Day Tours available from Monday to Saturday, NO Day Tours on Sundays.

All inclusive Package.
Lunches & drinks.
Registered guide, entrance fees.
3 days of tours & 2 Nights in 4* hotel in the heart of Tours.

Available from March 1st to December 21 st.

Blois, Cheverny et Chambord: Monday & Thursday

Blois, once siege of power, Cheverny, the quintessence of French furniture, lunch on King Francis I's wine and Chambord, a dream come true.

 Pick up: 08:50 AM at your hotel**** or 09:00 AM at Tourist Office in Tours

Guided tour of the Chateau of Blois.
Blois is unique by its combination of four architectural styles: Gothic, Flamboyant, Renaissance and Classic. Built by Counts of Blois, Louis XII, Francois I and Louis XIII, this chateau keeps the souvenir of many well-known historical events. This ancient city with a rich historical part merits to be visited. In the XVIth century Blois was the capital of France, under the king Louis XII. You can stroll through the old town, along its paved side-streets. Drive to Cheverny.

Lunch at a local restaurant with Cheverny & Cour Cheverny wines. 

The “Cheverny” appellation produces elegant red wines from pinot noir and gamay as well as fruity white wines from chardonnay and sauvignon. You will enjoy this moment to taste a wine for real connoisseurs: the “Cour Cheverny Appellation”, a stunning white wine made from a grape called Romorantin, imported by King François I into the Loire Valley.

Guided tour of the Château of Cheverny.
He 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 Château of Chambord.
Drive to the Estate of Chambord, a national game reserve as large as the town of Paris. The chateau de Chambord 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****, dinner at leisure or 05.30 PM at Tours Tourist Office

 

Chenonceau, Royal Castle of Amboise and Clos Lucé : Tuesday & Friday

Chenonceau's charm at the «Ladies' château», the birth of the Renaissance in Amboise Royal Castle, lunch with rare and matured Loire Valley wines and all the Genius of Leonardo in le Clos Lucé.

Pick up: 08:50 AM at your hotel**** in Tours or 09.00 PM at Tours Tourist Office

You'll start your day visiting the Chateau of 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.

Lunch at a wine specialist's in matured Loire Valley vintages or at a local restaurant.
Daniel, oenologist, welcomes you in his caves, former tuff stone quarries, for a tour followed by a tasting of Vouvray, Montlouis, Chinon, Bourgueil and Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil wines. In order to transcend your meal, you will pair your wines with a selection of delicatessen and cheeses (cheeses selected by Rodolphe le Meunier, 2007 cheese refiners' world champion).

After lunch, you will tour the Royal Castle of Amboise.
Residence of Charles VII 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 Manor du Clos Lucé.
In order to make your tour thorough, we take you to meet the Genius in his Manor 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****, dinner at leisure or 05.30 PM at Tours Tourist Office

Azay le Rideau, Rivau, Villandry : Wednesday & Saturday

Pick up: 09:30 AM at Tours Tourist Office or 09.40 PM at your hotel****

Guided tour of the fortress of Azay le Rideau. 

To start the day, guided tour of the Château of Azay le Rideau, 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.

 

Lunch at a family estate or at a traditional restaurant.
Local products and great wine tasting of Bourgueil or Chinon wines.
A true authentic moment.

 

 

 

Discovery and presentation of Rivau gardens and château.

Rivau offers a remarkable balance between architecture, gardens and contemporary art. Discovering this confidential place is a funny and original experience. You will be amazed by the majestic aspect of this XVth century fortress, contrasting with its quirky art exhibition. The masterpiece of Rivau is the huge garden, inspired by fairy tales and cartoons.

Laid on 14 acres, and integrally designed by Patricia Laigneau, owner of the château, they offer the best occasion to stroll and relax among trees,flowers and contemporary vegetal composition.

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****, dinner at leisure or 05.30 PM at Tours Tourist Office

 

YOUR HOTEL IN TOURS FOR 2 NIGHTS

Check in at your hotel**** l'Univers - double occupancy

Your hotel is set in a fashionable shopping area one kilometre from the Old Town. This hotel has been the most prestigious address in Tours since 1846. Many large personalities of the Europe and the New World stayed in this best hotel of Tours. In addition to its rich and historic past, as underlined by its celebrated portrait gallery, it offers all the comfort of a grand hotel established in the best traditions of hospitality and elegance “à la Française”.

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

Discover the area known as "Old Tours", pedestrian streets and numerous XVth and XVIth c. timber-framed houses, the famous place Plumereau, Charlemagne Tower, Saint-Martin collegiate church, and the new Saint-Martin Basilica.
Walk in the fabulous market on Tours, the largest food market in the Loire Valley. Open market on Wednesdays and Saturdays and covered market every day.
Discover our wines, cheeses, our fruits, vegetables, local meat dishes (charcuterie) and fish.
Tours is the largest city in the Loire Valley and its capital city. Located in the heart of the region, it is the best base for sightseeing. Historically and architecturally speaking, it is one of the cradles of the French Renaissance.

    

     

Loire Valley Day tours from Paris (save time and money with the TGV).
Tours being only 70 minutes away from Paris by TGV, here is our train time table recommendation.

From Paris to Tours
Departure: Paris Montparnasse to Tours 07.35 AM. Train n°8301
Arrival: Tours central city 08.48 AM

09.30 AM meeting point, Tours tourist office across the street from the train station.
Your guide will be parked in front of Tours Tourist Office (Mercedes grey minivan). 

From Tours return to Paris
Departure: Tours to Paris Montparnasse 06.12 PM. Train n°8326
Arrival: Paris Montparnasse 07.26 PM.
You will be back to Paris just in time for aperitif.

This tour includes

This tour does not include

Personal expenses, extra, dinners, other meals and gratuities. Single supplement.