Charming Châteaus of the Loire Valley 2026

Duration

7 Days

Departure Dates

18th July 2026

Prices from

£2,399 Per person

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Immerse yourself in the charm and elegance of the Loire Valley on this Signature tour to France. Discover magnificent châteaus steeped in history and grandeur, stroll through beautiful and tranquil gardens, indulge in a tour and tasting at a local vineyard, and enjoy free time to explore the quaint town of Tours on this exclusive, small group tour.

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Tours1 ©Shutterstock

7 days from £2,399

DEPARTS

Saturday 18 July 2026

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

Visit the magnificent Château de Chenonceau
Experience a wine tasting in the historic wine cellar
Discover a panorama of French architecture at the Château Royal de Blois
Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Château Chambord
Explore the spectacular gardens of the Château de Villandry
Tour Château d’Azay-le-Rideau, a jewel of the Loire Valley
Visit Leonardo da Vinci’s charming Château du Clos Lucé
Enjoy free time in the quaint town of Tours
Stay in an historic hotel with fantastic leisure facilities

Also included in your Tour Fare:

6 nights’ bed & breakfast plus 3 evening meals and 1 lunch
Services of experienced Railtrail Tour Manager
Eurostar Plus and First Class rail travel in Europe, where available

DAY 1

Travelling by Eurostar Plus from London St Pancras to Paris, then onwards in First Class to Tours and our hotel for six nights, the Oceania L'Univers, where we check in and enjoy our first evening meal together.

DAY 2

This morning, we visit the magnificent Château de Chenonceau, a unique Renaissance castle with an extraordinary collection of furniture, tapestries, and paintings. We have time to wander through the château, discover the grand rooms, and explore the glorious gardens including the Italian maze and the Flower Garden with over one hundred varieties of 'cutting flowers'. Afterwards, we enjoy a wine tasting under the beautiful, vaulted ceiling of the château's historic wine cellar, the Cave des Dômes, before returning to Tours for our evening meal together at a local restaurant.

B, D

DAY 3

After breakfast this morning, we travel by rail to Blois to visit the historic Château Royal de Blois for a fantastic panorama of French architecture with each façade reflecting a grand architectural style. We will learn of the illustrious historical figures and events that have taken place here and take time to explore the Fine Arts Museum which showcases the collections of the château. This afternoon, we visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Château Chambord, arguably the most spectacular château in France, inspired by Leonardo da Vinci and architect Francois I. We will wander through the interiors and admire the stunning gardens before returning to Tours for an evening at leisure.

DAY 4

Today, we enjoy a full day at leisure in Tours to relax in the hotel's fantastic leisure facilities, explore this historic city with its cobbled streets and half-timbered wooden houses, or discover quaint cafés and boutique shops.

DAY 5

Today, we journey through the countryside to visit the elegant Château de Villandry, built on the banks of the Loire and renowned for its spectacular gardens. We will explore these timeless gardens from the medieval garden to the Renaissance and the contemporary including the Water Garden, the Maze, and the Love Garden. This afternoon, we take our lunch together and visit the Château d'Azay-le-Rideau, a jewel of the Loire Valley with its gothic outline, elaborately decorated interior, and innovative staircase before returning to Tours for an evening at leisure.

B, L

DAY 6

This morning, we travel to Amboise to visit the charming Château du Clos Lucé for a guided tour through history at the home of Leonardo da Vinci with time to discover the surrounding parkland and gardens that were inspired by his work. Afterwards, we visit a local vineyard for a fascinating tour and tasting before returning to Tours in time for our final evening meal together.

B, D

DAY 7

We bid farewell to Tours and to France, returning by rail to Paris, where we will join the Eurostar Plus service to London St Pancras.

B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner

HOTELS

Oceania L’Univers, Tours

One of the city’s historic hotels, the grand and characterful Oceania L’Univers offers a gourmet restaurant serving traditional French cuisine, a cosy bar and lounge, and a fitness centre plus a relaxing wellness area including a heated indoor pool, spa, and sauna. The elegant bedrooms provide an en-suite bathroom with a walk-in shower and complimentary toiletries, a hairdryer, flat-screen TV, free Wi-Fi, and tea/coffee making facilities.

FARES

From London St Pancras International:
First Class rail travel to/from France, including Eurostar Plus	£2,399
Join & Leave at Tours	£1,999
Single Traveller Supplement	£540
Deposit	£240

6 nights’ bed & breakfast plus 3 evening meals and 1 lunch

Eurostar Plus and First Class rail travel to and from France

All transfers, excursions & admissions as detailed

Services of experienced Railtrail Tour Manager

Important – Please select the number of passengers before proceeding to ‘Book Now’

Number of passengers:

Date	From Price	Book Now	Callback
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Oceania L'Univers, Tours

Chu00e2teau de Chenonceau

Chu00e2teau Royal de Blois

Chu00e2teau Chambord

Visit Tours

Chu00e2teau de Villandry

Chu00e2teau d'Azay-le-Rideau

Chu00e2teau du Clos Lucu00e9

Tours2 ©Shutterstock

Chu00e2teau de Chenonceau1 ©Shutterstock

Chu00e2teau de Chenonceau2 ©Shutterstock

Chu00e2teau Royal de Blois1 ©AdobeStock

Chu00e2teau Royal de Blois2 ©Shutterstock

Chu00e2teau Chambord1 ©AdobeStock

Chu00e2teau Chambord2 ©Shutterstock

Chu00e2teau de Villandry1 ©Shutterstock

Chu00e2teau de Villandry2 ©AdobeStock

Chu00e2teau d'Azay le Rideau1 ©Shutterstock

Chu00e2teau d'Azay le Rideau2 ©Shutterstock

Chu00e2teau du Clos Lucu00e91 ©Shutterstock

Chu00e2teau du Clos Lucu00e92 ©AdobeStock

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