Loire Valley Tours & Trips
Have you ever wondered where French royalty spent their summers? The Loire Valley's got your answer – châteaux everywhere. From Angers through Saumur to Chambord's massive Renaissance castle, this UNESCO region basically lines the river with royal estates. Central France's Loire winds from Orleans through Tours, creating the world's most château-dense valley. Kings knew what they were doing.
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Maureen • traveled in June
Fabulous leaders and incredible route - pathways along the river or back country roads or cycling through small cute towns. Mostly flat - and very nicely paced with coffee and photo stops, or lunch, or a chateau visit! Only reason this didn’t get excellent from me was some of the hotels could have been better (and their free breakfasts)
Cycle the Loire Valley - L
Linda • traveled in December
Amazing food and service, overall good value. Unfortunately for us, the currents were too strong to sail often, due to heavy rain, so had to stay in Nantes for most of the time
Christmas on the Loire (port-to-port cruise) - D
D. • traveled in August
We are a family of three - mom, dad, 10-year-old son, and we had an AMAZING bicycling adventure with Discover France. We loved the self-guided aspect -- all of our needs were well taken care of (bags transported, lodging arranged, routes planned), but we had the freedom to ride at our own pace, with our own diversions, just as a family. The Loire area couldn't be more scenic and charming; the trails were nearly empty even in high tourist season; our lodging was simple but very comfortable with friendly inn keepers and great locations; the routes that DF put together for us were incredible -- small, untraveled by the masses, and beautiful. We are still reliving the trip several weeks later, and we would whole-heartedly recommend Discover France's Loire Valley multi sport trip. (By the way, both son and dad had a blast at the zip line adventure park. I found it a little bit scary, but am glad I tried at least one ropes course up in the trees. It's an experience my son will never forget, and was a great reward for his many kilometers of riding.)
Loire Valley Bike & Canoe Tour
The best Loire Valley tour packages
Compiled by
MelissaLoire Valley travel expert at TourRadar
- Cycle the Loire Valley
- Cycle the Loire Valley
- Loire à Vélo – 7 Day Luxury Self-Guided *CYCLE* (All Inclusive)
- Christmas on the Loire (port-to-port cruise)
- The Loire Valley, a Royal legacy (port-to-port cruise) (7 destinations)
- Loire Valley - Cycling 'le Pays desChâteaux' (Land of the locksmiths) (6 days)
- Cycling the Chateaux of the Loire - Upgraded
- From the Châteaux of Chambord and Chenonceau to the Loire Valley (7 destinations)
- Chateaux of the Loire Walk
- Christmas on the Loire
Cycle the Loire Valley
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“Fabulous leaders and incredible route - pathways along the river or back country roads.”
Maureen, traveled in June
The Loire Valley's finest châteaux await, with visits to Chambord and Chenonceau. Pedal alongside Loire River from Blois through Vouvray vineyards, while staying in authentic hotels and savoring regional wines and cuisine.
Duration 7 days Destinations Blois, Amboise, Villandry, Saumur, Angers Age Range Ages 14+ Operator Intrepid Travel From
- NZ$3,750
Pedal through Loire Valley's finest châteaux and vineyards. Marvel at Chambord's Renaissance masterpiece, visit Leonardo da Vinci's last home at Clos Lucé, and savor exclusive wine tastings. Carefully selected hotels include Novotel Blois Centre and Best Western Le Vinci Loire Valley.
Duration 7 days Destinations Blois, Chambord, Amboise, Vouvray, Chinon, Saumur Age Range Ages 16+ Operator Exodus Adventure Travels From
- NZ$7,129
Duration 7 days Destinations Blois, Cheverny, Chaumont sur Loire, Amboise, Villandry, Chinon, Saumur, Angers Age Range Ages 18+ Operator Climbing Mountains From
- NZ$5,421
Christmas on the Loire (port-to-port cruise)
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“Amazing food and service, overall good value.”
Linda, traveled in December
The festive 6-day Christmas cruise along the Loire Valley aboard MS Loire Princesse showcases historic châteaux including Azay-le-Rideau and Chinon, with wine tasting in underground cellars. The Castle of the Dukes of Brittany in Nantes and gala dinners with included wines highlight this approx. $210 per day journey. Perfect for couples and solo travelers aged 67+ seeking comfort-level cruising.
Duration 6 days Destinations Nantes, St-Nazaire, Ancenis, La Chapelle-Heulin, Clisson, Bouchemaine, Angers, Azay-le-Rideau, Chinon Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator CroisiEurope River Cruises From
- NZ$2,429
MS Loire Princesse's contemporary vessel carries you through the Loire Valley. Jules Verne's world comes alive at Nantes' Machines of the Isle, while Saint-Nazaire's Escal'Atlantic museum and medieval Clisson offer cultural insights. French cuisine with local wines and evening entertainment costs approx. $260 daily.
