Our tours are private and may be customized, combined, lengthened or condensed.
Day 1 – Arrival and transfer to the Loire Valley
Upon your arrival to Paris CDG your driver/guide will be waiting to transfer you to the Loire Valley. The drive is approximately 2 ½ hours. Depending on the time of your arrival, you will stop for lunch at L’Orangerie de Bloir (1* Michelin restaurant – out of pocket).
After lunch you will visit the Chateau de Chambord. The royal Château de Chambord is one of the most recognizable chateaux in the world because of its very distinct French Renaissance architecture which blends traditional French medieval forms with classical Renaissance structures. The building, which was never completed, was constructed by King François I.
Chambord is the largest château in the Loire Valley; it was built to serve as a hunting lodge for François I, who maintained his royal residences at Chateau de Blois and Chateau d’Amboise.
The original design of the Château de
Chambord some say is attributed to Leonardo da Vinci who may have had a hand in designing it.
After your visit, you will be transfered to your hotel.
Day 2 – Full Day Loire Valley private Wines and Culture tour (8H)
9:30AM Meet your driver/guide in the lobby of your hotel for your full day tour.
First up today you will visit Chinon, famous for its red wines. You will stop for a tasting at the Domaine de Pierre and Bertrand Couly. This Domaine is in the heart of the city of Chinon and benefits from the climate and exposure of Terroir St Louans. This wine grower is the most well known for Chinon wines since being elected grand cru in the 1942 classification. Pierre and Bertrand wines develop great characters by using the grape cabernet franc.
A lunch reservation will be made at L’Auberge du Bon Laboureur restaurant in Chenonceaux (a 1* Michelin – lunch out of pocket).
After lunch you will visit Château de Chenonceau. The unique architecture of the chateau makes it one of the most original Chateaux of the Loire Valley.
Chenonceau is related to important French Renaissance women and was offered by King Henry 2nd to his mistress Diane de Poitiers.
Finally today you will head to Vouvray, famous for its white and sparkling wines. You will take a visit and tasting of Vouvray wines at the Domaine Marc Brédif (recognized “Cave of Excellence”). The wine maker will welcome you to his troglodyte caves.
After your visit, you will be transfered to your hotel.
Day 3 – Full Day Loire Valley private Wines, Chateau and gardens tour (8H)
9:30AM Meet your driver/guide in the lobby of your hotel for your full day tour. First up you will head to Samur, famous for its red wines, for a visit and wine tasting at the Domaine of Langlois Chateau wine cellars. Almost 12,000 people visit the winery ‘backstage’ every year. Since its creation at Langlois-Chateau, the tour has received awards from the public, Smartbox award in 2012, recommended by Trip Advisor since 2012, and the tourism professionals, Label of excellence in hospitality for a Wine Estate in 2009 and 2011, France Tourism Quality label.
Lunch suggestion will be at La Roche Le Roy (1* Michelin) in Tours (out of Pocket).
After lunch you will visit Chateau de Chaumont. The castle was founded in the 10th century and later destroyed by Louis XI. Later in the 15th century Château de
Chaumont was rebuilt by Charles I of Amboise. Protected as a historical monument since 1840, the château was given into state ownership in 1938 and is now open to the public.
Last visit today will be the Gardens of Villandry. The Château of Villandry, in the Centre Val de Loire region, is a Renaissance château that is located at the heart of three levels of terraced gardens. It is the last of the great Renaissance châteaux to have been built on the banks of the Loire River. Although the estate is renowned for the harmony of its architecture, it is especially well-known for its gardens that spread across three terraces and combine aesthetics, diversity, and harmony.
After your visit, you will be transferred to your hotel.
From Loire we suggest an add on tour to Bordeaux via Cognac.