Loire Valley Customized Tours | Tailor-Made Journey

Curated Escapes to the Loire Valley

curated escapes to the loire valley

Step into a fairytale!

Once the residence of French Renaissance kings, the Loire Valley 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 full week exploring the region’s most magnificent estates, the Loire Valley is always enchanting. Step inside these fairytale-like castles and wander through their exquisite gardens, discovering iconic landmarks such as Chambord, Chenonceau, Blois, Amboise and many others.

Enrich your journey with wine tastings, visits to local artisans and producers, and explorations of the medieval and Gothic heritage of Orléans and Tours. For a truly magical moment, take to the skies at sunrise or sunset and admire the Loire Valley and river from a hot-air balloon drifting above its castles, vineyards and forests.

1–5 Days
Private guided experience
Loire Valley, France

How we design your journey

Every journey is designed as a Signature or Premium Experience, shaped around your preferred level of comfort, personalization, and exclusivity.

We arrange seamless transfers, private chauffeurs, and expert local guides, along with curated hotel, restaurant, and activity reservations. Learn more in Our Concept.

SUGGESTED ITINERARY

Arrival, Chambord and Blois

Arrival. Enjoy a pick up at your hotel in Paris by your guide and travel in a private vehicle to the Loire Valley.

Château de Chambord. Discover the grandeur of Château de Chambord, the Loire Valley’s most majestic estate, famed for its double-helix staircase inspired by Leonardo da Vinci and its sweeping terraces overlooking forests and formal gardens.

Château de Blois. Explore Château de Blois, a former royal residence of Louis XII and François I, and learn about its dramatic history, including the legendary secretaire said to have held Catherine de Médicis’ poisons.

Overnight options. For a sleepover, choose between a stay in a château for a true Loire Valley atmosphere, or a charming hotel in Amboise.

Amboise, Clos Lucé & Hot Air Balloon Ride

Hot air balloon experience. Start your day with a sunrise hot air balloon ride over the Loire Valley, offering a spectacular perspective on its castles as the mist rises from the river. After a gentle landing in the fields, enjoy a celebratory glass of champagne.

Wine tasting and lunch. Continue with a wine tasting and lunch in a traditional cellar. The Loire Valley is one of France’s oldest wine-producing regions, renowned for its crisp white wines and elegant reds.

Château d’Amboise. Visit Château d’Amboise, once a royal residence overlooking the Loire River and the final resting place of Leonardo da Vinci, who spent his last years under the protection of King Francis I.

Clos Lucé. Explore Clos Lucé, Leonardo da Vinci’s last residence, where his inventions, drawings, and artistic vision reveal the genius of the Renaissance master. Discover the stories behind works such as the Mona Lisa and other major masterpieces.

Optional activities in the Amboise area:

Take a French cuisine cooking class, enjoy an e-bike ride along the Loire River or a traditional boat cruise, or visit Château Gaillard or Chaumont-sur-Loire for an additional perspective on the region’s heritage and landscapes.

Tours and Chenonceau

Discover Tours. Explore Tours, once the capital of France during the early Middle Ages, today a lively city known for its historic center and charming timber-framed houses. Enjoy a traditional lunch featuring regional Val de Loire specialties.

Château de Chenonceau. Visit one of the most remarkable and picturesque estates of the Loire Valley. Often called the “Ladies’ Castle,” it was shaped over centuries by influential women including Diane de Poitiers and Catherine de Médicis. Built gracefully across the river and surrounded by elegant gardens, the château also served as a hospital during World War I.

Villandry, Azay-le-Rideau, and Ussé

Château de Villandry. Renowned for its Renaissance gardens, among the finest in Europe, Villandry’s ornamental and vegetable terraces form a perfectly balanced landscape masterpiece.

Château d’Azay-le-Rideau. One of the Loire Valley’s most romantic Renaissance castles, reflected in the Indre River. Elegant interiors, a royal loggia staircase, and a landscaped park complete the setting. Weather permitting, enjoy a picnic in the gardens with local Loire wines.

Château d’Ussé. A fairytale château said to have inspired "Sleeping Beauty", blending medieval, Gothic, and Renaissance styles, with 18th-century tapestries and storybook displays.

Honoré de Balzac. Optional visit to the writer’s birthplace and house-museum, offering insight into his life and literary legacy.

Brézé, Saumur, Food and Wine tasting

Château de Brézé. Discover the “Castle of a Thousand Faces,” a unique site blending medieval fortifications with Renaissance elegance. Brézé is also renowned for its deep moat and vast underground troglodyte galleries, historically used for wine production.

Saumur. Explore Saumur, dominated by its impressive château, former stronghold of the Dukes of Anjou with origins 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 celebrated for its sparkling wines and lively local market.

Loire Valley wines. Enjoy a wine tasting featuring renowned appellations such as Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil or Chinon, known for their elegant Cabernet Franc wines.

Local traditions. Visit a goat cheese farm or a mushroom farm to discover the agricultural heritage and flavors of the Loire Valley.

Optional Experiences

Culinary experience. Enjoy a cooking class in the Loire Valley with a local chef, preparing traditional French dishes using fresh, seasonal ingredients.

Loire Valley wines. Indulge in a wine tasting featuring celebrated appellations such as Vouvray, Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil, and Chinon.

Local farms. Visit a goat cheese farm or a mushroom farm to discover regional know-how and flavors.

Active discovery. Take an e-bike ride along the Loire River, following scenic paths through vineyards and riverbanks.

Return to Paris via Chartres. On the way back to Paris, stop in Chartres to explore its famous Gothic cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage site renowned for its stained-glass windows. This visit can be combined with Versailles for a full day of exploration.

Extend your journey. Continue exploring the northern heart of France through the Loire Valley, Champagne, Paris, Brittany, or Alsace.

Practical information

Each journey is fully tailored to your pace and can be designed as a Signature or Premium Experience, depending on your preferred level of comfort, personalization, and exclusivity. Learn more in Our Concept.

A professional driver and expert local guide accompany you throughout, while we handle all reservations and logistics — accommodations, transfers, restaurants, tastings, and activities — for a seamless experience.

Benefit from 24/7 English-speaking support during your travels and a flexible cancellation policy. Learn more in our FAQ.

Let's Plan Your Journey!

Curated Loire Valley Tours

In the Steps of Leonardo Da Vinci

1 Day
Loire Valley, France

Visit the magnificent castles of Chambord, Amboise, and Clos Lucé in the Loire Valley to learn about the life, work, and impact of the Renaissance genius.

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