Plan a refined escape to the Loire Valley
Think of the Loire Valley as France's open air gallery. Renaissance châteaux, formal gardens and riverfront vineyards sit beside bike paths and troglodyte cellars. It is easy to reach and even easier to explore, with days that flow from architecture to tastings to garden walks.
Seasonal highlights
Spring
Blossom in the orchards and vines, fresher air on château grounds, and fewer queues.
Gardens at Villandry and Chaumont begin to show colour, perfect for slow walks and photography.
White asparagus and goat cheese arrive on menus.
Summer
River life takes over with cycling on the Loire à Vélo path, gentle kayaking, and village brocantes.
Apéritifs in walled gardens, outdoor concerts, and long golden evenings.
Peak opening hours at landmarks give you extra time to plan around crowds.
Autumn
Vineyards turn copper and gold, cellar doors feel festive, and markets fill with mushrooms and game.
Softer light for château visits and calm roads for scenic drives.
A good time for truffle hunts and winemaker dinners.
Winter
Quiet salons, candlelit dinners, and more of the sights to yourself.
Christmas lights in towns like Tours, Angers and Saumur.
Ideal for private tours, museum stops, and hearty meals by the fire.
Insider tips
Visit the most popular châteaux at opening time or just before closing for calmer halls and better photos. Consider a loop of two highlights and one smaller site each day.
Reserve tastings ahead of time, especially for estates in Vouvray, Montlouis and Chinon. Ask for a mixed flight to compare terroirs.
The Loire à Vélo is mostly flat and well signposted. Arrange a point to point ride with a return transfer, rather than a simple out and back.
Many estates break at midday. Plan lunch in a village bistro then continue when doors reopen.
For families, mix one garden or château with a hands on stop such as a troglodyte cave visit or a goat farm..
Premium Experiences
Sunrise hot air balloon over the river with a private transfer and breakfast set up on landing.
After hours access to a marquee château with a guide who can open closed rooms and share archive stories.
A private cellar tasting with the winemaker, followed by a food pairing menu in a nearby dining room.
Sunset canoe under the arches of a riverside château when water levels and conditions allow.
Dedicated driver guide for a day, linking hidden chapels, farm producers and scenic back roads.
A simple two day plan
Day one Tours area
Morning coffee in Tours, then Château de Chenonceau or Amboise at opening. Lunch in a village near the river. Afternoon tasting in Vouvray or Montlouis. Return to the hotel for a slow evening.
Day two Anjou and Saumur
Start with Château de Brissac or a garden walk at Villandry if you stayed closer to Tours. Lunch in Saumur, then a cave visit in the tufa cliffs and an easy cycle stretch by the river. End with a relaxed dinner and a nightcap.
Planning essentials
Getting there direct TGV from Paris to Tours Saint Pierre des Corps in about one hour. Car rental is straightforward at the station.
Getting around a car gives you freedom between vineyards and gardens. Private drivers are easy to arrange for a day.
How long two nights for a taste, three or four to settle into the rhythm.
When to book popular weekends and harvest weeks fill early. Reserve château tickets and tastings in advance.
Where to stay in the Loire Valley
Best for a refined country retreat near Tours with space to breathe.
The feel a historic estate wrapped by parkland, with a calm rhythm from morning coffee on the terrace to evenings by the fire.
Why it works close to the headline châteaux yet tucked away from crowds, with a discreet service style that suits couples and families alike.
Best for classic château ambiance and long dinners after a day among vines.
The feel thick stone walls, high ceilings and that reassuring sense of old France.
Why it works a great base west of Tours for Vouvray and Bourgueil tastings, river drives and easy day trips to Chinon and Azay le Rideau.
Best for panoramic river views and a romantic setting.
The feel a former priory perched above the Loire, with gardens that glow at sunset.
Why it works striking scenery, a slower pace, and access to the quieter Anjou side of the valley.
Château Le Prieuré, a member of the VERTU Collection