Posts about Loire Valley
Loire Valley Tours
Loire Valley Chateau Tour
Loire Valley tours are usually focused around the famous historic chateaux in the region.
If you plan to visit the Loire Valley independently, the best way to create your tour is to hire a car. Train transport to the Loire Valley chateaux is possible, but often involves taking taxis to and from train stations, and is not very convenient. Hiring a car gives you maximum flexibility to get around the Loire Valley and visit the places you are most interested in.
If you do not plan to do an independent Loire Valley tour, one of the best types of tours is a small group tour. Many companies in Paris offer daily Loire Valley tours that consist of a 10-person (or less) van that drives tour group members from Paris to several of the Loire Valley chateaux and back.
If you don’t mind crowds, cheap Loire Valley tours are usually found with companies that run large bus tours of the Loire chateaux.
Some tours include admission and guided tours of the chateaux, while others only include transport, so compare your options before you choose.
Most Loire Valley tours visit the major chateaux of Chambord, Chenonceau, Amboise, and Cheverny. Others include only two or three of those.
Many Loire Valley tours pick tour group members up at their hotels, while others require members to meet at a central location from which the tour will depart.
Top 5 Chateaux in the Loire Valley
The Loire Valley has been known for its beautiful chateaux since the 15th century. Kings, queens, and wealthy aristocrats outdid one another over and over again for two centuries, leaving us the legacy of their lavish estates.
Today many of the chateaux in the Loire Valley can be visited, and they are well worth a day trip from Paris to do so. Here are our top 5 chateaux in the Loire region:
5. Villandry
Villandry, a box-like chateau, is better known for its stunning gardens than its interiors. After touring the chateau, don’t miss the potager and the formal French gardens.
4. Amboise
A royal residence of Charles VIII and Francois I, Amboise is a stunning medieval chateau right on the banks of the Loire.
3. Chaumont
Not far from Chambord, the chateau of Chaumont sits high over the river and has lovely views of the valley below.
2. Chambord
The largest and perhaps the most famous Loire Valley chateau, Chambord was inspired by Leonardo da Vinci. A tour through the huge castle and a stroll through the hunting grounds are enough to exhaust even the most fit traveler.
1. Chenonceau
Situated on the Cher river, this gorgeous castle literally sits on top of the water. Stroll through the rooms, then rent a boat and paddle along the river.