Loire Valley Castles | Day 1

Departure from Paris in a deluxe coach with your Carol Voyages guide for the famous Loire Valley castles. Stop in Chambord and visit the masterpiece of François 1st then drive to Amboise and visit of the Clos Lucé, the last home of Leonardo da Vinci. Discovery in the old town of a glass blower. Free time for dinner and night in a 3-star hotel in the surrounding area.

Optional : welcome dinner in a troglodyte cellar.

Loire Valley Castles | Day 2

Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning, visit of Amboise Castle and its gardens, then walk in the old town with a Touraine wine tasting. Then, drive to discover the magnificent Grand Aquarium de Touraine. Continuation with a visit of the Chateau d’Azay-le-Rideau, an architectural jewel that is certainly the most harmonious of the Loire Valley. Free time for dinner and night in a 3-star hotel in the surrounding area.

Loire Valley Castles | Day 3

Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning visit a cellar of the famous Bourgueil wine with tasting. Continuation for a visit to the royal abbey of Fontevraud founded in the 12th  century and which remains one of the largest monastic cities from the Middle Ages. Road to Saumur and guided tour of the Ecole du Cadre Noir to discover the spearhead of equestrian art in France! An exciting and very informative visit. Free time for dinner and night in a 3-star hotel in the surrounding area.

Loire Valley Castles | Day 4

Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning, visit the marvelous Chateau d’Ussé which inspired Charles Perrault for the Sleeping Beauty. Continuation to Villandry and visits to its extraordinary gardens representing the reconstruction of a 14th century French garden based on ancient texts. Continuation to Montbazon and its fortress of the Black Hawk where you will have the pleasure to discover the trades of the Middle Ages. Free time for dinner and night in a 3-star hotel in the surrounding area.

Loire Valley Castles | Day 5

Breakfast at the hotel. Departure for Chenonceau and visit of the most visited historical monument of France after Versailles. Continuation for a visit to the House of wines in Cheverny with visit and tasting.

Optional farewell “buffet campagnard” lunch based on local products.

Drive to Paris and late arrival at the end of the day.

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