Castles, Wine and local specialties of the Loire Valley: Winery and Amboise and Chenonceau castles
Experience the best of the Loire Valley on a private day trip with a driver-guide discovering Amboise and Chenonceau castles and a Vouvray winery. Your day begins with a Loire castle in Amboise or a winery visit, followed by a delicious lunch of local specialties in an old wine press, then top off your day with a visit to the Château de Chenonceau.
©ADT Touraine – JC Coutand
Amboise castle or Clos Lucé castle or Winery
Amboise castle: Step back in time at the majestic Château d’Amboise, where French kings once reigned. Explore lavish chambers and uncover the castle’s history. Don’t miss the Chapelle Saint-Hubert, where Renaissance genius Leonardo da Vinci rests, adding a unique twist to your royal adventure.
Clos Lucé castle: Unveil the mysteries of the Renaissance at Château du Clos Lucé, the final home of Leonardo da Vinci. Explore the château and discover his inventions, including the flying machine and the tank. Learn about his artistic genius through interactive exhibits and see where he painted the Mona Lisa.
Winery: Enjoy a private tour and a wine tasting at a historic family winery. Discover ancient cellars, learn winemaking secrets, and savor treasures from the Rotonde.
Lunch in a old winery
Step back in time for lunch! Eat within the historic walls of a 17th-century winery. Savor local specialties (rillettes, rillons de Touraine, goat’s cheese…) in the charm of the old wine press. This tour begins with a stroll under an avenue of ancient lime trees, leading you to this beautiful experience.
©ADT Touraine – Loic Lagarde
Chenonceau castle
Step into a fairytale at Château de Chenonceau, a stunning Renaissance château built on the Cher River. Nicknamed the “Ladies’ Château,” it was built and cherished by six remarkable women, including Catherine de’ Medici and Diane de Poitiers. Admire its elegant architecture, including the grand gallery that spans the river. Explore its lavishly decorated rooms and stunning gardens. Discover its fascinating history, which includes stories of love, rivalry, and intrigue.
After exploring Amboise and Chenonceau castles, discovering the secrets of wine-making and enjoying a delicious lunch, you’ll leave with a wealth of memories. You’ll remember the architecture of the Loire castles, the fascinating history and charm of the region. This personalized experience will stay with you for a long time.
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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
Bravo for these 2 exceptional organizations.
We will do it again for sure!!!
© Léonard de Serres
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
Can I swap a château for a winery visit on the Amboise and Chenonceau tour?
Yes, that choice is built into the program. For the first stop, you pick Amboise castle, Clos Lucé (Leonardo da Vinci's last home) or a private tour and tasting at a historic family winery, where you see the old cellars and taste wines from the Rotonde. Whatever you choose, the day ends at Chenonceau.
Where do we have lunch on the Amboise, Chenonceau and winery tour?
Lunch is served inside the historic walls of a 17th-century winery, in its old wine press. You reach it along an avenue of ancient lime trees, then sit down to local Touraine specialties such as rillettes, rillons and goat cheese. If you have dietary restrictions, mention them when booking so your trip designer can check with the venue.
Why is Chenonceau called the Ladies’ Château?
Because six remarkable women built and cared for it over the centuries, including Diane de Poitiers and Catherine de' Medici, whose rivalry is part of its history. Chenonceau is the grand finale of this day: you explore its decorated rooms, the gallery that spans the Cher River and the gardens, while your driver-guide tells the stories of love and intrigue behind them.
What’s the difference between this tour and the Vouvray winery and Amboise tour?
Both mix wine with Amboise or Clos Lucé, but this one finishes at Chenonceau, and lunch is a sit-down meal of Touraine specialties in a 17th-century wine press rather than a garden picnic. Here the winery visit is optional, one of three choices for the morning. If you want two estate visits and no Chenonceau, the Vouvray tour is the better fit.
image sources:
- Detail of part of the gardens of the Chambord Castle in France: Saturnino Perez Garrido
- 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
