Small-Group Loire Valley: Chambord, Chenonceau, lunch in Amboise
Recommended by 93% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Paris, France
- 12 hours (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Spend a day away from Paris and discover three of the most renowned châteaux—Amboise, Chenonceau, and Chambord—in the UNESCO-listed Loire Valley. This small-group tour offers the best of both worlds, combining convenient shared transport and prepaid tickets with free time to visit each castle independently. Find out which castle the royals favored, where Leonardo da Vinci’s remains are buried, and which castle is so magnificent that it boasts its own UNESCO status.
- This tour is ideal for first-time visitors to the Loire Valley
- Enjoy an included lunch and a guided tasting of Loire Valley wines
- Hotel pickup and prepaid tickets are included for a hassle-free experience
- A small group size ensures an intimate experience you won’t find in larger groups
What's Included
- Transport by air-conditioned minivan
- Visit 3 Castles including (Chambord, Amboise and Chenonceau)
- Driver/Guide
- Small-group tour (Max 8 people)
- Traditional French Lunch: a sit-down lunch is included.
- Bottled water
- Food and drinks, unless specified
- Gratuities
- Hotel Pick Up
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- Le Duplex2 bis Av. Foch, 75116 Paris, France
The Meeting Point is in front of 2, bis avenue Foch - 75116 Paris (Club le Duplex) 2, bis avenue Foch - 75116 Paris
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.Operating hours.7:00 am
Itinerary
Rise early and leave Paris for your full-day Loire Valley châteaux tour, in an air-conditioned minivan, right from central Paris.
Travel through the rolling hills of the Loire Valley, a UNESCO-listed wine region in central France. Your guide drives you to each castle, which you explore on your own without being tethered to the rest of your group.
Kick off your tour at the largest castle in the Loire Valley, the UNESCO-listed Château de Chambord. Learn about its astounding Renaissance architecture—legend has it that Leonardo da Vinci contributed to the design of its double-helix staircase.
Continue to the Château d’Amboise, which began as a defensive castle in the 11th century for its strategic position overlooking the Loire River before being converted in the 15th century to a residence for royals. Step inside the Chapel of St. Hubert, where the remains of Leonardo da Vinci are buried.
Then, enjoy free time in the village at the foot of the Castle to wander and enjoy your lunch break after a wine tasting.
Once revitalized, head to Château de Chenonceau, a 16-century castle spanning the Cher River, and one of the most popular châteaux in France for its elaborate interior and exterior. Your full-day tour ends with return transport to the original departure point in Paris.
Travel through the rolling hills of the Loire Valley, a UNESCO-listed wine region in central France. Your guide drives you to each castle, which you explore on your own without being tethered to the rest of your group.
Kick off your tour at the largest castle in the Loire Valley, the UNESCO-listed Château de Chambord. Learn about its astounding Renaissance architecture—legend has it that Leonardo da Vinci contributed to the design of its double-helix staircase.
Continue to the Château d’Amboise, which began as a defensive castle in the 11th century for its strategic position overlooking the Loire River before being converted in the 15th century to a residence for royals. Step inside the Chapel of St. Hubert, where the remains of Leonardo da Vinci are buried.
Then, enjoy free time in the village at the foot of the Castle to wander and enjoy your lunch break after a wine tasting.
Once revitalized, head to Château de Chenonceau, a 16-century castle spanning the Cher River, and one of the most popular châteaux in France for its elaborate interior and exterior. Your full-day tour ends with return transport to the original departure point in Paris.
1
Chateau de Chambord
1 hour 10 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
2
Chateau Royal d'Amboise
1 hour • Admission Ticket Included
3
Chateau de Chenonceau
1 hour 30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking, unless booked within 3 days of travel. In this case confirmation will be received within 48 hours, subject to availability
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Near public transportation
- Most travelers can participate
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 8 travelers
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
4.6
based on 90 reviews
Tricia_H, Jul 2025
We enjoyed visiting all 3 chateau’s, the Château de Chenonceau was so lovely. We enjoyed being able to walk around the chateau, the beautiful gardens, and admire the historical architectural features of these chateau’s.
