Self guided Loire Valley tours

From 1 day to 8 days, Self guided Loire Valley Tour with services provided for an authentic insight of the Valley.

Explore the Loire Valley at your own pace. Organise your day as you wish, to experience an authentic region discovering outstanding architecture with outstanding Loire Valley castles, gardens, history, wine and gastronomy... All the components to make your self guided Tour a memorable experience. 

Key points: A complete program during which you can organise your day as you wish... Flexibility and independence with a selection of  some of the finest Loire Valley castles, restaurants and accommodation... Some time to learn, some time to relax and some time to be driven and guided if you wish...

Exemple of a tour based on 4 days/3 nights stay :

Day 1 - An introduction to the Loire Valley

We welcome you at Tours (airport or train station) and personally deliver your high class rental car and your "carnet de voyage" (all you need to know for a wonderful stay).

Trip starts with a recommended itinerary through the vineyards, we recommend lunch in the Vouvray area in some of the numerous charming restaurants with fine Loire cuisine.

Then visit of a typical cellar and tasting of some of vintage wines of Touraine.

Check in at your 4 star Manor House Hotel or B&B, with a special welcome. 

Dinner is pre booked for you in a highly-regarded gastronomic restaurant.

Day 2 - Chenonceau and Amboise

Spend the morning  in Amboise, with a private guide for an unusual visit through the Chateau d'Amboise, and a 1 hour walking tour through this splendid and tranquil town. Amboise is as today one of the most visited town in the Loire Valley castles country.

Enjoy your lunch in one of the ‘best places in town’, located close by, where you can taste the finest patisserie and chocolates of the region. 

Visit of the Chateau Chenonceau without queuing, thanks to your pre booked tickets. Chenonceau is a supreme example of Renaissance architecture, set on its anchors of stone, withstands the challenges of time. One of the most elegant of the Loire Valley castles.

Dinner is pre booked for you  in a typical restaurant of the region.

Day 3 - Renaissance and gardens

Today is a day of delight...

You will visit in the order you like:

The Chateau Villandry , a Loire Valley chateau with outstanding gardens, the Chateau d'Azay le Rideau a very graceful Renaissance Loire Valley Chateau, with richly decorated façades mirroring in the peaceful water of its lake, and the Chateau Usse which gave Charles Perrault the inspiration he required for his story of "The Sleeping Beauty".

Lunch is left free for your convenience (with suggested addresses given).

Dinner is pre booked for you in a gourmet restaurant.

Day 4 - Art de vivre in the Loire Valley

After a well deserved breakfast, you could decide to discover the city of Tours, a detailed pedestrian itinerary of the old quarters of the charming town will be given to you in order to experience its charm, history and numerous shops, cafés and restaurants...

This could also be an opportunity for wine tasting in Vouvray, Amboise or Montlouis, at carefully selected wine cellars.

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

This package includes :

• 3 Nights in a 4 star Manor House Hotel or B&B.
• All breakfasts.
• All dinners (drinks included).
• One lunch in a typical French patisserie of Amboise (drinks included).
• A private and guided visit in English of the chateau d'Amboise and Amboise.
• All the entrance fees of the Loire Valley castles listed.
• A private visit of outstanding wine cellars with wine tasting.
• A high class rented car for the duration of your stay.
• Detailed pedestrian walking itinerary of the town of Tours.
• Personal welcome at your arrival in the Loire Valley to deliver your car and your trip case.
• Fees and taxes.

Tour prices of the 4 days/3 nights stay :

RiverLoire can organise this tour for a larger group, or as a FULLY accompanied and transported Tour. 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.