Châteaux & Gardens of the Loire Valley

We catch LeShuttle to Calais and stay overnight in France on a bed and breakfast basis.

Châteaux & Gardens of the Loire Valley

We enjoy a scenic en-route stop at the magnificent Château de Chambord, one of the Loire Valley’s most iconic landmarks, built as a hunting lodge by King Francis I in the early 16th century. There’s time to explore the castle’s grand interiors, admire panoramic views from the rooftop terraces, and wander through the beautifully landscaped French formal gardens. After our visit, we continue to Tours, where our hotel is conveniently located in the heart of the city.

Châteaux & Gardens of the Loire Valley

Spend the morning at the magnificent Château de Chenonceau, the most visited château in France after Versailles and one of the Loire Valley’s most enchanting landmarks. Spanning the River Cher on elegant arches, its famed Grand Gallery allows visitors to walk directly across the water, with beautiful views both inside and out. Often known as the ‘Ladies’ Château,’ Chenonceau owes much of its character to the influential women who shaped its history, most notably Diane de Poitiers and Catherine de Medici. Explore the landscaped formal gardens and discover the château’s preserved kitchens, uniquely housed within the stone piers that support the building above the river.

Later, we continue to Amboise for an afternoon at leisure. Choose to explore the impressive Château Royal d’Amboise, wander the charming cobbled streets of the old town, or stroll across to the Île d’Or for classic Loire Valley photo opportunities. Visit Château du Clos Lucé, Leonardo da Vinci’s final residence, or sample local vintages at Caves Ambacia, a historic wine cellar carved into the riverside rock face.

Please note: no attraction entrance fees are included in Amboise.

Châteaux & Gardens of the Loire Valley

We have a day at leisure to explore Tours, the capital of the Loire Valley. At the heart of the old town lies the beautiful Place Plumereau, one of France’s most picturesque squares, surrounded by 15th- and 16th-century half-timbered houses, inviting restaurants and lively terraces. Wander the bustling markets and stylish shopping streets, with a stop at one of the many elegant cafés. You may choose to explore Saint-Gatien Cathedral, the Basilica of Saint Martin or the historic Charlemagne Tower, all reminders of Tours’ important medieval past. There’s also the Musée des Beaux-Arts, housed within the former Archbishop’s Palace and home to an impressive art collection and Les Halles de Tours, the city’s celebrated indoor food market.

Châteaux & Gardens of the Loire Valley

We begin the day at the Domaine de Chaumont-sur-Loire, one of the Loire Valley’s most captivating estates and enjoy full access to the elegant 15th-century Château de Chaumont-sur-Loire, once home to the powerful Catherine de Medici, as well as the château’s historic stables, contemporary art installations and the International Garden Festival. Each year, landscape designers from around the world create a series of imaginative themed gardens, transforming the estate into a living outdoor gallery.

Later we visit Blois, beautifully situated on the banks of the Loire River, where we enjoy free time to explore. Dominating the town is the impressive Royal Château of Blois (entrance not included), a former residence of French kings and one of the region’s most historically significant landmarks. Alternatively, wander through the old town, with its winding streets, elegant architecture, inviting cafés and independent boutiques.

Châteaux & Gardens of the Loire Valley

Choose to spend the day at leisure or join our optional excursion to the enchanting Château d’Azay-le-Rideau, one of the Loire Valley’s most elegant landmarks. Set on an island in the tranquil waters of the Indre River, the château appears to float gracefully above its shimmering reflection. See the three-storey Renaissance staircase and stroll through the beautiful English-style landscaped park, where peaceful ponds create ‘water mirror’ reflections of the castle. Afterwards, we enjoy a leisurely afternoon in the town of Saumur, crowned by its striking château, with plenty of quaint cafés and boutique shops.

Châteaux & Gardens of the Loire Valley

After breakfast, we check out of the hotel and head to Calais for our journey home on LeShuttle.

Discover the grandeur of Château de Chambord, King Francois I’s visionary hunting retreat amid the Sologne forests. Follow the double-helix staircase, attributed to Leonardo’s influence, through ceremonial apartments and galleries, and step into the symmetry of restored French parterres dotted with royal salamanders.

Ascend to the rooftop terraces to survey candle-snuffer chimneys, lanterns, and canals stretching to the horizon. This emblem of French Renaissance architecture reveals royal ambition and technical ingenuity in stone, offering superb vantage points for photography and reflection.

Explore Château de Chenonceau, whose elegant arches stride the River Cher. Walk the luminous Grand Gallery suspended above the water, peek into the restored riverside kitchens, and wander the contrasting rival gardens of Diane de Poitiers and Catherine de Medici, scented with rose and lavender.

Encounter the Ladies’ Château through stories of patronage and power, from court festivities to wartime hospital wards. Fresh floral displays and river views create a refined, intimate atmosphere that distinguishes Chenonceau from any other Loire residence.

Experience the Domaine de Chaumont-sur-Loire, where a 15th-century château, historic stables, and contemporary installations frame the celebrated International Garden Festival. Stroll avant-garde plots designed by leading landscapers, each interpreting an annual theme with bold plant palettes, textures, and scent.

Step through rooms linked to Catherine de Medici and Diane de Poitiers, then pause amid artworks that blur botany and sculpture. The estate becomes a living gallery overlooking the Loire, inviting slow exploration and vivid photography throughout the grounds.

Visit Amboise, a riverside town crowned by the Royal Château of Amboise. Meander cobbled lanes, artisan ateliers, and café terraces, or wander to the Île d’Or for sweeping Loire panoramas framed by stone bridges and slate rooftops.

Trace the legacy of Leonardo da Vinci at nearby Clos Lucé, or sample vintages in troglodytic cellars hewn from tufa cliffs. Entrance fees here are not included, allowing flexible, independent discovery according to your interests.

Explore Blois, rising in tiers above the Loire with lively squares and riverside views. Admire the facades of the Royal Château of Blois from the old town, then roam slender alleys lined with slate-roofed houses, galleries, and cafés.

Note the stylistic layers—from Gothic to the Francois I wing with its famous spiral staircase—that reflect centuries of royal life. Entrances are optional, leaving time to pause for photos and reflection amid the town’s relaxed rhythm.

Taste the region’s conviviality as you enjoy a welcome drink at your hotel in central Tours. Meet fellow travellers, exchange first impressions, and gather practical tips for exploring the old town’s timbered squares and riverside promenades.

This relaxed introduction captures the Loire’s easygoing art de vivre, setting a friendly tone for the days ahead and offering a comfortable moment to ask questions, share plans, and settle into the journey.

Discover the jewel-like Château d’Azay-le-Rideau, poised on an island in the Indre. Admire its sculpted facades and graceful central staircase, then seek the famed mirror reflections in tranquil pools across the English-style park.

Spend time in Saumur, with quayside views of its hilltop château and elegant streets. This is an optional excursion at additional cost (£25pp) and bookable on tour, ideal for travellers who relish refined Renaissance architecture and Loire riverscapes.