Day excursions

We will start our day by visiting the French Gardens of the Chateau of Villandry, that makes it one of the most beautiful gardens in France. It is divided in 3 patios: the 1st one is a mix of vegetables, fruit trees and vines, the 2nd one is made of sculpted bushes, and the last one is a water garden. Then, we will visit the Chateau of Azay-le-Rideau, its elegant facades are like a jewel trapped between sky and river. You will discover its 500 years old framework, as well as furniture and tapestries from different periods, in the living rooms. After the lunch break, we will continue our memorable day by visiting the Chateau of Chenonceau, also known as the « Ladies’ Chateau » which was embellished by famous women, such as Diane de Poitiers and Catherine de Medici. This elegant structure built on the river will mesmerize you with its unique Renaissance architecture, furniture and gardens that will make you daydream. We will finish our excursion by visiting the Royal Chateau of Amboise, which was Francis the 1st’s main residence. With its Gothic and Renaissance styles, the chateau will make you fall in love its panoramic view on the valley. And you must not forget about the St. Hubert’s chapel, where Leonardo da Vinci rests in peace.

Full day tour excursion in Clos Lucé (1h00), Royal Castle of Amboise (2h30), Wine cellar (45mn) and Chenonceau (2h00) with Touraine Evasion. Lunch on your own in Amboise. Departure and return at tourist office of Tours from 9:30 am to 05:30 pm. Excursion in english. Audioguides free of charge only available in the minibuses.

Departing from the Tourist Office in Tours, set off in an 8-seater minibus for an excursion including 3 visits. THE CASTLE OF BLOIS. One of the most prestigious testimonies of Renaissance art in France, a perfect illustration of the evolution of French architecture from the Middle Ages to the 17th century. After discovering the courtyard and its famous spiral staircase, built at the time of François 1er, you can discover the residence of Catherine de Médicis and Henri III, which was the scene of the assassination of the Duke de Guise and the Gaston d'Orléans wing designed by François Mansart. Lunch in a restaurant in Blois. THE CASTLE OF CHAMBORD. More than 5 centuries after its construction, it still defies the imagination: 156 meters of facade, 56 meters high, 440 rooms... It is the dream come true of a young 25-year-old king: François I, who wanted to build the most sumptuous hunting rendezvous that history has bequeathed to us. CHÂTEAU DE CHEVERNY, which served as a model for Hergé to design Moulinsart, will surprise you with the richness and density of its furniture and the authentic and refined charm of its decoration. The Domaine de Cheverny belongs to the Hurault family, great figures and advisers to Kings Louis XII, François I, Henri III and Henri IV. This excursion is available from February to November. Depending on the programming of the minibuses, the program is likely to be modified. For people travelling alone, please contact us for confirmation of the excursion depending on the filling of the minibus.

Enjoy a complete discovery of Loire Valley with the visit of must-see Chateau of Azay-le-Rideau and Château de Villandry and its remarkable gardens. Benefit from your guide's thrilling historical anecdotes and feel part of these old days. In the afternoon, learn everything about Loire Valley wines by visiting two wine estates of the Vouvray Appellation, well-known for its sparkling and white wines. A fun adventure you will always remember! Program:  9:30 am: Departure from Tours, meet your friendly guide in front of the Tourist office in Tours and get on our minivan!   Everybody's here? Off to the Loire Valley! On the road, admire the unique Loire Valley landscapes: the Cher River, the Indre river and the lovely towns situated all along. Your guide will explain you everything about the region and its history…    We will start our visit in the château of Azay-le-Rideau, a beauty of the renaissance architecture with its straight staircase (one of the first in the region in the 16th century!) and the reflection of its south facade on the Indre River. After a stroll in the park, let's head to the next château.   Welcome to the Château de Villandry, a Renaissance jewel ranking high in French heritage. This visit make your day a fun adventure that you will always remember! One of the highlights of your day will be the exploration of Villandry gorgeous formal gardens, a beautiful and delicately-manicured landscape masterpiece. Our local expert will share all his knowledge of this garden à la française, and will show you hidden corners from where you will get the best views of this remarquable site. The ornamental kitchen garden, the love garden, the Maze, the classical water garden... Don't miss any detail!   If you want to nibble on something, your tour guide will help you with recommendations of great French Boulangeries around :)   At 2:00 pm, you're off to Vouvray, a beautiful wine area full of passion-driven winegrowers!   Meet a genuine French winemaker in a charming family-run estate! Visit the traditional vat room (bring your coat, it is freezing in the vat room ;). During this visit, you will improve your knowledge regarding wine-making and of course wine-tasting! The terroir of this wine area and its main grape variety of Chenin blanc allows the production of elegant white wines, dry, sweet or sparkling!   All along the afternoon, your will get to know and understand better the diversity of Loire wines. « Intense color, fruity aromas, palate full of minerals… » Oops!! What is this all about?! Your guide will help you to learn the different steps of wine-tasting and train your nose to identify many wine aromas. Benefit from our tips and tricks and taste like a pro! 6:30 pm: Back to the Tourist Office in Tours.