Loire Valley: Walks, Wine & Chateaux

7 Days
From CAD 4,560
Best Rate
Guarantee
Trip Type
Small Group
Activity Level
Unknown

Rating

Experience 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.
Profile
— Accommodation: 6 Classic nights (hotels) — Five days with walking — Low altitude throughout — Option to travel by train to your adventure
At a Glance
— Accommodation: 6 Classic nights (hotels) — Five days with walking — Low altitude throughout — Option to travel by train to your adventure
Trip For You
This trip is graded Activity Level 2 (Easy & Moderate). For more information on our trip gradings please visit our Activity Level Guidelines page. If you have any queries about the difficulty of the trip please do not hesitate to contact us. The walking pace is leisurely and there is plenty of time to rest and enjoy the views. The Loire Valley is naturally hilly (making it the perfect place to cultivate grapes), so you should expect some ascents/descents during the walks. The shortest walk is 4.4mi (7km) and longest is 6.2mi (10km), with the greatest elevation gain (656ft/200m) on Day 5. The distances mentioned on the itinerary do not include walks in and around the chateaux/gardens that we visit. The terrain and type of path/track will vary from paved tracks (which are occasionally rocky) to tarmac. All walks take between three and five hours, including lunch stops, and require a moderate level of fitness and good balance. All walks are optional. If you would prefer to sit one out, our tour leader can provide suggestions for other activities.
Group Description
We are accompanied by a local tour leader, who guides all walks and joins the group for a welcome dinner at the beginning of the week.
Eating Drinking
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/restaurants, 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.
Transportation
All transport mentioned in the itinerary is included, except for optional excursions or where you may choose to curtail a group walk. Transfers during the week are by private, air-conditioned minibus or van.
Joining Instructions
Key information Start hotel: Château de la Bourdaisière, 25 Rue de la Bourdaisière, 37270 Montlouis-sur-Loire Phone: +33 2 47 45 16 31 Recommended arrival time: We meet at 5pm for a welcome briefing and dinner Getting to the start hotel There are direct trains, which take about one hour, from Paris Montparnasse station to Saint-Pierre-des-Corps railway station, near Tours. There are also direct trains from Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG), but these are irregular so taking the metro to Montparnasse may be a quicker option. More detailed instructions on reaching the start hotel are provided in your Final Joining Instructions. We provide one group arrival transfer from Saint-Pierre-des-Corps railway station. Speak to your sales representative for the group arrival transfer times or to arrange a private transfer. If you would like further information on joining this trip, please speak to your sales representative. Departure transfer There is one group transfer from the end hotel to Saint-Pierre-des-Corps railway station for your onward travel. Please speak to your sales representative if you wish to join. If the group departure transfer does not suit your departure time, speak to your sales representative to arrange an alternative transfer.
Weather Information
The Loire Valley experiences fairly mild temperatures between May and October. Daily temperatures in May-June and September-October rarely exceed 18C (64F); however, the summer months of July and August can experience much warmer temperatures (an average of around 26C/79F). Rainfall is common throughout the year, so be sure to pack waterproofs. While the weather is less predictable outside summer, it can be a more favourable time as you miss the crowds of July-August. Some of the gardens at the Château de Villandry are planted twice during the year so they are at their finest throughout the visitor season (March-November).
Spending Money
You need spending money for meals not included in the itinerary and all drinks. We suggest budgeting approximately €25-€35 per day to cover dinner excluding drinks. On the days where lunch is not included, we will either stop at a local bakery to have something for a picnic on the walk or go to a restaurant so expect to spend between €10-€25 per day on lunches. A glass of wine is around €7 and a coffee around €2, with a reasonable bottle of wine at dinner starting from €25. Optional activities: — Visit to Chateau do Clos Lucé: €19 per person
Tipping
Although optional, a tip for the walking leader at the end of the trip is greatly appreciated. As a guideline, we recommend a contribution starting from €20 per person. It is customary and appreciated to leave a small tip when eating/drinking in cafés and restaurants.

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

Trip Details

Product CodeProduct Code: 4105

Tour TypeTour Type: Small Group

AccommodationAccommodation: Moderate

TransportTransport: s or van.

Guide LanguageGuide Language: English

Supplier CodeSupplier Code: TLV

StartStarts: Tours, France

FinishFinishes: Tours, France

DurationDuration: 7 days

DeparturesDepartures: Guaranteed

Physical RatingPhysical rating: Unknown

Includes

— 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

Accommodation

Château and Country Manor House
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. 

Price

Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD 4560 (CAD 651 /day)

Itinerary

1
Day 1: Start at our accommodation near Tours

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)

2
Day 2: Walk and wine tasting along the Loire to Vouvray

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)

3
Day 3: Château de Chenonceau and walk along the Cher river

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)

4
Day 4: Château Royal d'Amboise and transfer to Beaumont-en-Véron

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)

5
Day 5: The Saumur-Champigny vineyards

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)

6
Day 6: Gardens of Villandry

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)

7
Day 7: End in Beaumont-en-Véron

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.

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Tour Operator

Exodus Travel

It’s all about adventure That is what Exodus was founded upon 50 years ago, and what the company is still all about. Discovering countries, cultures, environments, cities, mountain ranges, deserts, coasts and jungles; exploring this amazing planet we all live on. At Exodus, we know what makes you tick when it comes to holidays. It’s a desire shared by so many others. A yearning to visit new places and come home with a real sense of what they’re all about. This means delving into local traditions, cultures, cuisine, lifestyles – anything that contributes to its unique identity. At the same time, we always remember that we are only guests. So we travel courteously and respectfully, in smaller groups to minimise our impact, to ensure that every Exodus holiday is a beneficial experience for everyone involved. This is a philosophy we take with us around the world, helping you reach some incredible destinations on 500 itineraries across over 90 separate countries. We also strive to provide as much flexibility and choice as we possibly can, making it simple for you to experience a very different holiday. Exodus started life on 4 February 1974 when two friends got together to provide an overland truck to travel to the Minaret of Jam, deep in the heart of the Hindu Kush, the most inaccessible of the world’s great monuments. See our history page for more details about how we began and how we have grown over the past 50 years. Never travelled with Exodus before? Visit our New to Exodus page for some useful, first-timer information.

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