Monday : Blois, Cheverny et Chambord.

Pick-up: 09.00 AM at Tours Tourist Office

 

Guided tour of the Chateau of Blois.
The chateau of Blois is unique by its combination of 4 styles: medieval, gothic, renaissance and classical. Home of kings Louis XII and François I, it keeps the souvenir of a tragic historical event.

 

Tour and tasting at an organic local winery.
Enjoy an exclusive and convivial tasting of Cheverny and Cour-Cheverny wines, king François 1st 's favourite wines at a local winery. Wines of the domain and terroir specialities.

Lunch at your leisure

 

Guided tour of the Chateau of Cheverny.
It has been owned by the same family since the XIII. The Marquis Hurault de Vibraye, thanks to one of the most beautiful furniture in the Loire Valley, has succeeded in giving warmth and life to his chateau. The chateau, which led to the creation of Moulinsart in the famous comic book Tintin, is also famous for the tradition of the horse-back hunt and its impressive pack of 100 dogs. You may have a chance to witness the spectacular daily event of “the dogs’ soup”.

 

Guided tour of the Chateau of Chambord.
Drive to the Estate of Chambord, a national game reserve as large as the town of Paris. The chateau de Chambord (guided tour) is a unique monument by its architecture and proportions. Leonardo da Vinci probably took part in the conception of the project. With more than 400 rooms and its double spiral staircase, Chambord is a highlight of the Loire Valley.

Drop-off : 05.40 PM at your hotel**** in Tours

Tuesday: Chenonceau, Château Royal d'Amboise and Clos Lucé.

Pick-up at your hotel**** in Tours at 08.50 AM

 

Guided tour of the Chateau of Chenonceau.
Arriving in the Loire Valley, you’ll start your day tour touring the château de Chenonceau.
The “Chateau des Dames”, bridge built across the Cher, is famous for the great feminine figures who lived in it (Diane de Poitiers, Catherine de Medicis…) and for the beauty of its Renaissance gardens.

 

Tour and wine tasting at a wine specialist’s in matured Loire Valley vintages.
Pascal and his team, welcome you in his caves, former tuff stone quarries, for a tour followed by a wine tasting of 3 local wines.

Lunch at your leisure

 

Guided tour of the Royal Chateau of Amboise.
After lunch, you will tour the Royal Castle of Amboise, residence of Charles VIII and young François d’Angoulème, future Francois I. You will discover in this wonderful castle, perfect example of transition from Gothic to Renaissance, the Saint Hubert Chapel which shelters today the grave of Leonardo da Vinci.

 

Guided tour of the Chateau of the Clos Lucé.
In order to make your tour thorough, we take you to meet the Genius in his Chateau du Clos Lucé, a few yards away from the Royal Castle.
Leonardo da Vinci spent there the last three years of his life and died there in 1519. After you tour his bedroom, office, reception room and kitchen, you will be in awe in front of the invention room, displaying models of the most spectacular machines Leonardo invented.

Drop-off : 05.40 PM at your hotel**** in Tours

Wednesday: Azay le Rideau, Langeais, Villandry.

Pick-up: 09.40 at your hotel**** in Tours

Guided tour of the chateau of Azay le Rideau.

This is one of the purest gems of Renaissance architecture in the Loire Valley. Financer Gilles Berthelot’s Chateau, delicately placed on an island on the Indre river, still shines today thanks to the lightness and balance of its mullioned, pepper pots, dormers and above all its graceful staircase.

We will not forget to admire the Chateau under every angle with a stroll around the English style garden, a jewel case of greenness for what is considered today as one of the most beautiful stone diamonds in Touraine.

 

Wine tasting at an organic local domain.
The vines of this estate are ideally spread out over the entire « terroir » covered by the appellation, from the gravel shores along the Loire River to the clay, limestone and silica (mineral) soils of the hills overlooking the valley.
The red and rosé wines produced on the domain are presented under the appellation « Bourgueil » AOC. They stem 100% from the « Cabernet Franc » grape, introduced by the monks of the Abbey in the XIth century.

Lunch at your leisure

 

Guided tour of Chateau of Langeais.
Best reconstitution of everyday life in the Middle Ages, the royal castle of Langeais, built under king Louis XI, was the scene of the wedding of king Charles VIII and Ann of Brittany. In the spectacular banquet and wedding halls, you will discover amazing original sets of tapestries and furniture.

 

Guided tour of one of the most spectacular gardens of Touraine, Villandry.
By its diversity and originality (Love Garden, Kitchen Garden, Aromatic and Medicine Plant Garden, Water Garden and the brand new Sun Garden) and by its size (15 acres, 1150 linden trees), Villandry is the Loire Valley garden not to be missed. With your guide, learn to speak the language of a medieval and Renaissance garden, discover the power of thyme and basil on your health.

Drop-off 05:40 PM at your hotel****

Thursday: Transfer to Beaune

Check-out after breakfast
Taxi transfer from Hotel**** to Saint-Pierre des Corps train station
TGV Transfer from Saint-Pierre des Corps train station to Beaune Train Station.

Taxi transfer from Beaune train station to your hotel*****

YOUR HOTEL IN BEAUNE FOR 1 NIGHT

Check in at your hotel***** Le Cep - double occupancy.

Ideally located, the hotel is in the very heart of historic Burgundy, just a stone's throw from the center of Beaune. The Hotel is two minutes walking distance from the famous Hospice de Beaune and its magnificent cathedral Notre Dame. Affiliated to the Small Luxury Hotels of the World, which include some of the best hotels in the world all representative of their regional identities, Le Cep owes its charm to the uniting of 2 private mansions and their historical 16th century courtyards.

Hotel may change according to their availability. Should a provider be unavailable we will offer alternatives of the same standard.

Dinners at your leisure.

Tour and wine tasting in a local domain in Beaune.

Discover an estate situated in the heart of Beaune. With the owner, you will taste white wines such as Saint-Aubin, Meursault 1er cru “les Charmes” or the famous Grand cru Corton –Charlemagne.

Lunch at leisure upon your guide's suggestions in Beaune.

Route des Grands Crus.

Picturesque drive along the Côte de Nuits through the villages of Nuits-Saint-Georges, Vosne-Romanée and Vougeot. Discover the “Champs-Elysées” of Burgundy. We will take advantage of being in those prestigious vineyards to explain the Terroir and the different steps needed along the year to harvest the best Pinot Noir possible. L’expression du Terroir”.

Guided tour of the Château du Clos de Vougeot.

Founded in 1098 by the monks of the abbey of Cîteaux, the vineyard of the Clos de Vougeot represents more than 50 hectares of vines owned today by more than 80 different owners. Its wine is one of the most famous Grands crus of Burgundy. Today, the castle welcomes the different “chapitres” (dinners) of the Confrérie des Chevaliers du Tastevin (the Brotherhood of the Knights of Tastevin).

Tour and wine tasting in a local domain around Nuits-Saint-Georges.

In the heart of the town which gave its name to the Côte de Nuits, you will discover a new estate. Through this tour, you will learn the different techniques of winemaking which give these wines of exception!