Enjoy a private guided experience in the heart of Loire Valley vineyards and castles with a driver-guide
Experience the best of the Loire Valley on a private day tour with a knowledgeable driver-guide. Visit the Château d’Amboise or the Château du Clos Lucé, enjoy a picnic lunch at a local vineyard, and tour the Château de Chenonceau. This is a perfect day trip for history lovers, wine enthusiasts, and anyone who wants to experience the beauty of the Loire Valley vineyards and castles.
©ADT Touraine – JC Coutand
Amboise castle or Clos Lucé castle
Amboise castle was once the favorite residence of French kings, including Charles VIII and François I. Explore the château’s lavish chambers, including the King’s and Queen’s apartments. Take a stroll through the beautifully landscaped gardens, explore its rich history, its stunning architecture, and enjoy breathtaking views.
At Clos Lucé castle, immerse yourself in the world of Leonardo da Vinci. This stunning château was the home of the famed inventor and artist for the last three years of his life. See where he invented his famous flying machines and where he painted his masterpiece, the Mona Lisa. Take a walk in the château’s beautiful gardens and learn about da Vinci’s love of nature.
Winery visit and gourmet picnic
Immerse yourself in the Loire vineyards! Explore a historic, family-run vineyard, dating back 500 years, where passion meets tradition. Meet the winemaker couple, taste their delicious wines, and then indulge in a gourmet picnic feast amidst the idyllic countryside. Imagine a beautifully set table in the picturesque garden. Savor local delicacies: smoked salmon, homemade pâté, and melt-in-your-mouth confit pork belly. Pair it all with perfectly chosen estate wines, selected during your earlier tasting. Fresh bread, salad, and homemade cake complete this luxurious picnic experience.
©ADT Touraine – JC Coutand
Chenonceau castle
Step into a fairy tale at the Château de Chenonceau, a stunning château built on a bridge over the Cher River. Known as the “Château des Dames,” Chenonceau was home to some of the most powerful women in French history, including Catherine de’ Medici and Diane de Poitiers. Marvel at its elegant architecture, explore its lavishly decorated rooms, and stroll through its beautiful gardens. Chenonceau castle is a masterpiece of Renaissance architecture and a testament to the power and influence of women in French history.
This private day tour whisks you through the heart of the Loire Valley vineyards and castles, promising unforgettable moments at every turn. Whether you’re a history buff, a wine enthusiast, or simply seeking beauty and charm, this curated experience promises a day to remember.
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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
What does the Loire Valley vineyards and castles tour include?
It is a private day with a driver-guide that mixes two châteaux and a winery. You start at Amboise castle or Clos Lucé, then visit a historic family-run vineyard where you taste the wines and have a gourmet picnic. The day ends at Chenonceau, built on a bridge over the Cher River. It suits history lovers and wine enthusiasts traveling together.
Who will we meet at the winery on the vineyards and castles tour?
You visit a family-run vineyard that dates back 500 years and meet the winemaker couple who run it. They show you the estate and lead a tasting of their wines. The wines you enjoy with lunch afterward are chosen from that tasting, so the picnic follows on from what you liked.
What’s on the menu for the gourmet picnic in the vineyard?
The picnic is served at a set table in the estate's garden. It includes smoked salmon, homemade pâté and confit pork belly, with fresh bread, salad and homemade cake, paired with the estate's wines. If you are vegetarian or have allergies, tell your trip designer when booking so they can check with the estate.
Should I pick Amboise castle or Clos Lucé on the vineyards and castles tour?
Choose Amboise castle for royal history: it was a favorite residence of kings Charles VIII and François I, and you visit the King's and Queen's apartments, the gardens and the views. Choose Clos Lucé if Leonardo da Vinci is your interest. He lived there for the last three years of his life, and you can see where he designed his flying machines and walk in the gardens he loved.
How is this tour different from the Vouvray winery and Amboise tour?
Both pair Amboise or Clos Lucé with a winery and a garden picnic. This one centers on a single 500-year-old family estate, where you taste and then eat with the winemaker couple's wines, and it ends at Chenonceau. The Vouvray tour has no Chenonceau: it visits two estates instead, starting with troglodyte cellars in Vouvray. Your trip designer can help you choose.
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
