Tours France

Paris• Blois• Tours• Le Mans• Chartres• Paris

• Picturesque countryside of the lush Loire Valley
• Beautiful, historic towns of Blois, Le Mans and Tours
• Mediaeval castles of Chambord, Cheverny and Azay Le Rideau
• Saumur Horse School, the most prestigious in France
• Famous Notre Dame cathedral of Chartres
• Romantic Paris

The Loire Valley, with its pretty villages, Gothic churches, mediaeval castles and Renaissance palaces, greets travellers with quiet charm. Known as the ‘Garden of France’, the landscapes of fields, woods and water have inspired artists and writers for hundreds of years. Add to it the region’s excellent food and fine wines and you have all the ingredients for a superb holiday.

Day 1: Paris
Collect your rental car at the airport and drive to your hotel. Afternoon is at leisure to acquaint yourself with this romantic beautiful city.

Day 2: Paris — Blois (321 kilometres)
Drive to the beautiful city of Blois, from where you can visit nearby Chambord, Beaugency and Vendome with their stunning castles. Overnight in Blois.

Day 3: Blois — Tours (131 kilometres)
Visit the magnificently furnished Cheverny Castle, Chenonceaux’s masterpiece and the quaint city of Loches before you stay overnight in Tours.

Day 4: Tours and the surrounding area (130 kilometres)
Drive through superb scenery to the 16th century castle of Azay Le Rideau, and on to Bourgueil’s wine cellars, the old city of Chinon and the beautiful city of Saumur, with its prestigious national horse school.

Day 5: Tours — Le Mans (250 kilometres)
Depart Tours to visit the monastery of Fontevraud Abbey dating back to the 12th century and charming Angers city before you stay overnight in Le Mans.

Day 6: Le Mans — Paris (220 kilometres)
Explore the old city of Le Mans before driving to Chartres to view the Notre Dame cathedral with its beautiful stained glass windows. Stroll into the quaint old town before proceeding to Paris for your overnight stay.

Day 7: Paris
Explore the famous sights of Paris – Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame and the Louvre museum. Overnight in Paris.

Day 8: Paris
The morning is at leisure before you drop off your rental car at the airport for your onward flight.

Total distance: 1,052 kilometres.

Tour available as:

Self-Drive – Includes car and pre-booked 3 or 4 star accommodation.

A luxury train journey is one of the best ways to experience the refined splendour of the French countryside. Our programmes combine first-class service on board a train with luxurious overnight stay in deluxe, historic hotels in each picturesque town and city. Our first itinerary includes stylish Paris to chic Cannes through dramatic landscapes. The second itinerary offers Paris and the grand Loire Valley, ancestral palaces and vineyards of Cognac and Bordeaux.

Virtuoso Tour - Paris Cannes

Day 1: Paris
On arrival, transfer to your luxury hotel. Afternoon is at leisure before dinner and overnight at Crillon Hotel.

Day 2: Paris — Burgundy (320 kilometres)
Board your luxury train for a three-hour journey towards Avallon. The afternoon takes you to the ancient village of Vézelay before transfer to La Côte D’or Hotel for a gourmet dinner and overnight.

Day 3: Burgundy — Lyons (200 kilometres)
Today, your train departs for Lyons. An afternoon tour to the ancient quarters of Lyons and the Gallo-Roman Museum before dinner and overnight at Cours des Loges Hotel.

Day 4: Lyons — Provence (335 kilometres)
Continue your train journey to Tarascon. Discover Baux de Provence town and its castle; proceed to Vallon de Valrugues Hotel for dinner and overnight.

Day 5: Provence — Cannes (215 kilometres)
Arrive in the afternoon to beautiful Cannes, afternoon is at your leisure. Dinner and overnight at Martinez Hotel.

Day 6: Cannes — Nice (40 kilometres)
After breakfast transfer to Nice Cote d’Azur Airport for your departure flight.

Total distance: 1,110 kilometres.

Castles and Vineyards - Paris to Bordeaux

Day 1: Paris
On arrival in Paris, transfer to the traditional palace Hotel Meurice for your overnight stay.

Day 2: Paris — Loire Valley (325 kilometres)
Transfer to Paris-Bercy railway station to start your magnificent train journey to Blois. Upon arrival, tour Chambord castle followed by wine-tasting, gourmet dinner and overnight at either historic Chateau d’Artigny or Domaine de Beauvois.

Day 3: Loire Valley — Cognac (250 kilometres)
After a guided tour of the Chenonceaux castle proceed by train towards Cognac. Upon arrival, a tasting session at “Camus” Cognac. Dinner and overnight at Château de l’Yeuse.

Day 4: Cognac — Bordeaux (130 kilometres)
Your train journey continues to Libourne where you visit Château Franc Mayne for wine-tasting and a private lunch. Enjoy a tour of Saint Emilion before dinner and overnight at Burdigalia Hotel in Bordeaux.

Day 5: Bordeaux — Paris (by air)
The morning takes you to the historic centre of Bordeaux, followed by lunch in a famous bistro before your flight to Paris. Transfer to Hotel Meurice for your overnight stay.

Day 6: Paris
Morning at leisure in this romantic city before your transfer for your onward flight.

Total distance: 705 kilometres.

Tours available as:

Train journeys with pre-booked 4 and 5 star accommodation on set departure dates
Tours also available in reverse order on set departure dates.