Tours, France

Garden & Park Tours

Travel back to the days of the French Renaissance on a full-day tour of the châteaux of the Loire Valley, and enjoy an optional lunch in a privately-owned— and still occupied — castle. Meet your guide at the Tourist Office in Tours at 9:00 AM and drive by minivan to Chambord. Discover glorious works of art and architecture as your guide selects the most emblematic rooms to visit. Hear memorable anecdotes as they point out hidden details. Get breathtaking views of the castle during a coffee break in Chambord Park. Lunch will be served at an off-the-beaten-path location, hosted by the French Countess who lives there permanently. Taste local food in the smallest of all the Loire Valley castles. Continue to Chenonceau, passing the must-see castles of the French “Valley of the Kings,” including Chaumont, Amboise and Clos Lucé. Upon arrival at the Château de Chenonceau (the most visited historical monument in France), admire the unusual castle built on a bridge across the Cher River. Stroll through the manicured gardens named after the "Catherine de Médicis" and "Diane de Poitiers," the famous ladies who lived there. Take time to appreciate the refined architecture and feminine influence of each room and see beautiful antiques and lovely arrangements of fresh flowers. Then your guide will offer you an aperitif of local produce in a secret corner of the park. Enjoy the most striking view of Château de Chenonceau, before returning to Tours at 7:00 PM.

Meet your guide in front of the Tourist Office in Tours and travel by minivan to the Loire Valley. You will start your day at Chateau de Villandry, a Renaissance jewel ranking high in French heritage. Time-travel to life in France back in the 16th century. Your tour-leader will guide you through all the rooms of the chateau, with plenty of funny anecdotes. After that, discover Villandry's beautiful gardens as your local expert shares all his knowledge of and shows you hidden corners from where you will get the best views of the château. Then, get back in the minibus for a short drive to the next stop: Chateau de l'Islette. This family-owned chateau is still inhabited today. Get ready for a very unusual visit, as your guide will take you to the most intimate rooms like the parent's bedroom, the kids’ corner, the family kitchen and even the bathroom! You may even get the chance to meet the owners who will share with their daily life in this house!  A unique souvenir! After the visit, share a lovely aperitif with your group, near the river in the park of the chateau. Enjoy a glass of local wine paired with a local delicacy. An experience you will never forget. Arrive back in Tours around 1:30 PM.

Take a tour of the Chateau of Langeais which is a perfect balance between gardens, architecture, and contemporary art. You will be surprised by this 15th-century fortress, which contrasts with the quirky art exhibition. Its huge garden is inspired by fairy tales and cartoons. A confidential place for an original experience. Then, have a guided tour of one of the most spectacular gardens of Touraine, Villandry. By its diversity and originality (Love Garden, Kitchen Garden, Aromatic and Medicine Plant Garden, Water Garden and the brand new Sun Garden) and by its size (15 acres, 1150 linden trees), Villandry is the Loire Valley garden not to be missed. With your guide, learn to speak the language of a medieval and Renaissance garden while discovering the power of thyme and basil on your health. At the end of the tour, your guide will drop you off in Tours at 5:30 PM or in Amboise at 6:15 PM.