DISCOVER FRANCE BY WATER

DISCOVER FRANCE BY WATER Charming Canal and River Cruises EARLY BOOKING DISCOUNT OFFER FOR 2027 DEPARTURES Claude Monet’s garden in Giverny (around 40 miles away) had become his muse. You can visit the gardens today and peep into the artist’s studio, but the house is closed to the public, still lived in by the artist’s descendants. Lesjardinshenrilesidanier.com Sidaner proposed to the residents that everyone should plant climbing roses and they loved his idea. Eventually the town council passed an official decree which required everyone to grow roses! In 1928, the first Fête des Roses was held, and it has taken place every year since, on the third Sunday of June, bringing thousands of visitors to this tiny town. There are now thousands of rose bushes climbing up walls, draped over fences and fringing windows throughout the town, as well as hydrangeas, hollyhocks and country garden favourites sprouting from the roadsides. A short stroll away lies the Jardin des Ifs, which became a Jardin Remarquable in 2016 in recognition of its rare collection of yew trees. These 18th-century symmetrical gardens are decorated with topiary of various shapes and sizes including one 350-year-old shaped tree (the oldest topiary in France), and so large several people can stand inside it. It also has a pretty vegetable garden and roses of all kinds. Take a tour and stop for a meal at the restaurant in the former Governor’s house with its ancient dining room, and don’t miss a chance to taste the Gerberoy macarons made by the chef who was inspired by a 13th century recipe. They’re rose flavoured of course, and taste of a sunny day in June in this most pretty village. lejardindesifs.com With only about a hundred inhabitants, Gerberoy can seem a little sleepy during the week (except when the rose festival is on), but this makes it even more magical. There are no traffic lights, no telephone poles or electric wires overhead - the town protects its heritage. Parking within the village is prohibited during the peak season months, there is a free car park just a few steps from the town, past a duck pond where the residents will applaud your entry! Europe’s largest river cruise line WHY CHOOSE TO CRUISE WITH CROISIEUROPE? 50 years’ experience and 50 ships Superb French cuisine ALSO AVAILABLE: FLY-CRUISE PACKAGES FROM LONDON AND REGIONAL AIRPORTS, call us for details ALSACE-LORRAINE History and Traditions 6 Night Canal Cruises From £ 2 640/pp BORDEAUX The Heart of Wine Country 4 to 7 Night River Cruises From £ 892/pp For our full range of special offers visit our website: www.croisieurope.co.uk INFORMATION AND RESERVATIONS: Tel. 01756 691 273 • sales@croisieurope.co.uk All prices are based on two adults sharing a cabin, category C, are correct at time of going to press, subject to availability. All the flight-inclusive holidays are financially protected by the ATOL scheme. When you pay you will be supplied with an ATOL Certificate. Please ask for it and check to ensure that everything you booked (flights, cruise, hotels and other services) is listed on it. CroisiEurope UK Ltd partners with Blue Water Holidays Ltd for ATOL protection. Blue Water Holidays is a company registered in England and Wales, number 4085664. Registered Office: Bowers Wharf, Skipton, North Yorkshire, BD23 2PD. - IM067100025. Non-contractual photos - Copyrights: Alexandre Sattler, AdobeStock, Shutterstock. - Creastudio 2602021. All inclusive for drinks onboard THE LOIRE Castles & Cabernet 4 to 7 Night River Cruises From £ 1 135/pp 22 | The Good Life France The Good Life France | 23 STRASBOURG BORDEAUX DEPARTURES : from April to October CHATEAU OF VILLANDRY