Paris To Loire Valley Tours

• Spring (April to June): Spring is a great time to visit the Loire Valley when the chateaux gardens are in full bloom and the air is warm. Since this is shoulder season in the valley, you can also enjoy outdoor activities such as cycling and boating tours to discover different chateaux, without the tourist crowds.
• Summer (July to September): Summer is the peak tourist season when both, crowds and accommodation rates are high. There are plentiful outdoor activities including hot air balloon rides, wine fairs at Vouvray, and the famous Sound and Light Show at Château Royal de Blois.
• Autumn (October to December): The valley is at its best during autumn, blanketed in hues of yellow, gold, and deep oranges and pleasant temperatures. Grape harvest season occurs between September and mid-November which allows you to sample delicious wines at the local wineries.
• Winter (January to March): Visiting the Loire Valley in winter isn’t a great option because the weather is cold and damp and many chateaux are closed this time of the year to carry out restoration and renovation projects.

Weekday vs weekend

Since the Loire Valley is a popular tourist destination, weekdays and weekends are generously crowded. However, the only differentiator is that supermarkets, specialty shops, and small winemakers are closed on Sundays.

Based on your chosen ticket, you’ll be visiting different chateaux. Here are the chateaux timings:

• Château de Chambord: 9 am–6 pm (or 5 pm), depending on the month of the year. Check this month’s schedule here.
• Château de Chenonceau: 9 am (or 9:30 am)–4:30 pm (or 5:30/6/7 pm), depending on the month of the year. Check this month’s schedule here.
• Château de Cheverny: 9:15 am (or 10 am)–5 pm (or 6 pm), depending on the month of the year. Check this month’s schedule here.
• Château Royal d'Amboise: 9 am–5 pm (or 5:30/6/6:30/7 pm), depending on the month of the year. Check this month’s schedule here.

• El Cafecito
  Located in the city of Tours, El Cafecito is a cozy cafe serving up delicious healthy meals. It’s a great choice for a leisurely lunch or a quick breakfast fix.
  Must-try dish: Cappuccino with a side of cheesecake
• The Cheval Rogue Auberge
  A charming restaurant in the village of Chisseaux, The Cheval Rogue serves authentic French cuisine within a rustic setting, surrounded by beautiful countryside.
  Must-try dish: Tender Beef Bourguignon served with a side of creamy mashed potatoes and paired with a local Loire wine
• But First, Coffee
  A trendy cafe serving artisanal coffee and French pastries, But First, Coffee in Saumur is a great place for a quick caffeine boost or a leisurely breakfast.
  Must-try dish: Pain au Chocolat paired with an espresso
• La Maison Tourangelle
  A quaint restaurant serving local cuisine prepared with fresh ingredients, La Maison Tourangelle’s cozy ambiance is an instant hit with visitors in Vouvray.
  Must-try dish: Duck confit served with golden pommes sarladaises
• Le Lift
  A chic bistro serving French cuisine with a creative twist, Le Lift promises an interesting cuisine experience in Orleans.
  Must-try dish: Seafood risotto

1. Book a vintage bike at Bouvet-Ladubay and ride through 5 kilometers of ancient tunnels, above which the St. Florent Abbey ruins are located.
2. If the weather permits, book a traditional Loire boat tour (Toue or Fûtreau) during lunchtime. Watch beautiful castles drift by, as you enjoy a wholesome meal prepared from local produce.
3. Explore troglodytes, caves created from tufa limestone in the 11th century. Previously homes, the caves are now mostly used as wine cellars.
4. Enjoy a guided forest bathing session in the forest of Loches, a 3.2-kilometer walk called “randocroquis”.
5. If the weather permits, go on a hike. Most chateaux are surrounded by trails that make breathtaking hikes.
6. Explore local markets in different parts of the Loire Valley, such as:

• Loches market: Every Wednesday and Saturday, selling fresh roasted chicken, a variety of goat’s cheese, and handmade jewelry.
• Nantes flea market: Every Saturday morning, selling old statues, artwork, porcelain figurines, and furniture.
• Amboise market: Every Sunday, selling everything that you can think of – from clothes and jewelry to sinks and lawnmowers.
• Blois market: Every Saturday morning, selling fresh produce with live music playing in the background.

Souvenirs from your trip to the Loire Valley:

• A bottle of local wine
  Depending on your liking and the regions of the valley that you’re visiting, a bottle of wine will make a great souvenir.
  Recommendations: Muscadet from Nantes and Sancerre from Orleans make for great choices.
• A box of pralines
  Pralines, sugary almond bites, are said to be originally from the region of Montargis. A box of pralines, especially for your family and friends with a sweet tooth, makes for a great souvenir from the Loire Valley.
• A box of macarons
  Yet another dessert unique to France, macarons are an easy 3-ingredient baked good prepared in only one village in France – Cormery, located southeast of Tours.
• Pottery from Faience
  The town of Gien is famous for its pottery. Each object requires the knowledge of 30 people, collectively, and it takes 14 different types of earth to create.