Loire Valley: The Châteaux Trail Walking Holiday

Loire Valley: The Châteaux Trail

7 Days & 6 Nights 4.4 Read 15 reviews

Enjoy easy-going walking in the heart of the Loire; the ‘garden of France’
Admire the historic Châteaux of Azay-le-Rideau, Villandry, Chinon, Amboise and Chenonceaux
Walk the most scenic sections of the GR3 trail from Chinon to Amboise
Indulge in classic French cuisine; confit de canard and full-bodied local red wine
Relax in carefully selected charming hotels and guesthouses

Discover the magnificent Loire Valley on foot and visit the historic and opulent Châteaux de la Loire. Once the favourite hunting ground of France’s nobility, aristocrats and royalty, the Loire is brimming with these fascinating relics of a bygone time. Walk from town to town past vineyards, along peaceful forest trails, quiet country roads and riverside paths. Start in the medieval town of Chinon, and meander your way along the GR3 following the red and white blazes to Azay-le-Rideau, Villandry and Tours, before making a detour to Chenonceaux. Wander alongside the Cher river and through the woods to reach the charming town of Amboise; the former residence of Leonardo Da Vinci. Spend your evenings enjoying exceptional local cuisine such as rich beef steak, marinated duck, warm goat’s cheese salad and sweet Tarte Tatin. Enjoy a glass of locally produced wine and toast to another fantastic day of exploration while soaking up the French culture and atmosphere that make the Loire one of France’s most loved regions.

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What To Expect

Travel Restrictions

If you are looking to explore the Loire and its Châteaux away from the bus tours and large groups, then this itinerary is perfect for you. See all the highlights as well as experiencing quiet walking trails, where you have a real sense of getting off the beaten track. This tour is ideal for foodies; the gastronomy is a delight. The walking is rated easy-moderate, and although there are a couple of long days, you will be walking on mostly good, flat paths and trails. Stay in welcoming, high-quality 3* hotels and guesthouses.

Trip Style:

Self Guided | Go at your own pace on an independent holiday.

Activity:

Inn to Inn Walking | A classic point to point walking trip, staying in a different location each night

This trip is suitable for:

Solo Travellers, Families, Mixed Abilities, First Timers

As a guide, we would suggest that the minimum age of traveller this holiday would be suitable for is: 5 Years

Ideal if you have an interest in:

Foodie Adventures
Historical Journeys

Inspiration:

Grade & Terrain

This tour is rated easy-moderate. You will be walking between 13.5 and 20 km each day, but the ascent/descent is negligible, making for quick progress. This allows for a short day of walking and plenty of time in the afternoon to explore the Châteaux and towns along the way. You will be walking on a combination of paved trails, forest paths, grassy paths and quiet country roads. At times you will be sharing wide paths with cyclists.

Navigation

All of the walks are way-marked and we also provide you with turn-by-turn instructions for each walk, maps and access to our GPS smartphone navigation app, so you will have no problem finding your way.

Accommodation Information

Spend 6 nights in 3* hotels and high-quality guesthouses. All of our accommodations are hand-picked and offer a warm welcome to walkers. You will find an example of the accommodation we normally use below. If these accommodations are not available we will use an accommodation of a similar or better standard than those described.

Single Rooms & Solo Walkers

This trip is available to solo walkers but a solo walker supplement is payable. Single rooms and double rooms for single occupancy are available should someone in your party wish to have their own room, again a supplement is payable.

Meals

6 Breakfasts are included in the cost of your trip. In the larger hotels, breakfast is buffet-style with various options available. Expect a continental breakfast with bread, jams, pastries, yoghurt and muesli available. In guesthouses, breakfast will normally be served at the table and again will consist of fresh baguette, croissants, pain au chocolat, butter and homemade jams, and occasionally cold meats, cheese and fruits. Dinners and lunches are not included so you have the freedom to choose from what’s on offer each day. You can find bakeries and shops in each town to stock up on food for your hikes. There are plenty of options for dinner each night, either at your hotel or in nearby restaurants. Food is synonymous with French culture and your week in the Loire is as much a gastronomic journey as it is a walking one! Expect rich dishes of confit de canard, steak, hearty salads and creative dishes made from seasonal and local produce. If you have any dietary requirements please let us know at the time of booking.

