Itinerary
- Day 1
Paris to Orléans
Your Loire Valley adventure kicks off today with your arrival in Paris. A tour guide will be waiting for you at Gare de l'Est station, and from there you'll head together to your hotel in central Orléans. If you'd rather arrange your own transport, you can travel directly to Orléans and meet the group there instead. This evening, you'll gather with your fellow travelers for dinner at the hotel. It's a good chance to get to know everyone before the real exploring begins tomorrow.
- Meals
- Dinner (First dinner at the hotel with fellow travelers)
Included Activities
- Transfer from Gare de l'Est station to hotel in Orléans
Optional Activities
- Self-arranged travel from Paris to Orléans
Landmarks Gare de l'Est - Day 2
Loire Valley Castles
Start at Sully-sur-Loire Castle, a 14th-century UNESCO site surrounded by its moat, then settle in for a picnic while taking in the views across the Loire Valley. After lunch, head to Chambord Castle, the largest fortress in the region, and take a guided tour that finishes on its scenic terrace where you can see the surrounding landscape. The evening is open for you to wander around Orléans and explore the city at your own pace.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Picnic)
Included Activities
- Visit Sully-sur-Loire Castle
- Picnic with views over the Loire Valley
- Guided tour of Chambord Castle
Optional Activities
- Evening stroll through Orléans
Landmarks Sully-sur-Loire Castle Chambord Castle Orléans 
- Day 3
Amboise to Tours
Begin with Amboise Castle, a major Loire Valley fortress known for its impressive round towers and river views. From there, you'll visit Clos Lucé, Leonardo da Vinci's last home, where the beautiful gardens and rooms connected to his life are on display. After that, continue on to Tours and check into your hotel in the historic center for a 4-night stay.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Amboise Castle
- Visit Clos Lucé (Leonardo da Vinci's residence)
Landmarks Amboise Castle Clos Lucé 
- Day 4
Loire Valley Boat Trip and Gardens
Take a scenic drive via Saumur, passing by Ussé and Langeais castles as you look out from the road. Later, you'll board a boat for a panoramic tour through the Loire Valley with a light lunch featuring local specialties. Spend your afternoon walking through the Vilandry Gardens and then exploring Azay-le-Rideau Castle, a Renaissance beauty with plenty of time to look around and take photographs.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Small tasting of local specialties during boat trip)
Included Activities
- Panoramic drive via Saumur with outside views of Ussé and Langeais castles
- Scenic boat trip through Loire Valley
- Visit to Vilandry Gardens
- Visit to Azay-le-Rideau Castle
Landmarks Ussé Castle Langeais Castle Vilandry Gardens Azay-le-Rideau Castle - Day 5
Tours and Chenonceau Castle
Start with a walking tour through Tours, a city founded by the Gauls, stopping by its notable monuments and the Cathedral of Saint-Gatien while learning about the local food scene. In the afternoon, visit Chenonceau Castle to see its authentic rooms and floral arrangements throughout. As the day winds down, take a scenic boat ride to see the castle from the water, which offers a completely different perspective than viewing it from the grounds.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Tours
- Visit to Cathedral of Saint-Gatien
- Visit to Chenonceau Castle
- Scenic boat tour
Landmarks Cathedral of Saint-Gatien Chenonceau Castle - Day 6
Fontevraud Abbey, Candes-Saint-Martin, and Chinon
Visit the Abbaye Royal de Fontevraud, Europe's largest monastic complex from the 11th century, where English kings Henry II and Richard the Lionheart are buried alongside Eleanor of Aquitaine. Then head to St. Martin's Church in Candes-Saint-Martin before moving on to historic Chinon, where Joan of Arc once met Charles VII. Finish the day with a relaxed dinner at a local wine bar where you can try regional wines.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Leisurely meal at local wine bar with fine wine tasting)
Included Activities
- Detailed visit to Abbaye Royal de Fontevraud
- Visit to St. Martin's Church in Candes-Saint-Martin
- City tour of Chinon
- Wine tasting at local wine bar
Landmarks Abbaye Royal de Fontevraud St. Martin's Church Chinon - Day 7
Loches - Blois - Orléans
The day starts in Loches, a medieval town that's home to one of Europe's oldest donjons. You'll walk through the town with your group and see the historic architecture that makes it special. After that, you'll take a scenic drive to Blois Castle, where French royalty lived for centuries. The castle itself is worth the time since it shows off different architectural styles from across several periods. Back in Orléans this evening, you'll celebrate the end of your tour with a final dinner together at a traditional French restaurant.
- Meals
- Dinner (Dinner at a typical French restaurant in Orléans)
Included Activities
- Guided exploration of Loches medieval town
- Panoramic drive to Blois Castle
- Visit to Blois Castle
Landmarks Loches Donjon of Loches Blois Castle - Day 8
Departure
Your Loire Valley tour ends today. Your guide will drive you to the train station in Paris, where you'll depart on your own to continue to Germany.
- Meals
- Breakfast
