b'PLANTAGENET FRANCE:INTRIGUE, WAR, COLLAPSEScan here for the full itineraryFEATURING ELEANOR OF AQUITAINE 1018 June 2026 Historical Background9 days The Plantagenet dynasty was founded by Geoffrey (1113-51), Count of Anjou Expert Historian: whose son Henry ruled lands in both Anjou and Normandy. He added Aurzelle da Silva Aquitaine after his marriage to Eleanor of Aquitaine in 1152 and succeeded to the throne of England in 1154. Activity Level: 2The Angevin Empire soon ruled half of French territory and eventually antagonised the Capetian kings of France to whom they owed loyalty. The The Plantagenet dynasty dominated whatrivalry between the dynasties resulted in a series of wars and the gradual we now call France from its origins in Anjoureconquest of Angevin territory by the Capetians. The large number of in the twelfth century to its demise in thecastles in the region meant that sieges were common and the evocative fifteenth and left its mark on English historysites at Chinon, Montsoreau and Chteau-Gaillard are powerful reminders of after Henry IIs accession to the throne inthis era.1154. Through a series of visits to castles,Under John (r. 11991216) England lost most of its French possessions abbeys, cathedrals, palaces, museums, andresulting in the demise of the Angevin Empire and the rise of the Capetian. towns, this superb tour provides a highlyIn the Hundred Years War enjoyable journey through the places where(13371453) Plantagenet Frances history was made. We will exploreEngland won back some of the most evocative medieval sitesmost of its continental in Europe including the castles of Saumur,possessions but soon Chinon, Langeais and Loches. The religiouslost them again.life of the times will be illuminated at the fantastic abbeys of pau and Fontevruad, the latter the burial place of Eleanor of Aquitaine, her husband Henry II and their son Richard the Lionheart. Day 1Assemble Londons St Pancras station Eurostar to Paris Gare to Nordthen by train to Tours Hotel in Tours6 nights (D)Day 2 Angers - Palace of the Counts of Anjou, Apocalypse Tapestry, Collegiate Church, Cathedral (B,D)Day 3 Castles of Saumur and Montsoreau (exterior only), Abbey of Fontevruad, castle of Langeais (B,D)Day 4 Le MansCathedral, Plantagent Museum, Royal Abbey of Epau (B,D)Day 5 Castle of Chinon, Royal City of Loches (B)Day 6Poitiers - Baptistery of St John, Grand Palace of the Dukes of Aquitaine, ESSENTIALS Saint-Pierre Cathedral (B,D)Day 7Train from Tours to Paris le de la Cit - Conciergerie, Sainte-Chapelle,3-4-star hotels, meals as indicated,Notre-Dame Cathedral (reopens December 2024), Louvre Palacedrinks with dinner, all entrance fees,(exterior only) Hotel in Paris2 nights (B,D)tour manager and expert historianDay 8Rouen and cathedral, Chteau-Gaillard, Gisor castle (B,D)throughout, all internal travel. Day 9Cathedral of St Denis Eurostar Paris Gare du Nord to London St Pancras (B)285926 TCE BROCHURE 2025-26_Aug25.indd 28 22/08/2025 13:35'