AnaisAnais, May 2025
Great day trip to French countryside to see 3 beautiful and very different chateaus and hear some royal history
Deborah_H, Nov 2024
Nice way to spend the day out of the city. Good amount of time at each location and the Chateaus are stunning. Our guide Pasqual was extremely knowable on the history which made each stop more interesting. The things that should change are the meeting spot; that early in the morning it is UNSAFE. We were approached by a man who asked for our things and it was uncomfortable until others arrived for another tour. Also it is not possible to drop at location of your choice as stated; so after a long drive back we were dropped far away and needed to get an Uber back to the hotel at our expense. The write up should not state thar as it is misleading.
Response from Host, Nov 2024
Dear Deborah,
Thank you for sharing your feedback regarding your recent Loire Valley Castles Small-Group Day Trip. We’re delighted to hear you enjoyed exploring the stunning châteaux and appreciated Pasqual’s historical insights, which truly add richness to each tour stop.
We apologize for any discomfort you felt at the meeting point and understand your concerns. Safety is our top priority, and we’ll be discussing with our team how to make the meeting location as welcoming as possible, even during early hours.
We’re also sorry for any confusion around the drop-off arrangements. Our goal is to provide a convenient and enjoyable experience, and we regret that this part of the tour did not meet your expectations. We’ll be reviewing our tour descriptions to ensure future guests have all the information needed to set the right expectations.
Thank you again for your valuable feedback. We’re dedicated to continuously improving our tours and will take your comments to heart. We hope you appreciated that the tour was conducted even with just the two of you, and we look forward to welcoming you back in the future to provide a seamless experience from start to finish.
Warm regards,
Arnaud
Kevin_O, Oct 2024
Our guide Pascal was fantastic. He was very knowledgeable about all the places we visited and gave us a lot of historical background. He was also a very safe driver. This was a great trip and we're glad we booked it.
Response from Host, Nov 2024
Dear Kevin,
Thank you so much for sharing your fantastic 5-star review of our Loire Valley Castles Small-Group Day Trip from Paris!
We’re thrilled to hear that you had such an enjoyable experience and that Pascal made your day memorable with his wealth of knowledge and safe driving. He is indeed an exceptional guide, and we’ll be sure to pass along your kind words to him.
It’s always our goal to offer a journey that’s both enriching and comfortable, and your feedback reassures us that we’re on the right track. We’re so glad you chose to book with us and that the trip met your expectations.
We hope to welcome you back for more adventures in the future! If there’s anything else we can do for you or if you’re planning another trip, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Warm regards,
The Paris TRIP Team
Jennifer_S, Sep 2024
This tour was excellent. Pasquale, our guide, was very knowledgeable and informative. The experience was a dream come true for me. Know that it is a lot of walking. So wear comfortable shoes. Amboise and Chambord have a lot of stairs, too.
Response from Host, Sep 2024
Dear Jennifer,
Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience with us! We are delighted to hear that your Loire Valley Castles Small-Group Day Trip was a dream come true and that Pascal could provide such a knowledgeable and informative tour. We'll make sure to pass along your kind words to him.
We appreciate your helpful tips about walking and stairs — comfortable shoes definitely make a big difference when exploring these stunning castles. Your feedback is invaluable to future travelers.
We hope to welcome you on another adventure soon!
Best regards,
The Paris TRIP Team
Vito_C, Jul 2024
1. our driver and guide Fabrice was terrific. Got us to the valley quickly. talked along the way.
he was the best part of the trip!
2. this was a wonderful experience. getting to the valley was a treat and we could not have done this on our own without a guide and driver. So, while it seems expensive there was a lot involved in getting to, around and back. I am happy we got the experience.
3. would recommend this to anyone.
4. there was some confusion regarding pickup site. the pickup is close to the Arc, not on Champs. be careful.
Response from Host, Jul 2024
Dear Vito,
Thank you so much for your wonderful and detailed five-star review! We are thrilled to hear that you had such a positive experience with Paris TRIP, especially with our driver and guide Fabrice. It’s great to know he made your journey to the valley enjoyable and informative.
We’re delighted that you found the experience worthwhile and that we could provide the guidance and support to make your trip memorable. Your satisfaction is our top priority, and we’re glad the convenience of having a dedicated guide and driver made a difference for you.
We also appreciate your feedback regarding the pickup site. Your insight helps us improve our service and ensure a smoother experience for future guests. We will make sure to communicate the pickup location more clearly.
Thank you for recommending our services to others. We look forward to welcoming you back on another adventure soon!
