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Last updated: 02 March, 2023
Expert travel writer: Anna Brooke

Where to go and what to see in the Loire Valley to get the most from your trip – a 5-day itinerary from destination expert and travel writer Anna Brooke.

Editor note – Anna has not included specific recommendations of where to stay each day unless it’s necessary. Instead, see the ‘Where to stay’ section in our Loire Valley destination guide.

Begin at Chateau Chambord, the grande dame of all Loire castles with over 400 rooms. Pack a picnic or grab lunch in its cafe, then spend the afternoon meandering its sprawling grounds.

Later, go on a sunset boat cruise along the Loire, from the nearby village of Saint-Dye-sur-Loire.

Then head to Blois for a romantic Michelin-starred meal at Fleur de Loire (reserve ahead), where you could also spend the night.

Chateau Chambord

Chambord, Centre-Val de Loire, France

The Loire’s grandest chateau, an astonishing 440-room, 16th-century Renaissance colossus filled with a vast collection of furniture, tapestries, antiques, objets d’arts, and a double helix staircase thought to have been designed by Leonardo da Vinci.

Best for ages: 18+ | £10

landscape of small buildings in Saumur alongside the river bank
Experience

Boat tours from St-Dye-sur-Loire

Tours, Centre-Val de Loire, France

Take the lovely wooden sailing boat La Saponiere from St-Dye-sur-Loire (near Chambord, April to October). Options include an evening tour to discover the sounds of the Loire, and bring-your-own picnic trips.

Best for ages: Any | £9 | 1-3 hours

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First thing, it’s off to explore the gorgeous waterfront market at Amboise, before visiting the hilltop Chateau Royal Amboise, where Leonardo Da Vinci is buried.

A gourmet lunch awaits at Le Lion d’Or, below the castle, then visit Da Vinci’s former home, Clos Luce, just a few minutes’ walk away at the Leonardo Da Vinci Park.

Early evening, cross Marechal Leclerc bridge to Le Shaker for al fresco cocktails and cheese platters with sweeping views of the castle.

View down a street with market stalls in Amboise
Experience

Amboise Food Market

Tours, Centre-Val de Loire, France

Set along the edge of the Loire River, in the shadow of the Chateau d’Amboise, this famous outdoor Sunday food market hawks local goats cheese, meats, fish and wine, plus fresh fruit and vegetables from farms around the region.

Best for ages: 13+ | Free

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Chateau Royal Amboise

Amboise, Centre-Val de Loire, France

Imposing vaulted, history-rich chateau built in the 15th century that became the favoured residence of French kings and queens. The tiny vaulted Gothic chapel contains the tomb of Leonardo da Vinci.

Best for ages: 18+ | £12

Rise early for a hot-air balloon flight over Chateau Chenonceau or on a self-guided bike ride along the signposted ‘Loire à Velo’ cycle route. Outfitters Chenonceaux Bike Rental and Loire Valley Cycling can deliver hire bikes to your accommodation.

In the afternoon, visit the fairytale Chateau Azay-le-Rideau, then stay in town for dinner at acclaimed Auberge Pom Poire, surrounded by orchards.

Aerial view from above showing the beautiful turreted chateau surrounded by lake and river
Experience

Chateau Azay-le-Rideau

Azay-le-Rideau, Centre-Val de Loire, France

A perfect fairy-tale castle, built in 1527, with historic portraits, tapestries and carved four-posters that beautifully capture the Renaissance lifestyle. One of the Loire’s most beautiful and romantic chateaux.

Best for ages: 18+ | £8

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Start your wine-themed day in Saumur, exploring the town, its castle and troglodyte wine cellars, including Bouvet Ladubay, whose vast vault can be visited by bike.

For lunch, try the coq (chicken) cooked in Saumur Champigny wine at Auberge Reine de Sicile, then in the afternoon head to Chateau Breze, with its vines and medieval underground fortress.

After sampling the wine, head to medieval Fontevraud Abbey, the resting place of Richard the Lionheart and the setting for award-winning cuisine at Fontevraud Le Restaurant.

A day in Saumur

Saumur, Pays de la Loire, France

A postcard-perfect, medieval town famed for its troglodyte wine cellars (filled with excellent wines) and majestic hilltop chateau.

Best for ages: 18+ | Free

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Close up of a rack of wine bottles in a cellar
Experience

Bouvet-Ladubay cellars

Saumur, Pays de la Loire, France

These sculpted troglodyte caves offer an interesting blend of wine tasting, culture and history. The cellars here, open daily for tastings, are part of a historic 5-mile-long complex of underground galleries, which include an unusual ‘underground cathedral’.

Best for ages: 18+ | £5 | 2 hours

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Landscape view of Chateau de Breze on a blue summer's day with the vineyard at the front field of the chateau
Experience

Chateau Breze

Saumur, Pays de la Loire, France

Beneath this attractive Renaissance and neo-Gothic chateau is a remarkable 9th-century fortress, a troglodyte labyrinth complete with drawbridge, stables, and guardrooms. The chateau is also known for excellent wines, which you can taste in Les Caves de la Comtesse de Colbert in the chateau grounds.

Best for ages: 18+ | £10

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Outside low angle view of the front building and entrance on a summer's blue day
Experience

Royal Abbey of Fontevraud

Saumur, Pays de la Loire, France

Travel back to the Middle Ages in this vast monastic complex and splendid Romanesque church. It’s home to the sculpted tombs of Henry II of England, Eleanor of Aquitaine and Richard the Lionheart.

Best for ages: 18+ | Free

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Dedicate today to the Loire’s stunning landscaped gardens, starting at the Gardens of Chateau Villandry, where dainty flower-filled parterres give way to ornamental veggie patches.

For lunch, try L’Etape Gourmande in Villandry, known for its locavore menus.

Then in the afternoon, drive to the Garden of Chateau Bourdaisiere, famed for its ‘conservatoire’ of tomatoes.

Any of the bars in medieval Place Plumereau in central Tours are good for an aperitif. Then dine in style on elevated meat, fish and garden produce at restaurant Charles Barrier.