7 Days • 6 Nights
Paris & the Loire Valley Chateaux
Tour Includes
About the Trip
After the icons of Paris, you'll travel south to a valley strung with Renaissance castles — the vast chimneys of Chambord, the arches of Chenonceau spanning the river, and royal Amboise where Leonardo da Vinci spent his final years. Between the chateaux lie vineyards, troglodyte villages and long lunches beneath the plane trees.
With a mix of city and country hotels and guided touring throughout, it is France at its most elegant and unhurried.
Trip Highlights
- A guided tour of Paris with the Eiffel Tower and a Seine cruise
- The vast Renaissance Chateau de Chambord and its double-helix staircase
- Chenonceau, the 'Ladies' Chateau' arching over the Cher river
- Royal Amboise and Leonardo da Vinci's Clos Luce
- A Loire Valley wine tasting
- Six nights across Paris and the Loire
- Daily breakfast, a welcome dinner and a Loire wine lunch
- Private airport transfers and a comfortable touring vehicle
Day by Day
A detailed day-by-day plan for this 7-day journey.
Arrive in Paris and settle in, with a welcome dinner in a classic bistro to begin your French journey.
A guided tour of the Champs-Elysees, the Eiffel Tower and the great boulevards, then a Seine cruise past Notre-Dame and the floodlit monuments.
Skip-the-line into the Louvre for its masterpieces, then a free afternoon to explore Montmartre, the Marais or the Latin Quarter at your own pace.
Travel south to the Loire Valley, stopping at the magnificent Chateau de Chambord, its rooftop a forest of chimneys and its famous double-helix staircase attributed to Leonardo.
Visit graceful Chenonceau, arching across the River Cher and shaped by the women who ran it, followed by a Loire Valley wine tasting and lunch among the vines.
Explore the royal Chateau d'Amboise above the river and the nearby Clos Luce, where Leonardo da Vinci lived his final years, with time in the pretty riverside town.
A final breakfast before travelling back toward Paris for your onward flight, or an extension elsewhere in France.
Where You Will Travel
What's inside the package?
Inclusions
- Private arrival and departure transfers
- 3 nights in central Paris and 3 nights in the Loire Valley
- Daily breakfast, a welcome dinner and a Loire wine-country lunch
- A guided Paris city tour with Eiffel Tower access and a Seine cruise
- Skip-the-line Louvre entry
- Guided visits to Chambord, Chenonceau and Amboise with entry
- A Loire Valley wine tasting
- Local guides and a comfortable touring vehicle in the Loire
Exclusions
- International airfare to and from France
- Schengen visa or ETIAS fees
- Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
- Meals not mentioned in the itinerary or inclusions
- Drinks unless specifically stated
- City tourist tax (taxe de sejour), payable at your hotels
- Optional excursions, experiences and upgrades
- Personal expenses, tips and gratuities
- Anything not specifically mentioned under Package Inclusions
Know when to go.
- Visa: Non-EU visitors generally need a Schengen visa, and many visa-exempt nationalities will need the EU's ETIAS travel authorisation. Your passport should be valid at least three months beyond your stay — we can point you in the right direction
- Language: French is the language, and a warm bonjour and merci go a long way. English is widely understood in hotels and tourist areas
- Currency: The currency is the euro. Cards are accepted almost everywhere; carry a little cash for markets, small cafes and tips
- Tipping: Service is included by law, so tipping is not expected. Rounding up or leaving small change for good service is a kind gesture
- Best seasons: France is wonderful year-round. Spring and early autumn are ideal for touring, summer is warm and lively, and Provence and the Riviera shine from May to September
- Etiquette: Dress a little smartly for dinner, and cover shoulders and knees inside churches. A greeting when entering shops is always appreciated
- Getting around: France's TGV high-speed trains connect cities beautifully, and some legs of your tour may travel by comfortable, scenic rail
- Meal times: Lunch runs roughly noon to 2pm and dinner from about 7:30pm. Many kitchens close between services, so we time meals to suit
- Museum closures: Many museums close one day a week — the Louvre on Tuesdays, Versailles on Mondays — and your itinerary is arranged around this
- Safety: France is safe, but as in any big city keep an eye on your belongings on the Paris metro and at busy attractions
Frequently Asked Questions
What meals are included?
Daily breakfast is included throughout, along with a welcome dinner and the specific lunches and dinners named in the itinerary, such as a wine-country lunch or a Riviera dinner. Other meals are left free so you can enjoy France's superb restaurants and cafes.
Are transfers and touring arranged?
Yes — your sightseeing, transfers and day tours are arranged with local guides, so there are no logistics to worry about.
Do I need a visa for France?
Most non-EU visitors need a Schengen visa or the ETIAS authorisation. We can guide you to the right one for your nationality.
When is the best time to visit?
Spring (April-June) and early autumn (September-October) are ideal for touring, with mild weather and fewer crowds. Provence and the Riviera are at their best from May to September.
Can the itinerary be customised?
Absolutely. Durations, hotels and experiences can all be tailored, and we can extend your stay or combine regions. Just tell us what you have in mind.
How do we travel between cities?
Depending on the route, you travel by comfortable private vehicle or by France's excellent TGV high-speed trains, all arranged for you.
How far is the Loire from Paris?
The Loire Valley is around two to three hours south of Paris by road or a swift TGV ride, making it an easy and rewarding pairing.
How many chateaux will we see?
Three of the very finest — Chambord, Chenonceau and Amboise — visited properly rather than a rushed procession, with time to enjoy each.
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