Chateaux and Charms of France
Your 6-day tour kicks off in the romantic city of Paris, taking you on a scenic journey through the breathtaking Loire Valley. Expect to explore the charming towns of Blois and Tours, famous for their castles and delightful riverside ambiances. In Amboise, delve into the life of Leonardo da Vinci before marvelling at the architectural splendour of Ch?teau de Chenonceau and majestic Chambord. As you venture into the Dordogne region, you?ll uncover the prehistoric wonders of Lascaux, enjoy the medieval charm of Sarlat, and the enchanting sight of Beynac's castle. Round off your journey in Bordeaux, exploring its rich culture before heading back to Paris.
For a detailed itinerary and information about visas, money, weather and more.
Tour Overview
Duration
6 daysHotel Rating
3-4 star hotelsStarts
ParisEnds
ParisMinimum Age
No minimum ageMaximum Age
Tours have upper age limits for several reasons, such as but not limited to: tour pace, activity level, and accommodation standards. If you fall outside of this age limit, we do have lots of other tours in France that are suitable for all ages!
Arrival Transfer
NoDeparture Transfer
NoTour Guide
Yes - English speaking guides (guiding may be in additional languages to English)Country
FrancePassengers
R 26 724,00
Tour Style
Group Size
Min 2 / Max 65
Trip Type
Large Coach Tours
Range
This tour is operated by our trusted local partner and has been handpicked by us to deliver you an unforgettable trip.
Guiding Style
This tour includes scheduled sightseeing with expert guides in key destinations as per the Inclusions, as well as transportation (either with a driver or public transport), plus of course your accommodation. There is no single tour guide or tour leader throughout the trip. You’ll have support where it counts, and more freedom in between. Our cruise tours also fall into this category where you will be looked after by a crew. For more information, check the Inclusions of this tour.
Tour Pace
A balanced pace, with a mix of free time and visits to multiple locations, allowing for both relaxation and exploration. Generally doesn't visit more than one or two destinations per day.
Physical Rating
A moderate amount of walking is required during sightseeing, with some free time, offering a balance between activity and relaxation. As a general rule, you should be able to walk 2-kilometres without stopping.
Tour Guide
Yes - English speaking guides (guiding may be in additional languages to English)Group Size
Min 2 / Max 65Range
This tour is operated by our trusted local partner and has been handpicked by us to deliver you an unforgettable trip.
Guiding Style
This tour includes scheduled sightseeing with expert guides in key destinations as per the Inclusions, as well as transportation (either with a driver or public transport), plus of course your accommodation. There is no single tour guide or tour leader throughout the trip. You’ll have support where it counts, and more freedom in between. Our cruise tours also fall into this category where you will be looked after by a crew. For more information, check the Inclusions of this tour.
Tour Pace
A balanced pace, with a mix of free time and visits to multiple locations, allowing for both relaxation and exploration. Generally doesn't visit more than one or two destinations per day.
Physical Rating
A moderate amount of walking is required during sightseeing, with some free time, offering a balance between activity and relaxation. As a general rule, you should be able to walk 2-kilometres without stopping.
Trip Type
Large Coach ToursPlaces You'll See
Paris
Blois
Tours
Villandry
Amboise
Chenonceaux
Chambord
Limoges
Sarlat
Beynac-et-Cazenac
Rocamadour
Padirac Cave
Collonges-la-Rouge
Saint-Émilion
Bordeaux
Included
Not Included
Itinerary
Day 1 - Paris - Blois - Tours - Villandry - Amboise
Welcome to your tour! Today, we begin our adventure by heading south from Paris towards the captivating Loire Valley. Our first destination is Blois, a charming city renowned for its magnificent castle. Following this, we will continue to Tours, the regional capital beautifully situated along the banks of the Loire River. Here, you'll have the opportunity to take a leisurely stroll and enjoy a delightful lunch at your own pace. In the afternoon, we will visit the illustrious Ch?teau de Villandry, famous for its stunning gardens ? admission to the gardens is included. Our journey proceeds to the enchanting city of Amboise, noted for its intriguing medieval quarter that lines the Loire River. Dinner is included this evening, offering a perfect conclusion to a day of exploration in this enchanting region. Please note: This tour may have travellers joining or departing at various points along the route, meaning group composition can change during the tour. Please also be aware that depending on group composition, guiding may be in additional languages as well as English.
