In September 2026, two major events for the bovine practitioners working in the reproduction industry will take place close to each other. The AETE annual meeting in Rennes will end on September 4th, and the WBC in Istanbul will start Sept 6th in the evening.
For those of you planning to attend both meetings, we have put together a luxury tour from Rennes to Istanbul.
Covers prehistoric (Saulges), Roman (Jublains), Renaissance/medieval (Château du Lude, Le Mans, Château de Maintenon), and Gothic (Chartres) history, with luxury via chartered bus, 4-star hotel, and Michelin-starred dining.
Prices will be available shortly. Price will include bus transfer, all entrance fees, and accommodation incl. breakfast. Dinner and flight from CDG to IST are not included.
Day 1: September 5, 2026 – Rennes to Chartres (Sightseeing and Check-in by 5:30 PM)
- Start at Café Albertine (local patisserie, quick artisanal pastries, coffee).
- 7:30 AM: Depart via A81 toward Saulges (70 km, 1 hour, incl. 10-minute traffic buffer).
- Distance: 70 km from Rennes.
- Activity: Guided tour of the Grottes de Saulges, prehistoric caves with stalactites and Paleolithic artifacts. Focus on Grotte à Margot or Grotte Rochefort.
- Opening Hours: Daily 10:00 AM–6:00 PM (last entry 5:00 PM; tours start at 10:00 AM).
- Website: grottesmuseesaulges.fr
- 10:45 AM: Depart for Jublains (25 km, 30 minutes, incl. 5-minute buffer).
- Distance: 25 km from Saulges.
- Activity: Explore the Roman town of Jublains (Noviodunum). Visit Roman Theatre, Temple of Fortune (45 minutes, self-guided), and Museum (45 minutes, artifacts like mosaics).
- Opening Hours: Museum: Daily 10:00 AM–6:00 PM (last entry 5:00 PM); archaeological site: accessible year-round.
- Website: museedejublains.fr
- 12:45 PM: Depart for Château du Lude (60 km, 50 minutes, incl. 10-minute buffer).
- Distance: 60 km from Jublains.
- Activity: Visit Château du Lude, a Renaissance castle with medieval origins and gardens by Édouard André. Guided tour of interiors (45 minutes, Renaissance rooms), garden stroll (30 minutes), photos (15 minutes).
- Opening Hours: Daily 10:00 AM–6:00 PM (last entry 5:00 PM).
- Website: lelude.com
- 3:05 PM: Depart for Le Mans (40 km, 40 minutes, incl. 10-minute buffer).
- Distance: 40 km from Château du Lude.
- Activity: Stroll through Cité Plantagenêt (45 minutes, medieval streets with half-timbered houses) and visit Cathédrale Saint-Julien (45 minutes, Gothic cathedral with stained-glass windows).
- Opening Hours: Daily 8:00 AM–7:00 PM (guided tours available).
- Website: lemans-tourisme.com
- 5:15 PM: Depart for Chartres (100 km, 1 hour 25 minutes, incl. 10-minute buffer).
6:40–6:55 PM: Check-in in Chartres
- Distance: 100 km from Le Mans.
- Hotel: Hôtel Jehan de Beauce (3-star hotel in the historic center, 200 m from the cathedral, with bar and 24-hour reception).
- Pet Policy: Dog-friendly (fee approx. €10–15 per night; small dogs preferred; confirm at booking).
- Website: www.jehandebeauce.fr
- Check-in by 6:55 PM (flexible for slightly later arrival if needed).
- Unwind near the hotel or with a drink at the bar.
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Dine at Le Cathédrale Brasserie (nearby brasserie with traditional French cuisine, approx €40–60 p.P.; 300 m from hotel).
- Overnight Stay: Hôtel Jehan de Beauce, Chartres.
Day 2: September 6, 2026 – Chartres to Paris CDG (Drive with Stops, Arrival by 12:00 PM)
8:00–8:30 AM: Breakfast at the Hotel (30 minutes)
- Lavish buffet with croissants, regional cheeses, and homemade jams (included in room rate).
- Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Cathedral, focusing on stained-glass windows and Gothic architecture.
- Opening Hours: Daily 8:30 AM–7:30 PM.
- Website: cathedrale-chartres.org
- Distance: 20 km from Chartres (25 minutes, incl. 5-minute buffer).
- Activity: Visit Château de Maintenon, a 16th-century castle with gardens by Le Nôtre. Quick tour of interiors (30 minutes, key rooms), gardens (30 minutes).
- Opening Hours: Sunday 10:30 AM–6:30 PM (last entry 5:30 PM).
- Website: chateaudemaintenon.fr
- 10:45 AM: Depart for CDG (80 km, 1 hour 15 minutes, incl. 15-minute buffer) or Versailles (if included).
- Distance: 40 km from Château de Maintenon (35 minutes, incl. 5-minute buffer).
- Activity: Quick visit to the Palace of Versailles (Hall of Mirrors, brief garden stroll).
- Opening Hours: Daily 9:00 AM–6:30 PM (last entry 5:45 PM, closed Mondays).
- Website: chateauversailles.fr
- 12:30 PM: Depart for CDG (40 km, 45–60 minutes, incl. 15-minute buffer).
- Distance: 80 km from Château de Maintenon (1 hour 15 minutes, incl. 15-minute buffer).
- Arrive at Paris CDG Airport by 12:00 PM for a time buffer.
- Flight Options:
- Preferred: Turkish Airlines TK1826, departing CDG 16:10, arriving IST 20:45 (allows Versailles stop).
- Alternative: Turkish Airlines flight departing CDG 14:20, arriving IST 18:55 (skip Versailles, depart Château de Maintenon by 10:45 AM).
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Airline
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Flight Number
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Departure (CDG, Terminal 1 or 2E)
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Arrival (IST)
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Duration
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Notes
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Turkish Airlines
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TK 1824
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12:25 PM
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4:55 PM
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3h 30m
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Daily flight. Check-in from 9:25 AM—perfect for 11:15 AM arrival. Includes meals and entertainment. Book Here
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Turkish Airlines
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TK 1826
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2:10 PM
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6:40 PM
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3h 30m
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Daily flight. Check-in from 11:10 AM; relaxed option for extra time at CDG. Book Here
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Turkish Airlines
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TK 1830
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4:05 PM
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8:35 PM
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3h 30m
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Daily flight. Check-in from 1:05 PM; good for buffer time. Book Here
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|
Turkish Airlines
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TK 1832
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6:00 PM
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10:30 PM
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3h 30m
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Evening daily option. Check-in from 3:00 PM. Book Here
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Air France
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AF 1392 (codeshare with TK 1824)
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12:25 PM (Terminal 2E)
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4:55 PM
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3h 45m
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Daily flight, often codeshared with TK. Check-in from 9:25 AM. Includes meals; SkyTeam perks. Book Here
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Air France
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AF 1394
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2:10 PM (Terminal 2E)
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6:55 PM
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3h 45m
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Daily flight. Check-in from 11:10 AM; comfortable for groups. Book Here
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Air France
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AF 1396
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4:05 PM (Terminal 2E)
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8:50 PM
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3h 45m
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Daily flight. Check-in from 1:05 PM; evening option with good availability. Book Here
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Pegasus Airlines
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PC 428
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1:15 PM (Terminal 2E)
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5:45 PM
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3h 30m
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Daily low-cost flight. Check-in from 10:15 AM; budget-friendly, but extra fees for baggage. Book Here
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Pegasus Airlines
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PC 430
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3:00 PM (Terminal 2E)
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7:30 PM
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3h 30m
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Daily flight. Check-in from 12:00 PM; affordable for groups. Book Here
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