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ChambordSelf-guided activities

Our most recommended Chambord Self-guided activities

From Paris: Full-Day Loire Valley Chateaux Tour

1. From Paris: Full-Day Loire Valley Chateaux Tour

Escape the hustle and bustle of Parisian life and enter into the Garden of France. Stroll the walkways of the French monarchs, hear tales of royal love affairs and kidnappings, and behold the beauty of the Loire Valley's exquisite Chateaux.  The first stop of the day is Château de Chambord; the perfect example of French Renaissance architecture, this remarkable structure was built by King François I between 1519-1547 and is the largest château in the Loire Valley. Who designed this masterpiece is still in dispute, and with contenders including Leonardo da Vinci, its sights are sure not to disappoint. Next up is the charming Château de Chenonceau, a true fairy tale castle set picturesquely on the Cher River, its history and character has been shaped by the women who've inhabited it. The site of the first-ever French fireworks display, Chenonceau is really one to fall in love with. The last stop will be at Château de Cheverny, a 17th-century beauty furnished in great taste and with marvelous gardens. Enjoy free time for lunch (not included) during the day either at Chenonceau or Chambord. You’ll be back in Paris in the evening.

Paris: Top Loire Castles with Lunch and Wine

2. Paris: Top Loire Castles with Lunch and Wine

After being picked up from your hotel in Paris, set off for the Loire Valley.The first castle the tour visits is Chateau de Chennonceau, it is one of the oldest and most beautiful castles in the France that is today only surpassed by the might of the famous Versailles in Paris. Next, visit the wine domain located next to the chateau. Stop for lunch which includes several French dishes.  After lunch, head over to the second equally one of famous Chambord or Amboise castles. At the end of your tour, take the return transfer back to Paris where you memorable day will end.

Exclusive Wine Day Trip Loire Valley from Paris

3. Exclusive Wine Day Trip Loire Valley from Paris

From Paris, set off directly for the Royal Castle of Amboise. When you arrive, take a walk in the town of the Amboise and see the beautiful castle from the outside and stroll around this historic city. This symbolic monument and its landscaped gardens offer wonderful panoramas of the Loire Valley, which rightly deserves the title of UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit two different castles with an audio guide Get acquainted with French history from different angles in an exceptional location of political and artistic importance within Europe during the Renaissance. Discover what would have been the intimate moments in a sovereign's life, learn about daily life in the court, and get the chance to peek behind the scenes.  Finally, discover local gastronomy at a local restaurant. Savor a 3-course lunch which includes a starter, main, and dessert. This final stop will also give you an opportunity to learn about some emblematic French wines. Visit one of wineries in unique locations and explore the caves and taste up to 5 different glasses of wine. Meet the people who produce delicious bottles as you follow them to the caves and hear their stories.

Private Day Tour to Loire Valley Castles & Wines from Paris

4. Private Day Tour to Loire Valley Castles & Wines from Paris

Do you want to see splendid Renaissance castles and taste delicious Loire Valley wines? At the end of this private 11-hour wine and culture day tour, you will have fallen in love with Chambord's impressive architecture and with the diversity of Loire Valley wines. After an early morning hotel pick-up in Paris, you will travel with your knowledgeable guide about two hours south of the city towards Chambord Castle. En route, bite into flaky croissants and pastries while hearing about the history of the region and its heritage of wine-making. Arrive at Chambord Castle in the morning for an audio-guided tour. Come away knowing the secrets behind this magnificent Château, constructed by King Francis I of France 500 years ago. Back in your air-conditioned minivan, pass through the vineyards of Touraine, Vouvray and Montlouis sur Loire. Admire the colorful landscapes of chenin blanc, sauvignon blanc and cabernet franc grapes. Settle in at a family-run Vouvray wine estate, where you’ll meet the winemaker and enjoy a delicious meal of traditional food, paired with a wine tasting. After lunch, discover a boutique but world-famous winery and taste sparkling white wines, dry and sweet white wines, red and rosé wines (depending on availability). Taste authentic Loire Valley wines largely unavailable in the rest of the world. You will be dropped off back at your hotel in the evening.

From Paris: Small-Group Tour of Loire Castles

5. From Paris: Small-Group Tour of Loire Castles

Discover the beautiful French castles of the Renaissance era on this full day trip from Paris. Enjoy airconditioned transportation and entry to the three charming castles of Cheverny, Chenonceau, and Chambord. Start with pickup from a centrally-located meeting point in Paris. Sit back and relax on the drive to the magnificent Cheverny castle where important artworks, including the Mona Lisa, were kept safe during WWII. Visit this castle and admire its Classical architecture. Purchase a nice lunch together and drive to Chenonceaux to visit Chenonceau Castle, built on the River Cher. It is also called the "Chateau of the 6 women." Women, including Catherine de Medici, played an important part in the history of the castle, and you’ll learn all about their interesting lives on the tour. After being taken through the castle and its gardens you’ll continue to Chambord Castle, famous for its double helix staircase. Here you’ll have a chance to explore the royal apartments of François I and Louis XIV. At the end of the day you’ll be dropped off at your hotel in Paris.

