Private Castles of the Loire Valley Day Trip From Paris

Meet your English speaking local guide

Departing from your Paris hotel, enjoy a small group private full day tour to visit the most beautiful Loire Valley Castles. Pick up and drop off is from your accommodation in Paris City center. Meet your tour guide and board your premium air-conditioned vehicle that will take you to the castles in the Loire Valley including Chambord castle.

Our Loire Valley Tours are conducted by expert guides. Please note that the order of the visits can be modified, your driver-guide will organise the tour in the most pertinent way.

Visit of Chateau of Chambord

Drive to the Château de Chambord, a national game reserve as large as the town of Paris. The chateau de Chambord is a unique monument by its architecture and proportions. Leonardo da Vinci probably took part in the conception of the project. With more than 400 rooms, a 156 meter long facade, 282 chimneys and its stunning double helix (spiral) staircase, Chambord is a highlight of the Loire Valley.

The building of Chambord ordered by King Francis 1st is surrounded by a very large park as well as magnificent French formal Gardens that were renovated in 2017. The highlights of your visit at Chambord include the double helix staircase already mentioned, the vaulting of the rooms on the second floor of the keep and more than 60 rooms opened to the public.

Visit of the Royal Chateau of Amboise

Tour the Royal Castle of Amboise, residence of Charles VIII and young François d’Angoulème, future King Francis 1st. This very elegant construction located on a rocky spur controlled one of the bridges that crossed the Loire Valley.

Royal Castle since 1471, the architecture of Amboise Chateau combines fortifications of the medieval era with that of delicate and refined art of the Renaissance. You will discover in this wonderful castle, perfect example of transition from Gothic to Renaissance, the Saint Hubert Chapel which shelters today the grave of Leonardo da Vinci. If time permits ask your guide if you can make a quick stop at nearby Clos Lucé, Leonardo Da Vinci's residence in France.

Wine Tasting & Lunch in Amboise

After your visit of the Castle, you will have some time to wander in the village of Amboise, experience a Loire Valley wine tasting and have lunch.

Visit of Chateau de Chenonceau

Built by Katherine Bohier, furbished by Diane de Poitiers and Catherine de Medici, preserved by Louise of Lorraine and saved by Mme Dupin, the Château de Chenonceau will forever be associated with women and that is certainly why it obtained its nickname as Chateau des Dames!

Upon arrival at the Castle what strikes the visitor strait away is the massive door at the entrance. Dating back to King François 1er, the massive door still bears the name of the builders on each side Thomas & Katherine Bohier. On top of the door, the famous Salamander, emblem of King Francis, welcomes all visitors.

The Green Study

Catherine de Medici governed France from this study after the death of her husband Henri II. On the walls, an amazing collection of paintings include works from Tintoretto, Ribera, Veronese, Poussin and Van Dyck.

The Grand Gallery

Located on top of Diane de Poitiers Bridge construction, this 60 meter long gallery was in fact a ball room. It was officially opened in 1577 for Catherine’s son King Henri III. You will certainly take some time to admire the magnificent Renaissance fireplaces that are situated at either end of the gallery.

The Gardens

Diane’s gardens are composed of two perpendicular and two diagonal paths that border eight large, lawned triangles decorated with delicate scrolls of santolina. The original water feature has been reinstated as it was in the time of Diane de Poitiers.

Cahterine’s gardens looking out over the water and the park, its paths offer magnificent views of the château’s west façade. Its design centres around five lawns, grouped around an elegant circular pond, and dotted with rounded box hedges.

After the visit, return to Paris and end of our services.