Loire Valley Chateaux Tours
Land Of Castles:
Chateaux of the Loire
The Loire Valley is located in the historic heart of France and is renowned for its many chateaux, classic architecture, rich history and warm hospitality.
The River Loire runs westward for over 600 miles before reaching the Atlantic Ocean and is France's longest river. The Loire and its tributaries, the Rivers Cher, Indre, Vienne and Loir (without the "e") link the chateaux, vineyards, farmlands, forests and ancient towns that rest on their banks. It is said that "The Loire is a Queen and Kings have loved her". The Loire has been the home of Kings since the 10th century. From the Middle Ages through the Renaissance, the Kings and Queens of the Loire Valley championed intellectual and artistic creation. The result is an endowment of accomplishments for all time in the arts and literature, as well as extraordinary examples of magnificent architecture and landscaping.
The drive from Paris to the Loire Valley takes about two hours journey through lovely countryside.
In the "Valley of Kings" there are 1000 chateaux and more than 100 are open to the public. If your time is limited or you are prone to "Chateau Burnout", it is perhaps worth considering limiting your visits to those you think you will enjoy the most or are closer to your interests and perhaps just "driving by" others.
Famous Chateaux
Azay le Rideau
Archetypal early Renaissance Chateau with a magnificent staircase. The setting is one of the most romantic in the Loire Valley, between two branches of the Indre river. 'A diamond with two facets, set in the Indre, mounted on a flower-covered support', Balzac: from 'Le lys dans la vallee'.
Amboise
One of the first royal defensive medieval castle overlooking the Loire and its charming city; a combination Gothic and Renaissance. Interesting furniture.
Blois
A large royal Chateau illustrating the development of French architecture from the 13th to the 17th century. Facade of the Loges, Louis XII wing, Francois I wing, Gaston d'Orleans wing, the apartments of Francois I, musee des Beaux-Arts.
Cheverny
Cheverny is the perfect example of a Louis XIII Chateau, elegant and of unusually unified style with a magnificent decor. The staircase and furniture (King's Room) are exceptional; interesting Musee de la Venerie (Hunting Museum). Herge (the
author of Tintin) used it as a model to draw Moulinsart.
Chambord
The largest of the Chateaux of the Loire built as hunting grounds for Francois Ist. Impressive and majestic, it has architecturally innovative terraces with the famous "double revolution" staircase attributed to Leonardo da Vinci: 'an abridged version of human industry', as Charles V said.
Chaumont:
Elegant Gothic and Renaissance Chateau castle flanked by spectacular and numerous towers on a dominating site. The park was designed by contemporary landscape gardens. 'Black trees surround this ancient manor house on a sides and, from afar, resemble the feathers on King Henry's hat'.
Chenonceau
A stunning fairytale bridge castle stretching across the River Cher with Renaissance and Classic architecture of rare elegance.
Chinon
Impressive medieval ensemble consisting of three Chateaux on a rocky outcrop overlooking the Loire. Here Joan of Arc met the future Charles VII
de Villandry
A remarkable reconstruction of the 16th c. gardens divided in three terraces. The last of the great Chateaux of the Loire, it reflects a combination of influences from the Loire Valley (Renaissance) and Ile-de-France (Classicism).
Loire Valley Wine
Vineyards flank the Loire Valley along much of its length. Degustations or wine tastings (and buying, of course) at the vineyards themselves abound.
The Loire Valley wines are light, fresh and relatively low in alcohol. White wines predominate, based on the Chenin Blanc, Muscadet and Sauvignon Blanc grapes, from the Muscadet of the Nantais area, perfect with shellfish, to fine Vouvrays and Sancerres further east. (One of the oldest wineries in the Loire Valley is Chateau Moncontour which overlooks the village of Vouvray. The 13th century estate surrounds the castle which dates from the 15th century). Of the rose wines, Rose d'Anjoy is the best known, and the Cabernet Franc grape, special to this region, makes a number of good reds. Look out for the fruity reds of Chinon and Bourgeuil. In Saumur, look for sparkling wines (methode champenoise or champagne method) which are also produced at Vouvray and Mountlouis. Also there are the sweet dessert wines of the Coteaux du Layon.
Tours of the Chateaux and Vineyards of the Loire Valley
Only 2 hours from Paris and you are in the magnificent Loire Valley where you can tour the magical chateaux and gardens. During the summer some of the Chateaux hold concerts. If you would like a private tour or hotel in the area for a self-drive tour just email us for a recommendation.
