Chateaux of the Loire Valley

Take the Eurostar from London to Paris, where you’ll change stations and continue south by high-speed train to Tours, in the heart of the Loire Valley.

On arrival, make your way to the Hotel & Spa Oceania L’Univers (or similar) and settle in for a 3-night stay. Spend the rest of the day getting to know Tours, with its imposing cathedral, handsome old town and lively squares lined with cafés and restaurants.

You have two full days to discover some of the Loire Valley’s magnificent châteaux, choosing where you would most like to visit and making use of your included rail pass to travel around the region. Head to Amboise, where the Royal Château overlooks the Loire and the nearby Château du Clos Lucé which was the final home of Leonardo da Vinci. Alternatively, take the train to Chenonceau to visit the beautiful Château de Chenonceau, whose elegant galleries span the River Cher.

There are plenty of other possibilities too. Travel west towards Azay-le-Rideau, whose Renaissance château appears to rise straight from the waters of the Indre, or head east towards Chaumont-sur-Loire, renowned for its château, landscaped grounds and International Garden Festival.

You can decide how much you want to fit into each day. Visit a château and spend the rest of your time exploring its surrounding town, or make a fuller day of it by combining attractions where transport connections allow.

Leave Tours today and take a regional train along the banks of the Loire to Blois.

Once you’ve settled in, explore the historic centre and visit the Royal Château of Blois, right in the heart of the town. Once home to French kings and queens, the château brings together several centuries of French architecture around its spectacular central courtyard. There’s plenty of time afterwards to wander through Blois itself, with its old streets and stairways climbing away from the banks of the Loire.

Spend another day exploring the châteaux surrounding Blois. One of the great highlights of the region is Château de Chambord, the largest château in the Loire Valley, with its extraordinary Renaissance architecture, distinctive roofline and vast surrounding estate.

Chambord can be reached from Blois by local bus, making it possible to visit without a car. Depending on when you travel, you may also be able to visit Château de Beauregard, particularly known for its remarkable Portrait Gallery and extensive park and gardens.

Alternatively, keep the day flexible and simply enjoy more time in Blois, or use your rail pass to revisit another part of the Loire Valley that has caught your eye.

Continue by train along the Loire to Orléans for the final night of your holiday.

Closely associated with Joan of Arc, Orléans has an attractive historic centre, an impressive Gothic cathedral and colourful half-timbered buildings. Spend the afternoon exploring at your own pace, before enjoying a final evening in the city.

Leave Orléans this morning and travel by train to Paris. Cross the city to Gare du Nord, where you’ll board the Eurostar for your return journey to London.