Chateau life in the Loire Valley

A trip along the Loire from Orléans cathedral to the Villandry gardens.

Chateau life in the Loire Valley

Price from : 1060 €
Ideal duration : 8 days –
7 nights

Are you interested in this trip?

On this itinerary, you’ll discover some of the finest châteaux in the Loire Valley. The Loire Valley boasts some fifty châteaux, a true legacy of the kings of France. Pass from medieval fortresses to Renaissance restorations for the pleasure of young and old alike.

You'll love...

  • Tracing the history of France
  • See the most beautiful castles
  • Tour the royal gardens
  • Animated centers in Orléans and Tours
  • Touraine gastronomy

Days 1 and 2: Orléans

Arriving in one of the key towns of the Loire Valley, and an unsuspected little nugget! After collecting your rental car, you can move on to exploring Orleans.

Half-timbered houses, pedestrian streets, the charm of the banks of the Loire, and the greenery of the Orléans and Sologne forests, there’s plenty to keep you busy. Above all, you’ll be walking in the footsteps of the great Joan of Arc, who saved the town in 1429!

What to see / What to do :

The Sainte Croix d’Orléans cathedral, a 13th/18th century marvel, whose rose windows on the transept were commissioned by Louis XIV; the renaissance Hôtel Groslot, bed and breakfast of kings; the Saint-Aignan Crypt; the rue de Bourgogne, Orléans’ old town, where you’ll find many pleasant restaurants and terraces; the Maison de Jeanne d’Arc and the Musée des Beaux-arts; the Parc florale de la source and its pink flamingos; a boat apéro on the Loire canals; the Orléans Loire Festival held in September, etc…

A little further on:

Less than an hour from Orléans, don’t miss the Château de Chambord!

Day 3: Sully sur Loire

En route to the Orléans region, via the Orléans forest. North of the Loire, this 35,000-hectare natural area has so many legends and stories to tell. You can explore it on foot or by bike.

Then off to your next stop, Sully sur Loire, located on the eastern side of the UNESCO-listed Loire Valley, also a “ville d’art et d’histoire” (town of art and history). Here, old-fashioned country charm and a grand duke’s castle immerse you in the Middle Ages. On the way, stop off at the Carolingian Oratory of Germigny-des-Prés and the Abbey of Saint-Benoît-sur-Loire.

What to see :

The Duc de Sully’s château and gardens; Saint Germain church.

You’ll spend the night in a renovated 19th-century building, just a stone’s throw from the château’s moat…

Days 4 and 5: Romorantin

This time in the heart of Sologne, at Romorantin-Lanthenay. ÀYou’ll be staying in a sublime private mansion dating from 1774.

What to see :

Take a day to visit the Château de Cheverny, less than 30 minutes away. This emblematic Loire Valley château has been inhabited by the same family for six centuries!

Days 6 and 7: Tours

On your way to the belle tourangelle, we suggest you visit Château de Chenonceau, famous for its two-storey gallery overlooking the Loire River… Or the Château Royal d’Amboise, where Leonardo da Vinci is buried.

Then on to Tours, capital of the Loire Valley. A tourist and student town, it’s dynamic all year round. You’ll still find its pretty half-timbered houses and cobbled streets. It is also the birthplace of Honoré de Balzac…

Things to see and do in Tours :

Saint-Gatien Cathedral; the Hôtel Gouin; the Château de Tours; a drink in a guinguette on the banks of the Loire; a close-up look at the dishes that have crowned Tours “Cité internationale de la gastronomie”, notably its nougat; a stroll through its gardens and botanical parks.

A little further on:

Depending on your program, you can visit other emblematic Touraine châteaux: Azay-le-Rideau, Villandry and its gardens, or the fortress of Montbazon.

Day 8: Tours

Last days in this royal region! Take the opportunity to explore the region, the town and shop for souvenirs. Leave early to return your rental car, then board your train to Paris.

Further information

From €1,060 per person (based on 2 adults).

 

Includes: Train tickets Paris/Orléans, return Tours/Paris, car rental, 7 nights’ accommodation in charming surroundings.

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