Day excursions

We will start our memorable day with the visit of the Château of Chenonceau, also known as the « Ladies’ Château » 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. After the lunch break, we will go towards the Sologne region in order to visit the breath taking Château of Chambord. Made of more than 400 rooms, 282 fireplaces, as well as more than 70 staircases, including the famous central double helical staircase, it was Francis the 1st’s hunting lodge. This architectural masterpiece is one of the largest Château in France, after Versailles. Throughout the day, we will show you the beautiful countryside landscapes of the Loire and Cher valleys.

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 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.

Discover the Valley of the Kings by electric bike! Between lush forests and memorable castles, you are not about to forget this day. Full day on an electric bike in Chambord Park!   Program:  2:00 pm: Start at the Tourist Office in Tours and get into our minivan to Chateau de Villesavin.   The “discovery of the Valley of the Kings” day can begin!   What better way to discover the castles of the Loire than an electric bike tour. You will visit two magnificent castles: a charming family property and the prestigious Château de Chambord. Then have lunch in Chambord Park, and stroll through the estate, which was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1981. In e-bike mode, your perception changes and this excursion will allow you to enjoy this magnificent region “à la française!”.    10:15 am: Departing from a beautiful family chateau where we will taste local products later in the day, take the time to discover the charming French countryside on this e-bike ride during 15 miles.   Cross with your guide the monumental forest of Chambord, a veritable green lung of 13.000 acres enclosed by 20 miles of walls, unique in Europe. After about 35 minutes, you will finally see the sumptuous Château de Chambord, symbol of the French Renaissance in the Loire Valley.   11:00 am: Start of the guided tour of Chambord, your guide will show you the emblematic rooms of this castle still shrouded in mystery. A free time will allow you to walk where you want and review the pieces that you have preferred.   12:30 pm: For lunch, your guide will show you the different options around the Château de Chambord: restaurant, crêpes, burgers, sandwichs…   2:00 pm: Return to Château de Villesavin, “Chambord site hut” built by Jean le Breton, minister of François 1er, and supervisor of the works of the Château de Chambord.   2:45 pm: Visit of the interior of this charming little family castle, property since the 1930s and still the main home of the Count and Countess. You will also have free time to stroll around the estate and visit the various points of interest of the property (wedding museum, dovecote, small farm, etc.)   3:30 pm: Bucolic snack under the linden tree planted in 1900 with local produce such as apple juice, strawberries and biscuits from the Chambord biscuit factory.   6:00pm: Back to the Tourist Office in Tours