Détours de Loire

Price: €13 (public price: €14) The Château de Villandry is a unique example of Renaissance architecture and gardens. Six sumptuous gardens await you: the vegetable garden, the ornamental garden, the water garden, the medicinal plant garden, the labyrinth and the sun garden. The château boasts 18th century interiors and a collection of antique Spanish paintings.

With the 3-Castle Pass, embark on a magical journey to the heart of “Christmas in the land of châteaux”! Seven of the Loire Valley’s most prestigious castles—Villandry, Amboise, Azay-le-Rideau, Chenonceau, Langeais, Chinon, and Loches—celebrate the holiday spirit with exceptional tours, spectacular decorations, and unique activities.   The 3-Castle Pass gives you access to 3 of the 7 sites of your choice at special rates for the duration of the event. Other benefits: skip-the-line access at the castles of Azay-le-Rideau and Amboise, free admission — with no extra charge and no reservation required — to the evening opening at the Château d’Azay-le-Rideau (valued at €16), as well as to all evening openings at the six other castles, the option to visit the Château de Chenonceau without reserving a specific tour time slot (subject to availability during the Christmas holidays in case of high attendance).   This Pass also gives you access to exclusive offers and benefits, including: a guided tour with a complimentary wine tasting at the Cave de Vouvray, discounts and special offers from about ten partner businesses.   On the program: each château features a unique theme and a special one-night-only opening!   •   Château of Villandry - At Christmas, nature makes its way into the château Once the doors are closed, plants and animals take over every room, creating an atmosphere that is by turns woodland-like and snow-covered, yet always warm and welcoming. Evening opening: Saturday, December 5.   •    Château of Azay-le-Rideau - The flavours of fine French patisserie Each room in the château is dedicated to a signature dish of the festive season, presented in refined, immersive and sometimes animated settings. Evening opening: Saturday, December 12.   •    Royal Château of Amboise - A Royal Christmas for the pet animals Taking advantage of the court’s temporary absence, the castle’s pets have decided to secretly organize their own Christmas celebrations in the royal residence. Evening opening: date to be announced.   •    Château of Chenonceau - Christmas and traditions around the world The castle pays tribute to customs from around the world, including Great Britain, Germany, the Americas, Iceland, and more… Evening opening: Wednesday, December 23.   •    Château of Langeais - An enchanting and musical Christmas Light, plants, textiles, paper and sound come together in an immersive experience with a delicate, contemporary narrative, interacting with the site’s collections, spaces and historical materials. Evening opening: Saturday, December 26.   •    Royal Fortress of Chinon - Christmas in Fairyland Designed as a self-guided walk, the tour gradually reveals these mysterious creatures, hidden within the scenery or moving through the heart of an enchanted forest. Evening tour: Saturday, December 19.   •    Royal City of Loches - Tales from the Royal City: Beauty and the Beast From the entrance to the royal residence, every space becomes a living scene from the story, transformed by snow, red roses, sets and lighting effects. Evening opening: Tuesday, December 29.

With the 5-Castle Pass, embark on a magical journey to the heart of “Christmas in the land of châteaux”! Seven of the Loire Valley’s most prestigious castles—Villandry, Amboise, Azay-le-Rideau, Chenonceau, Langeais, Chinon, and Loches—celebrate the holiday spirit with exceptional tours, spectacular decorations, and unique activities.   The 5-Castle Pass gives you access to 5 of the 7 sites of your choice at special rates for the duration of the event. Other benefits: skip-the-line access at the castles of Azay-le-Rideau and Amboise, free admission — with no extra charge and no reservation required — to the evening opening at the Château d’Azay-le-Rideau (valued at €16), as well as to all evening openings at the six other castles, the option to visit the Château de Chenonceau without reserving a specific tour time slot (subject to availability during the Christmas holidays in case of high attendance).   This Pass also gives you access to exclusive offers and benefits, including: a guided tour with a complimentary wine tasting at the Cave de Vouvray, discounts and special offers from about ten partner businesses.   On the program: each château features a unique theme and a special one-night-only opening!   •   Château of Villandry - At Christmas, nature makes its way into the château Once the doors are closed, plants and animals take over every room, creating an atmosphere that is by turns woodland-like and snow-covered, yet always warm and welcoming. Evening opening: Saturday, December 5.   •    Château of Azay-le-Rideau - The flavours of fine French patisserie Each room in the château is dedicated to a signature dish of the festive season, presented in refined, immersive and sometimes animated settings. Evening opening: Saturday, December 12.   •    Royal Château of Amboise - A Royal Christmas for the pet animals Taking advantage of the court’s temporary absence, the castle’s pets have decided to secretly organize their own Christmas celebrations in the royal residence. Evening opening: date to be announced.   •    Château of Chenonceau - Christmas and traditions around the world The castle pays tribute to customs from around the world, including Great Britain, Germany, the Americas, Iceland, and more… Evening opening: Wednesday, December 23.   •    Château of Langeais - An enchanting and musical Christmas Light, plants, textiles, paper and sound come together in an immersive experience with a delicate, contemporary narrative, interacting with the site’s collections, spaces and historical materials. Evening opening: Saturday, December 26.   •    Royal Fortress of Chinon - Christmas in Fairyland Designed as a self-guided walk, the tour gradually reveals these mysterious creatures, hidden within the scenery or moving through the heart of an enchanted forest. Evening tour: Saturday, December 19.   •    Royal City of Loches - Tales from the Royal City: Beauty and the Beast From the entrance to the royal residence, every space becomes a living scene from the story, 

