Top Loire Valley Art & Culture in 2026

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.

Step inside the greatest Gothic masterpieces and uncover the secrets of Chartres Cathedral on this self-guided tour with our mobile app. The tour reveals hidden stories in the carvings of the North, West, and South portals like a medieval picture book in stone. Inside, you’ll discover the Notre Dame de la Belle Verrière window, whose glowing blue glass gave the world the legendary “Chartres Blue.” The cathedral holds 2,600 sq. meters of stained glass, and the tour will guide you through the most famous windows and their stories. You’ll also explore the 100-meter-long choir screen, filled with 41 Renaissance scenes that bring the early life of Mary to life in intricate detail. This tour is perfect for travelers who love history, art, and storytelling. Whether pilgrim, history lover, or curious visitor, you’ll leave with a deeper appreciation of why Chartres has inspired generations. Please note: this is an app-based tour. To access, you’ll need to download our mobile app after booking.

The Loire Valley is famous for its magnificent châteaux and historic wineries, and this tour from Chinon combines both into an unforgettable lunch date. Enjoy a tour and wine tasting at the Château du Petit Thouars, then enjoy a bottle of wine to accompany your romantic picnic lunch, overlooking the idyllic Loire Valley vineyards.

Get introduced to Angers in the most authentic way: through its highlights, history, local flavors, and with a trusted local guide by your side. Along the way, you'll explore iconic landmarks such as the Château d'Angers and Cathédrale Saint-Maurice, as well as local favorites and hidden corners loved by locals. Engaging anecdotes and personal insights from your local guide will connect Angers's 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'll taste a real part of Angers's everyday culture and traditions. By the end of the tour, you'll have a great introduction to Angers, its local culture, and how to explore it on your own. You'll 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.

Explore Nantes at your own pace with the expertise of a local guide in your pocket. Simply download the app and follow the fully narrated audio walking tour to 35 attractions throughout the city. Learn the history behind the Chateau Des Ducs De Bretagne and Nantes Cathedral, uncover the secrets of the Machines de l’île, and head off the beaten path to explore Nantes beyond tourist hotspots.

The Best Way to Discover Nantes: Scavenger Hunt & Self-Guided Tour. Play, learn, and walk! Explore at your own pace with a 100% self-guided activity. Start anytime (24/7) with no guides or schedules. Pause for a stroll through the peaceful Cours Cambronne and resume whenever you're ready—even the next day. This unique team-building activity is perfect for couples, families, and groups. The "Complete City" Package - Everything you need in one app: Interactive Game: Solve puzzles and discover 10+ major attractions, plus hidden gems revealed along the way. Learn the history/legends of each site. Insider Tips: Access hand-picked local restaurant and shop recommendations. What you will visit: Musée d’arts de Nantes, Cathédrale Saint-Pierre, Château des ducs de Bretagne, Église Sainte-Croix de Nantes, Saint-Nicolas, Place Royale, Passage Pommeraye, Cours Cambronne, Natural History Museum, and the Memorial to Slavery.

Embark on a walking tour of Nantes with a knowledgeable local guide, delving into the city's rich history and vibrant culture. Situated on the Loire River, Nantes boasts a fascinating past, from its Celtic origins to its modern-day identity as an experimental and artistic hub. Wander through the city's charming streets, uncovering hidden gems and iconic landmarks while gaining insight into Nantes' evolution over the centuries. From its days as the capital of Brittany to its present-day status as a dynamic urban center, this tour offers a comprehensive exploration of Nantes' captivating history and attractions.

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.

Explore the beautiful, contradictory heart of Nantes on a journey through a city that built its 18th-century wealth on the transatlantic slave trade and its modern identity on radical mechanical imagination. Join urban-design expert Clara and Adrian as they trace the red thread from opulent merchant plazas and a subterranean memorial to abandoned shipyards reborn as fantastical art parks. Confront the shadows of the past, marvel at the steel of the future, and discover how Nantes transforms difficult history into a canvas for renewal. - A 4.5 km self-guided tour with 8 stops over 139 min - Ideal for travelers interested in Art, Design and Aesthetics and History and Memory - Immersively told in a podcast style by experts and locals - Matching audio content, AI guide and navigation through the app

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.

Guérande, a true medieval gem of Brittany, invites you to a full-day exploration through its cobblestone streets and historical monuments. This tour highlights the cultural and gastronomic riches of the region, including its famous salt marshes. Stroll down Rue Saint-Michel, discover the majestic Saint-Aubin Collegiate Church and explore the Place du Vieux Point of Sale. Don’t miss out on savouring Guérande salt, which is internationally recognised. Get ready to dive into history while enjoying Breton authenticity. - Walking tour of a kilometer through the medieval city - Discover 14 places of interest, including the Collegiate College and Les Halles - Explore the salt marshes, a must-see in the region - Ideal for lovers of Breton history and gastronomy

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 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

No visit to the Loire Valley region is complete without a winery visit, and this experience makes it easy with guided tours and tastings at two local wine estates. With a regional wine expert as your host, you'll learn all about the 'terroir' as you walk through the vineyards, and discover the local food, too, with samples of cheese and other delicacies.

Discover the magical city of Nantes at your own pace with this guided tour. With a tour of more than 3 hours, you can explore iconic attractions such as St. Peter's Square, St. Nicholas Basilica, Place Graslin or Pont Anne de Bretagne. This option without schedules or groups allows you to enjoy the city flexibly, including recommendations on gastronomy and family activities. Available in six languages, this experience is ideal for those looking for hassle-free personalized tourism. - 3h self-guided tour with + 18 points of interest - Access to information in 6 languages: Spanish, English, Portuguese, French, Italian and German Explore iconic attractions and receive food recommendations. - No groups or schedules, ideal for traveling at your own pace.

Discover the magical city of Angers at your own pace with this guided tour. With a tour of more than 2 hours, you can explore emblematic attractions such as the Castle or the Cathedral of San Mauricio. This option without schedules or groups allows you to enjoy the city flexibly, including recommendations on gastronomy and family activities. Available in six languages, this experience is ideal for those looking for personalized tourism without complications. - Self-guided tour of over 2h with + 10 points of interest - Access to information in 6 languages: Spanish, English, Portuguese, French, Italian, and German - Explore iconic attractions and receive gastronomic recommendations. - No groups or schedules, ideal for traveling at your own pace.

Nantes never lets its past sit still: a biscuit factory became an arts venue, and the old shipyards now build a giant mechanical elephant. This self-guided walking tour traces that constant reinvention through the city's essential landmarks, from the medieval Chateau des ducs de Bretagne to the mechanical wonders of Les Machines de l'Ile. Everything runs from your smartphone, no app needed. Follow a clear route with simple directions, listen to a short audio story at each stop, and answer an interactive quiz to unlock the next location. Start anytime, pause whenever you like, and explore at your own pace, no groups, no fixed schedule, and no physical guide required. Audio and text are available in 7 languages.

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.

Enjoy the chance to sample both typical food and local wine during this brief, small-group exploration of the Château du Petit Thouars, ideal for food lovers and those with limited time in the region. Learn about the Château’s history and stop by the troglodyte caves, before sampling both Cabernet Franc and Chenin Blanc wines for a comprehensive experience.

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.

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.

The Loire Valley is notable for its wines, and this tasting tour offers a guided introduction to local wineries in the Vouvray appellation. Visit two local wineries, meet the producers, and learn proper wine-tasting techniques to compare different flavors and fragrances. Enjoy stunning views of the Loire River while exploring this terroir.

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