Best of Loire Valley in Four Days
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4 Day Itinerary of the Loire Valley Wine Region
Welcome to our 4-day guided itinerary through the enchanting Loire Valley, a region celebrated for its exquisite wines, breathtaking châteaux, and rich history.
This itinerary invites you to savor the finest vintages, explore architectural marvels, and immerse yourself in the lush landscapes that have inspired poets and artists alike. Each day unfolds with new discoveries, blending the art of winemaking with the timeless beauty of the French countryside, ensuring a memorable escape into the heart of France’s most renowned wine region.
Tour highlights:
What is included:
- Certified English-Speaking Expert Local Guides
- Complimentary Bespoke Tour Itinerary
- Select Central Luxury Accommodations
- Luxury Air Conditioned Vehicles for Tours & Transfers
- Unbeatable Refund Guarantee
- Skip-The-Line Tickets & Entrance Fees
- 24-7 In-Country Support
Day 1: Arrival in the Loire Valley
Your 4-day Loire Valley adventure begins with collection at Charles de Gaulle Airport by your private driver-guide or directly from your accommodation, offering a seamless transfer to the heart of the Loire Valley.
Celebrated as the Garden of France, this region is adorned with lush orchards and vibrant farms, and is acclaimed for producing some of the world’s finest wines. Alongside its vinicultural prestige, the Loire Valley boasts an array of extravagant and opulent châteaux, making it a must-visit destination for discerning travelers from around the globe.
Blois
Our first stop is Blois, a stunning Medieval city filled with narrow cobblestone streets and half-timbered houses as well as an imposing chateau and cathedral.
Our private tour starts at the chateau which was built between the 13th and 17th C and home to 7 Kings and 10 Queens of France.
Each wing of the chateau represents a different architectural style as different Kings added their own extensions to the building.
Truly spectacular is the Octagonal exterior stone spiral staircase that is housed in the Renaissance wing which consists of two interlocking but independent spirals so that it is possible for two people to ascend and descend without crossing one another’s path. It is widely speculated that Leonardo had a role in the design of this magnificent staircase.
These are not the only famous steps in Blois, your tour will also include a visit to the Denis Papin staircase which links the old to the new town. Every year the 120 steps are decorated according to the main stories in the region – recently a huge portrait of the Mona Lisa was represented on the stairs to commemorate 500 years of Renaissance Art.
Enjoy the afternoon exploring St Louis cathedral and the adjacent Jardins de L’eveche which give uninterrupted views across the whole of the valley.
Evening tour
Prior to dinner, your guide will take you back to the chateau of Blois where you can watch a ‘ son et Lumiere ‘ (light and sound) show displayed across the walls of the castle that depicts the most famous events in the Castle’s history.
Day 2: Chenonceau & Wine Tasting
Your day starts with a visit to one of the prettiest chateaus of the region – Chenonceau and the second most visited château after Versailles. Known as the Château des dames, this chateau’s building and gardens were presided over by generations of women and are a combination of Renaissance and Gothic architecture. When Catherine de Medici first saw the chateau she fell in love with it and forced the owner ( the Duchess Diane de Poitiers ) to hand the castle over in 1560. Catherine’s son Francis II got married to Mary Queen of Scots at the castle – more recently the castle played a part in the first and second world wars and was used as a hospital as well as a refuge for people fleeing the then Nazi Germany.
One of the reasons the chateau survived the French revolution is that the chateau itself is also a bridge over the Cher and thus vital for commerce and travel given the nearest other river crossing was several miles away.
Following the tour, your chauffeur will then take you to one of the many independent wineries in the region for your own private tasting. The river Cher valley is an incredible wine region and it was in the 18th Century that vines were planted but it was only in 2011 that the region’s winegrowers got the right to use the new appellation of ‘Touraine Chenonceaux ‘ Touraine Chenonceaux covers an area of barely 40 hectares spread over 27 villages. Less than forty winegrowers are entitled to produce wine of the appellation.
Day 3: Loire Villages
Set out this morning and explore some of the beautiful villages that can be found nestled across the banks of the river. Your day will be sure to include a visit to one or 2 of the local markets to sample local delicacies as well as a visit to a local patisserie where you will be given a private tasting with a local award-winning pastry chef.
Day 4: Chambord
No trip to the Loire would be complete without visiting the truly incredible chateau of Chambord, the park and grounds of the castle alone are as big as central Paris and it is the largest park in Western Europe covering 5440 hectares and 32 kilometers of walls.
Commissioned by King Francis I and imagined by the great Leonardo da Vinci, the Château de Chambord is the largest and most majestic castle of the Loire.
This UNESCO World Heritage Site calls the site “the architectural equivalent of the Mona Lisa.” The incredible double-helix staircase is just one reason. It is a world-renowned, architectural marvel! The palace comprises 426 rooms, 83 staircases, 282 fireplaces as well over 4,500 objets d’art on display in superbly recreated apartments in the chateau.
In 2001 a study started aimed to replicate exactly the palace gardens as created during the reign of Louis XIV and in 2017 this study finally came to fruition with the reopening of the gardens.
The result today is incredible and awe-inspiring with more than 800 shrubs, 600 trees, over 200 rose bushes, 15,250 border plants, and 18,874 m² of lawns. A garden fit for a King!
Your private tour will end with a visit around the gardens before heading back to Paris.
Get a Custom Loire Valley Guided Tour Itinerary
Contact our team for a hand-crafted Loire Valley itinerary to delve deeper into its enchanting landscapes and historical wonders. Simply reach out to request a complimentary custom itinerary tailored to your interests and timeframe.
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Salut from France! I’m Debbie, founder of Luxury France Tours.
Having developed into a Francophile on a trip to the French Alps many years ago while still in school, I moved to France after a career traveling the world led to me meeting my (now) French Husband in Johannesburg. I created Luxury France Tours as a way of sharing my love of France & igniting this passion in others.
Email Debbie
hello@luxuryfrancetours.com
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