Enjoy access to Chenonceau site and its wonderful gardens. This unusual castle was built on a bridge across the Cher River. To learn more about castle history, audio guides are available in 16 languages. The castle is located near the small village of Chenonceaux in the Indre-et-Loire department. Chenonceau castle, also known as the Chateau des Dames, is famous for the great heroines who lived there, such as Diane de Poitiers and Catherine de Medicis, and for the beauty of its Renaissance gardens. Chenonceau castle was also used as a military hospital during the First World War. Discover the rich history of this incredible fortress.

Travel back to the days of the French Renaissance on a full-day tour of the châteaux of the Loire Valley. Enjoy a lunch in a privately owned and still-occupied castle. Start with a visit to Chenonceau, and pass the must-see castles of the French “Valley of the Kings,” including Chaumont, Amboise, and Blois. Upon arrival at the Château de Chenonceau, admire the unusual castle built on a bridge across the Cher River.  Stroll through the manicured gardens, named after Catherine de Médicis and Diane de Poitiers, the famous women who once lived there. Take time to appreciate the refined architecture, beautiful antiques, and lovely arrangements of fresh flowers. Discover glorious works of art and architecture as your guide selects the most emblematic rooms to visit. On your way to lunch at the Chateau of Villesavin, admire authentic French villages and the countryside. Eat a traditional French lunch with local products and local wine. Arrive at Chambord and discover the apartments of Francis I. View the double helix staircase, an emblem of Chambord. Hear memorable anecdotes and see hidden details. Get breathtaking views of the castle during a coffee break in Chambord Park. Enjoy the most striking view of Château de Chambord, before ending your tour in the evening.

Benefit from pick-up by air-conditioned, 8-seater van and head to the picturesque Château de Chenonceau with magnificent Renaissance gardens. Then, go to Amboise for a wine tour with tastings. Visit Les Caves Ambacia for a wine experience and sample some of the wines of the Loire Valley at a tasting with a sommelier. Lunch at leisure in Amboise. Continue to Chambord for a guided tour of the chateau. Admire the fine details of the largest chateau in the Loire Valley, including a double helix staircase by Da Vinci. Get dropped off in Tours at 5.30 PM or Amboise at 6:00 PM. Admire the fine details of the largest chateau in the Loire Valley, including a double helix staircase by Da Vinci. Get dropped off in Tours at 6 PM or Amboise at 6:45 PM.

Enjoy an unforgettable journey through the Loire Valley Chateaux with our expert guided tour. Explore the enchanting Chenonceau Castle, known as the "Chateau des Dames," and delve into its rich history and Renaissance gardens. Experience the magnificence of Chambord Castle, a grand showcase of architectural splendor with its double helix staircase and ornate roof. Enjoy guided tours of both castles, admire masterpieces by renowned artists, and take in breathtaking views. Immerse yourself in the past as you discover the captivating stories behind these iconic landmarks.

Arriving in the Loire Valley, your small group half-day tour will reach the Chateau 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 Medici) and for the beauty of its Renaissance gardens. After your arrival at Chenonceau castle, begin your tour accompanied by your guide. Chenonceau is home to an outstanding collection of furniture, tapestries and paintings that included artworks from Rubens, Tintoretto, Van Loo, Murillo, Veronese, Poussin, Van Dyck and many more. Also, during your tour, you will visit the highlights of the castle including Diane de Poitiers' bedroom, the Green Study, the Gallery and the kitchens. After the visit, you will have some free time to explore the gardens. We will then head back to Tours.

