It's Weirdly Strange and Strangely Weird

littlebluebeetle:

Yeah, I don’t know either.

i approve highly…especially of the squid

ugh, who thought matt leblanc would be a good romantic lead

a dangerous combination…

An educational tour led by acclaimed author

Sharon Kay Penman

June 4-13, 2011

Join acclaimed author Sharon Kay Penman on a journey to France this June to

retrace the life of Eleanor of Aquitaine!

Eleanor—Duchess of Aquitaine and Gascony, Countess of Poitou, Queen of the

French and Queen of England, mother to future kings and queens—was one of

the most extraordinary women of her time, and continues to hold a fascination for

us today!

Ms. Penman, author of seven historical novels including the Henry II Trilogy:

When Christ and His Saints Slept

, Time and Chance and Devil’s Brood

and

four medieval mysteries surrounding Queen Eleanor, leads this exceptional tour.

Travel back into the French Middle Ages and imagine the life of one of its most

captivating royal figures.

Visit Paris where Eleanor married the French King Louis VII. Then travel into

Normandy and Anjou, domains of her second husband, King Henry II of

England. Explore the Aquitaine, richest medieval duchy in the south of France,

where troubadours originated the daring idea of Courtly Love, and where Eleanor

was born and raised in the court of her ducal ancestors. Finally, find Eleanor and

Henry in the Royal Abbey of Fontevraud, their last resting place, where Ms.

Penman will read from her forthcoming book,

Lionheart

.

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day 1, Saturday June 4

Depart the U.S. on independent overnight flights to Paris.

Day 2, Sunday June 5

Arrive in Paris this morning and check into the Hotel Trianon Rive Gauche, well

situated for exploring medieval Paris and the world of Eleanor and Henry. Enjoy

some free time to settle into your hotel. Meet fellow travelers at a welcome

reception and dinner. (R, D)

Day 3, Monday June 6

Begin exploring the Middle Ages in France with a full day in Paris. Included are

visits to the Louvre, The Cluny Museum and Notre Dame. At the Louvre see the

gift Eleanor gave to Louis VII on their marriage - the only artifact of Eleanor’s

known to exist. Enjoy free time to explore the world famous collections. At the

Cluny Museum, a Gothic mansion housing The National Museum of the Middle

Ages, discover a magnificent collection of tapestries, paintings, illuminated

manuscripts, stain glass and everyday objects from the medieval period;

conclude the day at the Cathedral of Notre Dame, one of the finest examples of

French Gothic Architecture. (B)

Day 4, Tuesday June 7

Leave Paris for Normandy this morning by private coach. Visit the Castle of

Falaise, ancient seat of the Dukes of Normandy and fortress residence of Henry

and Eleanor. Continue to Mont-St-Michel, a tiny tidal island just off the coast.

Home to the ancient Norman Benedictine Monastery, this UNESCO World

Heritage site was a major pilgrimage destination in the Middle Ages. Check into

La Mère Poulard Hotel located on the island, just footsteps from the abbey. Visit

the abbey and church in the late afternoon, free of crowds, a rare opportunity. (B,

D)

Day 5, Wednesday June 8

Drive south to Le Mans, where the Empress Matilda and Count Geoffrey of Anjou

were married and their son, Henry II was baptized. Explore the well-preserved

Cité Plantagenet

which is completely separate from the hustle of the modern day

town; walk through the cobbled streets lined with half-timbered houses and

ornate stone façades, including the Maison du Pilier rouge, recognizable by its

red-painted wooden structure. Admire the Cathedral of Saint-Julien, built

between the 11

th and 15th

centuries, one of the largest cathedrals in France. See

also the Bishop’s House, the Town Hall, Notre-Dame-du-Pré and Maison-Dieu de

Coeffort. Leave Le Mans for Fontevraud, the royal abbey where Eleanor spent

her final years and is buried with Henry and much of her family. Check into the

delightful Hotel Abbaye Royale de Fontevraud, situated on the abbey grounds.

(B)

Day 6, Thursday June 9

Journey to Poitiers today, the heart of Eleanor’s domains. Follow in the footsteps

of the Duchess with a local professor. Begin at the Palace of Justice, the seat of

the Dukes of Aquitaine. Admire several churches that relate to major events in

Eleanor’s life, including the 12

th

century Cathedral Saint-Pierre, where Eleanor

and Henry were married; St Hilaire where Richard was invested as Duke of

Aquitaine and the Romanesque church of Notre-Dame-la-Grande which was part

of the palace enclosure during Eleanor’s reign. On the way back to Fontevraud

pause at a local winery: no trip to the Loire Valley would be complete without

stopping to enjoy the finest vintages this region has to offer. (B)

Day 7, Friday June 10

Begin the day with a reading by Sharon Kay Penman from her yet to be

published book,

Lionheart

, a very special treat for her fans. You’ll have free

time to explore Saumur on market day. Of particular note is the Château of

Saumur, a fortified stronghold above the town. Later journey to Chinon, to visit

the Château de Chinon, one of Henry’s favorite residences and the setting for

The Lion In Winter

. Henry, who later died here, was responsible for construction

of almost all of the massive structure. End the day with a special dinner in

Fontevraud and a private evening tour of the Abbey, and say a goodnight to

Eleanor and Henry. (B, D)

Day 8, Saturday June 11

Travel to Angers, once the capital of the historic province of Anjou, and the heart

of Henry’s Angevin empire. Explore the massive and ancient castle, the Château

d’Angers; and the Cathedral of St. Maurice a fine balance of Romanesque and

gothic architecture. The interior walls are decorated with a beautiful collection of

medieval tapestries woven between 1376 and 1381, the largest, The Angers

Apocalypse is on display in the castle. Check into the Hotel Mercure and enjoy

an evening on your own in Angers. (B)

Day 9, Sunday June 12

Bid Adieu to Eleanor and Henry before traveling back to Paris, stopping on the

way at Chartres Cathedral, considered one of the finest examples of the French

High Gothic style. Arrive in time for lunch before touring the cathedral on a

guided visit. Continue to Paris, returning to the Hotel Trianon Rive Gauche.

Gather for a festive farewell dinner in Paris. (B, D)

just got asked to give suggestions as to where one might go in japan on their honeymoon…

fml.

bleh