Inquiry Form
Chateaux Tours
Full Day Scheduled Tours from Paris
This excursion will give you an idea of "castle life" and the essence of royal lifestyle since the Renaissance.
more details
167€ pp
Full Day Escorted Excursion by Coach
167€pp
Secure Online Booking and Departure Details
Cheverny Castle. Chambord Castle Chenonceau Castle.
Chambord Castle: The largest of the Loire Castles. You will admire the great work of Francois 1st. This castle was built as hunting grounds for him. You walk up to the terraces with the famous "double revolution" staircase attributed to Leonardo Da Vinci.
Cheverny Castle: A private property which has kept its beautiful 17th century furniture. You will be stunned by its genuine charm and magnificent decorum.
Chenonceau Castle: Known as the "Chateau des Dames" ("Ladies Castle") in the History of France; it was built over the river Cher in pure traditional renaissance style in 1513 by Catherine Briconnet, then embellished by Diane de Poitiers and Catherine de Medicis, and later Madame Dupin managed to save it from the rigours of the Revolution. Indeed, Chenonceau owes part of its charm to women.
Lunch in a typical regional restaurant included. Entrance tickets included.
Full Day Escorted Excursion by Minivan
182€pp
Secure Online Booking and Departure Details
The day starts with a visit of the Amboise Castle, symbol of a new style of architecture: the French Renaissance. Leonardo da Vinci gave life to the castle. You will see all his inventions when you visit the Clos Luce, his residence.
At the end of the morning, you leave for Chenonceau where lunch (included) is served in the castle’s Orangerie (summer) or in the village (winter).
At the beginning of the afternoon, there is a visit of the Chenonceau Castle, called the “Château aux Dames” built on the Cher.
The last stop is Montrichard for a visit of Monmousseau Cellars –an important wine producer in the region– where you will taste 3 vintages.
Entrance tickets included.
CLOSE
Castles & Wines of the Loire
Full Day Scheduled Tours from Paris
Departing Paris, the day starts with a visit of the Amboise Castle, symbol of a new style of architecture: the French Renaissance.
more details
190€ pp
Duration : 12 hours
190€pp
Secured Online Booking and Departure Details
Leonardo da Vinci gave life to the castle. You will see all his inventions when you visit the Clos Luce, his residence.
At the end of the morning, you leave for Chenonceau where lunch (included) is served in the castle’s Orangerie (summer) or in the village (winter).
At the beginning of the afternoon, there is a visit of the Chenonceau Castle, called the “Château aux Dames” built on the Cher.
The last stop is Montrichard for a visit of Monmousseau Cellars –an important wine producer in the region– where you will taste 3 vintages.
Entrance tickets included.
CLOSE
The Loire Valley
Full Day Private Tour from Paris
Take a private tour with our highly experienced bilingual licensed driver guide to the Loire and visit the famous chateaux, do a wine tasting or even a balloon adventure.
more details
Full Day from Paris 12 hrs
Sample Tour:
After 2 hours drive we recommend a visit of Chambord, François I's dream château (the largest château in France before the Palace of Versailles was built) to see Leonardo de Vinci's double spiral staircase and the exceptional top floor terrace.
We then drive along the Loire towards Amboise ( past Blois) and Le Clos Luce for a guided visit of the last residence of Leonardo da Vinci and the gardens where the inventions of this genius are displayed. You'll have Stroll through the old city of Amboise where you are free for lunch.
After lunch, we drive to Chenonceau for a guided visit of the "château of the Dames" followed by an optional wine tasting at the cellars of the chateau.
Return to Paris (arrival around 19h00)
Other itineraries including wine tastings and a visit to a magnificent monastery and village or even a stop in Chartres to visit the stained glass windows on the way. Just ask!
CLOSE
Castle Tours
Full Day Private Tour from Tours
Arrive in Tours in about 1hr from Paris. Save hours on the road. The TGV is one of the best if not the best train system in the world. On time and comfortable. On arrival our guide will pick you up and show you the Chateaux and include a wine tasting
more details
TGV Trains Transfer + full day private tour
Arrive in Tours around 9am by TGV where your bilingual guide will meet you. Your itinerary will be as below. You will be returned to the station to catch the 5:55pm train back to Paris.
