11 unexpected experiences

A new way to visit castles

Fly above the Loire castles in a hot air balloon

Take off above the Loire valley, its castles, vineyards and forests. You will discover the “Jardin de la France” (France’s garden) as you’ve never seen it before!

More informations

Admire the sunset beneath the arches of the Château de Chenonceau from a canoe

Be charmed by the magic of a sunrise or sunset beneath the arches of the “Château des dames” as you glide down the Cher river in a kayak or canoe.

Booking

Get caught up in the game

Quiz Room: challenge yourselves as a team!

A new concept in Tours, Quiz Room welcomes families, friends and colleagues to take on challenges and have fun. On a circular stage, with a buzzer reminiscent of the greatest cult TV shows, you compete in teams by answering questions as quickly as possible.

Infos pratiques

• From €20 / pers., 4 persons minimum
• 14, rue Néricault Destouches, Tours
• Info and booking on quiz-room.com

Monument game at the Royal Fortress of Chinon

It is said that the spirits of the Templars imprisoned in 1308 still haunt the Royal Fortress of Chinon... Your mission? Free their souls by deciphering the messages they have scattered around the secret areas of the fortress.

This escape game is a fun, cooperative way to discover the castle.

3 to 20 players, aged 9 and over (accompanied by adults)

21 € / pers. and 17 € / reduced rate

Available in French and English until the end of May.

Reservations required, by phone only:
02 47 93 13 45

More info on forteressechinon.fr

Do It Yourself

An introduction to traditional clock-making

Marion, an expert clock-maker, welcomes you to her workshop at Vouvray for an extraordinary introduction to traditional clock-making know-how and repair, in a 4-hour session.

Practical info

• From 15 years old - €300 / pers.
• More informations

Creative workshops in the heart of town

L'Eclipse Créative is the story of four Touraine artisans with poetic and singular universes who dream of sharing their creations and know-how. In their workshop-boutique, you can try your hand at ceramics, sewing and embroidery, or make unique jewelry for a few hours, or shop for one-off pieces.

Practical infos

• From €30 / pers.
• Workshops on reservation. Program on Instagram leclipse.creative
• Store open Wednesday to Saturday, 10am to 1pm and 2pm to 7pm.
• 69 rue Néricault Destouches, Tours

Print your own vintage poster

Every Saturday, come and discover risography printing at Ateliers de la Morinerie in Saint-Pierre-des-Corps. This environmentally-friendly printing technique (without polluting ink cartridges) originated in Japan and works in the same way as screen printing: each pass prints one color. After several passes, you'll obtain a unique result thanks to the superposition of the different colors, and you'll leave with your printed posters !

Practical infos

• 60 € /pers. - 3h00
• Info and booking sarahdeissveiniere.fr

Cooking like a professional

Cook a gastronomic menu

Meet with a chef who will explain their background and share with you their secrets, from choosing food to arranging the plate. Try your hand at gastronomic cuisine, using noble products and advanced techniques. Each workshop is led by a different chef and you may taste your dishes or take them with you to share with your loved ones!

Infos pratiques

• 75 € / person
• Booking

Making your own chocolates

Gaëlle, David and their three children, passionate craftsmen, invite you to discover the secrets of making chocolate from organic and fair-trade beans for a finished product of excellence. At any age, let your imagination run wild, guided by the advice of a pro, and leave with your own creation.

Practical infos

• 45 € / pers.
• Boulevard Alfred Nobel, Saint-Cyr-sur-Loire
• Info and booking on neogourmets.com

Discover Tours differently

With a local

Arnaud, Marie, Christophe, Danielle and many others are "Greeters". These local people, who love their city, will take you on a tour of their favorite places and share their "good tips" and favorite addresses in Tours and Touraine. The approach is entirely volunteer-based, and these 2-hour walks are free of charge.

Practical infos

• Info and booking on loirevalleygreeters.com

By tuk-tuk

Climb aboard a tuk-tuk for an unusual 45-minute tour of Tours! Whether during the day or after dark, discover the highlights of Tours with this guided tour.

Practical infos

• Wednesdays, Fridays and weekends from April to end of October
• From €30 - 3 pers. maximum