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Loire Valley

  • Loire Valley, France

Last updated: 22 September, 2024
Expert travel writer: Anna Brooke

Most people come to the lush valleys and hills of the Loire to visit the fairytale chateaux – more than a thousand of them, earning a 280km swathe of the Loire Valley a UNESCO World Heritage Site listing.

What’s less well known is that this family-friendly region, often dubbed the ‘garden of France’ for its vast agricultural output, has rich, fertile soils that produce superb local food and wine, and support some of the world’s finest decorative gardens. It’s a region of idyllic landscapes – peppered with a fascinating troglodyte (cave) cultural history – and authentic French villages.

The famous ‘La Loire à Vélo’ route allows you to see and experience at leisure by bike.

Orientation

Located west of Paris and spanning two administrative regions (the Centre and Pays de la Loire), the hub of the Loire Valley is centred along the Loire River roughly between Chambord to the east and Angers to the west, but also its tributaries the Loir, Cher, Indre and Vienne.

In-between are beautiful historic towns such as Tours, Amboise, Blois, Saumur and Chinon, and legendary chateaux hidden amidst a landscape of river floodplains, vineyards and forest.

Tours, tickets & transfers

7

Our selection of the best Viator tours of this destination, plus helpful tickets and transfers

  • Paris

Step out of Paris and into a fairytale, travelling in air-conditioned comfort to the beautiful Loire Valley. Live like French royalty for a day with a local wine tasting, and the freedom to explore three astounding châteaux. Your expert, English-speaking tour leader will entertain you between stops with insights and stories about the countryside and the nobility who once reigned over the region.

Price €109

Min age 0

Rating 4.53 / 5 [2436 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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  • Paris

Majestic castles, famous wines and Renaissance masterpieces make up this unforgettable trip to the charming Loire Valley. Enjoy skip-the-line entry to Chambord then Chenonceau to be wowed by the extravagant glamor of the French aristocracy and discover their fascinating history. You’ll enjoy the machines and different invenctions made by Leonardo da Vinci in Cheverny Castle and its faboulus gardens.

Price €166

Min age 0

Rating 4.15 / 5 [879 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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  • Paris

Stroll through the châteaux of Chenonceau, Chambord, and Amboise on this full-day tour from Paris to the UNESCO-listed Loire Valley. Admire Chenonceau’s amazing floral gardens, and marvel at the sheer grandeur of Chambord, the largest chateau in the valley. At Amboise, see the quarters of King Francois I and the tomb of Leonardo Da Vinci. Learn from an informative guide about each site, and fit in souvenir shopping along the way.

Price €235

Min age 7

Rating 4.73 / 5 [448 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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  • Paris

Live-guided Small-group trip for 4 to 7 people to 3 top Loire Valley Castles: Chenonceau, Amboise and Chambord. Tickets included. Mercedes Minivan with adjustable seats, Hotel Pick up offered. Duration of 13 hours, longer as usual. We bring You to the local Wine producer for Wine tasting where You can get explanations how it is being made for centuries and taste local wines. Minivan drives faster than a normal bus. You save up a lot of time, More Loire Valley Castle Experiences in Small-groups and Private by Clewel Travel.

Price €255

Min age 6

Rating 4.15 / 5 [108 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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  • Paris

Spend a relaxing day away from the hustle and bustle of Paris and discover three Marvellous Castles — Amboise, Chenonceau and Chambord — in the UNESCO-listed Loire Valley. After enjoying the picturesque drive to central France by air-conditioned minivan, you’ll independently explore the châteaux. Find out which castle the royals favored, where Leonardo da Vinci’s remains are buried, and which castle is so stunning that it boasts its own UNESCO status. Round-trip transportation and an enjoyable wine tasting session are included in this small group day trip.

Price €329

Min age 0

Rating 4.60 / 5 [88 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Travel advice

When to go

The ideal time to travel is May, June or September, when everything is open, the days are long, and the principal sites are less crowded than in the peak season of July and August. In the winter low season between November and February, many hotels and restaurants close, but you get the charming chateaux almost to yourself, and warming log fires are lit in those of Chambord and Amboise.

Getting there and away

Most international flights arrive at Paris Charles de Gaulle (260km from Tours). Some budget airlines fly to Tours airport in the heart of the region or Nantes (about 100km from Angers).

It’s also easy from Paris by train, with frequent high-speed TGVs to Tours (1 hour 15 minutes) and Angers (1 hour 35 minutes); slower regional trains stop at smaller stations. By car from Paris it’s 237km (2 hours), or 260km from Caen port.

Getting around

Although the main centres can be reached by train, you need a car to make the most of the area, with all the main car hire companies at Tours station.

Cycling is the other best option, with more than 800km of well-marked, car-free trails running the length of the Loire River and its tributaries, supported by bike-friendly hotels and facilities. Bike-carrying TER regional trains run near the central section of the Loire à Vélo bike route.

Where to stay

A good road network means it’s easy to explore the whole region from one reasonably central base. Tours is the geographical centre, but it’s not a great place to stay (poor hotels, traffic jams). Small historic towns and villages, like Amboise, Saumur, Chinon or Azay-le-Rideau, offer a feeling of the local lifestyle and provide a good base for touring the region.

Another good option are the historic chateaux sprinkled across the countryside, many of them converted into hotels. A stay provides a unique glimpse of the grand country house lifestyle, complete with sumptuous rooms and grounds.

Where to eat or drink