Private castles tours in the Loire Valley
with France trip secrets, Receptive luxury travel agency, specializing in Western France
Explore the magical Loire Valley castles such as Chambord, Chenonceau or Villandry with our driver-guides, on our private castles tours in the Loire Valley
©Sebastien GAUDARD-Anjou Tourisme
©ADT Touraine – JC Coutand
Castles private tour
Discover the majesty of the region on private castles tours in the Loire Valley with a driver-guide. Explore Loire castles such as Chambord, Chenonceau, Villandry, Amboise, Blois and Azay-le-Rideau at your own pace, and discover the history and architecture of these magnificent sites. Enjoy a leisurely stroll through the Loire castles magnificent gardens!
©Léonard de Serres
Chambord and Chenonceau castles private tour
Uncover the secrets of Chambord, the largest château in the Loire Valley and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Explore its lavishly decorated rooms and learn about its fascinating history. Then, step into a fairytale at Chenonceau castle, a stunning château that spans the Cher River. Explore its enchanting gardens and learn about the women who shaped its history. This private tour is the perfect way to experience the best of the Loire Valley.
Chenonceau and Villandry castles private tour
Experience the enchantment of the Loire Valley on a private day tour of the Château de Chenonceau and the Château de Villandry. Visit the famous Chenonceau castle, a beautiful Renaissance château that spans the Cher River. Explore stunning rooms, including the Grand Gallery, and learn about the fascinating history of this château, which was once owned by Catherine de’ Medici. Then, immerse yourself in the beauty of the Villandry castle, a 16th-century royal residence renowned for its stunning gardens. Discover the three levels of gardens, each with its own unique design.
©ADT Touraine – JC Coutand
©ADT Touraine – Gillard et Vincent
Chenonceau, Clos Lucé and Amboise castles private tour
Immerse yourself in the Loire Valley’s magic on a private day tour! Explore Clos Lucé castle, Leonardo da Vinci’s final home, Amboise castle, a former royal residence, and the enchanting Chenonceau castle. Uncover their fascinating histories, marvel at stunning architecture, and stroll through breathtaking gardens. Enjoy the personalized attention of your expert driver-guide. This exclusive experience promises awe-inspiring beauty, intriguing discoveries, and unforgettable memories of France’s captivating region.
Chambord, Cheverny and Blois castles private tour
Uncover the magic of three iconic châteaux on this private day trip from Paris or your Loire Valley hotel. Immerse yourself in the grandeur of Chambord, region’s largest château, then step into the history-rich Blois castle, once home to royalty. At Cheverny castle, privately owned for centuries, meet the famous hunting dogs and explore the unique Tintin museum. Enjoy insightful guided tours and discover stunning gardens. This is the perfect way to experience the Loire Valley’s enchanting atmosphere and captivating history.
© D. Lépissier
©ADT Touraine – Leonard de Serres
Villandry, Azay-le-Rideau and Chinon castles private tour
Explore three Loire Valley gems on a private tour! Wander Villandry’s stunning gardens, marvel at Azay-le-Rideau castle charm, and stand where Joan of Arc rallied at Chinon fortress. Let your expert guide unlock the history and beauty of these captivating castles. Unforgettable memories await!
Loire castles at Christmas private tour
The Loire Valley turns into a Christmas wonderland each December. Every castle has unique decorations: Chenonceau has stunning flower displays and giant candy canes, Clos Lucé offers Renaissance-themed shows and carriage rides, and Amboise features miniature Christmas villages. This is just a taste of the magic – many other castles like Azay-le-Rideau and Chambord join the festive fun!
©ADT Touraine – JC Coutand-
©ADT Touraine – JC Coutand
This private tour lets you choose between the majestic Château d’Amboise and Vinci’s Clos Lucé. Then enjoy a gourmet picnic amidst a historic wine estate, sampling local specialties accompanied by exquisite wines. Finish with the enchantment of Château de Chenonceau, a bridge-castle brimming with history and elegance. Captivate your inner history buff, wine lover and culture enthusiast!
