PARIS - CASTLE
JULY 11 - 17, 2021
Trip Overview
Have you ever stayed in a Castle? Well join us as we take over an entire Castle in France!
The setting of Château is located between the forest of Fontainebleau in the north, the Loing valley in the south and, nearby, the ever flowing Saint-Sévère spring. Therefore, it has always been occupied since Neolithic times – around 5000BC- the evidence of this being the beautiful ribboned vase displayed at the Museum of National Antiquities in Saint-Germain-en-Laye.
During the Gallic period, the knowledge of the cadaster enabled an expansive farming exploitation, which extended far beyond today’s estate. Its centre, certified by archeological remains, was situated less than fifty metres from the château and was still occupied in the Middle-Ages.
In 1502, Olivier de Sallard became the sole owner of the Cateau. With a family native of Brabant and specialised in falcon taming for the Dukes of Bourgogne, Olivier Salaert de Doncker was a contemporary of Louis XI, King of France. Soon after this, Louis XI hired Olivier de Sallard as a falconer and he rapidly strengthened his position as Great Falconer of France. What’s more, Charles 8th granted him with his naturalisation letters, thus enabling him to be the owner of and to have found a line for two and a half centuries.
Fifty years after the purchase of Chateau, the Sallard family had significant financial problems, as two of their children, Jehan and François, were co-lords of the Chateau.
The estate during Classical Times
During the 17th century, it appears that life was quite peaceful in the new castle, the Sallard family often staying there, whilst the father and the elder son were fighting as officers in one of the King’s French Guards' regiments. Armand-Nicolas de Sallard must have performed amazing military feats, as in 1680, Louis 14th made a marquisate of the estate.
When the last Sallard died in 1709 at the Battle of Oudenarde, the estate and its title were given to their mother’s second husband, Frédéric de Beringhen, himself an officer, who belonged to the youngest branch of a family of Dutch protestants, whose eldest children were First Equerries, laden with honours and esteem, from the kings Louis 13th, Louis 14th and Louis 15th.
During the French Revolution, in 1794, the ‘sans culottes’ from Nemours came, plundered the castle and destroyed the symbols of the abolished feudal system; the entrance gate with seigneurial arms, the pigeon house with square foundation and the ditches by trying to fill them in. They brought the Marquess of Bourron, then a widow in Paris, who only owed her life to Robespierre’s fall a few months later. The local villager kept her youngest daughter, Adélaïde-Luce, in custody, which was a way to protect her as well as the estate.
The castle had a few more ups and downs, because of Mme de Varenne-Bourron’s son who had already been imprisoned at 18 years of age for debts, stuck to his way of life and thus, in 1806, had to sell the estate to his main creditor, who broke it up and quickly sold the castle and the grounds to Adélaïde-Luce and her husband, the Marquis of Montgon. The Montgons kept trying to build up the old domain again, parcel after parcel, and their successors also carried on with this.
The Present Day
As a result of legacies, the castle was put up for sale a further three times by the Montgons in 1849, then the Brandoix in 1862 and lastly the Piollencs in 1878.
These two last families took an active part in the village’s life as mayors and benefactors. In 1878, the domain was purchased by the Montesquiou-Fezensac family, who still live there today. From a family of old nobility from the Gers, they boast among their ancestors the famous d’Artagnan, ministers of Louis 14th, as well as Le Tellier de Louvois and Madame de Montesquiou, house-keeper for the young King of Rome who affectionately called her “Maman Quiou”. For a century, they dedicated themselves to restoring and refurnishing the castle, using their family heirlooms and laying out the grounds again following extensive damage because of the bombings of the last war. Nonetheless, with the setting of this castle by the forest of Fontainebleau, this residence has thus kept its harmonious nature.
Château consists of nine bedchambers, each of which is individually designed, beautifully appointed and is the epitome of luxury. While all bedchambers have a wonderful, traditional charm, they are also fully equipped with all the conveniences you would expect of a modern hotel, such as free and unlimited wi-fi access.
This trip is hosted by Sisters Traveling Solo LLC. Please note that you must be a member of our paid membership program or our Facebook group to join this trip. Membership will be verified after booking. Our trips are 21 years and up at the time of departure.
Tour Highlights
01
WINE TASTING
A private wine tasting held at our chateau you allow you to enjoy some of France's great wines. During our tasting you will learn about how to tell the age of the wine and which region the wine comes from.
02
COOKING CLASS w/ MARKET VISIT
Our class starts with a 1-hour market visit to learn
about some of the ingredients we will be using during our cooking class.After our market visit, we will participant in a hands-on cooking class.
03
BASTILLE DAY
Get ready to enjoy the fireworks! Bastille Day, the anniversary of the storming of the infamous Bastille prison in 1789 - a turning point for the success of the French Revolution, and now a national holiday throughout France.
04
EIFFEL TOWER & DINNER SHOW
Welcome Dinner at Eiffel Tower, and dinner show! The Lido, the famous Paris cabaret, welcomes you to a luxurious setting in the very heart of Paris for an exceptional dinner show.
You will start evening with a delightful dinner.
Tentative Itinerary
DAY 01 - JULY 11, 2021 - EIFFEL TOWER DINNER
Arrive at Paris (Charles De Gaulle Airport). You will be met by one of our drivers and transferred to our hotel for a short orientation. After check-in, take the rest of the afternoon at leisure rewinding from the long flight.
