THE ROYAL VALLEY
8 DAYS / 6 NIGHTS
Discover some of the most famous Chateaux of the Loire Valley – heritage of the French Renaissance.
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YOUR ITINERARY
Day 1: Travel to France
- Fly through the night to Paris.
Day 2: Paris - Orléans
- Bonjour et bienvenus! Meet your Imagine Tour Manager and board your private coach to transfer to Orléans.
- After check-in at hotel, have the rest of the day to discover the city of Joan of Arc, don’t miss Holy Cross Cathedral, “Place du Martroi” or Joan of Arc’s house.
- Enjoy dinner in a local restaurant with your Imagine Tour Manager.
- Overnight accommodation in Orleans.
Day 3: Orléans - Blois
- After breakfast, board your private coach to start your journey through Castles.
- We’ll start with Chamerolles Castle, built at the dawn of the Renaissance period according to the traditional shape of a medieval fortress. It offers you a historical and romantic visit through history of perfume and hygiene since 1992.
- Have lunch in Chilleurs-au-bois.
- Follow your journey visiting Gien Castle built in the 15th century for Anne of France. Guests included King Francis I of France, King Henry II of France, Queen consort Catherine de Medici, King Charles IX of France, Queen consort Anne of Austria and King Louis XIV of France. It has belonged to the French government since 1823. During World War II, it was bombed in 1940 and later restored. It is home to a museum about hunting.
- Follow your journey to Blois for dinner and overnight accommodation.
- After dinner, enjoy the light & sound show of Blois Castle.
- Overnight accommodation in Blois.
Day 4: Blois - Chambord - Cheverny - Chaumont sur Loire - Tours
- After breakfast, board your private coach to Chambord Castle, one of the most recognizable châteaux in the world because of its very distinctive French Renaissance architecture which blends traditional French medieval forms with classical Renaissance structures. The building, which was never completed, was constructed by King Francis I of France.
- Next, we’ll visit Cheverny Castle, which is the Castle that inspired Moulinsart Castle in Tintin’s adventures. This castle has been in the same family for over six centuries. Cheverny has always been lived in and every generation has made a great effort to take care and embellish it with a true passion.
- Enjoy some time on your own for lunch at Café de l’Orangerie.
- Next, visit will be at Chaumont sur Loire Castle initially built as a fortress, and now hosting the international festival of gardens.
- Continue to Tours for dinner and overnight accommodation.
Day 5: Tours - Amboise - Chenonceaux - Loches
- After breakfast drive to Amboise.
- Visit Amboise Castle, confiscated by the monarchy in the 15th century, it became a favored royal residence and was extensively rebuilt. King Charles VIII died at the château in 1498 after hitting his head on a door lintel.
- A few steps from the Castle, visit Clos Lucé, last home and actual resting place of Leonardo Da Vinci.
- Enjoy lunch at La Cave aux Fouées.
- Drive to Chenonceaux.
- Visit Chateau de Chenonceau nicknamed « castle of the ladies » as its history is marked by women who have been owners and builders of this castle.
- Follow your way to Loches for dinner and overnight accommodation in “Le Moulin des Cordeliers”.
Day 6: Loches-Villandry - Azay le Rideau - Chinon-Fontevraud
- After breakfast in Loches, board your private coach to visit more Castles.
- First, we’ll visit Villandry Castle, the last of the great “chateaux” of the Loire built during the Renaissance in the Loire Valley.
- The sober legance of its architecture combined with the charm of its outstanding gardens make this one of the jewels of World Heritage.
- We’ll follow our visit with Azay le Rideau Castle, built on an island in the Indre River during the reign of Francis I. A subtle blend of French tradition and innovative Italian decor, it is an icon of the new art of building in the Loire Valley in the 16th century.
- After some time for lunch on your own, visit Royal Fortress of Chinon, located on the bank of the Vienne river in Chinon. It was founded by Theobald I, Count of Blois. In the 11th century the castle became the property of the counts of Anjou.
- Then, we’ll continue to Fontevraud, for dinner and night accommodation in a former abbey.
Day 7: Fontevraud - Paris
- After Breakfast, drive back to Paris.
- Once check-in done, have the rest of the day at leisure.
- Have a farewell dinner, enjoying a dinner cruise on the Seine River.
Day 8: Depart
- Have your last French breakfast at hotel.
- Transfer to the airport for your return to the USA.
