Day excursions

Whether you're a lover of heritage, nature or simply looking for an original getaway, this day promises to be a real trip back in time! 9:30 Departing from the Tourist Office, treat yourself to a magical day on board a comfortable minibus, exploring four of the Loire Valley's most fascinating gems: Azay-le-Rideau, Villandry and Langeais. Let yourself be seduced by... ... the Château d'Azay-le-Rideau, a fairytale castle set in lush greenery. Its Renaissance architecture and gardens will transport you back in time, while offering exceptional panoramic views. ... the Château and gardens of Villandry, renowned for its sumptuous formal gardens. Each flowerbed and avenue of greenery tells a story, and you'll be amazed by the precision and elegance of this unique place. Lunch at the Château de Villandry restaurant. Then off to... ... the Château de Langeais, a medieval fortress that plunges you into the history of royalty. Its imposing towers and architecture will take you back in time, with fascinating stories of royal marriages and court intrigues. 16:30 Return to Tours by minibus. End of the tour. Depending on the minibus schedule, the excursion programme may be subject to change. Departures are guaranteed from 2 people, a refund will be made if the number is not reached.

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.

We will start our day by visiting Villandry, known for its French gardens that makes it one of the most beautiful garden in France. It is divided in 3 patios: the 1st one is a mix of vegetables, fruit trees and vines, the 2nd one is made of sculpted bushes, and the last one is a water garden. After the lunch break in Villandry, we will cross over the Loire river to go to the Chateau of Langeais, the oldest forteress of the Loire Valley with its 10th century donjon (keep). Its main facade still has medieval characteristics yet, its opposite part has been renovated in the 16th century, which gives it a Renaissance charm. In 1491, Charles the 7th and Anne of Brittany’s marriage signed the annexation of the Duchy to French kingdom. A collection of tapestry, furniture and objects from the 15th century awaits you there. We will finish our day with the visit of the Chateau of Azay-le-Rideau, its elegant facades are like a jewel trapped between sky and river. You will discover its 500 years old framework, as well as furniture and tapestries from different periods, in the living rooms.

We will start our day with the visit of the Chateau of Chaumont-sur-Loire, its stables, farm and from April 22th to November 1st, the International Garden Festival. Since 1992 each year, internationally renowned landscape architects, compete on a specific theme. In the past Catherine de Medici used this Chateau to evict Diane de Poitiers from the Chateau of Chenonceau, she and Nostradamus dwelled there. After the lunch break, we will go towards the Sologne region in order to visit the Chateau of Cheverny which has been in the same family for more than 600 years. This beautiful classical edifice inspired Hergé’s Marlinspike Hall in ‘The Adventures of Tintin’ comics. We will end our day trip with a self-discovery of the old town of Amboise, which will allow you to discover wonderful half-timber houses, to do eventually some shopping or a wine tasting.