Loire Valley: Walks, Wine & Chateaux

Loire Valley: Walks, Wine & Chateaux

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7 Days From

$3600

Loire Valley: Walks, Wine & Chateaux

7 Days Starting in Tours and ending in Beaumont-en-Véron

Visiting: Tours, Vouvray, Château de Chenonceau, Beaumont-en-Véron, Saumur, Villandry

Tour operator:

Exodus Adventure Travels

Tour code:

TLV

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

4 - 16

Physical rating:

Easy & Moderate

Age range:

18-99

Activities:

Wine Tasting

From: $3600

NB: Prices correct on 23-Dec-2024 but subject to change.

Tour Overview

Enjoy a walking escape in the Loire Valley, where lavish royal residences meet some of the best winemakers on the planet. During our adventure, we stay in a fabulous chateau near Tours and an elegant country manor in the village of Beaumont-en-Véron – both offering the perfect base for a full immersion in the Garden of France.We stop at majestic castles, including Amboise (the final resting place of Leonardo da Vinci) and Chenonceau, a Renaissance marvel spanning the Cher river. We also tour picturesque vineyards, meeting expert producers and sampling their fine wines.

Highlights

  • Discover the Loire Valley highlights on foot, including picturesque vineyards and palaces

  • Tour several lavish châteaux, including Leonardo da Vinci’s magnificent Chenonceau

  • Explore celebrated vineyards to meet the producers and sample their drinks at source

  • Meet members of the Loire wine brotherhoods, practically unrivalled in their knowledge of the local wines

  • Stay in a Renaissance-style château and 17th-century country manor house

Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1 : Start At Our Accommodation Near Tours

Location: Tours

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: Dinner

We start at our chateau just outside Tours. This characterful university town is the gateway to the Loire Valley and the perfect starting point for our adventure. Before the welcome dinner, our guide will hold a meeting to discuss the week ahead, give advice on the local area and answer any questions.



Accommodation: Château de la Bourdaisière (or similar)

Day 2 : Walk And Wine Tasting Along The Loire To Vouvray

Location: Vouvray

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

This morning we set off for our hike direct from our chateau heading towards Vouvray. The route meanders through medieval villages, including Montlouis, renowned for its exceptional AOP (Appellation d'Origine Protégée) wine, and through vineyards that line the Loire River. Upon arrival in Vouvray, we visit wine cellars forged from local tufa stone and meet members of the Loire wine brotherhoods – communities of wine enthusiasts, who will generously share the history and cultural importance of wine in the region.



Accommodation: Château de la Bourdaisière (or similar)

Day 3 : Château De Chenonceau And Walk Along The Cher River

Location: Château de Chenonceau

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

We start our day with a 25-minute transfer to the magnificent Château de Chenonceau. Known as the Ladies' Castle since the 16th century, Chenonceau is the most visited private monument in France. This Renaissance masterpiece comprises a long, covered gallery that rests on the arches of a bridge and contains a large collection of tapestries and paintings by European masters from the 16th to 18th centuries, including Tintoretto, Rubens and Clouet.



After exploring the chateau, we take a circular walk along the river Cher, leaving the crowds as we pass through meadows and forests.



Accommodation: Château de la Bourdaisière (or similar)

Day 4 : Château Royal D'amboise And Transfer To Beaumont-En-Véron

Location: Beaumont-en-Véron

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

After a 25 minute transfer we visit the impressive Château Royal d'Amboise this morning, sure to be one of the highlights of our trip. A former palace to the kings of France and the resting place of Leonardo da Vinci, this Unesco-protected castle is testament to European history and represents the French 'art of living' as well as having spectacular views of the Loire Valley. There is then free time to either explore the town of Amboise or have the option to visit Chateau du Clos Lucé, the impressive home of Leonardo da Vinci, for the last three years of his life.



After lunch, we take an afternoon hike through the Amboise Forest and along the Loire River, before transferring one hour, to our second accommodation in Beaumont-en-Véron. On our way, we stop in the village of Bourgueil to see the vineyards and sample the local produce.



Accommodation: Manoir de la Giraudière (or similar)

Day 5 : The Saumur-Champigny Vineyards

Location: Saumur

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Today will be devoted to the discovery of the wonderful Saumur-Champigny vineyards. In the morning, we take a 30-minute transfer to the Unesco town of Saumur, surrounded by the Anjou vineyards. We embark on a guided walk of the town, marvelling at medieval architecture and discovering the royal history of the area.



After, we transfer to the starting point for our hike through the vineyards and countryside near Souzay-Champigny. We visit a wine producer during the hike and sample their AOP Saumur-Champigny wine, before returning to Souzay-Champigny, where we have time to visit ancient troglodyte dwellings and a local mushroom producer.



Accommodation: Manoir de la Giraudière (or similar)

Day 6 : Gardens Of Villandry

Location: Villandry

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

On our final full day in the Loire Valley, we take a 30-minute transfer to Château de Villandry, whose gardens have dazzled visitors since the 1920s. With a history stretching to the 11th century, the gardens have undergone many transformations but acquired their current Renaissance form in the early 1900s, replacing the English garden style employed in the mid-1800s.



