Enjoy a day in the French countryside exploring three remarkable chateaux in the Loire Valley. Join our small group tour from Paris and discover the beautiful renaissance castles of Chenonceau, Chambord, and Amboise!
The Loire river valley is famous for its beautiful countryside and its high concentration of amazing Renaissance style chateaux. On this tour yo u'll visit three of the most stunning and historically interesting castles: Chenonceau, Amboise, and Chambord. We'll treat you like royalty in our small group tour, and give you the attention you deserve, as we never take more than 8 participants per group. You'll meet up with the guide in Paris close to the Arc de Triomphe in Paris (exact details will be in your booking confirmation) and head to the Loire Valley in our brand new 2016 Volkswagen Caravelle van. Our vans have big windows, fresh A/C, and comfortable leather seats so you can ride in style. The drive to the Loire valley will be less than 2hrs long and the first castle you'll visit is Chambord.
There is no castle in the world like Chambord Chateau as every one of its 420 rooms is full of intricate stone carvings and authentic details. You'll learn about the passion King Francois 1st had for the construction of this very unique castle which became the largest in the Loire Valley. You will have one and a half hours of free time to explore inside it.
Only a short scenic drive from Chambord is the charming medieval town of Amboise with its fortress of a castle. Since the 1400s, Amboise Chateau has been perched on a hillside strategically overlooking the Loire river valley. You'll learn its fascinating history including how it has seen the birth and death of many French kings, and became the final resting place of Leonardo Da Vinci. Unlike other tours that hurry visitors along, you'll love having a free hour to explore this castle and appreciate the view that it offers you of the valley and town below. For lunch, you'll have free time to walk the Medieval town filled with tiny winding streets, wood and plaster homes and unparalleled local charm. The guide will show you a special part of town, only accessible by foot, and there you'll be able to choose from a dozen little cafes, bistros, and bakeries for your lunch break, which will last an hour.
After lunch you'll discover to Chenonceau Chateau. Known as the Ladies' Castle, this Chateau is a favorite for many. Stretching over the Cher river in a seemingly impossible and mystical manner, its appearance is nothing short of breathtaking. Beyond Chenonceau's architectural wonder, it offers up some of the most striking gardens in the Loire Valley.
The drive back to Paris takes approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes and includes a rest stop half way through. The tour will finish back in Paris next to the Arc de Triomphe and the Champs-Elysees Avenue where you can find lots of great dinner options.
Now is your chance to visit the "Garden of France". With over 100 chateaux to choose from, the Loire Valley is a rich plethora of Renaissance and Enlightenment architectural Masterpieces, therefore we have designed this tour to give you a unique view of the best castles that this magical region has to offer: the majestic Chambord; the ethereally beautiful Chenonceau and the powerfully forged Amboise. In the comfort of one of our minibuses your driver-guide will take you to the Loire, regaling you with anecdotes of regional history, architectural features you will see on your castle visits and about the people who had lived in them. Once you arrive at the Chateaux you will be given free time to explore all three at your own pace.
Highlights:
Day trip to Loire Valley castles from Paris
Visit the Loire Valley, a UNESCO-listed region famous for Renaissance castles and gardens
Explore the chateaux of Ambroise, Chenonceau, and Chambord
Amboise, with its spectacular view over the Loire, is famous for being the last resting place of one of history's most famous men: Leonardo Da Vinci and with its massive gothic defensive features it evokes that bygone era of knights on horseback.
Chambord is the most majestic of the Chateaux you will see, boasting massive medieval towers perfectly blended with Renaissance elegance. Set in 13,000 acres of parkland this former royal residence represents the pinnacle of France's 16th century architectural revolution, and the double helix spiral staircase at the heart of the Chateau, attributed to Leonardo Di Vinci is simply mind-blowing.
Chenonceau, above all stands out as the most beautiful of the Chateaux of the Loire as it extends with infinite grace over the waters of the river Cher. With its ornately carved decoration and history of romance and rivalry, this Chateau lives up to its passionate reputation and has been seducing visitors for hundreds of years.
How about spending an entire day in Loire Valley visiting one of France's most famous castles, part of the UNESCO world heritage, and learning all about the delicious wines of the region?
This all-inclusive tour will make you fall in love with the beauty of Loire Valley, from the remarkable architecture of its castles inherited from the Renaissance to the diversity of its wines.
Your guide will pick you up at your hotel early in the morning, and drive you (approx. 2h) towards Loire Valley, while you enjoy delicious freshly baked croissants. As you get nearer to Chambord castle, your guide will give you plenty of information about the history of the region.
Start the day with an audio guided tour of the castle which, will divulge all secrets behind this monumental building, constructed 500 years ago by the king Francis 1st of France...
Your guide will then drive you along the river, where you will be able to catch a glimpse on other beautiful Chateaux such as the castle of Amboise (Leonardo da Vinci's last home) and the castle of Blois.
For lunch, enjoy delightful local food paired with local wines either in a boutique winery or in a carefully selected restaurant.
After lunch, discover beautiful views of the colorful landscapes of Vouvray and Montlouis-sur-Loire. If the weather permits it, your wine expert guide will stop you in the vineyards of Chenin Blanc,
Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Franc grapes to give you a vine growing introduction! You will then visit among the most emblematic producers of the region. You will discover for instance the troglodyte caves of one producer, where they age their precious bottles. And of course, you will taste their whole range of wines: sparkling white wines, dry and sweet white wines, red and rose wines.
You'll be dropped off in central Paris (Hotel de Ville) in the early evening.
