Top Historical Tours

Visit two of the most renowned castles in the Loire Valley on a day trip from Tours. Château de Chenonceau and Château de Chambord are known for their Renaissance architecture and picturesque riverside settings. Enjoy views from panoramic spots and hear historical details and amusing anecdotes about the French kings and other nobles. As a bonus, enjoy a relaxing lunch away from the crowds at a private, family-owned château.

Check off two unmissable Loire Valley attractions in one morning on this half-day tour—and make it back to Tours in time for lunch. Start with a visit to the 16th-century Château d'Azay-le-Rideau, renowned as one of the earliest examples of French Renaissance architecture, then admire the magnificent landscaped gardens of the Château de Villandry on a guided walking tour.

The UNESCO-listed landscapes of the Loire Valley are home to some of France’s most magnificent châteaux, but fitting them all in with limited time can be a challenge. This full-day tour from Tours or Amboise transports you between two of the most impressive châteaux in the region with ease. Visit the fairy-tale Chateau de Chenonceau with its famous stories and marvel at the Renaissance architecture and gardens of Chateau de Chambord.

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.

The best of Tours in an hour. Your gentleman sider will make you discover the unmissable places of the city as well as unusual places, comfortably installed in a beautiful vintage sidecar.

Tours is a city with Roman origins that entices you to explore its rich historical heritage. During this self-guided audio tour, you’ll discover the city’s remarkable evolution, from Antiquity to the Middle Ages, through the Renaissance, and up to today. You’ll also see how each era has left its mark in Balzac’s birthplace. The tour begins at Place Châteauneuf, where the imposing Charlemagne Tower stands, a remnant of the former Saint-Martin Collegiate Church. Throughout the tour, you’ll receive recommendations for local products and restaurants showcasing the Loire Valley’s gastronomic heritage. The tour ends in the heart of the city, the Place Jean Jaurès where you'll be able to admire the imposing Town Hall.

Enjoy a unique tour to Château de Chenonceau in the heart of the Loire Valley. On this private half day trip to the Chenonceau castle you will discover one of the most elegant Chateaus of the Loire. Experience if our guide a private Guided visit of the interior, Green Study & Gallery.

Experience a seamless half-day journey from Tours to the stunning Azay-le-Rideau Castle, ideal for history lovers seeking a guided, stress-free Loire Valley adventure. Begin with pick-up in central Tours and meet your expert English-speaking guide for a scenic drive through charming villages and river landscapes. Discover the Renaissance beauty of Azay-le-Rideau on a guided tour revealing its rich history, elegant interiors, spiral staircases, and famous “mirror of water” reflections on the Indre River. Learn hidden stories and architectural highlights that bring the château’s royal past to life. Enjoy free time to wander the gardens, capture photos, or explore at your own pace before returning comfortably to Tours. This experience includes round-trip transport, entry tickets, and a dedicated guide for an enriching, memorable morning in the Loire Valley.

See a selection of the Loire Valley's highlights in a single day on this small-group tour. Ideal for travelers with limited time in the area, this itinerary includes visits to Château de Villandry gardens and the Château d'Azay-le-Rideau, as well as two regional wineries. Enjoy a day of local history and wine tasting, with entrance fees and wine samples all covered.

The castles of Chenonceau and Chambord are two of the most magnificent in the Loire Valley, but it’s hard to appreciate their magnitude on a whistle-stop tour. This small-group tour doesn’t try to pack multiple chateaux into one day—it focuses on quality time at just two stops, allowing plenty of time to explore both the castle interiors and gardens, both with and without your guide.

Discover the enchanting Loire Valley on this guided e-bike adventure, perfect for day-trippers from Paris. Start your journey at Amboise train station, where premium e-bikes await. Glide through picturesque vineyards, majestic forests, and iconic landmarks: the Royal Château d'Amboise, the Clos Lucé, final home of Leonardo Da Vinci, and Chenonceau, the Renaissance elegant masterpiece by the river Cher. Enjoy the flexibility to explore at your own pace, with an optional interior visit to Chenonceau or Amboise. This tour includes a behind-the-scenes winery visit for a tasting and a gourmet picnic featuring local wines, charcuterie and cheeses. - Effortless exploration of the Loire Valley on premium e-bikes - Visit iconic landmarks such as Château d'Amboise and Chenonceau (optional) - Experience an exclusive winery tour with tasting of local wines - Enjoy a gourmet picnic with regional specialties amidst stunning scenery

Discover the enchanting Loire Valley with a full-day guided tour of Château du Clos Lucé, the final residence of Leonardo da Vinci, and the royal Château d'Amboise. Begin your journey at Clos Lucé, exploring Leonardo’s private world, including his workshops and gardens filled with working models of his inventions. Enjoy free time for lunch in the picturesque town of Amboise before visiting the majestic Château Royal d'Amboise. Here, your guide will share captivating tales of royal life as you explore its iconic rooms and gardens with breathtaking views of the Loire River. - Full-day guided tour from Tours, available in English only - Visit the last residence of Leonardo da Vinci and explore his gardens - Enjoy free time for lunch in the charming town of Amboise - Discover the grandeur of Château Royal d'Amboise with a knowledgeable guide

Enjoy a walking tour of Chenonceau Castle with a local guide who will tailor the excursion to your tastes and introduce you to the castle’s beautiful places. Start at the entrance of the castle and then head to the charming gardens full of flowers. Chenonceau castle has been classified a “Historic Monument” by the French Ministry of Culture and has been home to famous queens as Diane de Poitiers and Catherine de Medicis. Discover its original design and architecture and immerse yourself in the medieval period during this informative tour.

Discover Tours at your own pace with a self-guided walking tour on your smartphone — no app needed. Explore 11 iconic landmarks with a smart map, and immerse yourself in the city's history through engaging audio stories and interactive quizzes at each stop. Start anytime, take as long as you want, and complete the 3 km route solo or with friends. No physical guide, no fixed schedule. Your ticket is valid for 6 months from purchase.

Visit the most renowned castle in Loire Valley on a day trip from Tours. Château de Chambord is known for its Renaissance architecture. With a knowledgeable guide, enjoy views from little-known panoramic spots, and hear historical details and amusing anecdotes about the French kings and other nobles who have lived here. As a bonus, enjoy a snack and a glass of local juice away from the crowds at a private, family-owned château.

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.

Experience the magnificent Chateau de Chambord on this private half day trip from Tours France. Discover the Preserved Heritage of the Loire Valley with our guide and admire French Renaissance architecture and the double-helix staircase.

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.

The magnificent castles of Chenonceau and Chambord are two of the most famous and most visited chateaux of the Loire Valley. Enjoy guided tours of both on this full-day tour and benefit from the undivided attention of a private guide. Explore the Renaissance castle of Chenonceau with its stunning gardens, enjoy wine tasting and lunch (optional) at a local winery, then visit the UNESCO-listed castle of Chambord.

Tours, once the capital of France, is full of history and culture to discover in one day. Stroll along the banks of the Loire, explore the majestic Saint-Gatien Cathedral and visit the Château de Tours. You will pass through emblematic places like the Passage du Coeur Navré and Place Plumereau, while enjoying the Gothic architecture and half-timbered houses. This walking tour is ideal for history and art lovers, offering an immersion in the heritage of Tourangeau. - Discover 22 must-see attractions in a single day - Route of about 5.4 km suitable for all levels - Guided tours with captivating historical anecdotes - Easy access to the emblematic sites of Tours

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.

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.