Chateau – Sept 25, Sun
Check out and meet your private transfer to the start of the next leg of your adventure,
your barge cruise aboard the beautiful Aurora!
Your pick-up is scheduled by Carla at approx. 2pm.
You’ll cruise from September 25 (boarding) to October 1 (disembarking).
At the end of your cruise, you will be transferred to your hotel in Paris.
Paris – October 1
Your cruise company (booked with Carla) is arranging your transfer to and from the boat.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 1
At approx. 10am, you’ll be taken the ~2hr drive into central Paris and your home for the evening, the beautiful Hotel Bel Ami.
On arrival in Paris, stroll the chic and intellectual neighborhood of Saint-Germain-des-Prés, home to French literary legends and an abundance of cafés, boutiques, and beautiful heritage. Take coffee at Les Deux Magots, wander through the lovely Luxembourg Gardens and continue on to the Latin Quarter.
Make your way back along the banks of the Seine past Île de la Cité, before cutting ‘inland’ towards the hotel to freshen up before dinner.
7pm – Your dinner reservation tonight is at one of our favourite spots, Les Papilles (address: 30 rue Gay Lussac, 75005 Paris | Tel: +33 (0)1 43 25 20 79). It’s a ~10min cab ride, or ~20min walk from the hotel, situated between Luxembourg Gardens and the Pantheon.
Au revoir belle France! – Oct 2, Sun
This morning enjoy a relaxed breakfast at the hotel, before checking out of the hotel and transferring to CDG.
Your transfer is arranged through the concierge at the hotel and has been pre-paid.
The concierge recommends a pick-up time of 11:30am.
Please re-confirm your pick-up time with the concierge on arrival.
Wishing you a safe flight home.
Your Montreal to Ottawa transfer is confirmed. Your booking confirmation is here.
Ref: LL-02101620
Link Limousines
Once landed please contact our office – Tel: 514-974-5466
Know Before You Go
Check out our Know Before You Go – France page, full of tips and advice about travel to France.
Please note: in France, there is a local ‘tourist tax‘ which is charged by each hotel, in addition to the per night room fee. This charge is around 2 Euro per person per night, cannot be pre-paid, and must be paid upon check-out at each hotel.
There are currently no restrictions on travel due to covid, however please travel with masks in case they are requested locally.
CANADA
Canadian Federal Law still mandates the wearing of masks at airports and on flights. Your Arrive CAN form must be completed before returning to Canada – you will need to show proof of completion to check-in for your flight.
EMERGENCY CONTACT – in location
Key Contacts: Travel Impresarios
Tel: +1 416 624 7440 or +1 647 724 3977
Chris Tabbitt: chris@travelimpresarios.com
Helen Blackwood: helen@travelimpresarios.com
Emergency email: takemeaway@travelimpresarios.com
