Top Loire Valley Cultural Tours

Combine visits to two major Loire Valley chateaux—Chenonceau and Chambord—on this small-group excursion from Tours or Amboise. Save time when you visit the chateau of Chenonceau with skip-the-line entry for added convenience. You will also get a break from touring with free time to have lunch and explore the charming city of Amboise.

Discover the UNESCO-listed landscapes of the Loire Valley, sample regional wines, and visit two magnificent châteaux on this full-day tour. Traveling in a small group ensures a more personalized experience as you visit Chambord and Chenonceau Castles and enjoy guided wine tastings at each venue.

Explore Nantes with a passionate local guide and discover the city from a new angle. Each visit is an immersion in the history, architecture, and fascinating anecdotes of Nantes. You will learn everything about hidden treasures and good addresses while having fun. This unique experience is ideal for groups, corporate events, or school outings. Join a small group for an intimate and enriching visit. Walking, cycling, or boat guided tour Enjoy a friendly and interactive approach Reduced rates available for students and groups - Available every day by appointment My website: https://apasdelephant.fr English version: https://apasdelephant.fr/index_en.html

Escape the Paris crowds on this two-day tour to the Loire Valley, with round-trip transfer via high-speed train ensuring a hassle-free trip. Dedicate your days to attractions such as Chambord Castle and the last home of Leonardo da Vinci and avoid hidden costs with overnight accommodation, as well as meals and admission fees, included. The small-group tour size ensures an intimate experience, plus plenty of time to sample Loire Valley wine.

Start your walking tour in the heart of Tours, a city where history is written in stone and faith still Guides the steps of its visitors. In the Middle Ages, Tours was a major religious, political and strategic center. From 1355, faced with the ravages of the Hundred Years’ War, the cities of Tours and Châteauneuf were united in one system of fortifications, reinforcing the defensive and urban unity of the city. Discover the city’s rich historical and spiritual heritage through its iconic monuments and sites linked to Saint Martin, one of the most venerated saints in France. Elected bishop of Tours in 371, he established his hermitage in Marmoutier and evangelized the Tourangelle region, creating many parishes. His death during a trip to Candes on 8 November 397 and his burial in Tours on 11 November transformed the city into a major place of pilgrimage as early as the 5th century.

Welcome to Tours, a city that, between the 19th century and the early 20th century, underwent profound transformations shaped by what is known as the Belle Époque. This period, spanning from 1871 to 1914, is synonymous with modernity, progress, and economic growth. But even before the Belle Époque, Tours was already deeply rooted in French literary history thanks to one of its most illustrious residents: Honoré de Balzac. Born here in 1799, Balzac is one of the greatest writers of the 19th century and the author of La Comédie humaine (the human comedy), a monumental body of work in which he paints a remarkably detailed portrait of the society of his time. Through his novels, he highlights the ambitions, tensions, and lifestyles of the bourgeoisie. Start the tour at the Hôtel de Ville, where important decisions are made, stroll through the streets in search of monuments that have made its history, and finish the tour at the Pont Wilson, in front of a wonderful view over the Loire.

Get introduced to Tours in the most authentic way: through its highlights, history, local flavors, and with a trusted local guide by your side. Along the way, you will explore iconic landmarks such as Place Plumereau and Cathédrale Saint-Gatien, as well as local favorites and hidden corners loved by locals. Engaging anecdotes and personal insights from your local guide will connect Tours history, culture, and tradition, bringing the city to life in an authentic and memorable way. To complete the experience, enjoy a tasting of a local specialty. Whether sweet, savory, or regional, you will taste a real part of Tours everyday culture and traditions. By the end of the tour, you will have a great introduction to Tours, its local culture, and how to explore it on your own. You will walk away with personal recommendations and local tips on where to eat and what to see next, helping you make the most of your time in the city.

Embark on a captivating 2-hour private tour of Chenonceau Palace. Begin in the meticulously manicured gardens, learning about their Renaissance-era significance. Marvel at the palace's distinctive architecture over the River Cher and discuss its strategic location and evolution. Inside, explore the stunning Grand Gallery and opulent rooms like the King's Chamber and Diane de Poitiers' Bedroom, filled with period furniture and artwork. Hear intriguing stories of royal intrigues and wartime history, including the palace’s role as a World War I hospital. Visit the beautifully preserved 16th-century chapel, then stroll through the scenic grounds, enjoying river views and picturesque landscapes. Conclude with a recap and an optional visit to the gift shop. Immerse yourself in Chenonceau's enchanting blend of art, history, and natural beauty.

Discover Tours’ wealth of history and culture—and visit many of its most important historical highlights—on this private walking tour. Choose from a wide range of start times throughout the day, meet your guide in central Tours, and set off on foot. You’ll admire the Tours Cathedral, explore its Old Town, will see the medieval Tower of Charlemagne, will have the chance to taste locally made wine, and more.

When you’re in the Loire Valley, dig a little deeper into the history of one of the region’s most beautiful towns. This private walking tour takes you around Tours—known as the City of Art and History—where Renaissance villas sit alongside half-timbered French houses, and historical landmarks dot the streets. You’ll discover the town’s highlights, check out the architecture and more—all in one short tour.

Enjoy an intimate, grape-to-wine tour of the ins and outs of wine production in the stunning Loire Valley. Go behind the scenes in a family-run Vouvray vineyard, and enjoy a guided walk through the vines, winery, and rock-hewn cellar. Get an exclusive taste of different wine varieties, accompanied by fresh local amuse-bouches. Tours are capped at 12 people for personalized attention.

