|
Chateaux of the Loire
The
mellow beauty of gentle rolling countryside
around Tours and Blois, both natural and
more formally landscaped, an area of vineyards,
orchards, forests and meadows irrigated
by the Loire and its meandering tributaries,
rightly make the Loire Valley the so-called
Garden of France. Moreover, in the 15th
and 16th centuries its many charms attracted
the Kings of France and their aristocratic
courtiers, who left a rich cultural legacy
by building the many sumptuous chateaux
which now dot this very special region.
The unique insight it thereby affords into
a culturally rich period of French history
has not only made it a major tourist attraction
but earned it official status as a Unesco
World Heritage Site.
| These
myriad chateaux come in all shapes and
sizes, incorporating a wide range of
architectural styles but marked above
all by the Renaissance, a period of
unsurpassed cultural achievement and
splendour. |
|
From magnificent
palaces such as the 440-room Chambord in
its vast enclosed park, to smaller-scale
but no less opulent masterpieces such as
Cheverny, model for Moulinsard in the Tintin
adventures, and Azay-le-Rideau, built on
an island in the Indre, each has a timeless
beauty and its own individual personality
to discover. The one-time Royal residences
of Blois and Amboise, proudly dominating
the Loire and the medieval streets below
from their rocky perches, provide a living
history lesson; Chenonceaux, ornately decorated
inside and out, its famous arches spanning
the Cher, is the most visited of all; Villandry,
with its gardens, Chaumont, high above the
Loire, Usse, model for the castle in Sleeping
Beauty, Langeais, Beauregard, Valencay,
the list goes on.
What is perhaps
less well known is how easy it is to discover
much of this delightful region by public
transport - and a few gentle walks.
Thanks to France’s efficient and inexpensive
local rail network - both the Loire Valley
and its chateaux become accessible. Along
with your itinerary, we provide local timetables
so allowing you to explore at your own pace,
spending more or less time in each destination
in accordance with individual preferences.
 |
|
|
|
|
| Day
One: |
| Arrival
and overnight at your hotel
in Tours, capital of the
region and with a rich past.
Welcome pack including touring
information and chateaux
entrance vouchers can be
collected from the Tourist
Office. |
|
Having settled in, discover
the squares and alleyways of
the old town, with its half-timbered
houses and restaurants to suit
all tastes and budgets.
Day
Two:
Take the local train to Amboise,
its imposing chateau - first
of the Renaissance in France
- seen to maximum effect as
you cross the Loire from the
opposite bank from the station.
Time also to visit Clos Luce
chateau, final residence of
Leonardo da Vinci and now a
museum with working models of
his designs, and explore the
streets of the old town, before
a mid-afternoon return to Tours,
with time to visit St Gatien
cathedral and the surrounding
medieval area. Overnight in
Tours.
Day
Three:
An hour-long train journey through
the vineyards, orchards and
forests to Chinon, a charming
medieval town on banks of Vienne
dominated by the ruins of its
fortress, where both Henry Plantagenet
and Richard the Lionheart died;
explore the old town and maybe
visit a wine-cellar. Return
via Azay le Rideau, to visit
its distinctive chateau on an
island and explore the picturesque
village. Continue to Tours for
overnight stay.
Day
Four:
Follow the Loire as you head
east to Blois, briefly former
royal capital of France, for
an afternoon free to explore
the Royal chateau, symbol of
its prestigious past, and the
warren of medieval streets steeply
descending to the banks of Loire.
Horticulturists and the more
energetic might like to break
their journey en route to take
in Chaumont, its castle high
above the Loire and home to
the region’s annual garden
festival. Overnight in Blois.
Day
Five:
Into the countryside south
of Blois to visit Chambord,
most opulent of all the Loire
chateaux and famous inter alia
for its unique double staircase
probably designed by Da Vinci,
and Cheverny, exquisitely decorated
and noted for its hunting hounds
(no rail services, so undertaken
by coach or minibus). More free
time in Blois (overnight), beautifully
illuminated in the evening,
and with many fine bars and
restaurants.
Day
Six:
Head south-west by train (one
change) to Chenonceaux -
by way of pleasant contrast
to the larger towns thus far,
a mere rural village surrounded
by vineyards, but home to the
most photographed of all the
Loire chateaux. Suggested check-in,
lunch in the village and, afternoon
to explore the castle, ornately
designed inside by Diane de
Poitiers and Catherine de Medici,
and its extensive formal gardens,
Most evenings you can return
for the son et lumiere show.
Dinner (included) and overnight
in Chenonceaux.
Day Seven:
A short local train ride to
St Pierre des Corps to rejoin
the TGV for the homeward journey.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
What your holiday includes:
• Return Eurostar & TGV travel
from Waterloo or Ashford to Tours
• 5 nights B & B and 1 night half
board with en suite accommodation in 2 &
3 star hotels
• Entrance to the Chateaux of Chambord,
Cheverny & Chenonceau
• Full itinerary and travel timetables
to enable you to easily get around.
Not Included:
• Local travel by train or bus which
we estimate will cost £30.
1 Nov - 7 Apr: £349
per person
8 Apr - 15 Jun: £379
per person
16 Jun - 7 Jul: £399
per person
Single room supplement: £115
See Travel
Tips for supplements on Eurostar and
TGV.
Please call French
Travel Service on 08702
41 42 43
or email us at [email protected]
|
