Last Updated on Thirteenth March 2023 by Sophie Nadeau
The Loire Valley is a outstanding place punctuated by its historic châteaux, gushing rivers, and wooded valleys. Best visited over the course of few days in order to take pleasure in all the spectacular structure, medieval cities, and fairytale châteaux, right here’s the right 3 days within the Loire Valley itinerary.
The Loire Valley is best-known for its abundance of Châteaux. In complete, there are over 300 Châteaux, and over 40 of them are open to the general public, that means it may be arduous to slim downs simply which of them you must go to throughout your journey.
The hottest and well-known of the Loire Valley Châteaux are Chambord (the place Da Vinci is alleged to have had in its design), Amboise (inside a city of the identical identify), and Chenonceau (surrounded by a moat and probably the most fairytale-looking of all castles in France).
I’ve been to go to this beautiful space of France a handful of instances through the years, each with my associates, and with my husband. You can go to the Loire Valley as a day journey however ideally you’ll want a number of days with a view to get a greater really feel for this particular space of France.
Thanks to its charming cities and beautiful vistas on lengthy, open roads, it’s the right place for a street journey and is even an ideal choice as a honeymoon vacation spot for those who’re trying to find a French choice.
Best time to go to the Loire Valley
Winter within the Loire Valley is usually a bit chilly and bitter, and most of the timber and surrounding landscapes are barren, that means that it’s not the perfect time to go to. I personally like to journey to journey to the Loire Valley throughout the springtime, when the blossom has come out and the solar is shining.
Summer is a well-liked time to go to the area, resulting in elevated costs and extra crowds. As such, I like to recommend visiting simply earlier than or simply after peak season in order to make sure the perfect climate coupled with the perfect costs and barely fewer crowds than throughout the excessive summer time.
Where to remain within the Loire Valley
In this itinerary, you’ll wish to spend the primary two nights in Amboise and the third night time in Tours. Those who wish to keep a bit of longer to find the area and go to just a few extra cities and châteaux can take into account extending their journey by reserving just a few extra nights in Tours. After all, its central location and nice dimension implies that it’s an ideal base from which to discover the broader area.
Amboise lodging
Hôtel Restaurant Le Clos d’Amboise: This four-star institution is positioned within the coronary heart of Amboise and is about towards the backdrop of a Seventeenth-century mansion home. Boasting facilities equivalent to an outside pool and a sauna, that is true luxurious within the Loire Valley. Check costs and availability right here.
Hôtel Le Manoir Les Minimes: For an über luxe keep within the Loire, the Hôtel Le Manoir Les Minimes is a five-star resort which is lower than a ten-minute stroll from major city points of interest just like the Royal Château and the vacationer workplace. Check costs and availability right here.
Tours lodging
Budget: One of probably the most inexpensive and but cosy locations to remain in Tours is The People. This stylish hostel presents non-public rooms in addition to mixed-gender and female-only dorms. There’s a bar onsite with a terrace. Check costs and availability right here.
Mid-range: Those searching for an inexpensive luxurious choice with regards to staying in Tours can try this cosy little resort. Amenities embrace air conditioned rooms, free Wi-Fi, and a reasonably central location. Check costs and availability right here.
Luxury: For the last word luxurious expertise throughout your time in Tours, take into account reserving your self a keep at this four-star resort. Highlights embrace a pool and spa, in addition to a health centre. Check costs and availability right here.
Suggested 3 days within the Loire Valley itinerary
Day 1: Chartres and the Châteaux
If you’re visiting the Loire Valley from Paris, you then’ll wish to lease a automotive on your journey. Check automotive rental comparability costs right here. Then, you’ll drive due south to succeed in the Loire Valley. Around an hour and a half from Paris, you’ll attain Chartres, which would be the first cease of your Loire Valley itinerary.
Chartres is most well-known for its lovely Gothic Cathedral, which dates again to the Twelfth-century and is broadly regarded to be top-of-the-line works of the Thirteenth-century nonetheless in existence.
Other highlights of the city embrace timber-framed buildings and numerous different Gothic church buildings courting again to the Middle Ages. You’ll want just a few hours to completely take pleasure in Chartres, wander its historic streets, and maybe even have lunch right here.
After exploring Chartres, it’s near a two hour drive to succeed in the subsequent cease of the day, Chambord. The drive takes nearly two hours so convey alongside some snacks and placed on a soothing playlist.
So massive is the area of Château de Chambord that you find yourself driving alongside the tree-lined boulevard resulting in the fort for not less than ten minutes, passing many ‘beware of the deer signs on the way’ earlier than the ornate turrets all of a sudden loom up above the horizon.
