Loire Valley Customized Tours

From $900

From $750 – Full day with a guide

The Loire Valley, once the residence of French Renaissance kings, is home to around 3,000 castles, 16 of which are considered “Royal.”

Whether you’re visiting a few châteaux from Paris or spending a week exploring the region’s most magnificent castles, the experience is always enchanting. Step inside these fairytale-like castles and their beautiful gardens, including iconic sites like Chambord, Chenonceau, Blois, and Amboise. Enhance your journey with wine tastings, visits to local producers, and exploration of Medieval and Gothic heritage in Orléans and Tours. For a truly magical experience, enjoy a sunrise or sunset hot air balloon ride over the stunning Loire Valley.

  • 1-5 Days
  • Private guided experience
  • Loire Valley, France
Pick-up: Your hotel or any address of your choice in Paris
Drop-off: Your hotel or any address of your choice in Paris
Activity level: Moderate, no restrictions
Price: From $750 / $1050 (minivan)
What's included:
  • ✔ Guiding services
  • ✔ Hotel pick-up and drop-off
  • ✔ Private premium vehicle (Berline or Minivan)
What's extra:
  • ✖ Lunch, drinks, souvenirs

TOUR PLAN

01

Day 1: Chambord, Blois, & Chaumont-sur-Loire

  • Discover Château de Chambord - the largest and most majestic in the Loire Valley, originally built as a hunting lodge for François I, though he spent only 42 days there. Famous for its double revolution staircase, designed by Leonardo da Vinci, the castle features lavish rooms, French gardens, and surrounding forests. Visitors can enjoy stunning views from the terraces, including the iconic Lantern Tower, as well as a peaceful 16th-century chapel.
  • Explore the Château de Blois served as a royal residence for several kings, including Louis XII and François I. It is also believed that Catherine de Médicis kept her black magic poisons in a secretaire, which is on display.
  • Château de Chaumont-sur-Loire celebrates a 15th-century love affair between the Count of Beaujeu and Catherine de Médicis, which ended tragically. Today, it is known for its romantic setting overlooking the Loire, contemporary art installations in its gardens, and the annual International Garden Festival. Highlights include remarkable Majolica tile decorations and the unique tapestry "Hanging of the Planets and Days."
02

Day 2: Amboise, Clos Lucé & Hot Air Balloon Ride

  • Start your day with a sunrise hot air balloon ride over the Loire Valley, offering a unique view of its castles—from the misty river to a breathtaking landing in the fields, followed by a celebratory glass of champagne.
  • Afterward, indulge in a wine tasting and lunch in a traditional cellar. The Loire Valley, one of France’s oldest wine-producing regions, is known for its crisp whites and rich reds.
  • Admire the Château d'Amboise, once a royal residence, is the final resting place of Leonardo da Vinci, who spent his last years here. The château offers stunning views of the Loire River.
  • At Clos Lucé, Leonardo da Vinci’s last residence, explore his inventions and artworks, showcasing the genius of the Renaissance man, learn the story behind the Mona Lisa and other masterpieces.

    Extra Activity Options in the Amboise Area:
  • Take a French cuisine class.
  • Go for an e-bike ride along the Loire River or enjoy a traditional boat ride.
  • Visit Château Gaillard or return to Chaumont-sur-Loire.
03

Day 3: Tours and Chenonceau

  • Explore Tours, once the capital of France during the early Middle Ages, is a vibrant city known for its historic architecture, including its charming timber-framed houses. Enjoy a traditional lunch featuring regional Val de Loire specialties.
  • Château de Chenonceau, often referred to as "The Ladies' Castle," was shaped by five women, including Diane de Poitiers, the mistress of Henry II, and his wife Catherine de Médicis. The château also served as a hospital during World War I. Nestled on a bridge across the river and surrounded by stunning gardens, it is one of the most picturesque castles in the Loire Valley.
04

Day 4: Villandry, Azay-le-Rideau, and Ussé

  • Villandry Castle is famous for its Renaissance-inspired gardens, considered one of the finest examples of garden design in Europe, featuring ornamental and vegetable terraces that complement the castle's architecture.
  • Azay-le-Rideau Castle is one of the most romantic Renaissance castles, reflecting its beauty in the waters of the Indre River. Its 19th-century interiors, loggia staircase adorned with portraits of French royalty, and park with exotic trees add to its charm. Weather permitting, enjoy a quintessential French experience with a picnic in the gardens, paired with local Loire wines.
  • Château de Ussé, said to have inspired "Sleeping Beauty," is a fairytale castle with towers and turrets, blending medieval, Gothic, and Renaissance styles. The castle features 18th-century Brussels tapestries and a wax doll re-creation of the "Sleeping Beauty" tale, adding to its magical, romantic atmosphere.
  • Optional: Visit the house-museum and birthplace of French literary giant Honoré de Balzac.
05

Day 5: Brézé, Saumur, Food and Wine tasting

  • Château de Brézé, known as the "Castle of 1,000 Faces," combines architectural styles from medieval fortifications to Renaissance elegance. It is also famous for its moat and extensive underground Troglodyte caves, once used for winemaking.
  • Saumur, dominated by the Château de Saumur, is a majestic fortress of the Dukes of Anjou dating back to the 10th century. The town is also home to the École de Cavalerie, one of the world’s oldest cavalry academies, and is known for its sparkling wines and vibrant local market.
  • Indulge into a wine tasting of renowned Loire Valley wines of Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil or Chinon.
  • Visit a goat cheese farm or a mushroom farm.
06

Options

  • Enjoy a cooking class in the Loire Valley with a local chef, learning to prepare traditional French dishes using fresh, seasonal ingredients.
  • Indulge into a wine tasting of renowned Loire Valley wines such as Vouvray, Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil, and Chinon.
  • Visit a goat cheese farm or a mushroom farm.
  • Take an e-bike ride along the Loire River.
  • On your way back to Paris, visit Chartres and explore its famous Gothic Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its stunning stained-glass windows and architecture.
  • Combine a full-day tour to discover both Chartres Cathedral and Versailles.
07

Final Tips

  • You will be accompanied by a professional guide-driver with expertise in history, art, and local culture.
  • Enjoy guided tastings led by professional sommeliers and wine producers.
  • We provide assistance with hotel and restaurant reservations, travel and transfers, ticket bookings, and scheduling activities.
  • Enjoy 24/7 English-speaking telephone support during your travels.
LET'S PLAN

The Château de Chenonceau, arching over the River Cher in the Loire Valley – a jewel of French Renaissance architecture.

Château de Chenonceau stretching across the River Cher, with its elegant arches reflected in the water.

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Step into a fairytale!

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