Day 1 to Day 7

Day 1: Travel by Eurostar from St Pancras to Paris and onwards to St Pierre des Corps by TGV.
On arrival, transfer by coach to the Mercure Blois Centre Hotel. Evening welcome drink at the hotel. 

Day 2: Morning guided walking tour of Tours.
Riverside Tours is the regional capital of the Loire and a beautiful medieval city. Our guided walking tour will take in most of the main sights including the heart of the city, the Place Plumereau, Romanesque Tour Charlemagne and Cathédrale St-Gatien. A free afternoon might include a visit to the Musées des Beaux Arts or Compagnonnage or the Hotel Goulin, the finest Renaissance building in the city.

Day 3: Full day tour to the Chateau de Chambord and Blois.
The Loire’s largest building, Chambord’s design was probably initiated by Leonardo Da Vinci in 1537 and was the brainchild of the extravagant Francois I who suggested diverting the River Loire to flow directly in front of his chateau. This 440-room edifice was finally completed by Louis XIV in 1685. The lovely riverside town of Blois is dominated by its chateau, which was the primary royal residence until Henri IV moved the court to Paris in 1598. It is renowned for its extravagant staircase, dating back to 1515 and a masterpiece of French Reniassance design.

Day 4: Full day tour to Fontevraud Abbey and Saumur with afternoon tasting of sparkling wine.
Founded in 1101, the Abbaye de Fontevraud is a remarkable self-contained complex of ecclesiastical buildings that include amazing Romanesque kitchens, beautiful cloisters, superb paintings and effigies and a grand refectory. The charming small town of Saumur, famed for its sparkling wines, is great for exploring on foot. Highlights here include its storybook chateau, dating from the 14th century, Eglise St-Pierre, Gothic town hall and atmospheric old town. We will enjoy a tasting of its famous sparkling wine whilst here and learn about its production.

Day 5: Full day tour to Chateau de Chenonceau and Amboise. 
Perhaps the most distinctive of all the Loire chateaux, Chenonceau extends over the River Cher with a 60-metre gallery, whose elegant proportions are reflected in the languid water. Described by Flaubert as “floating on air and water,” it was built as a romantic pleasure palace by a series of aristocratic women and boasts formal gardens and grandiose interiors as well as beautifully proportioned and elegant architectural features. The town of Amboise not only boasts a royal chateau but is also where Leonardo da Vinci lived from 1516 until his death in 1519. We will visit the Chateau d'Amboise where da Vinci's tomb is preserved in the chateau's chapel. The chateau also offers spectacular views of the Loire landscape from its balconies, roof and terraced gardens. 

Day 6: Full day tour to Chateau de Villandry and Chateau Azay Le Rideau.
The Chateau de Villandry is an elegant chateau that boasts superb gardens that include the world’s largest ornamental kitchen garden, where flowers and vegetables are grown in strictly geometric patterns, herb garden and the stunning Garden of Love that depicts four types of love: tragic, adulterous, tender and passionate. This afternoon we will visit the Chateau Azay Le Rideau, built on an island in the Indre River under the patronage of King Francis the First. A subtle blend of French tradition and innovative Italian décor, it is an icon of the new art of building in the Loire Valley in the 16^th century.

Day 7: Transfer by coach to St Pierre des Corps Station to catch the return TGV to Paris. At Paris, board the return Eurostar to St Pancras.

NB: Exact order of itinerary may vary according to local conditions and tour manager's discretion.

Please note the maximum group size on this tour is 35 passengers.