Top Loire Valley Outdoor Activities

Nantes produced the Edict of Tolerance, dreamed up Jules Verne, and built a shopping arcade so beautiful it's still in use — a city of consequential ideas. This app-led scavenger hunt takes you through Nantes on foot, using phone-based riddles to guide you from one landmark to the next. No guide, no fixed start time. • Follow clues to the Château des ducs de Bretagne, the Passage Pommeraye, and the Place Graslin — ducal power, architectural wonder, and neoclassical elegance in one walk • Move through Nantes at your own pace, following the app's lead • Perfect for families, couples, and groups of any size Around 2 hours, any group size, available in English and French. Jules Verne imagined extraordinary journeys here. This one takes about 2 hours.

The sweeping vineyards, lush forests and fairy-tale castles of the Loire Valley are even more impressive from above and this 3-hour hot-air balloon experience is the ideal way to enjoy an aerial view. Float over the UNESCO-listed landscapes of the Loire, Indre or Cher Valleys; spot landmarks like the Chateau of Chenonceau or the gardens of Villandry; then toast your safe landing with a glass of Champagne or sparkling grape juice.

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 select your favorite wine to accompany your romantic picnic lunch, overlooking the idyllic Loire Valley vineyards.

The region of Chinon is dotted with vineyards, yet it can be hard for tourists to visit them if they don't know the language or wine tasting etiquettes. This vineyard experience makes it easy with a tour created by wine-loving English expatriates who showcase the wine made by Chinon's independent producers. You'll cycle to a selection of winemakers, sample the wine, and enjoy a picnic lunch, too.

Explore the landscape around Nantes—and discover scenic spots you might otherwise miss—on this 1-hour all-terrain vehicle tour to La Baule, from the Espace Quilly center. After a safety briefing, follow your instructor along a route designed for adventure with plenty of slopes, climbs, and bridges along the way. Ride across a mix of wet and dry terrain, with jumpsuit, helmet, and access to shower facilities afterward all included.

See the Loire Valley from a different perspective on a hot air balloon flight above France’s UNESCO-listed landscapes. Flying at sunrise or sunset offers clear views of the Loire River, vineyards, and famous châteaux including Chambord, Chenonceau, and Cheverny—all without the crowds found at ground level. The slow pace and panoramic views create a more immersive way to experience the scale and layout of the Loire Valley while covering far more scenery than a traditional sightseeing tour.

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.

Take in fantastic views of the Chateau of Chenonceau from aboard a hot air balloon. With this experience, you'll spend about an hour up in the sky, floating above the castle and its grounds. You'll then descend to solid grounds, where you'll be served wine, cheese, and sweets and be presented with your flight certificate.

Take to the water—and enjoy a more active time than on many other tours—on this Jet Ski experience in Quilly, close to Nantes, and suitable for beginners and more experienced participants alike. Follow a safety briefing from your dedicated instructor, hop aboard either alone or with a fellow passenger, and travel at speed along circuits designed exclusively for jet-skiing.

Step into the world of Sherlock Holmes and solve a mysterious case during the Sherlock Holmes City Game - a self-guided adventure full of puzzles, plot twists, and hidden clues. This City Game is all about story-driven gameplay and immersive mystery solving, it pulls you into a captivating story that you solve together, making it a unique way to connect, play, and create memories with your group. Perfect for friends, families, colleagues or solo players who enjoy a challenge and love detective games. Whether you play solo or in teams, it's a flexible and fun experience that turns the city into your crime-solving playground. After booking, check your email for clear instructions, download the Loquiz app, and dive straight into your detective mission.

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.

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.

The writer Jules Verne was born in Nantes. Follow in his footsteps the fun way and get a fresh perspective on the city when you order this outdoor escape game, led by a digital companion. Solve puzzles, find clues, and interact with your team mates and your digital guide as you help send Jules Verne back in time to the 19th century.

This game is a unique and challenging outdoor escape game adventure with friends, colleagues or family! It is possible to play on the day and at the time of your choice without prior reservation. You will be transported in an exceptional setting in the heart of the city center of Tours. You can easily recover photos and videos that will be saved directly to your smartphone.

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.

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.

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.

Discover the secrets of Bourges Cathedral with this self-guided audio tour. Step inside one of France’s greatest Gothic masterpieces and learn the fascinating stories hidden in its stone and glass. You will learn about the stories hidden in the carvings on each portal and stained-glass windows that have survived for centuries. You will hear about the relics treasured inside, the history of its construction, and the genius of Gothic design, including flying buttresses and ribbed vaults that made the soaring walls and windows possible. This tour is filled with stories and explanations that most visitors miss, bringing the cathedral’s art and architecture to life in an engaging way. Whether you are a casual visitor or a true history buff, this tour is designed for everyone who wants to experience the cathedral in a deeper, more engaging way.

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.

You don’t have to head to the coast to enjoy Loire-Atlantique’s adrenaline-fuelled water sports. Escape the city and head out to Quilly water park on a lake north of Nantes, for this Towed Buoy Ride. Put on your wetsuit and life jacket, head into the water, and hang on tight as the inflatable buoy is pulled at high speed behind a motorboat.

This game is a unique and challenging outdoor escape game with friends, colleagues or family. It is possible to play on the day and at the time of your choice without prior reservation. You will be transported to a bewitching scenario in the heart of the city. You can easily recover photos and videos that will be saved directly to your smartphone.

Want to spend a fun and nice time with family or friends? Going out and discovering a city while playing? Play an Urban Escape Game, walk around and let yourself be guided by the mobile application which will lead you to the different points of interest where you will have to solve puzzles and / or carry out missions! In a team of up to 6 people, you will only need your smartphone to embark on the adventure. Explore differently: play an urban Escape Game!

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.