Loire Valley Castles Full-Day Guided Tour- from Paris

Loire Valley- the name itself conjures up images of romantic castles with moats, towers, drawbridges and gardens. The entire Loire Valley has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a tour of the valley is like taking a trip back in time to discover the rich history of France and explore its architecture.

Each castle of the Loire Valley has its own unique style and appeal, as is evident on a tour of the Chambord and Chenonceau castles. The Chambord castle has a fascinating double helix staircase  while the gardens and forests of Chenonceau are also a beautiful sight to behold.

Explore the numerous castles that pandered to every whim and fancy of the French nobility and marvel at the architecture and fascinating history of France in the Loire Valley.

What's the plan:

You will be picked up in an air conditioned coach to the Loire Valley, a picturesque region dotted with Renaissance chateaux and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Your guide will tell you about the history of these castles en-route, and you will be free to explore the chateaux at your leisure.

The first castle you will visit is Chenonceau Castle, which is known as the Château des Dames or Ladies Castle. Chenonceau is a fairy tale castle with moats, turrets, a drawbridge and towers. Lying on the banks of the river Cher, it has extensive gardens planted by Diane de Poitiers and Catherine de Médicis. Later Madame Dupin’s goodwill with the peasantry saved it from the revolutionaries.

You'll have free time for lunch and then make your way to the Chambord Castle. One of the largest of the Loire Valley castles, it was built by François I, as a base for hunting game in the Sologne forests. See the double-helix staircase of this Renaissance chateau, attributed to Leonardo Da Vinci.

Return to Paris by coach, arriving at the original departure.