France · Castles & Palaces

Loire Valley Castles Chenonceau Amboise & Da Vinci Small Group Trip from Paris.

14 Hours Round trip from Paris Easy pace

The journey

Trip highlights
  • 01 Visit Château de Chenonceau and its Renaissance gardens
  • 02 Explore Château Royal d'Amboise with Histopad included
  • 03 See Leonardo da Vinci’s Clos Lucé residence
  • 04 Enjoy a tasting of 7 wines at a local family winery
  • 05 Travel in a small group by air-conditioned Mercedes minivan
  • 06 Free time for lunch in the town of Amboise
  • 07 Round-trip transport from Paris included

Discover some of the Loire Valley’s most celebrated landmarks on a full-day small-group trip from Paris. Travel by comfortable Mercedes minivan to visit Château de Chenonceau, Château Royal d'Amboise, and Clos Lucé, the final residence of Leonardo da Vinci, with guided visits that bring the region’s royal and Renaissance history to life.

Along the way, enjoy free time for lunch in Amboise and a tasting of 7 local wines at a family winery. With entrance tickets included and a small-group format of 4 to 7 travellers, this experience offers a relaxed way to explore the Loire Valley’s castles, gardens, and wine heritage in a single day.

Discover some of the Loire Valley’s most celebrated landmarks on a full-day small-group trip from Paris.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 14 Hours
Tour type Shared
Activity level Easy
Accommodation Not included
Transport Included
Wheelchair access Not applicable
Cities Paris, Amboise, Loire Valley
Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

1
Day 01

07:30 Departure to Loire Valley

07:30 Departure to Loire Valley

07:30 Meeting at Opera Garnier Steps or Pick-up from Your hotel if option booked. There are 3 hours drive (240 km) on highway by our comfortable air conditioned Mercedes minivan to our first Castle Château de Chenonceau. One stop at a rest area will be made. The Guide will give You general Information about the French history connected to the Loire Valley Castles.

11:00 - 12:30 Château de Chenonceau visit

11:00 - 12:30 Château de Chenonceau visit

11:00 - 12:30 Chateau de Chenonceau and its Gardens visit with Guide explaining the history of the Castle and its construction. You will get as well the brochure with explanations of each room. Chenonceau nicknamed the "ladies’ castle" is remarkable for its feminine history of famous women of France such as Catherine de Medici as well as for its stunning architecture as well as unique aches over the River Cher. The Renaissance-style Gardens of Chenonceau with their more than 130,000 flowerings plants will impress You as well.

12:30 Departure to Amboise city. It takes about 20 minutes.

13:00 - 14:00 Lunch break in Amboise city

13:00 - 14:00 Lunch break in Amboise city

13:00 -14:00 Lunch break in Amboise city where You'll find many restaurants and cafes. We can as well recommend You or make a table reservation at a good restaurant.

14:00 - 15:30 Château Royal d'Amboise visit

14:00 - 15:30 Château Royal d'Amboise visit

14:00 - 15:30  Chateau Royal d"Amboise visit with Guide. Histopad (Interactive Videoguide) will be provided explaining the history of this Castle and of each room.

Amboise Castle is the grand 15th-century residence of King Charles VIII and an example of the transition of Gothic to Renaissance architecture. Learn the history of the castle Amboise which is known as birth place of princes, the reign of Kings.

You will visit as well the grave of Leonardo Da Vinci who is buried in the Saint Hubert Chapel of the castle.

15:40 - 16:20 Wine Tasting

15:40 - 16:20 Wine Tasting

15:40 - 16:20 Wine Tasting of 7 wines at a local family vinery existing since many centuries. You will learn how wines have been making for centuries and have afterwords the wine tasting of local wines with explanations.

16:30 - 18:00 Da Vinci Château Clos Lucé visit

16:30 - 18:00 Da Vinci Château Clos Lucé visit

16:30 - 18:00  Chateau of Leonardo da Vinci Clos Luce visit with Guide. The Château du Clos Lucé is a castle located close to Château Royal d'Amboise to which it is connected by an underground passageway. Built by Hugues d'Amboise in 1471, the palace belonged once to the French king Charles VIII and afterwards to Leonardo da Vinci who lived there at the invitation of Francis I from 1516 until his death on 2 May 1519. Today it is a museum about Leonardo da Vinci's life, work and memory. Clos Luce is one of top 100 extraordinary destinations to explore 2021 by Time magazine. 18:00  Departure to Paris. It takes about 3 hours (230 km)

21:00 Coming back to Paris

21:00 Coming back to Paris

21:00 Coming back to Paris. Drop Off at Opera Garnier Steps or at Your hotel if option booked.

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map
Round trip from Paris 3 cities · 14 Hours

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

  • Entrance tickets to Three Castles
  • Mercedes minivan max. 7 Persons, air-conditioned with adjustable seats
  • Professional Driver and Guide or Guide-Driver
  • Wine Tasting
  • All Fees and Taxes
  • Bottled water

What's Not Included

  • Gratuities and Souvenirs
  • Meals and Drinks

Know before you go

  • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
  • Online payment by PayPal, Credit cards, bank transfer
  • Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
  • Comfortable shoes are recommended
  • Children must be accompanied by an adult
  • Most travelers can participate
  • Near public transportation

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point
Paris, FR
Tour start
Paris, FR
Tour ends at the same location as the start point.
End of the journey

Your 14 hours finish where they began, in Paris.

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