Duration: 2h - Price: from 7€ From the founding of Tours in the 1st century to the flourishing of the Renaissance, discover the city through the key dates in its history under the guidance of a tour guide. The city of Tours was founded in the 1st century on the left bank of the Loire. In the Middle Ages, two distinct areas developed: one built around the Cathedral, the other around a huge collegiate church dedicated to Saint Martin, the Châteauneuf area, also known as Old Tours. Tours was the royal capital from 1440 to 1520, and at the end of the Middle Ages and beginning of the Renaissance, almost all of the city's residences were rebuilt. From this flourishing period, the town inherited a homogeneous collection of old houses and religious buildings, which you can discover on this tour. This tour has been awarded the Ville d'Art et d'Histoire label.

With the 4-Castle Pass, embark on a magical journey to the heart of “Christmas in the land of châteaux”! Seven of the Loire Valley’s most prestigious castles—Villandry, Amboise, Azay-le-Rideau, Chenonceau, Langeais, Chinon, and Loches—celebrate the holiday spirit with exceptional tours, spectacular decorations, and unique activities.   The 4-Castle Pass gives you access to 4 of the 7 sites of your choice at special rates for the duration of the event. Other benefits: skip-the-line access at the castles of Azay-le-Rideau and Amboise, free admission — with no extra charge and no reservation required — to the evening opening at the Château d’Azay-le-Rideau (valued at €16), as well as to all evening openings at the six other castles, the option to visit the Château de Chenonceau without reserving a specific tour time slot (subject to availability during the Christmas holidays in case of high attendance).   This Pass also gives you access to exclusive offers and benefits, including: a guided tour with a complimentary wine tasting at the Cave de Vouvray, discounts and special offers from about ten partner businesses.   On the program: each château features a unique theme and a special one-night-only opening!   •   Château of Villandry - At Christmas, nature makes its way into the château Once the doors are closed, plants and animals take over every room, creating an atmosphere that is by turns woodland-like and snow-covered, yet always warm and welcoming. Evening opening: Saturday, December 5.   •    Château of Azay-le-Rideau - The flavours of fine French patisserie Each room in the château is dedicated to a signature dish of the festive season, presented in refined, immersive and sometimes animated settings. Evening opening: Saturday, December 12.   •    Royal Château of Amboise - A Royal Christmas for the pet animals Taking advantage of the court’s temporary absence, the castle’s pets have decided to secretly organize their own Christmas celebrations in the royal residence. Evening opening: date to be announced.   •    Château of Chenonceau - Christmas and traditions around the world The castle pays tribute to customs from around the world, including Great Britain, Germany, the Americas, Iceland, and more… Evening opening: Wednesday, December 23.   •    Château of Langeais - An enchanting and musical Christmas Light, plants, textiles, paper and sound come together in an immersive experience with a delicate, contemporary narrative, interacting with the site’s collections, spaces and historical materials. Evening opening: Saturday, December 26.   •    Royal Fortress of Chinon - Christmas in Fairyland Designed as a self-guided walk, the tour gradually reveals these mysterious creatures, hidden within the scenery or moving through the heart of an enchanted forest. Evening tour: Saturday, December 19.   •    Royal City of Loches - Tales from the Royal City: Beauty and the Beast From the entrance to the royal residence, every space becomes a living scene from the story, transformed by snow, red roses, sets and lighting effects. Evening opening: Tuesday, December 29.