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Loire Valley Châteaux & Wines - Overview
Tour Overview
Departures: any dates throughout April, May, June, September and October
The immense number of châteaux and all their great gardens can prove quite intimidating for the first time visitor to this region. However, with a little planning, picking the right number of châteaux and ridding yourself of the responsibility to follow guided tours, you can get the best from what is one of France's most enjoyable regions. Furthermore, the Loire Valley, whilst not as famous as Burgundy or Bordeaux, has some of the most exquisite wines you'll ever taste and with over twenty appellations, an abundance to choose from.
The Loire Valley's central region of Touraine, known as the "heart of France" forms the central part of this tour. The River Loire slows down to its most enjoyable pace here, amongst the waterweeds, languidly floating by as you sit on the river bank sampling local Sancerre or a Chinon. Here you will find the best of the Loire Valley wines, the best châteaux as well as the best restaurant menus, including local game, vegetables and fruit, often unavailable in any other region.
This tour has been split into four campsite stays:
Days 1 to 5 - Pierrefitte
Sample Sancerre from the vineyards of the same name, visit the beautiful city of Orléans, Bourges and Gien or simply wander the riverbanks and country lanes of this quieter part of the Loire Valley.
Days 6 to 9- Chambord
Visits the best of the all the châteaux that the Loire Valley has to offer, starting with Chambord, Blois, Chenonceaux, Cheverney and Chaumont.
Days 10 to 13 - Tours
More stunning châteaux such as the Azay-le-Rideau and more high quality vineyards, home to Chinon, Anjou and Vouvray and a visit to the impressive city of Tours.
Days 14 to 17- Saumur
Ending with more superb wines such as Saumur, Bourgueil and Chinon, and a visit to the impressive town of Angers and the mystical Abbaye de Fontevraud.
Travel
Fly-Drive - fly into Tours, Nantes, Poitiers or even Paris Orly. Collect your car at any of these airports
Rail Drive - take the Eurostar to Paris and travel by TGV to Orléans, Tours or Angers. Rail drive is quicker to the Loire Valley from London, than Fly Drive. Collect your car at any of these stations.
Self Drive - choose from any of the ferry crossings between the UK and the continent and drive at your own pace. Overnight stops can be organized at a wide selection of campsites "en route" if you feel like breaking the journey up. However, this region is easily reachable in a day .