France
Brittany & The Loire Valley: Castles, Chateaux & Celtic Roots
Program No. 24803RJ
Journey back in time through medieval history and explore the relics of French nobility on this learning adventure through the cathedrals and castles of Brittany.
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DATES
& starting prices
PRICES
DATES
& starting prices
PRICES
Apr 13 - Apr 29, 2025
Starting at
6,889May 4 - May 20, 2025
Starting at
7,099May 18 - Jun 3, 2025
Starting at
7,099Jun 1 - Jun 17, 2025
Starting at
7,199Aug 31 - Sep 16, 2025
Starting at
7,199Sep 14 - Sep 30, 2025
Starting at
7,199Oct 12 - Oct 28, 2025
Starting at
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17 days
16 nights
32 meals
15B 9L 8D
1
In Transit to Program
In Flight
6
Pont-Aven & Carnac
Vannes
8
Château de Josselin, Dinan
St. Malo
9
Cancale, Mont-Saint-Michel
St. Malo
10
Saint-Malo
St. Malo
11
Saint Malo to Angers
Angers
12
Fontevraud Abbey, Saumur
Angers
14
Chenonceau, Clos Luce
Tours
15
Chambord, Free Time
Tours
At a Glance
Located along the coast of northwestern France, Brittany shares a Celtic history along with its French identity. Embark on an educational journey through this region that borders along the English Channel and see its most inspiring landmarks, including UNESCO World Heritage Sites like the Chartres Cathedral and Mont-Saint-Michel. Lose yourself in the beauty and the storied past of the chateaus, abbeys and castles that dot the landscape, and learn how Brittany’s Celtic roots have influenced traditional music and dance through a private performance. By the time you depart France, you’ll have a new appreciation for medieval history, art and architecture!
Activity Level
Keep the Pace
Walking up to two miles per day on uneven surfaces, cobblestones and steps; standing up to 2 hours indoors and out; climbing a few flights of stairs
Small Group
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.
What You'll Learn
- Discover the long succession of wealthy nobles to own the Château de Chenonceau as you admire its collection of paintings by great masters.
- Listen to a lecture by an archaeologist in Carnac, home to the world’s greatest concentration of megalithic sites.
- Embark on a boat ride with a local expert in Vannes to learn about the marine life in Brittany.
Featured Expert
All trip experts
Caroline Buizza
Caroline Buizza was born and raised in Lyon, the capital of French gastronomy. After completing her master’s degree, she became a teacher in Europe. Through her teaching experiences, she decided that her purpose was travel education. Therefore, she went back to school to become a certified group leader. She loves French history, art and culture and she takes pride in sharing her country's wonderful heritage with adventurous groups.
Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.
Caroline Buizza
View biography
Caroline Buizza was born and raised in Lyon, the capital of French gastronomy. After completing her master’s degree, she became a teacher in Europe. Through her teaching experiences, she decided that her purpose was travel education. Therefore, she went back to school to become a certified group leader. She loves French history, art and culture and she takes pride in sharing her country's wonderful heritage with adventurous groups.
Suggested Reading List
(14 books)
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
Brittany & The Loire Valley: Castles, Chateaux & Celtic Roots
Program Number: 24803
Rough Guide Brittany & Normandy
An informative, detailed guide to Brittany and Normandy with a good overview of history and culture
The Romance of Tristan and Iseult
This chivalric myth -- of Arthurian fame -- features a Cornish knight and an Irish princess who are under a spell of love.
The Food of France
An evocative and beautifully written survey of French food. First published in 1958 and revised in the mid-1970s, the book covers the important regions of French cuisine by dividing them into domains of Butter (northern France), Fat (Alsace) and Oil (the south).
Horse of Pride, Life in a Breton Village
A richly detailed novel of Breton lives, culture and folklore in the wake of World War I.
Brittany Map
A regional map of Brittany by Michelin at the very good scale of 1:200,000.
A Traveller's History of France
This fast-moving survey covers the conquests of ancient Gaul through the heady days of revolution to modern times.
The Portrait
On a remote island off of Brittany, an art critic sits completely still and silent as his old friend paints his portrait and tells him the story of his long and tortured life in this eerie mystery.
On Rue Tatin, Living and Cooking in a French Town
A refreshingly direct, affectionate memoir of making a home -- and cooking -- in Louviers.
Legends and Romances of Brittany
A broad anthology that draws on varying strains of the Breton tradition, including Arthurian legends, the lays of Marie de France and tales of Breton saints as well as more standard fairy stories.
At Home in France
Subtitled "Tales of an American and Her House Abroad," this account of life in a small village in southwestern France is shot through with Barry's irony and New York outlook on life.
Mont Saint Michel and Chartres
First published at the turn of the century, this classic work is a meditation on the Medieval world as reflected through its most famous religious structures.
Cathedrals and Castles, The Cathedral Builders of the Middle Ages
This pocket-size encyclopedia of the art, architecture and culture of the Middle Ages features hundreds of drawings, color illustrations and a brief chronology.
The Oysters of Locmariaquer
Winner of the 1965 National Book Award, this paper edition of Clark's pleasurable portrait of the hardy oystermen and byways of coastal Brittany is introduced by Mark Kurlansky.
The Most Beautiful Villages of Brittany
An illustrated portrait of Brittany, its landscape, architecture and people.