- Chenonceau (visit)
- Amboise (wine tasting - view if the chateau)
- Free for lunch in the old town
- Chambord (visit)
- If time - Cheverny (visit)
Meals and Entry fees not included
Other itineraries possible based on your interests. Just ask!
CLOSE
History and Wine Culture
3 Semi-Private Tours from Tours
These tours will allow you to experience the history, food and wine culture of the Loire Valley. They are days tours and you can either train in from Paris or stay overnight .
more details
145€ pp
TGV Trains Transfer to the Loire Valley and we'll pick you up from the station.
All tours include: Entrance, Wine Tasting and Lunch
Route 1: CHENONCEAU / AMBOISE / CLOS LUCE
Departures Wednesday & Saturday :
Arriving in the Loire Valley, you'll start your day visiting the chateau de Chenonceau. The "Chateau des Dames", bridge built across the Cher, is famous for the great women who lived in it (Diane de Poitiers, Catherine de Medicis...) and for the beauty of its Renaissance gardens.
Lunch at a wine specialist's in matured Loire Valley vintages. An Oeneologists, welcomes you to his caves, a former tuff stone quarries, for a tour followed by a tasting of Vouvray, Montlouis, Chinon, Bourgueil and Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil wines. To enrich your meal, you the wines will be paired with a selection of meats and and cheeses selected by Rodolphe le Meunier, 2007 cheese refiners' world champion.
After lunch, you will tour the Royal Castle of Amboise, residence of Charles VII and Francois I. You will discover in this wonderful castle, perfect example of transition from Gothic to Renaissance, the Saint Hubert Chapel which shelters today the grave of Leonardo da Vinci. In order to make your tour thorough, we take you to meet the Genius in his Manor du Clos Luce, a few yards away from the Royal Castle.
Route 2: BLOIS / CHAMBORD / CHEVERNY
Departures Tuesday & Friday :
The tour begins with the guided visit of Royal Castle of Blois. The four wings of the castle courtyard (Medieval, Flamboyant Gothic, Renaissance, and Classical) offer a great survey of the architecture in the Loire Valley.
Drive to Cheverny. Lunch at local wine producer's, on his wines, cheeses and charcuterie. The "Cheverny" appellation produces elegant red wines from pinot noir and gamay as well as fruity white wines from chardonnay and sauvignon. You will enjoy this moment to taste a wine for real connoisseurs: the "Cour Cheverny Appellation", a stunning white wine made from a grape called Romorantin, imported by King Francois I into the Loire Valley.
You'll take a guided tour of the chateau of Cheverny, which has been owned by the same family since the 13th century. The Marquis Hurault de Vibraye has succeeded in giving warmth and life to his chateau. The chateau, which led to the creation of Moulinsart in the famous comic book Tintin, is also famous for the tradition of the horse-back hunt and its impressive pack of 100 dogs. You may have a chance to witness the spectacular daily event of "the dogs' soup".
Drive to the Estate of Chambord, a national game reserve as large as the town of Paris. The chateau de Chambord (guided tour) is a unique monument by its architecture and proportions. Leonardo da Vinci probably took part in the conception of the project. With more than 400 rooms and its double spiral staircase, Chambord is a highlight of the Loire Valley.
Route 3: AZAY LE RIDEAU / CHINON / VILLANDRY
Departures Monday & Thursday
Start the day with guided tour of the chateau of Azay le Rideau, one of the purest gems of Renaissance architecture in the Loire Valley. Positioned on an island on the Indre river, it still shines today thanks to the lightness and balance of its mullioned, pepper pots, dormers and above all its graceful staircase. You will have time to stroll around the English style garden, a jewel case of greenness for what is considered today as one of the most beautiful in Touraine.
Lunch at a family estate's, in the vineyards. Cheeses, meats and organic wines. AOC Azay le Rideau.
Guided tour of medieval Chinon and castle, one of the most picturesque towns of the Loire Valley. You will meet Joan of Arc (you will walk where she she got off her horse in 1429 to meet King Charles VII) and Francois Rabelais (the greatest ambassador of Chinon wines and joie de vivre) and Richard the Lionheart.
Finally, a guided tour of one of the most spectacular medieval and Renaissance gardens of the Touraine, Villandry. Visit the Love Garden, Kitchen Garden, Aromatic and Medicine Plant Garden, Water Garden and the brand new Sun Garden). Its 15 acres and 1150 linden trees are not to be missed.
CLOSE
