Royal Chateau of Blois

Discover the Loire Valley and visit its 2 most prestigious castles in one great day: impressive Château de Chambord and stunning Château de Chenonceau. Learn about the intimate little secrets of the French Kings who once lived there. Enjoy off-the-crowd panoramic views thanks to your local guide, benefit from wealth of thrilling genuine details and funny anecdotes and make the most of this exciting day. Program: 9.30am: Departure from Tours. Meet your friendly guide in front of the Tourist Office in the city of Tours (just in front of the train station). Everybody's here? Let’s start the day! 9:30am: Start in front of the Tourist Office in the city of Tours, and get into our minivan, off to Chenonceau! Next step is Château de Chenonceau! On the way, get a good look at lovely privately owned châteaux but also other must-see castles of Loire Valley such as: Cheverny, Chaumont, Amboise, Montrichard... Chenonceau: this is the most visited historical monument in France after Château de Versailles. Admire this stunning chateau and its unique gallery, built on a bridge across the Cher River. With your guide, stroll through the gorgeously-manicured gardens à la Française named after the famous ladies who lived there: "Catherine de Médicis" and "Diane de Poitiers". Once inside, take your time to appreciate the refined architecture and feminine influence that prevails in each room of this renowned chateau, all decorated with beautiful antiques and the most divine fresh flower arrangements. The kitchens, the Queen bedroom, the Gallery... your tour guide will show you all the beautiful rooms of this incredible place. Lunch: Free time More than a chateau, this work of art is a glorious historical place that will take you to the heart of the Loire Valley and the Renaissance era. Your guide will make this trip back in time a fun and captivating experience. He will tell you everything about the history of the castle, built by the famous King François 1er. Unforgettable! Once inside, your guide will select for you the most emblematic rooms to visit: the double helix staircase, the chapel, the terrace...He will also share with you memorable anecdotes and point at hidden details of interest and breathtaking views of the château. So get ready to travel back in time of French Renaissance! After this exceptional visit, your tour-guide will advise you some spots to get a impressive view of the chateau. A spectacular day you will never forget. 5.30pm: Back to the Tourist Office in Tours

Price: €20.50 (retail price: €22) A festival of visual and sound special effects marries the grandiose architecture of the courtyard, evoking famous episodes in the history of the Château. The favourite residence of the Kings of France during the Renaissance, the Château Royal de Blois is a true architectural and historical synthesis of the Châteaux of the Loire. Its four wings, each in a different style, and its monumental staircase, all grouped around the same courtyard, offer an astonishing panorama of French architecture from the Middle Ages to the Classical period. The royal flats feature magnificent restored polychrome decorations, and the furniture and paintings on display evoke the daily life of the Court and power during the Renaissance. The private chambers of François I and the royal rooms of Catherine de Médicis and Henri III, where the Duke of Guise was assassinated in 1588, are steeped in the major events of French history. From 5 April to 27 September 2025, then from 18 October to 1 November 2025.

Price: €15.90 (public price: €16.90) Imagine a palace delicately poised above the Loire, with gardens suspended between heaven and earth... It's hardly surprising that Amboise was a favorite site for the kings of France as they transformed their country during the Renaissance. Charles VIII and François I, Leonardo da Vinci and the iconic Queen Anne de Bretagne are all familiar faces here. Even today, the view is breathtaking! A 360° panorama of landscapes listed as a World Heritage Site. A castle open to nature, a haven of peace for birds, Amboise is also a place of innovation, where innovations such as the HistoPad enhance the experience. LPO Refuge.

Price: €18.50 (public price: €19.50) In 1516, Leonardo da Vinci accepted the invitation of Francis I and moved to the Château du Clos Lucé in Amboise, where he worked on numerous projects for the King. From Rome he brought his notebooks and three of his major works: the Mona Lisa, the Saint Anne and the Saint John the Baptist, now in the Louvre. Prolific and inspired, he worked as an engineer, architect and stage director, organising sumptuous festivities for the court. On 2 May 1519, he died in his bedroom. The house, its park - a veritable open-air museum - and the Leonardo da Vinci Painter and Architect Galleries invite you to discover the many facets of this genius through his restored workshops, models of his inventions and an immersive show presenting his 17 masterpieces...