Warm regards,
The Paris TRIP Team
Anonymous, May 2024
Ricardo was an experienced driver and knowledgeable about the Liore Valley.
I don’t have more to say about the trip.
Response from Host, Jun 2024
Thank you so much for your kind words! We're thrilled to hear that you enjoyed the tour with our excellent guide and experienced driver. The Loire Valley is indeed a remarkable place, and we're glad you had a great time exploring it with us. If you ever decide to visit again or explore other destinations, we'd love to have you join us. Safe travels until then!
The Paris TRIP Team
Rhonda_H, Feb 2024
We had a great day. It was an amazing day, lots of history. Nice lunch at a local restaurant. It was a small group, comfortable travel to and from Paris. Lots of walking.
Laura_M, Jun 2023
The semi private is a must and it was great! Marcelo was our driver and was very warm and funny and made us feel very comfortable. We learned a lot and the castles are a must. Take time to leave the busy streets of Paris and take this calming trip. It feels like you go back in time!
Response from Host, Jun 2023
Hi Laura !
We're thrilled to hear that you had an amazing time with our guide. We agree that exploring the castles is a must-do when visiting France. The historical significance and architectural beauty of these landmarks are a captivating glimpse into the past. Our goal is to make every trip memorable and fulfilling so we hope it was the case with yours.
We look forward to welcoming you back in the future,
Team Paris TRIP
Carol_C, Jun 2023
A wonderful day trip and introduction to the countryside and the chateaux. Our driver/guide Majela (sp?) was kind, helpful, and informative. Given the size of the chateaux, the crowds, and the limited time, consider this tour an overview of each location; each chateau and its gardens probably needs a half-day to really see and appreciate. There is quite a bit of walking and stairs so be prepared.
Response from Host, Jun 2023
Hello Carol !
Thank you for taking the time to share your experience for your tour with our amazing guide Magela. We're delighted to hear that he provided such a fascinating tour of the chateaux. We're trying our best to make every experience memorable for our customers and we hope it was the case with yours.
We look forward to welcoming you again for another tour,
Team Paris TRIP
Richard_C, Jun 2023
A well organised tour with a helpful and knowledgeable your guide. All three chateaux were different and the history is fascinating. A good one day tour to do from Paris
Response from Host, Jun 2023
Hello Richard !
Thank you for taking the time to provided a feedback. We're glad to hear that you found the tour to be well-organized. Creating a seamless and enriching experience for our guests is our top priority so we're happy to hear that we met your expectations.
We hope to see you soon for another tour,
Team Paris TRIP
Sue_R, May 2023
A lovely day-trip . Travelled in a very clean, modern van with a friendly driver who was able to share his knowledge regarding the history of each castle.
We really enjoyed seeing some of the French countryside, south of Paris.
Would highly recommend Paris Trip as the organisers of this excursion.
Response from Host, Jun 2023
Hello Sue !
We're thrilled to hear that you had a lovely experience exploring the French countryside which offers picturesque landscapes and hidden gems. It's wonderful to know that our excursion left a positive impression on you.
Thank you for highly recommending our services and we hope to have the pleasure of welcoming you back in the future for more memorable trips,
Team Paris TRIP
Stephanie_S, Dec 2022
Beautiful escape from the City. An Expert guide provided history of the castles and area. Plenty of time to explore the sites and visit gift shops.
Mary_H, Nov 2022
A very full day, but Pascale took good care of his travelers. He gave us a good balance of historical background at the start of the tour, on our way to the chateaux and in each chateau, but also gave us time to explore on our own. Thanks for a memorable experience!
Donald_S, Nov 2022
The three castles we viewed were impressive and beautiful. Different in style each was uniquely stunning. Marcil our guide was experienced and knowledgeable
Linda_M, Oct 2022
It was definitely a full day, long drive each way, but enjoyable countryside views out of Paris traffic. All three destinations were fabulous each in their own way. There’s no time for tarrying around if you want to see everything - could’ve used more time in Chambord and Amboise. In Amboise had to do wine tasting, see chateau and grab lunch on the run) Very disappointed the chapel was closed for renovation, not able to see where Leonardo da Vinci is buried. (this was a selling factor and should be made clear when you confirm your reservation). Lucille was our driver/guide, she did not go into any of the locations with us, Gave us in-depth information/history about each location before we got there, got our tickets and then waited for us in the van. So you are on your own with a brochure that’s self-explanatory, which was fine. Lucille was an excellent driver and very friendly. I would recommend this tour if you want it quick fast pace overview of the three locations. From what I learned, I would go back and spend more time especially spend the night in Ambrose.
kjb457, Oct 2022
The chateaux were beautiful! Our guide,Lucille, was very informative and nice! It was great to have it be a small group.