Day 2 - Amboise - Chenonceaux - Chambord - Limoges
Our day begins in Amboise, where you'll enjoy a morning walk through the town, famous for the Ch?teau du Clos Luc?, Leonardo da Vinci's final residence. We then journey further into the beautiful Loire Valley to visit the spectacular Ch?teau de Chenonceau, arching gracefully over the river with its tickets included for exploration. Our adventure continues to Chambord, the largest of the Loire ch?teaux, where you can wander the park at your leisure. Later, as we move towards central France, we arrive in Limoges, a city celebrated for its exquisite porcelain. We recommend exploring its historic centre, especially the magnificent Saint Etienne Cathedral, to round off your day of discovery.
Day 3 - Limoges - Sarlat - Beynac-et-Cazenac - Rocamadour
We'll depart from Limoges and journey to the picturesque Dordogne, a region famed for its historic river and charming villages. Our day begins with a visit to Lascaux, where we'll explore the museum and the impressive replica of the prehistoric caves, celebrated for their magnificent cave paintings. Tickets for the site are included. Afterwards, we head to Sarlat, a town recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with an exceptionally well-preserved Renaissance centre. You'll have time here to wander and enjoy a leisurely lunch. Later, we'll visit Beynac, where admission to the medieval castle, offering stunning views over the river, is included. We'll conclude the day in Rocamadour, an exquisite medieval village known for its sanctuary perched dramatically on a cliff. We recommend taking a walk along the Via Crucis before returning via the lift. Dinner will be included this evening.
Day 4 - Rocamadour - Padirac Cave - Collonges-la-Rouge - Saint-Emilion - Bordeaux
We begin our day with a visit to the remarkable Padirac Chasm, where we'll take a captivating boat ride along the river, 75 metres beneath the ground. Following this subterranean adventure, we head to the enchanting village of Collonges-la-Rouge, renowned for its striking red stone architecture, famously located on the Way of St. James. After enjoying lunch, our journey continues to the historic town of Saint-Émilion, nestled in the heart of the prestigious Bordeaux wine region, where you'll have the opportunity for a relaxing stroll amidst its quaint streets. We'll conclude our day as we arrive in Bordeaux in the evening. Please note that the Padirac Chasm may be closed from November to the end of March due to weather conditions.
Day 5 - Bordeaux - Paris
Bordeaux, with its entire city centre recognised as a World Heritage Site, will captivate you today. We will explore the historic old town, brimming with delightful pedestrian streets and an impressive 11th-century cathedral. At the iconic "Water Mirror", you'll have the opportunity to savour the beautiful reflections. For some leisurely exploration, enjoy free time along the charming Garonne River banks, where inviting restaurants await. You might also choose to visit the Cité du Vin, an extraordinary interactive museum showcasing the rich history and processes of wine. After lunch, our journey continues as we take you to the railway station. Here, you'll board a state-of-the-art high-speed train for a swift and comfortable journey of just over two hours, covering 500 km from Bordeaux to Paris. Upon your arrival in Paris, we will provide a transfer from the station to your hotel.
Day 6 - Paris
Following breakfast, our tour concludes, leaving you with fond memories of your adventure.
Tour Reviews
Extras and add-ons
If you'd like to add extras or add-ons to your booking, you can do this easily during checkout. Just review the available options and select any additional services or upgrades you'd like before completing your purchase.
Pre and Post Tour Accommodation
Extend your tour with us by booking pre and post-accommodation, available at a per-person, per-night rate.
Post-Tour Accommodation - Paris
Triple
Double
Twin
Single
Pre-Tour Accommodation - Paris
Triple
Double
Twin
Single
Hotels
The hotels listed below are examples which we frequently use on this tour. Alternative hotels of a similar standard may be used instead.
Confirmation of the hotels used may not be available until 48 hours before the tour departs.
If you are interested in booking pre or post-tour accommodation, here are some of the hotels we typically use.
Prices & Dates
Departure dates are guaranteed with 2 travellers. 'Double/Twin' prices are per person when there are 2 people on the same booking sharing a room. 'Single' prices are applicable to anyone wanting the privacy of their own room. 'Triple' prices are per person when there are 3 people on the same booking sharing a room. 'Shared' prices are for solo travellers who are happy to share with another solo traveller of the same sex in a twin room - a single room will be provided at no additional cost if there are no suitable travellers to share with.
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