Loire Valley
The Loire Valley is located in the center of France, covering the regions Orléanais, Tourraine and Anjou. The Loire river comes down from Nevers, Orleans, passing Tours, Angers, Nantes and ending in the Atlantic Ocean in Saint Nazaire. The magnificent landscape and of course the impressing number of castles, the “chateaux de la Loire” and their fabulous gardens will enchant you: Amboise, Blois, the Clos Lucé, Chambord, Cheverny, Chenonceau, Villandry, Chinon, Azay-le-Rideau, Langeais, Villandry, Angers, Saumur...
The Loire river offers various possibilities to discover the fauna and flora by boat: either by kayak, but as well on one of the gabares (flat bottom boats designed in the past to cruise on the shallow river). You can explore the vineyards on the Loire Valley wine route (« route touristique des vignobles »), not only known for its wide variety of different AOC wines but also for the stunning views.
Due to its gentle landscapes and the breathtaking scenery, the Loire Valley is ideal to undertake bicycle tours or follow the “Loire à Vélo” bike route stretching over 800 kms.
Sample Tour
Here is how we could organize the program for this tour
1
day
ARRIVAL IN PARIS
Arrival in Paris (CDG).
visit the Château de Versailles, Louis XIV’s Royal Palace and seat of government since 1678, symbol of absolute power and biggest palace worldwide. Leave to the Loire Valley and check in at your hotel in Blois for 2 nights.
2
day
BLOIS, CHAUMONT, CHAMBORD
The Château Royal de Blois is a masterpiece of Renaissance architecture. In Chaumont-sur-Loire the international Garden Festival takes place in the Gardens for the last 25 years.
Walk through the Chambord Castle - one of the most spectacular architectural works of the Renaissance, especially known for its roof decorated with 282 chimneys and the double helix staircase.
3
day
AMBOISE, CLOS LUCE, CHENONCEAU
The Castle of Amboise was the residence of several Kings of France. Leonardo da Vinci settled down in the mansion “Clos Lucé” where you still can travel through 800 years of history. Enjoy a very nice wine/cheese tasting in Amboise at the Caves Duhard (example).
Chateau de Chenonceau - built on the river Chèr - was conceived by Katherine Briçonnet and successively embellished by Diane of Poitiers and Catherine de Medici. Overnight in Tours.
4
day
TOURS, VILLANDRY, AZAY-LE-RIDEAU, SAUMUR
Guided visit of Tours with the Cathedrale de Saint-Gatien, the medieval timber-framed houses and the Basilica of St. Martin. Doubtless amongst the most outstanding gardens in Europe are the Gardens of Villandry. Stroll through the different areas: herb garden, kitchen garden, ornamental garden, water garden and more.
The foundations of Castle Azay-le-Rideau rise straight out of the water so that it seems to float on the river Indre. Check in in Saumur for 2 nights.
5
day
CHATEAU DE BREZE, ABBAYE DE FONTEVRAUD, MONTSOREAU
In the Castle of Brézé discover an underground fortress with cellars, wine press, a bakery with an impressive fireplace - and the biggest dry moats of Europe. The Royal Abbey of Fontevraud is one of the biggest Abbeys of the Middle Ages.
Like in Montsoreau men cut into the tuffeau stone to build houses, châteaux and churches. Very soon this underground world became part of an extraordinary lifestyle. Visit and dinner in one of the troglodyte cellars.
6
day
SAUMUR, ANGERS
City tour in Saumur with the "Cadre Noir", the National Riding School. Visit of stables, big indoor arena and the tack room. Walk by the graceful Castle of Saumur which overhangs the valley and thrones above the city. Tasting of "Saumur Brut", the sparkling wine at Bouvet Ladubay with its 8 km of cellars in the "Tuffeau" stone. Overnight in Angers.
7
day
CHATEAU D’ANGERS, CHARTRES
In the morning discover Angers, prosperous city of the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. In the Chateau d’Angers the monumental Apocalypse Tapestry illustrates the historical, social and political context of 14th century France at the time of the Hundred Years War - of epidemics and famine. Go to Chartres for a guided walk and visit of the Cathedral Notre-Dame de Chartres with its blue stained-glass windows.
In the evening you can admire the audiovisual show «Chartres en Lumière". Overnight in Chartres.
8
day
RETURN TO PARIS
Departure from Paris (CDG)
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