Wayne M, Oct 2019
We toured the Loire Valley castles (Chenoceaux, Amboise and Chambord) with our tour guide Marius. It was a fantastic trip, one of the first times we've ventured outside of Paris, and well worth the time. Marius was informative, friendly and we enjoyed the day with him. The sights were beautiful and the wine tasting delicious.
yurib, Sep 2019
Timewise the trip was organized good but in the small group of 7 people this so called English speaking tour has 3 different groups-beside 4 of us who speak English there were 2 persons who spoke only Spanish and one more person who spoke only French. The guide has to repeat the same information in 3 languages. We think i is unacceptable.
We purchased the tour that was advertised as English speaking tour.
We will not recommend this tour to our friends and families.
Joydeep_K, Sep 2019
It was good to be away from hustle & bustle of Paris, especially after a yellow vest protest the previous day. Sebastian was a great guide.
BamaGirl2019, Jul 2019
This was a wonderful trip! Our guide made so much of French history more understandable and it seemed to come alive as we walked through the three Chateaus. I loved the small group design for this tour.
Patty_R, Jul 2019
Mareus was very informative and knew to get us there early to get a head start on the crowds for a Sunday. Kept us on time so we got to view the whole trip without feeling rushed. Was able to add stories and flavor to make it interesting. We happened to go on the last day of Tour de France which added some travel hiccups getting back into Paris, but Mareus was right in there making the best of it with us and got us through it like a champ. Thank you!
klvoigt, Jun 2019
I loved this tour because it gave us the freedom to explore on our own. Three gorgeous French castles and a wine tasting? How could you go wrong! Great itinerary and I never felt rushed even when we covered so much ground. This tour was a great option for us and I thought it was well done.
One thing I would say is that our driver was not really a guide. If you're thinking you will learn a lot about the castles, you won't unless you get the audioguides or have a book. The guide gave a minor introduction to each place but mostly left us to ourselves. That was fine with us. Our guide was also a little off - since the majority of his job was to be a driver, I felt like he wasn't a very good driver. In the morning he was going super slow and over-cautious (even telling another woman in the front that he needed to focus on the empty three-lane highway) and then in the afternoon traffic driving like a crazy person without a blinker and lots of honking. I am from a place with terrible drivers (Boston) and I know one when I see one...which was like his whole job!
Sergio_G, May 2019
My wife enjoyed all three castle tours but we were subjected to uncomfortable transportation. the tour was approximately 12 hours long, 5 hours were spent at the Chateaus, lunch and wine tasting. The remaining 7 hours were in the mini van. We were required to sit in the front seat with the driver/tour guide. It was a bench seat with very little leg room on the passenger side. We were both surprised that this was acceptable.
Boris N, Sep 2018
Great tour. Getting out of Paris for a nice was very nice and seeing all the castles in the Loire Valley was great. We got to see a different side of France, which was beautiful.
Hanh P, Jul 2018
The driver was on time and friendly and lunch was served at a nice restaurant. However for this price I would have expected the guide to be more of a guide. He only gave us a small preview of the castle then we were left to explore on our own.
Silvia_C, Apr 2018
Excellent tour, operated by Paris Tour better than Pariscity Vision
Jonathan B, Apr 2018
Terrific experience. Our tour guide Philipe arrived at our hotel and the three of us and another guest headed off to the Loire valley. He was terrific. He is from Normandy and was a wealth of information about this region as well. The castles were great and we had ample time to see. The lunch was ok. All in all one of the best days we had on our trip to Paris. Next time on to Normandy!
Anna_K, Feb 2018
Great tour, we were a group of 4, so it was very cozy. The guide was great and the sights were amazing. The lunch ok. It was the most expensive day tour I have taken so far... so hard to say in terms of value for money...
Maureen C, Nov 2017
Fabulous tour! Vehicle changed by tour operator to a small car, as there were only two of us. However, each of us has very long legs and the ride was, therefore, uncomfortable. Guide walked way too quickly for one of us, who is awaiting knee surgery in the near term.
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