Normandy, a land of history and tradition, has an impressive number of major historical sites: Bayeux, the stronghold of William the Conqueror; the Allied invasion on D-Day and its memorials; the Mont-Saint-Michel, where the white cliffs of the Alabaster coast come to an end, and Rouen, the city of hundred bell-towers, tucked into the curves of the meandering Seine River, where Joan of Arc died. Normandy has managed to preserve an important cultural, gastronomical and architectural heritage. It is also, with the D-Day landing beaches, a living memory of the Second World War: Arromanches, Colleville-sur-Mer, Omaha Beach, La Pointe du Hoc, Sword, Juno and Gold, and their dedicated memorial sites. Normandy offers also the charm of small and typical fishing ports like Etretat, Honfleur and Deauville, that inspired the Impressionists in the nineteenth century. And of course, Claude Monet’s fabulous house and garden at Giverny.

The Loire Valley, a Unesco World Heritage site, is known as The Garden of France. The region has around thirty castles, which during the Renaissance, in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, were the favourite residences of the kings of France, at a time when the political power was on the banks of the Loire River.

France takes huge pride in this emblematic and symbolic landmark, which for centuries, has held the biggest concentration of stories and legends from the nation’s history. In the old days, it was the bastion of La Gaule, was the scene of many great battles, and was the region of the 1789 counter-revolution. It was also a major centre of the French Resistance during the Second World War. This journey is a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the Loire Valley, which is at the heart and at the crossroads of all the stories constituting the rich history of the French nation, symbolised by its castles.

We would like to thank the National domains of Chambord and Chaumont, who have supported the development of Passages Secrets thanks to the images they have provided us. Image on the right: ©marc-jauneaud; below: Chambord © Sébastien Rio.

Limousin is a rural and industrial region in South West France. With the development of pilgrimages and the economic boom of the late eleventh century, the numerous abbeys in the area grew in size and new religious orders were established. The important ninth century Saint-Martial abbey made Limoges a centre of power in the Middle Ages. This region has an incredible number of historical sites and is endowed with a world-famous industrial heritage (porcelain, enamel, tapestry, slate, tile, glove-making…). Limoges, the capital of French porcelain, is known as the City of the Arts of Fire, due to its porcelain kilns, enamel and stained-glass workshops. The Limousin region is also known for its luxury and haute-couture industries. For several generations numerous jewellery, glove-making, leather goods, saddlery, hatters, furniture, design, tapestry and woodworking companies have been established in this region.

Limousin is unique in the world, celebrated for its rare know-how, unrivalled craftsmanship and pure materials.

We would like to thank the Houses La Chapelle Saint-Martin, Agnelle, Bernardaud, Chamberlan, Haviland and  the Domaine des Etangs, who have supported the development of Passages Secrets thanks to the images they have provided us. Photo Credit.

Situated between land, rivers and ocean, the Bordeaux region, world-famous for its great wines, conceals cultural riches that go far beyond its vineyards. This emblematic terroir of south-western France boasts a history of over two millennia. As early as the 3rd century B.C. “Bordeaux” entered history under the aegis of a Gallic tribe. It is at the very same time that its first vineyard was created. Today many are the markers of an ancestral history rich in twists and turns. Its wines and gastronomy, its listed towns and villages, its castles and grandiose estates, its ancient churches and abbeys, and finally its beaches and spectacular dunes are the incarnation of a heritage as particular as it is varied.
This tour promises a harmonious balance between the discovery of vineyards and old stones, invitations to relaxation and well-being and invigorating and gourmet sessions. An experience to be lived by body and mind!

We would like to thank the InterContinental Bordeaux, les Sources de Caudalie, La Maison d’Estournel, le Château Coutet, le Château Beychevelle et le Cos d’Estournel, Sophie Dubosc- photographe, who have supported the development of Passages Secrets thanks to the images they have provided us. Photo Credit.
Picture below: Nature_vines_MCellard©.