Vouvray winery and Amboise private tour
Dive into the cellars of a Vouvray winery, discover their secrets and savor their wines. Enjoy a gourmet picnic lunch at another winery, accompanied by delicious wines, then take your choice: explore Château d’Amboise and its magnificent view of the Loire, or discover Vinci’s last home, Clos Lucé.
©ADT Touraine – Gillard et Vincent
©Château de Miniere
Bourgueil winery and historic monument in the Loire Valley
Discover the secrets of wine-making at a famous Bourgueil winery, then indulge in a farm-to-table feast at a favorite local establishment. Choose your highlight: explore the majestic Château d’Azay-le-Rideau, immerse yourself in the historic Abbey of Fontevraud or stroll through the breathtaking gardens of Villandry. History, beauty and culinary delights await you – choose your route and create unforgettable moments!
Amboise and Chenonceau castles and winery
Choose between the majestic Château d’Amboise, Vinci’s last home, Clos Lucé or a visit to a winery. Immerse yourself in history with a visit to a 17th-century wine press and a delicious local picnic. Your grand finale? The enchantment of the Château de Chenonceau, witness to the beauty and intrigue of the Renaissance. This private tour, guided by your expert driver, promises unforgettable memories of châteaux, wines and the unique charm of the Loire Valley.
©ADT Touraine – JC Coutand
© Eric Sander
Chenonceau and Chaumont-sur-Loire castles private tour
Unleash your inner florist with a workshop led by a master florist, then explore the iconic Château de Chenonceau, known as the “Ladies’ Castle.” Immerse yourself in its rich history and marvel at its sumptuous interiors. Finish at the majestic Château de Chaumont, wandering through vibrant gardens at the International Festival before exploring its art installations. This adventure blends nature, history, and creativity, leaving you with unforgettable memories.
Floral workshop at Chenonceau castle and Villandry gardens
Craft your own bouquet in a VIP workshop, then explore the “Ladies’ Castle”, Chenonceau, brimming with history and female empowerment. Conclude at the mesmerizing Villandry Gardens, blooming across three levels with vibrant colors and meticulous design. Take home memories, fragrance, and the magic of the Loire Valley.
©ADT Touraine – David Darrault
©Château du Rivau
Rivau, Chinon and Villandry castles and gardens private tour
Explore Rivau’s fairytale fortress, stroll enchanting gardens, and breathe in 500 blooming roses. Wander Chinon’s medieval streets, lose yourself in history, and admire unique architecture. Finally, be mesmerized by Villandry’s renowned gardens, each level a masterpiece of blooming art. Return home with memories woven with magic, history, and the timeless spirit of the Loire Valley.
Chambord and Chaumont-sur-Loire castles and gardens private tour
This adventure takes you to the organic gardens of the Château de Chambord for a VIP tour and tasting. Explore the majestic château and its stunning gardens. Finally, the Chaumont International Garden Festival, a kaleidoscope of blossoming art, ends the day with an explosion of color. Unforgettable memories await you!
©Eric Sander
Amboise and Chenonceau castles and Electric Boat Cruise: A Royal and Relaxing Excursion
Spend a day discovering the iconic châteaux of Amboise and Chenonceau and embark on a guided exploration. Immerse yourself in royal chambers, stroll through breathtaking gardens and stand in Leonardo da Vinci’s place. Finish with a magical private boat ride under Chenonceau’s arches, gliding down the Cher River.
Amboise and Chenonceau: Castles and Kayak experience under Chenonceau castle
Discover the secrets of two legendary châteaux: the majestic Amboise, overlooking the Loire, and the breathtaking Chenonceau, the ” Ladies’ Château “. End the day with an unforgettable kayaking adventure under the arches of Chenonceau, to admire its grandeur from a new perspective and explore the river’s thriving ecosystem.
©JF Souchard
©OT Saumur
Villandry and Chinon immersion between gardens, cruise and wine
Your expert and passionate guide will introduce you to the region’s châteaux and wines. Explore sumptuous gardens, cruise the royal river in the company of a winemaker and visit a winery in Chinon. This excursion promises magnificent scenery, delicious wine tasting and unforgettable memories!