Duration 5 days Destinations Nantes, St-Nazaire, Ancenis, Bouchemaine, Angers Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator CroisiEurope River Cruises From $2,556
25% Off- NZ$1,917You save $639
Duration 6 days Destinations Blois, Amboise, Beuvron-en-Auge, Chaumont sur Loire, Chitenay, Chambord Age Range Ages 16+ Operator ASI Reisen From
25% Off- NZ$1,303
Loire Valley's architectural marvels range from Chambord's 440 rooms to Chenonceau spanning River Cher. Luxury properties include Hotel Charme Rabelaisien in Amboise and Hotel Bon Laboureur in Chenonceaux. Cheverny's Tintin exhibition and Clos Luce's da Vinci workshops provide unique experiences.
Duration 8 days Destinations Blois, Amboise, Chenonceaux, Chitenay Age Range Ages 12+ Operator Exodus Adventure Travels From
25% Off- NZ$4,073
From the Châteaux of Chambord and Chenonceau to the Loire Valley (7 destinations)
2 Reviews by TourRadar travelers
Loire Valley's architectural gems include Chambord's distinctive Renaissance design and Chenonceau spanning Cher River. The fairytale-like Château d'Ussé, inspiration for Sleeping Beauty, pairs with Villandry's three-tiered gardens. MS Loire Princesse offers all-inclusive meals and wines, with guided tours at approx. $370 per day.
Duration 7 days Destinations Paris, Nantes, St-Nazaire, Ancenis, Bouchemaine, Angers Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator CroisiEurope River Cruises From
25% Off- NZ$4,492
Château country reveals itself from Blois to Amboise, featuring UNESCO sites Chambord and Chenonceau. Historic accommodations include Auberge du Centre in Chitenay and Hotel La Roseraie. Vineyard walks, Caves des Roches visits, and Leonardo da Vinci's legacy await.
Duration 8 days Destinations Blois, Chambord, Chitenay, Chenonceaux, Amboise Age Range Ages 12+ Operator Exodus Adventure Travels From
25% Off- NZ$3,212
The MS Loire Princesse sails from Saint-Nazaire's shipyard to Château d'Azay-le-Rideau. Christmas Eve dinner, midnight mass in Ancenis, and wine tasting in Chinon's historic cellars create lasting memories. Expert guides lead tours of Nantes' Castle of Dukes.
Duration 6 days Destinations Nantes, St-Nazaire, Ancenis, Angers, Bouchemaine, Azay-le-Rideau, Chinon Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator CroisiEurope River Cruises From
25% Off- NZ$4,253
What our customers ask about Loire Valley Tours & Trips
When is the best time to visit the Loire Valley for a country region tour?
The Loire Valley welcomes visitors best from April to October. The weather is most reliable from May to September making it perfect for walking through castle grounds and garden tours. During June the Château de Villandry's rose gardens reach peak bloom while September marks the start of wine harvesting in Vouvray and Saumur regions. A TourRadar traveler staying at Château Belmont in Tours noted: "The gardens were absolutely magnificent in full bloom creating the perfect backdrop for our castle visits."
What are the must-see châteaux highlights on a Loire Valley general tour?
The key stops include Château de Chambord which houses 440 rooms and stands as a French Renaissance masterpiece the Château de Chenonceau built across the River Cher and the Château d'Amboise where visitors can see Leonardo da Vinci's tomb. The Château de Villandry draws crowds for its geometric gardens while Château de Blois displays architectural styles spanning four centuries. A TourRadar traveler noted about Chambord: "The sheer scale and Renaissance splendor are unmatched - it's the most impressive château in the entire Loire Valley."
What types of accommodation can I expect on a Loire Valley country tour?
Places to stay range from converted castle hotels to boutique country inns. The 4-star Château Belmont in Tours offers modern amenities including a wellness center and heated pool. The historic Auberge du Bon Laboureur sits just 500m from Chenonceaux while the Relais des 3 Châteaux provides comfort in Cheverny. As one TourRadar traveler shared: "Staying at the Château de Chissay was magical - sleeping in a real castle with antique furniture and waking up to views of the Loire Valley made the experience unforgettable."
What local wines should I try during my Loire Valley tour?
The region produces distinct wines including crisp Vouvray whites robust Chinon reds from Cabernet Franc grapes and sparkling wines from Saumur. Many tours stop at wine caves built into limestone cliffs particularly around Saumur and Montlouis-sur-Loire. One TourRadar traveler noted: "The wine tasting at Château Cassemichère was exceptional - we learned so much about the local Muscadet wines and the ancient cellars were fascinating."
How much time should I allocate for visiting each château?
Each major château deserves 2-3 hours to explore properly. Chambord's 440 rooms and distinctive architecture need at least 3 hours while Villandry's elaborate gardens require 2 hours minimum. A TourRadar traveler suggested: "Don't rush through the châteaux - we spent a full morning at Chenonceau exploring every room and garden and it was worth every minute."
What's the best way to experience local cuisine in the Loire Valley?
Known as "France's Garden" the Loire Valley offers exceptional regional dishes. Local specialties include rillettes de Tours pike-perch in beurre blanc sauce and regional goat cheeses like Selles-sur-Cher. Tours often include meals at historic establishments such as Les Trois Marchands in Cheverny. A TourRadar traveler shared: "The meals at Château Belmont were exceptional - featuring local ingredients and perfectly paired with Loire Valley wines."