Included

6 nights accommodation in 3* hotels and high-quality guesthouses
6 breakfasts
Bag transfers as per the itinerary
Transfer on day 2 and day 5
Detailed information pack, route notes, maps and access to our navigation app
24/7 support from our UK office

Excluded

Travel insurance (required)
Travel to Chinon and from Amboise
Entrance into the Châteaux and other attractions
Dinners & Lunches
Drinks and snacks
Personal equipment

Extras

Additional nights before,during or after the holiday

When To Go

You can start your adventure on any day of the week between the start of April and the end of October. The shoulder months of April and October may be considerably quieter than the summer months, with fewer restaurants and amenities open, but for those looking for a quieter experience, this may be ideal. August is the busiest month in France for holiday makers, so expect a vibrant atmosphere in the towns along the way.

Getting to the Start

Most international airlines fly into Paris Charles De Gaulle. From here, take a TGV (Train á Grande Vitesse), France’s intercity high speed railway service to Saint Pierre des Corps (2 hours). Then take a local train via Tours to Chinon (1.5 hours). There are also TGV’s leaving from Paris Montparnasse should you be staying in Paris before heading to the Loire. For more information and guidance, check: www.sncf.com/en

Getting from the End

From Amboise you can travel by train to any other French destination, or back to the CDG airport.

General Information

The distances and ascents/descents are approximations of the recommended routes. Please be prepared by packing all necessary items, for example proper rain gear, sun hat, sunscreen. Your information pack has detailed advice and a kit list on what to take. This includes good waterproof gear, walking shoes/boots, and lots of other useful bits and bobs.

The reviews for this tour up until December 2019, are based on a previous itinerary. As of December 2019, changes have been made to the itinerary.

Travel Insurance

It is a requirement of booking this tour with Macs Adventure that you have suitable travel insurance which covers you for the activity and emergency evacuation and hospital care.

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Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive Chinon Day 2: Transfer to Saint-Benoit-la-Fôret and walk to Azay-le-Rideau 10 miles / 16.4 km Day 3: Walk to Villandry 8.2 miles / 13.4 km Day 4: Walk to Tours 13.2 miles / 21.2 km

Walk to the pretty town of Savonniéres, located on the banks of the Cher. From here, the trail follows the river as it meanders its way to Tours. The path is flat and open, allowing far-reaching views of the surrounding Loire valley. Sandwiched between the Cher and Loire rivers, Tours is dominated by an impressive Gothic Cathedral and a lovely, car-free centre lined with half-timbered houses. Another attraction is the indoor market, also known as the ‘Ventre de Tours’ (belly of Tours), this is a great place to get closer to French gastronomic culture, and to partake in the great French market tradition.

Ascent/Descent: 51m / 53m

Overnight Tours

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Maison Jules

Luxury guesthouse La Maison Jules is set in a charming 19th century mansion with garden, in the historic heart of Tour. Entirely renovated the guest house offers a peaceful haven a few meters away from the train station and the cathedral, combining the elegance of its century and contemporary comfort. The house has five guest rooms, all individually decorated and distributed over two floors, accessed by an antique staircase.

Guests are welcome to relax in the living room with its large fireplace and comfortable seats and sofa. The dining room is decorated in a warm and modern style; on its large table, guests and families will share their breakfast together. It is also possible to have breakfast on the outdoor terrace or in the garden.

Le Grand Hotel de Tours

The Grand Hotel's imposing building with 105 rooms stands in the centre of Tours; Rooms have been renovated and redecorated in a contemporary style inspired by the 1930s. Comfortable and spacious, they offer a bathroom with a shower and/or bathtub, a toilet and a hair dryer. What it lacks in charm it makes up for in location right by the train station and the bus terminal, which are in the town centre.