Tour Details - N° 8
AZAY LE RIDEAU – VILLANDRY –
USSE – LANGEAIS
Meeting at the tourism office of Tours 15 minutes prior departure where you’ll be welcomed by your driver
Leaving at 9.30 am
for a 30 minutes trip west of Tours to Azay le Rideau
The château of Azay le Rideau ( Visit: 1h )
Jewel of the Renaissance
In 1518, the old castle of Azay le Rideau became the property of Gilles Berthelot, a great financer of the crown. He decided to build a magnificent château there, hich, to this day, is considered as one of the most elegant châteaux of the Loire Valley.
The style of Azay is a reference of French Renaissance architecture thanks to its purity.
The style of Azay is a reference of French Renaissance architecture thanks to its purity.
15 minutes trip to Villandry
through vineyards and apple orchards.
The chateau & gardens of Villandry ( Visit and lunch break: 3h00 )
Aristocratic residence and splendor of Italian style gardens
Villandry is one of the last châteaux of the Loire Valley. It was built on the remains of a former fortress. It is mostly famous for its remarkable gardens which are considered as the most beautiful Renaissance gardens of France, mixing the creative genius of Italian gardeners with the ornamental tradition of French gardeners.
The interior, remodeled in the 18th century offers a succession of beautiful rooms furnished and richly decorated but your eyes will be constantly attracted by the views that will give you every window frame on the gardens
The interior, remodeled in the 18th century offers a succession of beautiful rooms furnished and richly decorated but your eyes will be constantly attracted by the views that will give you every window frame on the gardens
Lunch break at your convenience in the charming village of Villandry
Leaving at 2.15 pm
for 30 minutes trip to Ussé following the river Indre banks
The chateau of Ussé( Visit: 1h )
Sleeping beauty chateau
Overlooking the river Indre and beautiful terrassed gardens designed by Le Notre, this massive chateau is fascinating thanks to the complexity of its architecture. Charles Perrault was so inspired by the enchanting appearance of Ussé that he wrote his famous sleeping beauty tale.
20 minutes trip to Langeais
through a picturesque road winding along the Loire
The château of Langeais( Visit: 1h )
The wedding of Charles the VIIIth and Anne of Brittany
The impressive and military-looking chateau of Langeais was built in only 5 years under Louis XIth.
It is one of the most curious and interesting chateau of the Loire Valley thanks to the cohesion between its inside and outside decoration giving a very vivid impression of the XVth century atmosphere.
It is one of the most curious and interesting chateau of the Loire Valley thanks to the cohesion between its inside and outside decoration giving a very vivid impression of the XVth century atmosphere.
30 minutes trip back to Tours
on the north bank of the Loire
Back at 5.45 pm
Your driver will drop you off at the tourism office of Tours
