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Gardens & Châteaux of the Loire Valley by Rail
Channel your inner royalty as you explore a selection of France’s most magnificent gardens, châteaux, and charming towns on this delightful rail holiday. From our base in the beautiful Loire Valley, set within the quaint town of Blois, we explore pretty Amboise and Tours. Venture through the chateaux-laden landscape that straddles the Loire River and enjoy discovering the best and well-known châteaux of the region, including the magnificent Château de Chambord, Château de Villandry and Château de Chenonceau. This fascinating holiday offers the perfect insight into where artists, aristocrats and architects drew their inspiration from!
Tour Includes
- Return Eurostar from London St. Pancras International to Paris
- Connecting rail journeys
- 4 nights hotel with continental breakfast
- A welcome dinner with two glasses of wine, mineral water and tea/coffee
- Services of an experienced Tour Manager
5 days from £995pp
Travel Options
Outbound &
Inbound Travel
Outbound
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Inbound
Travel
On-Tour
Experiences
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Itinerary
Please choose your preferred 5 day itinerary
Make your own way to London St. Pancras International, where we board the Eurostar to Paris and join the TGV to Tours.
On arrival, we meet our coach and transfer to our hotel in the centre of Blois. Relax and enjoy a welcome dinner and drinks this evening.
Includes Dinner
Blois is a charming town in the heart of the Loire Valley, famous for its magnificent castles and rich cultural heritage. This morning, we embark on a walking tour in the company of a local guide where you can admire the royal Château de Blois, a masterpiece of French architecture (entrance not included). We also explore the old town, where you can find quaint houses, cosy cafés, and historical monuments. There’s free time to explore Blois before we join our coach and travel to the Château de Chambord for an afternoon visit.
The Loire’s largest building, Chambord is a symbol of King Francois I's power, who transformed this ancient hunting ground into one of the most beautiful châteaux.
We return to our hotel where you have a free evening to eat in one of the many restaurants in Blois.
Includes Breakfast
Included Highlights
This morning, we travel by coach to Tours and meet our local guide for a walking tour. This beautiful medieval city is the regional capital of the Loire and boasts half-timbered houses and a grand cathedral. Our included walking tour will take in most of the main sights including the Place Plumereau, Romanesque Tour Charlemagne and Cathédrale St-Gatien.
After some free time, we continue to the beautiful Château de Villandry, which has been inhabited since the Renaissance. It is one of the most magnificent castles ever built on the banks of the Loire and is a unique example of Renaissance architecture. It boasts superb gardens that include the world’s largest ornamental kitchen garden, a wonderful herb garden and the stunning Garden of Love. The 18th-century interior features a collection of old Spanish paintings and an Arabian ceiling.
After our visit, we return to the hotel by coach.
Includes Breakfast
Included Highlights
After breakfast, we travel by coach to the town of Amboise, which not only boasts a royal château but is also where Leonardo da Vinci lived from 1516 until his death in 1519. You’ll have free time to explore at your own pace.
From here, we continue by coach to Château de Chenonceau, perhaps the most distinctive of all the Loire chateaux. It is a masterpiece of Renaissance architecture which spans the Cher River. Learn about the influential women who resided here, including Diane de Poitiers and Catherine de Medici, and discover the treasures inside, such as the room of Five Queens and the living room of Louis XIV.
This evening is free for you to dine out at leisure.
Includes Breakfast
Included Highlights
After breakfast, we transfer by coach to Tours and join the TGV to Paris. From here, we journey by Eurostar back to London St. Pancras International.
Includes Breakfast
Got a question about
this holiday?
Don’t hesitate to get in touch – our friendly team are ready and waiting to help with any further information you need!
Accommodation
You will stay for four nights at the 4-star Mercure Blois Centre.
Mercure Blois
The 4-star Mercure Blois Centre is ideally situated on Quai Saint Jean, just a 5-minute walk from the old town, the Chateau Royal and Saint Louis Cathedral. The hotel has a bar and restaurant, fitness centre, and wellness area including a indoor heated pool, sauna, steam room and hot tub. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel. All bedrooms are air-conditioned and have a flat-screen TV with satellite channels as well as tea and coffee-making facilities.
Hotel Facilities
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General
- 4 Star
- Bar
- Restaurant
- Indoor Swimming Pool
- Sauna or Steam Room
Room
- TV
- Tea and Coffee Making Facilities
- Safe Box
- Non-Smoking Rooms Available
- Shower or Bath
- Telephone
- Free Wifi
Food & Drink
- Vegetarian Meals
- Gluten Free Meals on Request
Accessibility
- Disabled Rooms Available
Service
- Room Service Available
- 24 Hour Front Desk
Hotel
- Swimming Pool
- Bar
- Restaurant
- WiFi Available
Holidays by Rail
Step aboard Eurostar at London St Pancras for a fast and comfortable journey to mainland Europe. On arrival in Paris, Amsterdam or Brussels, you will then join connecting services for your onward journey.
Overnight stays in Central London can be arranged as Eurostar departure times are generally early morning and return arrival in the evening, which our Holiday Advisors would be pleased to arrange.
Departure Dates
Got a question about
this holiday?
Don’t hesitate to get in touch – our friendly team are ready and waiting to help with any further information you need!
