Loire Valley garden tours

5 Days/4 nights Fully Guided Loire Valley Garden Tour

The Loire Valley, known as “The Garden of France'”, offers visitors over 120 spectacular parks and gardens to discover. We have made a selection of the most spectacular places, pleasure for the eyes and topics of interest for the botanically minded visitors, but also less known jewels to rediscover the French tradition of garden layout. You won’t leave without visiting some of the nicest  Renaissance Loire castles, tasting the gastronomy of the region or enjoying the landscape of the famous vineyards.

Key points: A complete fully guided and transported program during which you will discover some of the nicest hidden jewels of the Loire Valley... Authentic and innovating Loire cuisine throughout... Exquisite selected accommodation in the heart of Loire castles...

Day 1 - An introduction to the Loire Valley

Pick up at your arrival in Tours (either at the airport or train station) - consult us if you require a pick up in Paris or Paris airport.

Lunch in the Vouvray area - Visit of a typical cellar and tasting of some of vintage wines of Touraine. Visit of a beautiful private castle, where balustrades, statues and fountains are dotted through the park, creating a range of different atmospheres. 

Check in into your 4 star Manor House Hotel. Luxury and good taste down to the final details, allowing you to experience the real castle-life.

Dinner in a well renowned restaurant of Amboise.

Day 2 - Chenonceau and Amboise

After a leisuring boat cruise on the Cher river, visit with a private guide of the Chateau Chenonceau and its magnificent gardens which blend rare species and hundreds or climbing roses and lavender.

Spend the afternoon  in Amboise, with a private guide for an unusual visit through the Chateau Amboise, to continue with the visit of chateau Clos Luce and his park, that presents Leonardo da Vinci drawings, paintings and giant models of his most spectacular machines.

Dinner in a typical gourmet restaurant of the region.

Day 3 - French and Italian gardens

Today is a day for the senses, starting with the visit of a private Loire Valley chateau, the Chateau du Rivau where the 12 gardens evoke the wonderful stories and legends that literature has provided.

An another private Loire Valley chateau is then waiting for us. Hidden away in a secluded valley crowned by hectares of flowering cornflowers and poppies and with sweeping views across the forest of Chinon and the river Indre, the remarkable gardens of La Chatonniere are a carefully guarded secret. Follow the path and discover the gardens of Silence, Senses, Intelligence, Sciences, Romances, Fragrances, Elegance, Exuberance, Abundance, Wonder and Luxuriance.

The Chateau Villandry , which undoubtedly owes its reputation to its superb terraced gardens which encase it as if in a jewellery box will be the last visit of the day. It is as today one of the most impressive of the Loire castles.

Dinner in a French  restaurant with inventive Loire cuisine.

Day 4 - Chaumont sur Loire and Cheverny

Nested at the bottom of a populated park of immense cedars centenaries, the Chateau Chaumont dominates the peaceful course of the Loire since a relatively high headland. This harmonious and refined Loire Valley chateau constitutes a significant link of transition between the medieval fortress and the palate rebirth and it owes is proud to some of the most outstanding gardens of France.

The Chateau Cheverny is without a doubt the most magnificently-furnished of all the Loire castles. Take a trip through the park and along the canal. Time to appreciate the magnificent cedar trees.

Dinner in a highly-regarded gastronomic restaurant.

Day 5 – Private property and beautiful landscapes

Visit of a private wine cellar located in an elegant private property, which only opens its gates to RiverLoire. Wine tasting and an explanation of the “troglodyte” concept of the region are on the program, a great way to be directly in contact with local people, lots of fun and a RiverLoire exclusivity. A sumptuous lunch will be served with local produces...and fine wines.

End of the tour, with the anticipated pleasure of seeing you again soon !

This package includes :

• 4 Nights in a 4 star Manor House Hotel or B&B.
• Breakfasts daily, 4 gourmet and gastronomic dinners (drinks not included)to experience the Loire cuisine, and 5 lunches in outstanding places with drinks included.
• All the entrance fees of the Loire castles and gardens listed with private visit/escort (in english).
• A private visit of outstanding wine cellars with wine tasting.
• A private visit of an private property with wine tasting and where you will get the chance to put your own wine in bottles...
• A river cruise on the Cher River.
• All the transportation and transfers throughout your stay.
• Personal welcome at your arrival in the Loire Valley.
• Fees and taxes.

Tour prices from:

RiverLoire can organise this tour for a larger group, or as a NON accompanied and transported Tour. RiverLoire will also be pleased to assist you with car rental if needed.
Please note as well that this program is one of our suggested itineraries, but that  we can accommodate it according to your points of interests, budget and duration of travel.