August 12th to August 19th, 2026
The Artiste Gardens of France Tour
This itinerary offers a unique combination of art, history, and exceptional gardens and landscapes. The program includes guided visits to the Palace of Versailles and Claude Monet’s house and gardens in Giverny, as well as a day excursion in Paris featuring the Louvre Museum and the Eiffel Tower. Participants will also tour Notre Dame and Chartres Cathedrals, followed by three days in the Loire Valley dedicated to exploring several château gardens. The unparalleled combination of cultural and horticultural experiences will be magnifique!
Maximum Capacity: 20 People per Trip
The Artiste Gardens of France Tour Itinerary
9 Days and 8 Nights
Tuesday, August 11 - This evening, board your overnight flight from your chosen U.S. gateway to Paris. Please ensure your flight arrives at Paris Roissy-Charles de Gaulle Airport before 10:00 am the next morning.
Overnight: Plane
Wednesday, August 12 - Upon arrival at Paris Roissy-Charles de Gaulle Airport, you’ll be greeted by your tour hosts, Teresa Watkins and Tony DeSormier, along with a private coach for your transfer to the Marriott Hotel Paris Ambassador, situated in the Opera District. For the rest of the day, you are free to explore the lively cultural and shopping area surrounding the Opera Garnier. That evening, our welcome dinner will take place at the hotel’s Sixtine Brasserie.
(Reception, D) Overnight: Marriott Hotel Paris Ambassador Hotel
Thursday, August 13 - Enjoy the breakfast buffet at the Sixtine before a full day’s sightseeing in Paris. We will be experiencing authentic Parisian culture as we travel around the city. The schedule includes visits to the Notre Dame Cathedral, a guided tour of the Louvre Museum, and an elevator ride to the top of the Eiffel Tower. This memorable day will finish with a fabulous evening dinner cruise on the River Seine.
(B, D) Overnight: Marriott Hotel Paris Ambassador Hotel
Art in Bloom Garden Tours LLC is registered with the State of Florida as a Seller of Travel. Registration No. ST45420l. City of Orlando BUS 1113171
Saturday, August 15 - It’s off on an extended half-day excursion to the Palace of Versailles, which will include a guided tour of the palace, gardens, and the Musical Fountains. We’ll enjoy lunch at a local restaurant, then it’s back to Paris by mid-afternoon, where we will have the balance of the day free.
(B, L) Overnight: Marriott Hotel Paris Ambassador Hotel
Sunday, August 16 - It’s breakfast at the hotel before checking out and meeting the tour coach for a drive to the Loire Valley. Along the way will be a stop in Chartres for a guided tour of “the medieval jewel box”, the Chartres Cathedral, one of the world’s finest examples of stained glass. After the tour, it’s on to the Montbazon and the Château d’Artigny for dinner and a three-night stay.
(B, D) Overnight: Château d’Artigny, Montbazon
Friday, August 14 - Today’s garden tour includes a visit to Giverny, with a guided tour of Monet’s House and Gardens. After a taste of local cuisine at a local restaurant, we’ll return to Paris by mid-afternoon. We will have the balance of the day free to explore the shops and any of the fine local restaurants.
(B, L) Overnight: Marriott Hotel Paris Ambassador Hotel
Monday, August 17 - In the morning, we’re scheduled to visit the Château de Villandry, which boasts gardens dating back to the Renaissance. We’ll enjoy a guided tour of the gardens, “an original creation blending tradition and innovation”. The afternoon is set aside for a visit and guided tour of Château du Rivau, which features “500 varieties of fragrant roses, an extraordinary vegetable garden, monumental works in the gardens”.
(B, D) Overnight: Château d’Artigny, Montbazon
Tuesday, August 18 - Today, we visit the gardens of two more châteaux. After breakfast at the hotel, we will head to the 500-year-old, historic and monumental Château Valmer for a guided tour of the château and gardens, plus a tour of the rare underground troglodytic chapel, with wine tasting. A guided tour of the Château Amboise and gardens is set for the afternoon.
(B, D) Overnight: Château d’Artigny, Montbazon
Wednesday, August 19 - The tour's final stop will be a morning visit to Fontainebleau for a guided tour of the château and gardens. We then travel back to Paris for a free afternoon, dinner at the hotel restaurant, and a final night’s stay in the City of Lights.
(B, D) Overnight: Marriott Hotel Paris Ambassador Hotel
Thursday, August 20 - Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before being transferred by private coach to the Paris Roissy-Charles de Gaulle Airport for your flight home with a collection of “des souvenirs magnifiques”.
(B) Overnight: Home
Key to Included Meals: B – Breakfast | L – Lunch | D – Dinner
Tour Package Includes:
8 Nights’ Accommodation
8 Breakfasts
2 Lunches
6 Dinners
1 Day Public Transport Pass in Paris for August 13th
Services of a Tour Manager for 9 days
Private Guided Tours of: Louvre, Versailles, Giverny, Chartres Cathedral, Villandry, Rivau Gardens, Valmer, Amboise, Fontainebleau
Entrance fees to: Notre Dame, Louvre, Eiffel Tower (if available), Foundation Claude
Monet, Versailles (Palace and Gardens), Chartres Cathedral, Chateau Villandry, Chateau
Lemere/Rivau, Chateau Valmer (including gardens), Chateau Amboise, Chateau Fontainebleau
Private Coach Services: Arrival Transfer from Paris Airport to Hotel
Private Touring Coach from Paris to the Loire Valley for 4 days – returning to Paris
Departure Transfer from Hotel to Paris Airport
Admissions and Group Meals for the Coach Driver
Taxes and Gratuities: Gratuities for the coach driver and tour manager are not included and are at your discretion based on service.
Please note that travel insurance is not included on this tour. See the bottom of the Our Tours page for more information.
Pricing Information (Per Person):
Double Occupancy - $4,940.00
Single Occupancy - $6,450.00
$1000.00 Deposit for all Registrations
Costs and the itinerary may be adjusted due to circumstances beyond our control or operational requirements.
Cost will not change once a deposit is received.
Do you plan to join us for this tour? If so, please fill out the Participant Agreement by clicking the button below. Once you are finished, please send the form to:
PO Box 547091 Orlando, FL 32854
*One Agreement for each Participant
Questions About the Tour
You can reach us through the contact information below or by completing the contact form.
Tony DeSomier and Teresa Watkins
Artinbloomgardentours@gmail.com
(321) 210-3613
PO Box 547091
Orlando, FL 32854