Sparkling wine, cruise and gardens in Saumur and Villandry
Visit a famous house of fine Loire sparkling wines and its magnificent troglodyte cellars, sail on a traditional boat on the river Loire, and discover the renowned Villandry gardens. You’ll be accompanied by a driver-guide, who will tell you all about the history and secrets of the region.
©Loire Evasion
The Loire Valley is famous for its sumptuous Châteaux de la Loire! You can’t visit this region without seeing these magnificent monuments. We offer stays combining châteaux with visits to wine estates, walks in the superb gardens and experiences on the Loire and Cher rivers! Contact us to book your next private castles tours in the Loire Valley.
© Léonard de Serres
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Testimonials
A superb collaboration during an event with Loire Secrets. The team is really friendly and available. A top organization. We recommend with your eyes closed!
The Calliope Travel team
Very good experience.. A wonderful stay. Very well organized..I recommend..It was perfect..To do again without hesitation…Thank you France Trip Secrets…
Great attention paid to the customer’s wishes. Good humor and unfailing professionalism. It’s a real pleasure to work with France Trip Secrets!
Whether for our professional event or for our reunion event with friends, the Loire Secret team did double duty.
A successful evening and weekend
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We will do it again for sure!!!
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
Which Loire château tour should I choose for a first visit?
If it is your first time, start with the big names. Chambord, the largest château in the Loire Valley, and Chenonceau, built across the Cher River, are the two most famous, and several of our tours pair them with Villandry, Amboise or Clos Lucé. If you have already seen them, look at the tours built around less visited places such as Rivau, Cheverny or Chinon. Your trip designer can help you choose based on your interests.
Can a Loire castle tour include wine tastings or a boat ride?
Yes, many of our castle tours mix in other experiences. Some add a winery visit in Vouvray, Bourgueil, Chinon or Saumur, often with a picnic or lunch among the vines. Others end on the water, with an electric boat or a kayak under the arches of Chenonceau, or a cruise on a traditional wooden boat on the Loire. There are also floral workshops and a VIP tour of Chambord's organic vegetable gardens.
What does a driver-guide do on a private castle tour?
Your driver-guide picks you up, drives you between the châteaux in a comfortable vehicle and guides you through the sites. On the road, they explain the history of the places you are about to see, so you arrive with context. At each stop, they tell the stories behind the rooms and gardens and answer your questions. Because the tour is private, they can adjust the timing if you want to linger somewhere.
Can I visit the Loire châteaux in winter?
Yes. Winter is quieter, and in December several châteaux put up Christmas decorations, with floral displays at Chenonceau and themed exhibits at Amboise and Clos Lucé. We have a dedicated Christmas castle tour for this season. Keep in mind that some garden-focused experiences are seasonal: the Chaumont-sur-Loire International Garden Festival, for instance, runs from late April to early November. Your trip designer will suggest the tours that work best for your dates.
Are Loire Valley castle tours a good idea with kids?
They can be, if you pick the right mix. Some châteaux have features children enjoy, like the hunting dogs and the Tintin exhibition at Cheverny, the double helix staircase at Chambord or Leonardo da Vinci's inventions at Clos Lucé. Activities such as a kayak outing under Chenonceau also break up the day. Tell your trip designer the ages of your children so the pace and the number of visits per day suit them.
image sources:
- France Trip Secrets – VIP experiences in Brittany – ©BERTHIER Emmanuel: ©BERTHIER Emmanuel
- France Trip Secrets – Fontevraud Royal Abbey ©Christophe MARTIN – Anjou Tourisme: ©Christophe MARTIN - Anjou Tourisme
- France Trip Secrets – Wellness stay in Brittany – ©Castelbrac: J-L T
- France Trip Secrets – VIP experiences hot air balloon ride Loire Valley – © Léonard de Serres: © Léonard de Serres
