Luxury France fly-drive tailormade holiday to the Chateaux of the Loire staying in three chateau- or manor-house hotels
This 8-night fly-drive touring holiday to the Chateaux of the Loire Valley includes stays in two chateaux-hotels and one historic town mansion in three different places in the Loire Valley. The Loire Valley is known as the garden of France but historically the region was the playground of the kings of France for hundreds of years. The River Loire itself was a major means of communication in Gallo-Roman times and the river itself was surrounded by fertile fields and forests teeming with game, and this encouraged the economic development of its towns from an early age. Later the region became strategically important during the Hundred Years War and the remains of mediaeval strongholds and fortresses still bear witness to this. Eventually the fortified castles were replaced by chateaux designed to be for enjoyment and relaxation. The Loire Valley became the playground of the Kings of France. The are is rich in sites that show the development of western culture since Gallo-Roman times. The numerous chateaux are obvious places of interest (Chambord, Cheverny, Villandry, Chenonceau, Aazy-le-Rideau among many others) but there are many gardens, some attached to chateaux, vineyards, walks, river trips, local festivals, museums and galleries, son-et-lumiere shows, markets (Tours boasts no fewer than twenty markets), and fine dining with an array of Michelin-starred restaurants. You fly to Paris and collect your hire-car. You then drive to your first stop for four nights south of Tours within easy reach of Azay-le-Rideau, Villandry and Tours itself. Driving in between places allows you to stop off and visit Chenonceau and perhaps Amboise. Your second stop is in the eastern part of the Loire Valley region, an area known as the Sologne, and about 20 minutes' drive from the cathedral and castle town of Blois. From here you can reach Chambord and Cheverny. You return to Paris Charles de Gaulle with the hire-car and fly home.
Highlights
Amboise • Visit Chateau Chenonceau • Visit Saumur • Visit Villandry • Visit Abbaye de Fontevraud • Vineyard visits • Visit old town of Tours • Visit Azay-le-Rideau • Go to a Son-el-Lumiere • Chinon • Blois • Visit Chambord • Visit Cheverny
Day by day
Your fly-drive touring holiday of the Chateaux of the Loire starts with a flight to Paris where you collect your hire-car which you will keep until you return to Paris for the flight home. The drive south to the Touraine takes just over 3 hrs and 30 minutes. You stay in Veigne, to the south of Tours, for four nights.
The historic city of Tours with its mediaeval old town and cathedral is about 15 minutes’ drive away; the magnificent chateaux of the Loire Valley such as Chenonceau, Amboise and Chaumont in one direction and Azay-le-Rideau, Langeais and Villandry in the other. The Maison de Balzac is in nearby Saché and the town of Chinon has a fascinating mediaeval history and has associations with the writer Rabelais who was born nearby. Chinon is also known for its red wine as is St Nicholas de Bourgueil on the northern bank of the river Loire. To the east of Tours the white wine route runs along the Loire valley through Montlouis and Vouvray. There are outstanding gardens at the Chateau de Villandry and the Chateau de Chaumont, where every year 24 different landscapes from around the world are featured.
Your journey today takes you eastwards to the Sologne region south of the cathedral and castle town of Blois, also situated on the river Loire itself. Before reaching your overnight, you might want to visit the Chateau of Chenonceau and also Amboise on the River Loire, with its chateau. You are here for four nights.
The chateaux of Chambord and Cheverny are nearby; the town of Blois with its castle, there is a chocolate museum, beehive visits and cheesemakers; Le Clos Lucé in Amboise (cultural space dedicated to Leonardo da Vinci), vineyards of the Loire Valley and wine routes to follow, long distance walking tracks (GR3, GR31), farm visits, boat trips on the Loire from Blois, garden festival at Chaumont-sur-Loire.
Today you drive back to Paris airport for your flight home. The drive takes usually between 3 and 3 and a half hours. You return your hire-car at the airport.
We had a wonderful holiday which exceeded our expectations. Great hotels with a good itinerary. We wouldn't hesitate to use your services again.Mrs J, June 2025
Holiday price guide Prices from £1,990 per person based on two people sharing a double or twin room.
Holiday Code FRFD04
Call us on 01392 441245
Luxury France fly-drive tailormade holiday to the Chateaux of the Loire staying in three chateau- or manor-house hotels
Your fly-drive touring holiday of the Chateaux of the Loire starts with a flight to Paris where you collect your hire-car which you will keep until you return to Paris for the flight home. The drive south to the Touraine takes just over 3 hrs and 30 minutes. You stay in Veigne, to the south of Tours, for four nights.
The historic city of Tours with its mediaeval old town and cathedral is about 15 minutes’ drive away; the magnificent chateaux of the Loire Valley such as Chenonceau, Amboise and Chaumont in one direction and Azay-le-Rideau, Langeais and Villandry in the other. The Maison de Balzac is in nearby Saché and the town of Chinon has a fascinating mediaeval history and has associations with the writer Rabelais who was born nearby. Chinon is also known for its red wine as is St Nicholas de Bourgueil on the northern bank of the river Loire. To the east of Tours the white wine route runs along the Loire valley through Montlouis and Vouvray. There are outstanding gardens at the Chateau de Villandry and the Chateau de Chaumont, where every year 24 different landscapes from around the world are featured.
