Visit four historic Loire Valley castles in one day from Paris via high speed rail
Visit the historic French castles of Chenonceau, Amboise, Chambord and Cheverny.
Price: $185 per person ($316 with 2nd Class Rail, $391 with 1st Class Rail).
Tour is available seven days a week from February through October. For off-season requests, which usually can be accommodated, please contact us directly. All admission fees included.
Chambord, Chenonceau More Tour Itinerary
Depart Paris Montparnasse rail station in the morning via high speed TGV. An hour later you'll be over 145 miles away in the city of Tours in the heart of the Loire Valley! Upon arrival at the Tours rail station you'll meet our guide and begin an exciting day discovering France's wonderful château country. You'll visit the following castles during the day:
Built on the site of an old mill on the River Cher, Chenonceau was disassembled, torched, demolished and rebuilt successively from the 11th century until 1513. It's famous for the arched bridge at its base joining the château to the river's opposite bank.
A couple of centuries of crumbling disrepair was finally addressed after World War II by the current owners of the castle. Other than the Royal Palace of Versailles, it is the most visited château in France.
The village of Amboise is anchored by the grand Château Amboise, along the Loire river, just 20 minutes from the city Tours.
In recent times, château Amboise has been partially restored and preserved, but has never returned to its 16th century glory, when Leonardo Da Vinci and Italian craftsmen lived on the grounds. Amboise is the only major castle still owned by heirs to the French throne.
Chambord is the biggest Loire castle, yet was only built as a hunting lodge for King Francois I. It's been suggested, but not proven, Da Vinci had a hand in its design, but it's attributed to Phillipe Delorme.
Unique architectural features such as the minaret-like spires and grand double helix staircase add to its distinction.
Designed by the same architect who created Blois, Cheverny has stayed in the Count of Cheverny's family almost continually since it was built in the 16th century.
Intact interiors and priceless antiques are a must-see, but the famed hunting dog kennels on the grounds are the biggest draw, open for public viewing right next to the extensive kitchen gardens.
You'll visit two castles in the morning, have lunch at Chenonceau (not included), and then you'll visit Chambord and Cheverny in the afternoon. You'll return to Paris via rail and be back in time for a late dinner in the lively Montparnasse area.
Loire Valley Day Trip - What's Included?
Tour Price Includes:
- Transport in a modern air-conditioned minibus
- Entrance fees at each castle
Not included:
- Lunch
- Round trip transfers from your hotel or apartment in Paris to the Montparnasse train station
- Guided visit in the castles
- Rail
Rail Information
Occasionally, last minute or high season rail prices will be higher than the prices listed above. We will always contact you before booking if this is the case. If you are not booking your rail through Link Paris, please do not book your train tickets until the correct rail times are confirmed by us. Rail tickets are emailed as a .pdf document for home printing.
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Why we love the Loire Valley - There are so many castles in the "Valley of the Kings". My favorite is Cheverny. It is among the smallest, but houses a literal battalion of hunting dogs that you can see on property. Chambord's sheer size is also amazing. When I was there, there was a giant Rolling Stones tongue logo carved in the lawn. Very cool - John