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Normandy Sightseeing Tours
The difference of experience
THE MIDDLE AGES IN THE LOIRE VALLEY
A visit to the historic town of Angers, with its black and white ramparts will take any visitor back to the 12th Century during which period this town moved to the forefront of the European scene.
Indeed, the Count of Anjou, Henry II Plantagenet, born in LeMans, succeeded to the throne of England following his marriage to Eleanor of Aquitaine. Although born in Le Mans, Henry was buried in the Abbey of Fontevraud with his wife and son, Richard the Lionheart.
In the 13th Century, a new cathedral was consecrated in the town of Chartres and shows exceptional workmanship in its stained-glass windows, ornate religious statues and its labyrinth. It was at the Chateau of Chinon that a young Joan of Arc met Charles VII before she helped him to succeed to the throne of France.
The capital city of Tours is considered to have the purest French accent spoken and therefore its Universities accommodate many foreign students.
TOURS :
Center of Christianity in the 4th century under bishop St Martin and world’s third oldest pilgrimage place, the town was declared French capital by Louis XI.
Narrow medieval cobble-stone streets with half-timbered houses to be discovered between Saint Gatien cathedral and picturesque Plumereau square, spared in WWII.
CHARTRES :
After the Notre-Damecathedral was destroyed by fire in 1194, it was rebuilt in 25 years and remained unscathed by all wars.
It houses the sacred Veil of the Virgin and a 13th-century labyrinth and a stunning collection of 150 stained-glass windows and it has a “bible-in-stone” reputation.
FONTEVRAUD :
Not-to-be-missed Benedictine abbey built in 1101 (which once housed 800 people) with its amazing kitchen and beautiful cloister.
The Sainte Marie church is the burial place of Henry II Plantagenet, Count of Anjou and King of England, his wife Eleanor of Aquitaine and their crusading son Richard the Lion-Heart.
The remarkable place was used as a prison after the French Revolution and the last prisoners left in 1985.
ANGERS :
Impressive black & white fortress, surrounded by 17 defensive towers, home of Geoffrey of Anjou, father of Henry Plantagenet who married Eleanor of Aquitaine in 1152 and became King of England in 1154.
Incredible 300-ft long Apocalypse Tapestry (1373) based on St John’s Book of Revelations.
LE MANS :
7.000 years of history here!
From the pre-historical “Bellybutton” near the gorgeous Gothic Saint Julien cathedral with unusual Y-shaped flying buttresses to the beautiful and authentic medieval Plantagenet city on 22 acres where Henry II, future King of England was born, and to the world-famous 24-hour automobile race.
SAUMUR :
Renowned for its military cavalry school founded in 1814 and its worldwide famous horse-riding dressage formation, the town is overlooked by a true fairytale chateau.
Delicious mushrooms and exquisite sparkling wines available everywhere …
The town also houses a Tank museum which exhibits over 150 tanks.
CHINON :
Historical medieval fortressbuilt by Henry II Plantagenet, then lost by his son John Lack-Land to the French king in 1204.
During the Hundred-Years war, Joan of Arc came here in 1429 and recognized French king Charles VII and helped him against Henry VI of England.
Red wine, white asparagus, black truffle, pear and goat cheese are all locally produced.