Leave behind the unhelpful and lengthy group tours and get exactly what you need—an hour with a local to show you the best of Nantes. You’ll get a first-hand look at life in the city, learning as you walk from Place Royale to Basilique Saint Nicolas, Jardin Ile de Versailles, and beyond. You’ll also get loaded up with Nantes tips, from cafes and restaurants to photo ops and scenic views.

Start your visit to Nantes with this 2 hour walk led by a Local. You’ll discover its highlights, hidden gems, and get practical tips. This is the best introduction to Nantes. Get to see places like Cathédrale Saint Pierre et Saint Paul de Nantes and Place Royale, along with hidden corners of Nantes only known to locals that reveal the city’s everyday charm. You'll also receive local insights on where to eat, drink, and how to get around, helping you explore with confidence and make the most of your time. • Get the best intro to Nantes through its highlights and hidden gems • Learn about local products and connect with Nantes's traditions • Get local tips on where to eat, drink, and how to move around the city • Make the most of your time with this 2-hour walking experience • Enjoy the intimacy of a small group, up to 8 travellers

During this full-day, small-group tour from Amboise, you will discover multiple highlights of the UNESCO-listed Loire Valley. In the morning, meet your guide and set off to discover two of the region's highlight châteaux: the Château d'Azay-le-Rideau and the Château de Villandry. After free time for lunch (own expense), visit two wineries in the Vouvray region and indulge in in-depth tours and tasting sessions.

Want to discover Angers differently? Take the time to discover the city, its stories, and the little spots that the Angevins like to share.

Discover Angers in a weekend: a night in a ****Inn, beautiful gastronomic restaurants, unmissable monuments and a guided tour to discover the stories and secrets of Angers.

Follow in the footsteps of French royals and aristocrats on a day trip from Paris to the Loire Valley, home to more than 100 châteaux and many of the finest in France. Most are impossible to visit without a car, so relax as a personal chauffeur takes you to a trio of the most impressive estates—Amboise, Chenonceaux, and Chambord. An art historian guide accompanies you inside for a detailed look at these time capsules of French history.

Nantes is best known for its medieval castle and ‘Les Machines de L’Ile’, but the city is also full of art, architecture, and cultural sites that many travelers don’t get to see. On this Lokafy walking tour, connect with a Nantes local who will show you around their city like a friend and take you to the neighborhoods, museums, shops, and restaurants that they know and love. Chat with your guide before you arrive and devise an itinerary that suits your preferences and style of travel.

Cover a millennium of French history during this private guided tour of Chateau de Chambord, which includes admission tickets. Listen to enriching commentary as you stroll through the stunning interior and formal gardens of a heritage property dating back to the 16th century. The tour revisits a few key episodes in France’s stormy history, from the influence of Renaissance masters like Leonardo Da Vinci to the French Revolution.

Get introduced to Orléans in the most authentic way: through its highlights, history, local flavors, and with a trusted local guide by your side. Along the way, you will explore iconic landmarks such as Cathédrale Sainte-Croix and the Statue de Jeanne d'Arc, as well as local favorites and hidden corners loved by locals. Engaging anecdotes and personal insights from your local guide will connect Orléans history, culture, and tradition, bringing the city to life in an authentic and memorable way. To complete the experience, enjoy a tasting of a local specialty. Whether sweet, savory, or regional, you will taste a real part of Orléans everyday culture and traditions. By the end of the tour, you will have a great introduction to Orléans, its local culture, and how to explore it on your own. You will walk away with personal recommendations and local tips on where to eat and what to see next, helping you make the most of your time in the city.

A duchess hid in a Nantes fireplace while soldiers searched the house. What forced her out? And what else has the city concealed? This self-guided walking tour of Nantes uses an app to uncover royal intrigue, vanished rivers, and stories hidden behind familiar façades. Trace the Erdre, hear how a king plotted his minister’s downfall at the castle, and untangle a general’s disputed reply at Waterloo. Discover how Passage Pommeraye’s success hid a personal disaster, then finish beside the Loire at the Memorial to the Abolition of Slavery, where Nantes’s prosperity takes on a different meaning. Covering around 4 km in 2.5–3 hours, this Nantes audio tour lets you start whenever you like, listen offline after downloading, and pause or resume at your own pace. Ideal for curious solo travellers and couples who enjoy history, unexpected connections, and stories that raise questions. Over 30,000 travellers have used our self-guided tours. Includes a full refund guarantee.

Explore the grounds of the Chateau de Chenonceau on a guided walking tour. Learn about women’s history, people’s beliefs, mysterious graffiti, and much more about the chateau. Check out the interior and grounds as you listen to the fascinating stories the guide tells based on your preference.

Discover a variety of highlights along the Loire River in Nantes, historically the capital of Brittany, during this private walking tour. Explore this vibrant city as you make your way to various sites of historical importance. During your personalized experience, your professional guide will share captivating stories about Nantes, from its Celtic origins to significant events like the French Revolution and the Battle of Nantes.

Discover Nantes, one of France’s most dynamic and creative cities, with a local guide. Take in all the highlights, including the giant mechanical Elephant and the Iles de Machines, the Passage Pommeraye, and the picturesque gardens of the Ile de Versailles. Gain a local perspective as you visit the most popular sights, as well as a few surprises along the way.