The tours departs from the front of the Tourist office 200 yards across the railroad station for your Sightseeing tour of Chenonceau, Amboise and Clos Luce. If your hotel is not a pick-up location, please make your own way to the Office du Tourisme de Tours. You will be accompanied with a knowledgeable bilingual guide (English and French).
Start your day with a visit to “Chateau of the Ladies” in Chenoceau, so named for the succession of royal women who owned and embellished the place over the course of history.
The Chateau boasts a 60-meter long ballroom, a Francois I bedroom, a Louis XIV sitting room, and an elegant arched bridge that spans the Cher River.
Head to Amboise, where a 15th century castle surging from a rock headland holds dominion over this small market town. An imposing fortress encircles this Gothic castle, which is wondrous inside and out. Its interior is decorated with Flemish tapestries, Damask curtains and Turkish carpets while the ornamental flourishes on its stone exterior are fine as lace.
Set out for the scenic Chateau of Clos-Luce down the hill from the castle, where Leonardo da Vinci was invited by the King of France to live out his last years. Offering beautiful views of the Loire River the chateau is connected by an underground passage to the Royal Castle, which gave the King direct access to Da Vinci’s towering genius.
Conclude the tour by sampling a selection of wines for half an hour from the celebrated vines of the Loire Valley.
There is no hotel drop-off. Your minivan will return you to the Office de Tourisme de Tours at 78-82 rue Bernard Palissy at tour’s end.