Your journey today takes you eastwards to the Sologne region south of the cathedral and castle town of Blois, also situated on the river Loire itself. Before reaching your overnight, you might want to visit the Chateau of Chenonceau and also Amboise on the River Loire, with its chateau. You are here for four nights.
The chateaux of Chambord and Cheverny are nearby; the town of Blois with its castle, there is a chocolate museum, beehive visits and cheesemakers; Le Clos Lucé in Amboise (cultural space dedicated to Leonardo da Vinci), vineyards of the Loire Valley and wine routes to follow, long distance walking tracks (GR3, GR31), farm visits, boat trips on the Loire from Blois, garden festival at Chaumont-sur-Loire.
Today you drive back to Paris airport for your flight home. The drive takes usually between 3 and 3 and a half hours. You return your hire-car at the airport.
We had a wonderful holiday which exceeded our expectations. Great hotels with a good itinerary. We wouldn't hesitate to use your services again.Mrs J, June 2025
Holiday price guide Prices from £1,990 per person based on two people sharing a double or twin room.
Holiday Code FRFD04
Our prices include
● Scheduled flights from London or other UK airport to Paris return
● Hire of a group B car for 8 days
● Four nights’ bed and breakfast in a Charme room at the Domaine de la Tortiniere, Veigne near Tours
● Four nights’ bed and breakfast in a Classic double room at La Borde en Sologne Chateau & Spa, at Vernou-en-Sologne or at the Relais de Chambord, Chambord
● Concierge service and Expressions Holidays regional helpful hints
Our prices do not include
● Early check-in or late check-out at any hotels (although we can arrange this on request at additional cost)
● Any other services not mentioned above, such as transfers and meals except breakfast at hotels
● Personal holiday insurance. This is essential and cover should be in place from when you book the holiday.
● Local tourist tax, usually between Euros 1 and 3 per person per night, and payable locally to the hotel
Additional information
Driving times for this touring holiday
Paris to Veigne 3 hrs 30 minutes
Veigne to Vernou-en-Sologne 1 hour 30 minutes
Vernou-en-Sologne to Paris 3 hrs minutes
Call us on 01392 441245
Luxury France fly-drive tailormade holiday to the Chateaux of the Loire staying in three chateau- or manor-house hotels
The Domaine de la Tortinière is a charming, boutique 4-star chateau-hotel in about 15 hectares of parkland in the countryside about 15 minutes’ drive south of Tours.
Classic double room
The Château de Noirieux is a wonderfully relaxing 4-star château-hotel in a beautiful natural location in the Loire Valley wine region. The delicious local cuisine and comfortable accommodation in the countryside offer guests a relaxing retreat.
Manor House double room
La Borde en Sologne Chateau & Spa is an historic chateau dating from the 17th century in 124 acres of landscaped park in the English and French style with lake.
Classic double room
The Relais de Chambord offers contemporary and comfortable accommodation in a spectacularly privileged location – within the grounds of the magnificent Chateau de Chambord.
Classic double room
We had a wonderful holiday which exceeded our expectations. Great hotels with a good itinerary. We wouldn't hesitate to use your services again.Mrs J, June 2025
Holiday price guide Prices from £1,990 per person based on two people sharing a double or twin room.
Holiday Code FRFD04
Call us on 01392 441245
Luxury France fly-drive tailormade holiday to the Chateaux of the Loire staying in three chateau- or manor-house hotels
About Loire Valley
An Expressions tailor-made holiday to the Loire Valley offers travellers a chance to explore this magnificent region, known as the `Garden of France`, traditionally the hunting grounds of the Kings of France, is renowned for its gentle countryside, vineyards, forests, rivers and numerous chateaux. At the centre of this region are the regal river Loire and its numerous tributaries, attractive historic towns and cathedral cities such as Tours, Blois and Chinon and of course the chateaux. The chateaux range from vast palaces to fortresses, from mediaeval strongholds to Renaissance delights and include the well-known ones of Chenonceaux, Chambord, Villandry and pretty Azay le Rideau. The vineyards offer great variety from sparkling Vouvray to the reds of Chinon and Bourgueil. Our `Loire Valley` covers the central region of Touraine and the more westerly region of Anjou as well as taking in a more southern part that extends towards Poitiers. The visitor to the Loire Valley is embraced by seemingly endless amusements whatever the time of year, enticing for longer stays and so well situated for overnight stops or short breaks. It is very easy to reach the Loire Valley by train, combining a holiday here with a visit to Bordeaux. Alternatively, a self-drive holiday to the Loire Valley is an excellent option, allowing you to explore the region's Chateaux by car or to combine a stay in the region with a holiday to the Dordogne region and Normandy.
Highlights of the Loire Valley
Cultural highlights include wines and wine vinegars, wild mushrooms - (visit the mushroom museum), the Troglodyte caves, and local art exhibitions.
Festivals in the Loire Valley
Son et Lumiere in the chateaux in the summer months. Summer festival in Chinon in August.
Climate of the Loire Valley
Average air temperatures in Centigrade: Jan: 7.8, Feb: 6.8, Mar: 10.3, Apr: 16.1, May: 16.4, Jun: 23.6, Jul: 25.8, Aug: 24.5, Sep: 21.1, Oct: 16.2, Nov: 11.2, Dec: 7.0. Source: Direction de la Meteorologique de France.
