Loire Castles Discovery

Paris – Chambord – Amboise. We collect you from your hotel in Paris at 07:30 and set off for the Loire Valley, covering 180 km on the motorway – about 2.5 hours – in a comfortable, air conditioned Mercedes minivan. Along the way, our guide shares background on French history and the region’s châteaux.

From 10:00–11:45 we visit the Château de Chambord. Our guide explains its history and construction: begun in 1519 under Francis I and completed in 1547, it is the largest château in the valley, with 440 rooms, 282 fireplaces and 84 staircases. Its open double spiral staircase – two spirals rising three floors without meeting – is often linked to Leonardo da Vinci.

At 12:45 we stop at a long established, family run winery for a tasting of at least seven wines, with an introduction to traditional winemaking. We depart for Amboise at 13:30. You have free time for lunch in Amboise, where there are many restaurants and cafés.

From 15:00–16:30 we use fast track entry for a guided visit to the Château d’Amboise with a Histopad, which sets out the history of the castle and each room. A royal residence from the 15th century under King Charles VIII, it marks the transition from Gothic to Renaissance architecture, and its chapel holds Leonardo da Vinci’s grave.

From 16:30–18:00 we visit the Château du Clos Lucé and the Parc Leonardo da Vinci, where Leonardo spent the last three years of his life. Clos Lucé was included in Time magazine’s 2021 list of 100 extraordinary destinations to explore. Afterwards, you have free time in Amboise. At 18:30 we transfer to our hotel in Amboise.

Amboise – Chenonceau – Chaumont-sur-Loire – Blois – Paris. We depart our hotel in Amboise at 08:30 for the Château de Chenonceau – the drive takes up to 30 minutes. From 09:00–11:00 we explore Chenonceau, often called the ladies’ castle for its links to influential figures such as Catherine de Medici, and admire its graceful arches spanning the River Cher. There is time to enjoy the interiors and gardens and take photos.

At 11:00 we continue to Chaumont – around 40 km – arriving late morning. From 11:30–13:00 we tour the Château de Chaumont-sur-Loire, founded in the 10th century and rebuilt in the 15th by Charles I d’Amboise. Protected as a monument historique since 1840 and now owned by the state, it was accepted by Diane de Poitiers in 1559 when Catherine de Medici exchanged it for Chenonceau; Diane spent her final three years here.

At 13:00 we leave for Blois. You have free time for lunch until 14:45, after which we visit the Château de Blois. At 17:00 we depart for Paris – the drive takes about 2.5 hours – arriving around 20:00 for drop-off at our hotel.