Tour Details - N° 7
AZAY LE RIDEAU – VILLANDRY –
CHAMBORD – CHENONCEAU
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, which, 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 gardens of Villandry( Visit: 45 min )
Splendor of the 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
30 minutes trip back to Tours
following the river Cher banks
12.30
Short free lunch break in Tours at your convenience
Leaving at 1pm
for a 1hour and 15 minutes trip to Chambord following the river Loire banks and seeing the chateaux of Amboise, Chaumont sur Loire and Blois along the way
The château of Chambord( Visit: 1h30 )
The dream of a King
Chambord is the biggest of the Loire Valley Chateaux, it has 440 rooms, 365 chimneys, one monumental double helix staircase and 76 secondary staircases. In the midst of a 13000 acres parc surrounded by a 32 kilometers wall, this majestic 156 meters long building is a symbol of the climax of the Renaissance.
1 hour trip to Chenonceau
through quaint little local villages
The château of Chenonceau (Visit: 1h30 )
Chateau of the Ladies
The most famous and visited chateau of the Loire Valley was built on the river Cher in a natural surroundings where water and gardens combine harmoniously. Thanks to Catherine Briçonnet, the builder – Diane de Poitiers, the favorite lady – Catherine de Medici, the queen – and Louise de Lorraine, the widow,the chateau of Chenonceau was the setting of an incredible history full of romance and unexpected developpments.
30 minutes trip to Tours
back at 6.45 pm
Your driver will drop you off at the tourism office of Tours
