PALATIAL VERSAILLES French Palace Tour & Airship Adventure

Indulge in this luxury Versailles break, with 5-star hotel, Michelin star dining, a private and unique Versailles tour and an exclusive Zeppelin airship trip. One of France’s most celebrated bijou jewels, Versailles was the exquisite creation of one of history’s most notable, if notorious, monarchs, Le Roi Soleil, Louis XIV. Originally his father’s hunting lodge, Louis XIV transformed the site to become a beautiful symbol of royal absolutism and embodiment of classical French art. King Louis regarded himself as a monarch chosen by God, cultivating his image carefully and using the sun as his emblem. Versailles was part of his effort to display the undisputable power of the 'monarque absolu'. Private Versailles Tour On this unique, luxury Versailles tour, you will encounter the full splendour and tragedy of the palace. Staying in a 5-star luxury hotel in central Paris, your private, licensed driver-guide will pick you up on your first morning and take you on the blissful journey to Versailles by luxury Mercedes. En route, the guide will introduce the history of the palace and the century of Le Roi Soleil. Upon arrival, your driver will take you straight past the queues – to the Royal Chapel and King’s Grand Apartment. Having witnessed the exquisite adornment of each of the seven rooms in the Grand Apartment, you will be led to the magnificent Hall of Mirrors. The 73 metres of Le Grand Galerie glorified the political, economic and artistic successes of France. The guide will bring to life the functions of the palace in the seventeenth century, as you visit the War Room, the Queen’s Grand Apartment, Queen’s Bedchamber, the Peace Room, the Hall of French History and the Hall of Battles. The glorious majesty of the palace is matched by the charming gardens. This is no accident – when Louis XIV commissioned André Le Nôtre to create the gardens, he made it clear they were just as important as the Château. The grand sculptures, fountains, opulent Orangerie, groves, water parterres and Grand Canal took forty years to create. You will look down on the striking perspective that leads the gaze from the Water Parterre, along the Grand Canal, all the way to the horizon. Back to the car, your private guide will drive you through the park for the next stage of this luxury Versailles break, where you will stop to have a close look at the Trianons, Grand and Petit, before stopping for lunch. Leaving the magic of Versailles behind, you will be taken on the scenic route to Persan Beaumont, explaining the history of the typical, quaint French villages you pass through en route. It is at Persan Beaumont that you will enjoy the unique opportunity to climb aboard one of only two Zeppelin Airships on the planet. The airship is available throughout the summer months from May to the end of October. If guests wish to travel outside of these months, we can provide a private Seine boat cruise with champagne and macarons instead. Zeppelin Airship Tour The extraordinary and unforgettable experience of flying in a Zeppelin Airship is beyond compare. Standing as high as a 5-floor building at 17.5m, the Zeppelin Airship is monumentally impressive. Equipped with the finest in aeronautic technology, it is also one of the safest aircraft around. Aboard, you will be welcomed by a private hostess who will seat you in luxuriously comfortable leather seating. Your vantage point will be surrounded by large windows, giving you unrestricted views of the stunning scenery. Throughout the flight, you will also be able to move to a panoramic sofa, at the back of the aircraft, or even have a look inside the cabin. Flying at low altitude, you will discover the wonderful landscape of the Vexin region that has been captured by some of the world’s finest Impressionist painters: Monet, Van Gogh and Cezanne. You will pass over the city of Auvers sur Oise, a favourite spot of Van Gogh. Here the Dutch artist crafted more than 70 paintings, including the Gothic church and beautiful castle. Next, you will bear witness to the prepossessing allure of Méry-sur-Oise and the Royaumont Abbey, founded in the 13th century and surrounded by beautiful woodland and water. Next, you will fly over the delightful domain of Chantilly, including the castle, Conde Museum, Les Grandes Ecuries and gorgeous French gardens created by Lenôtre at the end of the 17th century. Presided over by noble families throughout the centuries, the castle has been extended and renovated to become one of the most beautiful in France. The last place you will admire is L’Isle Adam, branded ‘Heaven on Earth’ by the renowned writer Honoré de Balzac. Here you will see Saint Martin church, the castle and crown forest. Indulge in a glass of champagne apiece to toast the beguiling experience, before you will be given your personal flight diploma. Luxury Paris At the end of this incredible experience, your chauffeur will take you back to your hotel. You may be suitably worn out so that you are happy merely to enjoy the comfort of your luxury room but, if not, you are centrally placed to enjoy some of Paris’s finest attractions. The next day of this luxury Versailles break, you are again free to take in the sights of the city famed as the most romantic on earth. With famous landmarks at every turn, a trip up the Eiffel Tower or into Notre Dame may be clichéd but is also dreamily perfect. Montmartre, atop a hill at the north of the city, offers stunning views. Paris also boasts some of the world’s finest cuisine. You will be able to sample this on an unforgettable culinary journey at one of the capital’s Michelin star restaurants, with the inventive local cuisine on the restaurant’s tasting menu. To ensure your trip runs smoothly, we will provide you with a personalised itinerary packed with all the information you need to ensure you enjoy the perfect Versailles break.