Chateaux of the Loire Walk
Chateaux of the Loire Walk
Chateaux of the Loire Walk
9 Days Starting in France and ending in Loire
Visiting: France
Tour operator:
Tour code:
W08LR
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Physical rating:
Leisurely
Age range:
8 to 99
Special diets catered:
Please inform Exodus of specific dietary requirements
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Tour Overview
On this 8-night, self-guided holiday you'll enjoy wonderfully relaxed walking amidst the sublime architecture and picturesque landscapes of the famous Loire region. Your holiday begins in Chaumont from where you'll follow serene riverside tracks and meander through sleepy villages and hamlets towards the charming wine village of Chitenay, an ideal base from which to discover pretty Cheverny with its impressive 'Secrets of Moulinsart' art exhibition. After a transfer to Bourre, you'll keep the beautiful River Cher close, walking through Montrichard, Chenonceaux - with its iconic chateau on the banks of the Cher - and Montlouis before heading, via verdant fields and vineyards (be sure to enjoy a spot of wine-tasting!) to the medieval market town of Amboise. Explore the narrow, winding streets and take in the imposing Chateau d'Amboise, a royal residence and Da Vinci's final resting place, before returning to Chaumont where you'll experience yet another masterpiece - the Chateau de Chaumont which dates back to the 10th century and hosts the acclaimed International Garden Festival.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrive At Chaumont
Meals Included: dinner
Arrive at your riverside hotel in Chaumont. *(Staying at Hostellerie du
Chateau, Half Board)*
Day 2 : Chaumont To Chitenay
Meals Included: breakfast, dinner
Today's walk takes you alongside the River Beuvron into the sleepy village of
Cande-sur-Beuvron before passing the Chateau de Frileuse on your way to Les
Montils, a perfect place for a lunch stop. Heading out of town through open
countryside, you arrive in the pretty hamlet of Seur, before crossing the
river into Chitenay. Your hotel offers superb food; relax on the terrace
overlooking the gardens and swimming pool and enjoy an aperitif before
dinner. *(Staying at Auberge du Centre, Half Board)*
Day 3 : At Chitenay
Meals Included: breakfast, dinner
The sleepy wine village of Chitenay is ideally placed to visit many of the
Loire's finest chateaux. We particularly recommend picture-postcard Cheverny
which has one of the region's largest art collections including a permanent
'Secrets of Moulinsart' exhibition, and also, just 3km further on, lovely
little Chateau de Troussay with its rich furnishings collection, elaborately
decorated ceilings and attractive landscaped gardens. *(Staying at Auberge
du Centre, Half Board)*
Day 4 : Chitenay To Chenonceaux
Meals Included: breakfast
Today a 20-minute transfer takes you to Bourre, where you'll begin your walk
alongside the River Cher. You have the chance to visit the Caves des Roches -
or 'mushroom caves' - on the way, a vast network of underground caves and
tunnels which were formerly limestone mines. You'll also pass La Magnanerie
de Bourre, the site of traditional cave dwellings and a silk-worm farm.
Continue your walk alongside the River Cher to Montrichard, a traditional
French town with its own riverside beach and a number of good restaurants to
choose from for lunch, before heading along the GR41 through
Chissay-en-Touraine to Chenonceaux. *(Staying at Hotel La Roseraie, Half
Board)*
Day 5 : At Chenonceaux
Meals Included: breakfast
Today you can marvel at the impressive Chateau de Chenonceau, one of the
best-known of the Loire chateaux with its iconic arches over the river. This
fairytale chateau has seen some famous figures from history, notably Diane de
Poitiers and Catherine de'Medici - rivals for Henry II's affections - and
Mary, Queen of Scots. The university city of Tours is an easy train ride
away, home to a plethora of bars, cafes and restaurants, along with popular
shopping centres and quirky independent shops in the old quarter. *(Staying
at Hotel La Roseraie, Half Board)*
Day 6 : Chenonceaux To Amboise
Meals Included: breakfast
Take the train from Chenonceaux to Veretz-Montlouis and from there follow the
back roads of the GR3 which run parallel to the River Loire. From Montlouis
you'll walk through the Loire's sprawling vineyards, with the chance to stop
and taste delicious wines on the way; don't forget - we'll carry any wine
purchases for you! Continue your walk alongside the Loire and you'll arrive
in the bustling market town of Amboise. *(Staying at Hotel Le Pavillon des
Lys, Breakfast only)*
Day 7 : At Amboise
Meals Included: breakfast
Amboise has a charming mediaeval feel, with historical links to the French
Royal Family and also connections to Leonardo da Vinci who spent his last few
years at Clos Luce, now a museum which houses displays of some of the
artist's original work. Da Vinci's tomb is housed in the majestic Chateau
d'Amboise which also hosts the impressive Son et Lumiere display. Amboise
offers plenty of restaurants and cafes in which to relax and sample the local
wines and produce. *(Staying at Hotel Le Pavillon des Lys, Breakfast only)*
Day 8 : Amboise To Chaumont
Meals Included: breakfast, dinner
Head south-east today, following the GR3 trail towards the village of
Souvigny-de-Touraine, before sauntering through open fields and vineyards,
perhaps stopping off for a final tasting! You'll then join the Camino de
Santiago trail as you make your way back to riverside Chaumont. *(Staying at
Hostellerie du Chateau, Half Board)*
Day 9 : Leave Chaumont
Meals Included: breakfast
LEAVE CHAUMONT
What's Included
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Luggage transfers between hotels
-
Meals
8 breakfasts, 0 lunches, 4 dinners.
What's Not Included
Food
Continental breakfast and 4 evening meals. Standards of cooking in the Loire are consistently high. It’s civilised and refined country cooking, not heavy but rich in flavours and textures, drawing on the great garden of the Loire valley. Fruit and vegetables abound: asparagus, artichokes, button mushrooms, cherries and strawberries from the Loire are transported to kitchens throughout France. These provide succulent accompaniments to the duck, venison and wild boar dishes (all hunted locally) and served in sauces using wines from the local vineyards. Non-meat eaters have no need to feel left out though - with three wide, gently flowing rivers passing through, freshwater fish appear on most restaurant menus. /Sandre/ (pikeperch) and /brème/ (bream) are especially popular and are usually served in a /beurre blanc/ sauce - the Loire fish dish, made with shallots, butter, dry white wine and vinegar.
Accommodation
Check out our Q&As
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
If you wish to make any changes to your booking, particularly if you need to alter any flights booked through us, please let us know as soon as possible. There is a booking or flight amendment fee of £40 per change and flight amendments often incur extra airline costs depending on the changes to be made and if the ticket has been issued or not.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Exodus has been trading since 1974
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Your final joining instructions and flight details, if booked with us, will then be sent out 2 to 3 weeks before departure. If you would like a hard copy posted, or if you require these any earlier, please contact the customer operations team. We advise that if you are booking connecting travel before receiving these, please ensure you leave plenty of time.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Travellers are welcome to opt to share a room with a tour member of the same gender for no additional charge. If you'd like your own room, we can request a single supplement so that you will have your own room throughout.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
You are welcome to meet the group after the tour has departed however there is no reduction in rate for joining a tour after the departure date.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Exodus allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform exodus, 43 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Exodus requires a minimum deposit of 25% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of exodus charges.
Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
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