In the evening, we will all get together for a welcome dinner. Over dinner, we will get to know each other.
Meals Included: Eiffel Tower Dinner
IMPORTANT:
- Dinner starts on time (est 8 PM local time. Final time will be confirmed (6) months before trip departure date).
- Group will leave on time for dinner, anyone who arrives late risk missing dinner. Once our group goes up, or team cannot come down to assist in getting up.
- Dinner tickets cannot be refunded or rescheduled.
- Dinner menu is preset by venue. There is vegetarian and non vegetarian option of that menu only. Venue will confirm the set menu a few months before trip.
- Dinner comes with (1) soda or juice option
- Group maybe split into two groups (group of 8 & 9); we may or may not be seated next to each other during dining.
Note: Airport transfers are provided from 5 AM - 10 PM local time on JULY 11, 2021. Hotel check-in is 3 PM.
DAY 02 - JULY 12, 2021 - COOKING CLASS
After breakfast we will depart for our French cooking class! Our class starts with a 1-hour market visit to learn about some of the ingredients we will be using during our cooking class. After our market visit, we will participant in a hands-on cooking class and demonstration before enjoying lunch.
Meal(s) Included: Breakfast at hotel, Lunch
DAY 03 - JULY 13, 2021 - BIG BUS & LIDO DINNER SHOW
Today you will be given a 2-Day big bus pass to enjoy some of the sites at your leisure.
Later this evening we will get together to enjoy the World famous Lido dinner show. The Lido, the famous Paris cabaret, welcomes you to a luxurious setting in the very heart of Paris for an exceptional dinner show. An evening at the Lido Show is truly unforgettable.
Meals Included: Hotel Breakfast, Dinner
IMPORTANT:
- Dinner tickets cannot be refunded or rescheduled.
- Dinner menu is preset by venue. There is vegetarian and non vegetarian option of that menu only. Venue will confirm the set menu a few months before trip.
- Dinner comes with (1) soda, bottled water, or (1) juice option
- Group maybe split into two groups (group of 8 & 9); we may or may not be seated next to each other during dining
DAY 04 - JULY 14, 2021 - BASTILLE DAY
Today is yours to explore more of Paris. Use the 2nd day of your big bus pass to see more sites or head to the Loui Vuitton store Each member will be given a 2-day Big Bus to get around Paris and see some of the popular sights.
Be sure to get some rest and grab an early dinner as this evening will be a late one as we celebrate one of the
biggest holidays in Paris, Bastille Day! Bastille Day is a holiday celebrating the storming of the Bastille—a
military fortress and prison—on July 14, 1789, in a violent uprising that helped usher in the French Revolution. we take the Sacred Valley Tour. Places that are visited: Pisac Archeological Site, Pisac Market, Ollantaytambo Archeological site, and Chinchero Archeological Site. We will have lunch at Urubamba village.
Meals Included: Hotel Breakfast
DAY 05 - JULY 15, 2021 - TRANSFER TO CASTLE
After breakfast, you can enjoy some last minute shopping or sleep in a bit. In the early afternoon we will meet and be transferred to our Chateau which is located in a small village approximately 1.5 hours outside of Paris!
Meals Included: Chateau English Breakfast, Dinner at Chateau
Dinner includes pre-fix menu; both included (1) soda or juice and water for the table.
Note(s):
- The family (woman) who owns the estate still lives in the left wing of the Chateau; however, Guest will not likely only see them.
- At the Chateau the only meals/food served will that provided during the meals included in cost of trip; there is no room service. If you like snacks, fruits, beverages (water, soda, juice or alcohol), etc. you will need to purchase those things before leaving Paris city center. There are a number of convenience / mini grocery stores near or around our hotel. There are no stops on our way to the Chateau, please make any purchases on one the days we are in Paris. Guest of Chateau do not have access to the kitchen; there are no refrigerators in the room and a small ice maker. Guest should not book this trip if any of this will be an opportunity.
- There will be rules of the Chateau listed on our trip registration form. This is Chateau that requires that all guest help to keep it in great condition.
DAY 06 - JULY 16, 2021 - WINE TASTING AT CHATEAU
Our day starts with private wine tasting held at our chateau! You will enjoy some of France's great wines, while learning about how to tell the age of the wine and which region the wine comes from. For lunch we will head to local restaurant in the small village near our Chateau.
After lunch enjoy the Chateau grounds, ride one of the bikes through the small village or enjoy time laughing with your sisters. Later in the evening we will meet for our farewell dinner at the Chateau.
Meals Included: Chateau English Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner at Chateau
Lunch/Dinner includes pre-fix menu; both included (1) soda or juice and water for the table.
DAY 07 - JULY 17, 2021 - DEPARTURES
On our final day, we will enjoy breakfast and begin to departure to Paris Charles De Gaulle Airport (CDG). Our chateau is roughly 1.15 minutes from the airport.
Note: There will be 3 scheduled transfer times (5 AM, 7:30 AM, and 10 AM).
Meals Included: Chateau English Breakfast
IMPORTANT: During some parts of the trip we will be using public transportation to get to our destination as it is the best possible option.
