Flavors of the Loire Valley - French Side Travel

Flavors of the Loire Valley

5 Days | Wine & Food

Loire Valley Delights: Châteaux, Wine, and Cooking

Premium | From $3,999 pp

Experience the true flavor of the Loire Valley through various activities throughout this fantastic five day journey. Explore the beautiful Châteaux de Chambord, enjoy a wondeful and relaxing river cruise on a french barge and intice your taste buds with the three wine apellations tasting. Lastly, finish off your cultural and gastronomic trip with a cooking class in Tours!

1
2
3
4
5

Day 1: Saint Pierre des Corps

Private transfer to your hotel

A driver will pick you up and drive you safely to your destination, in a premium vehicle.

Arrival at your accommodation

After the check-in, you will have the rest of the day to visit the surroundings.

Day 2: Muides Sur Loire - Chambord

Full-day Private tour of Blois and Chambord

Your driver-guide will pick you up at your hotel.

Blois will give you an amazing panorama of the Loire Valley architecture from the 13th to 17th centuries. This castle welcomed 10 queens and seven kings of France and the visit will fill you in on the secrets of the court and the wars of religion.

Then you will visit Chambord, which is the largest and the most impressive castle in the area, famous for its outstanding architecture and double-helix staircase. Located in the Sologne area in the largest enclosed game park in Europe, it is a celebration of the personality of King Francis I in the 16th century.

At the end of the day, you’ll enjoy a wine tasting at a local producer.

Day 3: Amboise - Tours

A driver will be at your disposal for the day

Suggestion: Visit Amboise, the Royal City

An old, long stone bridge overlooking the romantic Loire River leads into the idyllic royal city of Amboise.

Elegant Amboise, the childhood home of Charles VIII and final resting place of the incomparable Leonardo da Vinci, is gorgeously situated on the southern bank of the Loire, guarded by a soaring château.

Go for a stroll through Amboise or along the lovely riverbank after seeing the château. The town has well-preserved Renaissance architecture and half-timbered townhouses dating back to the 15th century. Amboise is also the location of Leonardo da Vinci’s last home, the Château du Clos Lucé.

You may want to take a relaxing break on one of the many café terraces and soak up the beauty or dine in a gastronomic restaurant.

The Farmers Markets offer a large choice of produce and local specialties.

Amboise is a convivial base for exploring the Loire countryside and nearby châteaux.

Loire River Cruise on a Traditional French Barge

Departing from Chaumont-sur-Loire, this is an ideal way to cruise the Loire Valley. A maximum of 12 passengers ensures an intimate experience in a warm and welcoming atmosphere.

The traditional “toue” boat has changed little for centuries. A large rowing boat (33 feet or 10 meters long) with a flat base, it is fitted with a mast and a square sail and is the ideal method for navigating the Loire’s sandbanks.

Please note that the itinerary may change depending on the passenger’s interests, season, and environmental preservation. Each tour is an invitation to new experiences and unexpected encounters. It is the Loire that gets to decide!

Day 4: Tours

Private pastry workshop with family

Join a hands-on baking session where families create classic French cupcakes like financiers, cat tongues, and almond tuiles. Guided by a pastry chef, children and parents bake together and enjoy a tasting in a cozy tea room, with the option to take home their sweet creations.

Suggestion: Explore Tours

At the heart of the Loire Valley with all the most famous châteaux close by, the city of Tours delights visitors with its medieval center and cultural heritage, great shopping areas, and ‘guinguette’ riverside cafés.

It has a quiet, relaxed atmosphere despite its 40,000 resident students and is a recognized Ville d’Art et d’Histoire (Town of Art and History).

Take a stroll along Rues Colbert, Briçonnet, and du Grand Marché where you’ll find sites bursting with history including Hôtel Goüin and the Musée des Beaux-Arts. Other must-see attractions include the magnificent St-Gatien cathedral and the basilica housing Saint Martin’s tomb, superb city parks and gardens such as the Jardin Botanique, and the covered markets and flea market. Place Plumereau is one of Tours’ trademarks. This small square surrounded by magnificent half-timbered houses is the liveliest place in town, attracting tourists and students in equal numbers. Le Musée du Compagnonnage is the only museum of its kind in the world, where you can learn about the customs of the traveling guild tradesmen, whose creation of everything from iron works to saddles to pastry were a major tradition in Touraine.

Tours france

Day 5: Tours

Private transfer

A driver will pick you up and drive you safely to your destination, in a standard vehicle.

End of Our Service

Your journey with us has come to an end. We hope to see you soon!

Map

About this Trip

    • Enjoy 24/7 English-spoken telephone assistance while traveling
    • This itinerary includes transport, activities, guides, accommodations with breakfasts, and other listed services
    • Price is in USD per person, assuming double occupancy. Note that prices and availability are subject to change.

Customize this itinerary:

Every French Side Travel trip is custom-built for your unique needs and interests. Above is an example of what’s possible. If this isn’t exactly what you’re looking for, contact us today. Put together your dream trip with our travel experts. Handpick the accommodations, guides, activities, and meals that are right for you.

When you book with French Side Travel, you’re getting a trip that’s as unique as you are. 

Speak to a Local Travel Designer

Château des Grotteaux
Chateau de Pray
Fontevraud l'Hotel
Hotel Pavillon des Lys

Our Product Lines

Excellence

VIP Unique Experiences | Concierge Services | Private Tours (driver + licensed guide) | Chauffeur Services (luxury vehicles) | Top Licensed Guides | VIP Meet & Greet | Jet, Helicopter & Yachting | Fine Dining | Luxury 5* Accommodation (palace hotels, exclusive villa rentals) | 24/7 On-Site Assistance.

Luxury

Unique Experiences | Private Transportation (luxury vehicles) | Private Tours | Top Licensed Guides | Meet & Greet | Fine Dining | Luxury 5* Accommodation (hotels, villa rentals) | 24/7 On-Site Assistance.

Premium

Unique Experiences | Private Transportation | Private Tours | Self-drive | Top Licensed Guides | Authentic & Boutique 4* Accommodation (hotels, apartment rentals) | 24/7 On-Site Assistance.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Meet the Team