Escorted Motorhome Tour
Leisurely Loire Valley
Impressions “Leisurely Loire Valley” tour 2019
Video drone flight Loire Valley 2015
Start: Orléans Region
End: Angers Region
Tour days: 15
Non-Driving days: 4
Max. daily mileage: 63 miles
Total mileage: 214 miles
Calais-Orléans: 292 miles
Pets allowed
Minimum number of units: 4 motorhomes
Highlights
- Workshop Wine Tasting
- Visit of a wine cellar
- Introduction to traditional local Loire valley game: boule de fort
- UNESCO World Heritage: Loire Valley with the castles and gardens
The Motorhome Tour
The Loire Valley is an enchanted land of vineyards, floral gardens and rolling green hills studded with story book villages, historical towns and the famous chateaux. Visit Chambord, the largest of the Loire chateaux, the Chateau of Chenonceau, spanning the Cher River or any of the 100 romantic castles open to the public. Some of the chateaux gardens and parks are destinations in their own right. The gardens of the Château de Villandry are considered to be among the best in the world.
Besides castles and spectacular scenery, the cities and towns of the Loire Valley also have a wealth of architectural heritage to offer its visitors including some of the world’s finest cathedrals in Tours and Orleans. The Loire Valley is also one of the great wine regions of France offering countless opportunities for wine tasting. It is also referred to as the garden of France, its products being sold at colourful markets that grace most towns selling everything from local fruit and vegetables to rich, varied charcuterie and speciality cheeses.
Day 1 and 2: Orléans
Orléans is famous for its association with Joan of Arc. It is an attractive city, steeped in history, south of Paris on the Loire River. You will have time to visit the extensive historic centre, cathedral and other fine buildings. In the evening the group will get to know each other during a group meal.
Day 3: Orléans – Blois
Before leaving Orléans, we recommend a visit to the Parc Floral de la Source with its beautiful flower gardens, tropical birds and butterfly greenhouses. Our destination today is Blois, famous for its castle and proud royal history and characterized by white facades, blue tiled roofs and red brick chimneys.
Day 4: Blois
The campsite in Blois is centrally located for visiting the majestic Chateaux Chambord, Villesavin, Cheverny and Beauregard, all of which are worth a visit. We will stay 2 nights here to give you plenty of time to explore, spend some time cycling along the river or in the forest or relaxing by the pool.
Day 5: Blois – Amboise
On the way to Amboise you have the chance to visit the charming Chateau Chaumont with its beautiful landscaped park and international garden festival. Amboise itself is a small market town and once home of the French royal court. Its Chateau dominates the town and the river and houses the tomb of Leonardo da Vinci.
Day 6: Amboise – Loches
Not far from Amboise is the Chateau du Clos-Lucé where Leonardo da Vinci spent his final years, and the Chateau of Chenonceau, spanning the Cher River. Both are worth a visit. After arriving in Loches, take a short walk along the river to the heart of the historical town centre where you will find a maze of cobbled streets etched with medieval buildings. Alternatively relax on the campsite or go for a swim in the heated pool.
Day 7: Loches – Tours
Spend the day discovering the smart and lively city of Tours, with its perfectly preserved historic quarters, Renaissance residences and pedestrianized streets between the Cathedral and Place Plumereau. The Botanical Gardens are also worth a visit. In the late afternoon we will visit a wine cellar in Tours and take part in a wine-tasting workshop.
Day 8: Tours – Azay-le-Rideau
Our destination today is the graceful white Chateau of Azay-le-Rideau, one of the most popular chateaux in the Loire valley. It is set on an island in the middle of the Indre River and seems to rise straight out of the waters of the river. The Chateau is surrounded by a large landscaped park. Close by is the Chateau Villandry and its gardens which are considered to be among the best in the world.
Day 9: Azay-le-Rideau – Chinon
Today we leave Azay-le-Rideau and travel to Chinon. Chinon is situated peacefully along the bank of the Vienne, has an appealing medieval quarter but is dominated by its expansive hillside Chateau. Chinon is also renowned as one of the Loire’s main wine producing areas with vineyards stretching along both sides of the river.
Day 10: Chinon – Saumur
Today we travel to Saumur. On the way there you can visit Candes-St-Martin, a listed “most beautiful village” of France. Take a walk along the Chemin du Panorama to the viewpoint above the village. This gives you a great view of a particularly beautiful stretch of the River Loire. Another highlight on the route is the Abbey of Fontevraud, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and burial site of Henry II and Richard the Lionheart.
Day 11: Saumur
Saumur, also known as the “pearl of Anjou”, is renowned for its horses and especially its Cadre Noir stables, a French cavalry centre of excellence that visitors should not miss. Saumur is also known for its elegant chateau and the delights of its old quarter. Soft white tufa cliffs stretch along the riverbanks east and west of the town, pock-marked by the unusual artificial caves known as “habitations troglodytes”.
Day 12: Saumur – Montreuil-Bellay
Today we travel to Montreuil-Bellay, a small medieval town characterized by romantic stairways, cobbled streets, flowers and its magnificent chateau.
Day 13 and 14: Montreuil-Bellay – Angers
After a busy few days, we will conclude our journey in a more relaxing way and will have an introduction to the traditional regional game of the Loire region: Boule de Fort.
Day 15: Departure and end of tour
Tour Dates
Tour currently not available
Prices
What is included:
All services are for a motorhome with 2 people
- Welcome Dinner
- Workshop Wine Tasting
- Visit of a wine cellars
- Introduction to traditional local Loire valley game: boule de fort
- 14 nights at campsites / motorhome parks with electricity (where available)
- Assistance of a multi-lingual motorhome guide during the whole tour
- Travel pack containing maps, a detailed road book with directions to the campsites, suggestions for sightseeing and general advice on motorhoming in Europe
- Secured Payment Certificate
What is included in the optional Calais pick-up service:
- Flexible return ferry crossing from Dover
- Pick-up by motorhome guide in Calais
- One additional night at a campsite in France
Price for tour only: EURO
Optional Extra Calais pick-up service: EURO
Earlybird discount (for bookings made by 31.12.20XX): EURO
In addition to the Earlybird discount, we offer to all customers booking more than one tour during one touring year a EURO discount on the second tour booked!
All prices are for 2 people travelling in their own motorhome (motorhome rental optional)
– Other prices upon request –
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