Chateaux and Charms of France - 6 Days

Welcome to your tour! Today, we begin our adventure by heading south from Paris towards the captivating Loire Valley. Our first destination is Blois, a charming city renowned for its magnificent castle. Following this, we will continue to Tours, the regional capital beautifully situated along the banks of the Loire River. Here, you'll have the opportunity to take a leisurely stroll and enjoy a delightful lunch at your own pace. In the afternoon, we will visit the illustrious Ch?teau de Villandry, famous for its stunning gardens ? admission to the gardens is included. Our journey proceeds to the enchanting city of Amboise, noted for its intriguing medieval quarter that lines the Loire River. Dinner is included this evening, offering a perfect conclusion to a day of exploration in this enchanting region. Please note: This tour may have travellers joining or departing at various points along the route, meaning group composition can change during the tour. Please also be aware that depending on group composition, guiding may be in additional languages as well as English.

Our day begins in Amboise, where you'll enjoy a morning walk through the town, famous for the Ch?teau du Clos Luc?, Leonardo da Vinci's final residence. We then journey further into the beautiful Loire Valley to visit the spectacular Ch?teau de Chenonceau, arching gracefully over the river with its tickets included for exploration. Our adventure continues to Chambord, the largest of the Loire ch?teaux, where you can wander the park at your leisure. Later, as we move towards central France, we arrive in Limoges, a city celebrated for its exquisite porcelain. We recommend exploring its historic centre, especially the magnificent Saint Etienne Cathedral, to round off your day of discovery.

We'll depart from Limoges and journey to the picturesque Dordogne, a region famed for its historic river and charming villages. Our day begins with a visit to Lascaux, where we'll explore the museum and the impressive replica of the prehistoric caves, celebrated for their magnificent cave paintings. Tickets for the site are included. Afterwards, we head to Sarlat, a town recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with an exceptionally well-preserved Renaissance centre. You'll have time here to wander and enjoy a leisurely lunch. Later, we'll visit Beynac, where admission to the medieval castle, offering stunning views over the river, is included. We'll conclude the day in Rocamadour, an exquisite medieval village known for its sanctuary perched dramatically on a cliff. We recommend taking a walk along the Via Crucis before returning via the lift. Dinner will be included this evening.

We begin our day with a visit to the remarkable Padirac Chasm, where we'll take a captivating boat ride along the river, 75 metres beneath the ground. Following this subterranean adventure, we head to the enchanting village of Collonges-la-Rouge, renowned for its striking red stone architecture, famously located on the Way of St. James. After enjoying lunch, our journey continues to the historic town of Saint-Émilion, nestled in the heart of the prestigious Bordeaux wine region, where you'll have the opportunity for a relaxing stroll amidst its quaint streets. We'll conclude our day as we arrive in Bordeaux in the evening. Please note that the Padirac Chasm may be closed from November to the end of March due to weather conditions.

Bordeaux, with its entire city centre recognised as a World Heritage Site, will captivate you today. We will explore the historic old town, brimming with delightful pedestrian streets and an impressive 11th-century cathedral. At the iconic "Water Mirror", you'll have the opportunity to savour the beautiful reflections. For some leisurely exploration, enjoy free time along the charming Garonne River banks, where inviting restaurants await. You might also choose to visit the Cité du Vin, an extraordinary interactive museum showcasing the rich history and processes of wine. After lunch, our journey continues as we take you to the railway station. Here, you'll board a state-of-the-art high-speed train for a swift and comfortable journey of just over two hours, covering 500 km from Bordeaux to Paris. Upon your arrival in Paris, we will provide a transfer from the station to your hotel.

Following breakfast, our tour concludes, leaving you with fond memories of your adventure.