Private Tour from Paris to Loire Castles & Michelin Lunch

6. Private Tour from Paris to Loire Castles & Michelin Lunch

Do you want to see splendid Renaissance Castles and taste delicious Loire Valley wines? At the end of this vip 11-hour wine and culture private day tour, you will have fallen in love with Chambord's impressive architecture and with the diversity of Loire Valley wines.  After an early-morning hotel pick-up in Paris, travel with your knowledgeable guide about two hours south of the city towards Chambord Castle. En route, bite into flaky croissants and pastries while hearing about the wine-making region of Loire and its heritage. Arrive at Chambord Castle in the morning for an audio-guide tour and learn all the secrets behind this magnificent château constructed by King Francis I of France, five hundred years ago. Back in your air-conditioned car, drive through the vineyards of Touraine, Vouvray and Montlouis sur Loire. Admire the colourful landscapes of local grapes. For lunch, your guide will take you to one of the best restaurants of the region : a Michelin-starred restaurant. The chef's creative course menu is prepared with local products and will be paired to delicious boutique wines of the region. After lunch, your guide will take you in the vineyard to enjoy a beautiful landscape and give you a vine growing introduction course. Then, visit one of the most emblematic wineries of the region and, depending on availability, taste sparkling white wines, dry and sweet white wines, red and rosé wines. Here, you will get to taste authentic Loire Valley wines largely unavailable in the rest of the world. Your guide will drop you back at your hotel in the early evening.

Loire Valley Castles Private Tour From Paris/skip-the-line

7. Loire Valley Castles Private Tour From Paris/skip-the-line

At 7.30 a.m our driver guide will pick you up from your hotel or anywhere in Paris with high-quality air-conditioned vehicle. Visit the iconic Château of Chenonceau with your local guide (tickets and audioguide inside the castle are included), one of the most stunning examples of Loire Valley architecture, with its immense gallery that spans the width of the Cher river, giving it the nickname of the “Ponte Vecchio of France.” Nicknamed the Château des Dames – the Ladies’ Château – it was successively owned by many women of power and influence including Diane de Poitiers and Caterina de’ Medici. Inside the château we will discover the incredible collection of masterpieces (Reubens, Van Dyck, Corregio…), the royal bedrooms, salons for King François I and King Louis XIV, the chapel, and of course the gallery designed by Caterina de’Medici. Free time for lunch in chenonceau village. • Following our visit to the château, we will meet a local winemaker and have a private tasting in his winery near Chenonceau. • Driving from Ange to Chateau de Chambord (is around 50 minutes), the fairy-tale Château de Chambord is the largest of all the Loire Valley châteaux and is housed deep in the largest closed, forested park in Europe. Commissioned by King François I, Chambord is the culmination of Renaissance architecture and ingenuity. We will pay special attention to the innovative design – from Leonardo da Vinci’s double-spiral staircase at the heart of the château, to the blueprint of the château in the form of a cross, to the royal rooms and incredible gardens. We will take the time to discover this revolutionary château. (tickets and audioguide inside the castle are included) At the end of the day, we return you to your hotel or a location of your choice in Paris. Going back to the hotel is 3 hours. While on the way you can also see the magnificent landscape and cross typical French little villages. Whether you are a couple, a group of friends, or with your extended family, you will enjoy a unique visit full of interesting anecdotes and great works of art. (Your guide is also a pro at explaining art and history to children – families of all ages are welcome!)

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What people are saying about Chambord

Willy was an amazing guide! He took us to Chateaux Chambord which was a beautiful castle. We explored on our own for an hour with helpful audio We were a bit early for lunch so Willy made a surprise stop on the Loire River so we could enjoy the view and taste a bit of champagne. We had lunch at a quaint restaurant where I had the best meal of my life! We continued on to a winery where we toured the cellar & tasted 8 wines. From there we enjoyed a nice ride home. I would do this again!

A spectacular tour, you can't miss it, visits to three castles, two Renaissance and one neoclassical. The guide, Marissa, excellent !!! Very kind, didactic, nice, entertaining, funny and mainly with a Perfect management of the story. Totally recommend the tour and the guide. The only bad thing was the meeting point that was not exactly at the indicated time and point. We were almost 60 people without knowing where to go.

It was a very nice experience, as a professional photographer I like to take time and look around the area, this trip gave us ample time to look around and all was on time. Loved it .

The 3 Chateaus were a great selection for my interest. Different and interesting.

Excente, muy buenas las guías y los castillos maravillosos