We have free time to explore the extensive estate and castle independently, before coming together for our last hike of the week, this time along the banks of the Cher. After lunch we take a short transfer towards the village of Azay le Rideau where we also have time to explore the castle. We return to Beaumont-en-Véron, stopping on our way in the historic city of Chinon.



Accommodation: Manoir de la Giraudière (or similar)

Day 7 : End In Beaumont-En-Véron

Location: Beaumont-en-Véron

Meals Included: Breakfast

After breakfast, we say our goodbyes and begin our return journey home. If you’d like to explore more of the Loire Valley, speak to your sales representative about extending your stay in Beaumont-en-Véron.

What's Included

  • All breakfasts, two lunches, one dinner and three wine tastings

  • All accommodation

  • All transport and listed activities

  • Tour leader throughout

  • Tourist taxes

  • Group arrival and departure transfers available

What's Not Included

  • Travel insurance

  • Single accommodation (available on request)

  • Visas or vaccinations

Food

Six breakfasts, two lunches, one dinner and three wine tastings are included.



Our included lunches will be taken during the hikes, either as a picnic or in local cafés
estaurants, while the included dinner is at the château restaurant/at a traditional restaurant in Tours. For lunches not included, there will be an opportunity to visit a boulangerie (bakery) for freshly baked goods to take with you on the walks. For dinners not included, it’s possible to dine at the accommodation or venture to a restaurant in Tours or Chinon.



Vegetarians can be fairly easily accommodated in this area of France (particularly in Tours); however, vegans may find the variety of dishes available is rather limited. Larger supermarkets can provide gluten-free bread and baked goods but this is less common in local bakeries.

Accommodation

Immerse yourself in the history and regal character of the Loire Valley with the accommodation on this trip, which is split between a historic château and a manor house. 



Tours: Château de la Bourdaisière (nights 1-3) 







This Renaissance-style château outside the city has extensive grounds comprising landscaped gardens, a large orchard with more than 100 fruit tree varieties, and a dahlia garden created by renowned landscape architect Louis Benech. The 26 stately rooms and apartments were renovated by owner Prince Louis Albert de Broglie (aka the Prince Gardener), while other hotel amenities include a large, heated swimming pool and tennis courts. 



Beaumont-en-Véron: Manoir de la Giraudière (nights 4-6) 







Stay in a 17th-century manor house just 3.7mi (6km) from Chinon and its medieval fortress. Situated within a Regional Nature Park (a UNESCO World Heritage site) and overlooking a vineyard, the hotel has 24 rooms with period furniture plus an outside seating space where the group can gather. It‘s also about a five-minute walk along country lanes to the Vienne River, where bird life flourishes and a peaceful moment or two can be enjoyed. 

Check out our Q&As

  • Is there a supplement for solo travellers?

    If you would like to be paired with a tour member of the same gender, there is no additional charge. A single supplement can be requested if you would like your own room.

  • Are children permitted to take part in the tour?

    The minimum age for this tour is 16 years old.

  • Who is Exodus Travels?

    At Exodus Travels, we've been exploring the world for nearly 50 years. From Walking and Trekking, Cultural and Cycling, Responsible Wildlife, to Polar and our new Premium Adventures, we are proud to offer award-winning small group and self-guided tours to 100+ countries worldwide.

  • Can you assist with pre or post tour accommodation?

    We are happy to assist with pre and post tour accommodation. Please enquire for detailed information.

  • Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?

    Yes, our local guides are English speaking.

  • Are flights included in this tour?

    International flights are not included with this tour.

  • What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?

    If you wish to make any changes to your booking, particularly if you need to alter any flights booked through us, please let us know as soon as possible. There is a booking or flight amendment fee of £40 per change and flight amendments often incur extra airline costs depending on the changes to be made and if the ticket has been issued or not.

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    Exodus has been trading since 1974

  • What documents will I receive before I travel?

    Your final joining instructions and flight details, if booked with us, will then be sent out 2 to 3 weeks before departure. If you would like a hard copy posted, or if you require these any earlier, please contact the customer operations team. We advise that if you are booking connecting travel before receiving these, please ensure you leave plenty of time.

  • Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?

    Travellers are welcome to opt to share a room with a tour member of the same gender for no additional charge. If you'd like your own room, we can request a single supplement so that you will have your own room throughout.

  • Can I join the tour once it has departed?

    You are welcome to meet the group after the tour has departed however there is no reduction in rate for joining a tour after the departure date.

Reviews from travellers on this tour

Loire Valley: Walks, Wine & Chateaux

Wonderful, varied trip with great people - fantastically thoughtful and professional guide

Loire Valley: Walks, Wine & Chateaux

The delightful birds singing in the woodlands. The many different chateaux showing different styles of decorations and gardens. Staying at Chateau la Bourdaisiere was a great highlight.

Loire Valley: Walks, Wine & Chateaux

It was well planned. I liked the type and length of walks. It was balanced with the Chateaux visits and winery tours.

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