Loire Valley: Walks, Wine & Chateaux

All listed activities

Tourist taxes

All transport mentioned in the itinerary is included, except for optional excursions or where you may choose to curtail a group walk. Transfers during the week are by private, air-conditioned minibus or van.

Immerse yourself in the history and regal character of the Loire Valley with the accommodation on this trip, which is split between a historic château and a manor house. 

Tours: Château de la Bourdaisière (nights 1-3) 

This Renaissance-style château outside the city has extensive grounds comprising landscaped gardens, a large orchard with more than 100 fruit tree varieties, and a dahlia garden created by renowned landscape architect Louis Benech. The 26 stately rooms and apartments were renovated by owner Prince Louis Albert de Broglie (aka the Prince Gardener), while other hotel amenities include a large, heated swimming pool and tennis courts. 

Beaumont-en-Véron: Manoir de la Giraudière (nights 4-6) 

Stay in a 17th-century manor house just 3.7mi (6km) from Chinon and its medieval fortress. Situated within a Regional Nature Park (a UNESCO World Heritage site) and overlooking a vineyard, the hotel has 24 rooms with period furniture plus an outside seating space where the group can gather. It‘s also about a five-minute walk along country lanes to the Vienne River, where bird life flourishes and a peaceful moment or two can be enjoyed.

Six breakfasts, two lunches, one dinner and three wine tastings are included.

Our included lunches will be taken during the hikes, either as a picnic or in local cafés/restaurants, while the included dinner is at the château restaurant/at a traditional restaurant in Tours. For lunches not included, there will be an opportunity to visit a boulangerie (bakery) for freshly baked goods to take with you on the walks. For dinners not included, it’s possible to dine at the accommodation or venture to a restaurant in Tours or Chinon.

Vegetarians can be fairly easily accommodated in this area of France (particularly in Tours); however, vegans may find the variety of dishes available is rather limited. Larger supermarkets can provide gluten-free bread and baked goods but this is less common in local bakeries.

We are accompanied by a local tour leader, who guides all walks and joins the group for a welcome dinner at the beginning of the week.