Drive through the beautiful French countryside to discover Middle Age and Gothic-inspired architecture, and learn the intriguing history of Normandy and France from an expert guide. Cross to the tidal island of Mont Saint-Michel, and soak up the refinement of prestigious Loire Valley castles, such as the vast royal Château de Chambord. Day 1 (Friday): Traveling by luxury air-conditioned coach, depart Paris via the western districts and take the Normandy motorway as far as Mont Saint-Michel. Arriving at approximately midday, stop for lunch at the 4-star Relais Saint Michel, offering fantastic views across to the island. After lunch, ascend to the Abbey on the summit of the mount for a guided visit of its Gothic and Romanesque interior. Enjoy some time at leisure exploring the narrow, hilly streets before your departure for Angers, cradle of the Plantagenet dynasty, where you will enjoy dinner and an overnight stay at the Hotel Mercure Lac de Maine (or similar accommodation). Day 2 (Saturday): After a hearty breakfast, drive to Langeais, passing Cunault and Saumur en route. Driving by vineyards, enjoy views of romantic castles on the horizon. Arrive at Château de Langeais to explore one of the best-known examples of late medieval architecture. Continue with a guided visit of Clos-Lucé, Leonardo da Vinci's last dwelling place. Stroll through the stunnning gardens of Villandry, and visit the old historic district of Tours on the lower reaches of the Loire. An evening meal will be served at your overnight stop in Tours at the Hotel Mercure. Day 3 (Sunday): Take a guide tour of the Château de Chenonceau, built on the site of an old mill across the River Cher. Continue to the decorative Château de Cheverny, used by Tintin creator, Hergé as the inspiration for his fictional Château de Moulinsart. After lunch at the Hotel Saint-Hubert, go to the Château de Chambord to explore the largest and most imposing castle in the Loire Valley. Admire the distinctive French Renaissance architecture, which blends impressively with traditional medieval forms.

Get picked up in the morning before driving to the Loire Valley and start your day touring the Château de Chenonceau. The Chateau des Dames bridge built across the Cher is famous for the great heroines who lived there (Diane de Poitiers and Catherine de Medicis) and for the beauty of its Renaissance gardens. Next, head to a wine tasting with a wine specialist at Caves Ambacia in Amboise. An oenologist will welcome you into the caves, former tuff stone quarries, for a tour. This will be followed by a wine tasting of Vouvray wines.  After this, tour the Royal Castle of Amboise, residence of Charles VIII and the young François d’Angoulème, future Francois I. Discover a perfect example of the transition from Gothic to Renaissance architecture and the Saint Hubert Chapel, which today houses the grave of Leonardo da Vinci. Finally, head to the Manor du Clos Lucé, a few yards away from the Royal Castle. Leonardo da Vinci spent the last 3 years of his life there and died there in 1519. See his bedroom, office, reception room and kitchen, and be awestruck by his invention room, displaying models of his most spectacular inventions. End your day by being dropped off in Amboise at 5:30 PM or in Tours at 6 PM.

At 7.30 a.m our driver guide will pick you up from your hotel or anywhere in Paris with high-quality air-conditioned vehicle. Visit the iconic Château of Chenonceau with your local guide (tickets and audioguide inside the castle are included), one of the most stunning examples of Loire Valley architecture, with its immense gallery that spans the width of the Cher river, giving it the nickname of the “Ponte Vecchio of France.” Nicknamed the Château des Dames – the Ladies’ Château – it was successively owned by many women of power and influence including Diane de Poitiers and Caterina de’ Medici. Inside the château we will discover the incredible collection of masterpieces (Reubens, Van Dyck, Corregio…), the royal bedrooms, salons for King François I and King Louis XIV, the chapel, and of course the gallery designed by Caterina de’Medici. Free time for lunch in chenonceau village. • Following our visit to the château, we will meet a local winemaker and have a private tasting in his winery near Chenonceau. • Driving from Ange to Chateau de Chambord (is around 50 minutes), the fairy-tale Château de Chambord is the largest of all the Loire Valley châteaux and is housed deep in the largest closed, forested park in Europe. Commissioned by King François I, Chambord is the culmination of Renaissance architecture and ingenuity. We will pay special attention to the innovative design – from Leonardo da Vinci’s double-spiral staircase at the heart of the château, to the blueprint of the château in the form of a cross, to the royal rooms and incredible gardens. We will take the time to discover this revolutionary château. (tickets and audioguide inside the castle are included) At the end of the day, we return you to your hotel or a location of your choice in Paris. Going back to the hotel is 3 hours. While on the way you can also see the magnificent landscape and cross typical French little villages. Whether you are a couple, a group of friends, or with your extended family, you will enjoy a unique visit full of interesting anecdotes and great works of art. (Your guide is also a pro at explaining art and history to children – families of all ages are welcome!)