Day excursions

Your quest for authenticity will begin with a visit to the Château d'Azay-le-Rideau, known by experts as the jewel of the Loire Valley. You'll enjoy lunch in the heart of a vineyard, in an enchanting setting, with a meal crafted from seasonal local produce, paired with organic wine from the estate. The highlight of the day will be exploring the Château de Villandry and, above all, its gardens, among the most renowned and admired in France.

Discover the châteaux of Chambord and Chenonceau from Tours. Depart from the Tourist Office in Tours in an 8-seater minibus for an excursion including 2 visits. The castle of Chenonceau. Built in the 16th century, a true masterpiece of the French Renaissance, built on the peaceful waters of the Cher, "the Château des Dames" evokes the idea of perfect harmony between a nature made of water, air and greenery and a unique architecture, an invitation to grace. Lunch in a restaurant in Chenonceau. IN THE AFTERNOON The castle of Chambord. More than 5 centuries after its construction, it still defies the imagination: 156 meters of facade, 56 meters high, 440 rooms... It is the dream come true of a young 25-year-old king: François I, who wanted to build the most sumptuous hunting rendezvous that history has bequeathed to us. Depending on the programming of the minibuses, the program is likely to be modified. Departure is guaranteed from 4 people, a refund will be made if the number is not reached

We will start our day with the visit of of the Clos Lucé - a royal present from Francis the 1st to Leonardo da Vinci, where he spent his last 3 years of his life. You will enter his privacy as you roam his study, and will discover a large collection of models based on his sketches, as well as his bedchamber where he took his last breath at the age of 67. Our second stop will be the Royal Chateau of Amboise - which was Francis the 1st’s main residence. With its Gothic and Renaissance styles, the chateau will make you fall in love with its panoramic view on the valley. you must not forget about the St. Hubert’s chapel, where Leonardo da Vinci rests in peace. After the lunch break, we will get back to the Cher valley in order to visit the Chateau of Chenonceau, also known as the « Ladies’ Chateau » which was embellished by famous women, such as Diane de Poitiers and Catherine de Medici. This elegant structure built on the river will mesmerise you with its unique Renaissance architecture, furniture and gardens that will make you daydream.

Discover Loire Valley on a guided tour from Tours. Visit Château du Clos Lucé, the final residence of Leonardo da Vinci, and explore Château Royal d'Amboise. 9:30 am: Departure from Tours. Meet your friendly guide in front of the Tourist Office in the city of Tours (directly across from the train station). If you are staying in Amboise, you can join the group at the first chateau visited in Amboise, please contact us to arrange your booking. Everybody's here? Let’s start the day! :) The first stop of the day is Château du Clos Lucé! This charming manor house is famous for being the final residence of the great Leonardo da Vinci. At the invitation of King Francis I, the Italian genius spent the last three years of his life here, dreaming and designing. With your guide, you will step into Leonardo’s private world: visit his workshops, the bedroom where he passed away, and the kitchen where his meals were prepared. After exploring the house, stroll through the Da Vinci Park. It’s a true open-air museum where you can operate full-scale working models of his most incredible inventions. After this dive into genius, we head to the heart of the picturesque town of Amboise. You will enjoy free time for lunch. (Lunch is not included. You can choose from the many charming creperies, local bistros, or bakeries in the historic center. Your guide will be happy to share their favorite "local gems"! In the afternoon, you will visit Château Royal d'Amboise, a site that embodies the grandeur of the French Renaissance. Perched on a rocky outcrop overlooking the Loire River, this palace was the residence of several French Kings. Your guide will bring the palace's history to life with captivating stories of court life, royal intrigues, and scandals. You will visit the most emblematic rooms, including the council chamber and the impressive cavalier towers. Before leaving, your guide will take you to the castle's Mediterranean gardens for a breathtaking panoramic view of the Loire Valley - the perfect spot for a souvenir photo of your day in France! 3:30 pm: Back to the Tourist Office in Tours.