Built within the French Renaissance model within the first half of the sixteenth century and initially meant to be used as a searching lodge for Francis I, the fort has seen many modifications throughout its historical past. It takes just a few hours to see Chambord, relying in your tempo, however make sure you put on snug sneakers as you’ll be in your toes rather a lot!
It’s then only a twenty minute drive from Chambord to Cheverny, one other Loire Valley Château which is open to the general public for a charge. Whether or not you’ve time to see Cheverny will depend on how early you left Chartres and the way lengthy you spent at Chambord.
If you don’t have time to see Cheverny, then don’t fret as there are a number of different châteaux included inside this Loire Valley itinerary and you’ll at all times see Cheverny as a day journey from Tours on day 3 or 4 of your go to.
Featured in Tintin novels as Marlinspike Hall and famed for its magnificence, Cheverney (pronounced sheeverney) was constructed within the mid-1600s by Henri Hurault, the army treasurer for Louis XIII. Six centuries later, considered one of his direct descendants is now the current day proprietor and the fort is open on daily basis of the 12 months.
If you wish to see all the pieces that Cheverny has to supply, you then’ll want round two and a half hours, although you possibly can simply get a superb overview of the Château in an hour. Afterwards, drive to Amboise, verify into your resort in Amboise and luxuriate in a restful night time of sleep after your huge journey day!
Day 2: Amboise
After quite a lot of driving on day one, the excellent news is that everything of day two can be spent exploring Amboise. Start the day by heading to the Château Royal d’Amboise.
Constructed by the French monarchy throughout the Fifteenth-century, the historic constructing has seen loads of occasions over the course of its lifetime. It takes just a few hours to see the inside of the Château and luxuriate in its complete gardens. Just don’t miss all the wonderful vistas across the fort grounds.
After touring the Château, head down into the city under. Truth be advised, one of many best methods to discover Amboise is by yourself two toes (most of the smaller roads on the town are pedestrian solely), and permitting the city to disclose itself to you.
While strolling round Amboise, make certain to not miss the clock tower which dates again to the Fifteenth-century and the church of Saint Florentin. Those who want to study extra concerning the city can try the free-to-visit museum on the Hôtel de Ville.
After spending just a few hours indulging in some native French meals and wandering the cobbled streets, it’s time to move to the second Château of the day. The place the place Leonardo da Vinci lived and labored for the three years main as much as his loss of life was Château du Clos Lucé, only a quick stroll away from the city centre.
The château is typically referred to easily as Clos Lucé and was constructed within the latter half of the Fifteenth-century. Today, the Château and exquisite gardens are accessible to the general public for a charge. Due to its sheer dimension, it takes just a few hours to completely take pleasure in Clos Lucé.
Afterwards, head again into the city centre the place you possibly can take pleasure in native meals and drinks earlier than packing up your issues to move to Tours the subsequent day. If you’re on the lookout for conventional French fare in Amboise, try The Master of Art and La Suite. Wherever you select to go to for dinner, make sure you make a reservation as all the great locations refill quick.
Day 3: Tours
On the third morning, try of your resort in Amboise and drive to Tours. The largest metropolis within the Loire Valley has greater than sufficient to occupy you for a whole day. You also can choose to remain in a resort in a single day right here if you wish to go on extra day journeys to the encircling area.
Begin your day by taking a stroll across the largely pedestrianised outdated city. Full of timber-framed buildings, there’s numerous picturesque squares, historic towers, and church buildings. If you wish to get a espresso, head to Place Plumereau, the place you possibly can sit on one of many little café terraces and other people watch.
Afterwards, head to Tours Cathedral (Cathédrale Saint-Gatien de Tours). This Gothic church boasts lovely stained-glass home windows and complicated carvings. It is positioned within the coronary heart of town and is free to go to.
Close by, you possibly can uncover the Fine Arts Museum. Known in French because the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Tours, the museum showcases works from the 14th century as much as the current day. It contains works by well-known artists equivalent to Rubens, Delacroix, and Monet.
For dinner, pattern the native delicacies. Tours is famed for its scrumptious meals and wine scene, so ensure to strive a few of the native specialties equivalent to goat cheese dishes, and Loire Valley wines.
End your day in Tours by heading to the river financial institution. You can go for a stroll and admire the Loire River. If you occur to be visiting throughout the summer time, then you possibly can head to the Guinguette (open air bar) and luxuriate in a drink within the coronary heart of all of the motion.
Enjoyed studying this excellent Loire Valley itinerary? Pin this text now, learn it once more later:
Sophie Nadeau loves canine, books, journey, pizza, and historical past. A fan of all issues France associated, she runs solosophie.com when she’s not chasing after the subsequent sundown shot or consuming one thing candy. She at present splits her time between Paris and London. Subscribe to Sophie’s YouTube Channel.