Loire Valley Castles: Chenonceau, Amboise & Da Vinci Trip
About This Experience
A Mercedes minivan capped at seven guests, hotel pickup at 07:30, and a route built around Leonardo da Vinci's last years in France: Chenonceau, the Château Royal d'Amboise and the Château du Clos Lucé where he died.
Chenonceau opens the day, from about 11:00, with the guide walking you through the history of the ladies' castle and a room-by-room brochure in your hand. The gardens carry something over 130,000 flowering plants, replanted through the season.
Lunch is a free hour in Amboise itself, which has more restaurants than the château car parks do; the guide will recommend a place or book a table. Then the Château Royal d'Amboise with a Histopad — an interactive video guide that reconstructs each room — and Clos Lucé, the manor Francis I gave Leonardo, with his workshop and the machine models built from his drawings.
A guided wine tasting is included. Meals are not, and the operator sets a minimum age of six.
Highlights
- Visit 3 iconic Loire Valley castles: Chenonceau, Amboise & Clos Lucé of Da Vinci
- Join a small group of no more than 7 guests for an exclusive experience
- Get picked up at your Paris hotel and travel in a comfortable Mercedes minivan
- Enjoy all entrance tickets and a guided Loire Valley wine tasting
- Explore with an English-speaking guide and enjoy free time for lunch in Amboise
What's Included
- ✓ A Mercedes minivan, air-conditioned with adjustable seats, seven guests maximum
- ✓ Hotel pickup in central Paris and a professional guide-driver
- ✓ Entrance tickets to all three châteaux
- ✓ A winery visit with a guided wine tasting
- ✓ Bottled water, and all fees and taxes
- ✓ A free hour for lunch in Amboise, with a restaurant recommendation or booking
Not Included
- Meals and drinks, including the lunch hour in Amboise
- Gratuities and souvenirs
Not Suitable For
- Children under 6 years
- Wheelchair users
- People above 140 kg
Meeting Point
Hotel pickup in central Paris, from about 07:30. The day ends back in the 1st arrondissement.
What Travelers Say
Rated 4.5/5 by 36 verified GetYourGuide travelers.
David was a phenomenal guide through the Loire Valley. His pleasant demeanor and wealth of information made the trip a memory maker.
— Laura, July 25, 2026
Wonderful and so informative. We really enjoyed the day and the lunch was delicious
— Katie, May 18, 2026
Very good day. Maria the guide was excellent, Nikolai the drive was attentive and safe. Highly recommend.
— Norman, April 18, 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Which three castles does it visit?
The operator's own highlights list Chenonceau, the Château Royal d'Amboise and the Château du Clos Lucé — Leonardo da Vinci's last home. Entry to all three is included.
How small is the group?
Seven guests maximum, in a Mercedes minivan with adjustable seats. That cap is the tightest of any shared Loire tour on this site.
Is lunch included?
No. You get a free hour in Amboise, where there are far more restaurants and cafés than at the château car parks, and the guide will recommend somewhere or reserve a table.
What is a Histopad?
An interactive video guide handed out at the Château Royal d'Amboise. It reconstructs each room as it was furnished, which helps in a château whose interiors are sparser than Chenonceau's.
Is the wine tasting included?
Yes — a winery visit with a guided tasting is in the Includes box.
What time does it start?
Pickup is at about 07:30 from your central Paris hotel, and it is roughly a three-hour drive to the first château. The whole day runs about 13.5 hours.
Are there age or mobility restrictions?
Yes. The operator lists the tour as unsuitable for children under 6, for wheelchair users, and for guests over 140 kg.
Can I cancel?
Yes, free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start time.
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From Paris: Loire Valley Castles Full-Day Tour with Lunch
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