On the Trail of the Impressionists
6 days 5 nights
A circular tour in the region that inspired the impressionist painter Monet and the romantic novelist Georges Sand.
Accomodation is in 2 star Hotels Bed & Breakfast
Prices
£699 per person
based on two sharing
A circular tour starting and finishing in Dun Le Palestel a typical french market town we travel mainly downhill to La Celle Dunois where a gothic 14th Century bridge spans the Creuse River. Here you can stroll beside the river, or rent a canoe for a few hours.
From here we travel to Fresselines to the confluence of the Petite Creuse and the Creuse rivers. At Fresselines you also find many references to the Impressionist painter Claude Monet, this area inspired many painters, poets and romantic novelists including Monets (and Chopins) lover Georges Sand.
A short distance from Fresselines is Crozant - the site of a ruined fortress whose various towers date from the 10th through to the 13th Century, the views from here are simply amazing, and the place just oozes history all around you. There are also ornamental gardens and an Arboretum to visit here.
Following the river Creuse onwards to Eguzon we pass briefly into the Indre department where the river is dammed for hydroelectricity which has created a huge lake, with a beach, marina, restaurants, why not try your hand at waterski or sailing.
From here we turn south to work our way back to Dun le Palestel via a succession of churches, manor houses and gardens dating from roman times through to the 18th century. Look out en route for references to the Knights Templar who travelled and stayed all around this area.
We can offer different routes for this tour depending on the daily distances that you wish to cover.