Day 1: Paris - Tours
We arrive at Charles DeGaulle airport and are met by our guide for our immediate transfer to Tours on the TGV train.
In Tours we transfer to our centrally located hotel before our afternoon walking tour of the city. Tonight we have a
Welcome cocktail reception, dinner and overnight at the hotel. (D)
Day 2: Amboise - Chancay - Chenonceau - Tours
The Château of Amboise was one of the favorite residences of François I. He invited Leonardo da Vinci there in 1516.
The castle was built in the 15th and 16th centuries on the orders of Charles VII, Louis XII and François I. It is a magnificent
example of Gothic and Renaissance architecture. Leonardo da Vinci’s body now rests in the gothic chapel St Hubert. Dominating
the city of Amboise, the gardens offer splendid views over the Loire Valley. We end the morning in the gardens of the private
castle of Valmer in Chançay near Vouvray. Drive to Chenonceau. Lunch is at l’Orangerie. After lunch we visit the
park and the Château de Chenonceau, jewel of the Renaissance. It is surrounded by two famous gardens, one upstream designed
by Diane de Poitiers, the other downstream by Catherine de Medicis. We end the visit with a wine-tasting in the cellar. Overnight
at our hotel. (B/D)
Day 3: Tours - Villandry
By special arrangement, we will visit the workshops of the Le Manach factory, one of the last in France where silk is still
made with handlooms. This factory was founded in 1829 and continues to produce the most beautiful silk fabrics for deluxe
upholstery. The same family has run Le Manach factory for five generations. It stocks, prints and create copies of high quality
woven and printed documents from the 18th century to 1930. We will discover a conservatory with 80 looms lever and Jacquard
looms producing prestigious furnishing fabrics for the entire world. After our visit we will have a walking tour of
the old town of Tours focusing on the Renaissance period: Saint Gatien Cathedral, la Psalette cloister, Beaune Semblan mansion,
the Hotel Gouin façade, and Place Plumereau. Stroll through the market before leaving for Villandry. Lunch at the Ferme
Auberge de la Giraudière close to the Château de Villandry. This afternoon we visit the prestigious gardens of Villandry
and the largest ornamental kitchen garden in the world. An extraordinary combination of vegetables produces a mosaic effect.
Dinner at leisure in Amboise and overnight at our hotel. (B/L)
 Day 4: Cheverney - Chambord - Cellettes - Authon - Tours
This morning we drive towards Cheverny where we visit the private castle which has been the property of the Hurault family
for over 700 years. Its architecture is classical and is a type of construction which was highly praised by Louis XIV. The
Château de Cheverny, located at the edge of the beautiful forest of Sologne, is particularly known because of its pack
of hunting dogs, one of the few remaining in France. You may wish to board electric cars and travel in almost perfect silence
down the alley stretching for over 700m and lined with hundred-year-old cedar trees then jump onboard the electrically propelled
boats on the canal which crosses the park. Lunch at leisure in Chambord (we have a view of the castle). Visit the castle of
Beauregard in Cellettes (8 kms South East of Blois) where we will meet the curator in charge of the restoration of the collection
of paintings of this prestigious residence. The castle was originally used as hunting grounds for King François 1st.
It is famous for its portraits gallery (327 altogether) covering three centuries of historical characters. The landscape architect,
Gilles Clément, has created an amazing garden in the former kitchen garden with 12 green rooms and a large variety of
roses. We end the afternoon in the village of Authon to visit friends of the owners of Beauregard who have recently created
a flower garden. There will be a private reception and tasting of local specialties. Dinner at the restaurant of our hotel.
(B/D)
Day 5: Blois - Vouvray or Montlouis - Tours
We visit the Château de Blois and are given a guided tour to see where major restorations have been recently undertaken.
It is one of the most important works of conservation done recently in the Loire Valley. The latest restorations made by Felix
Duban were made in 1845. All the façades and roofs have been restored. Archeological remains were found while digging
the courtyard, which has now been paved. The frescoes were restored by a group of Italian experts. The floors have been restored
as they were originally. Lunch is at leisure in Blois. We will visit the village of Rochecorbon located at the foot of cliffs
with troglodyte dwellings. It is close to the vineyards of Vouvray, famous for their sparkling white wine since the 4th century.
Visit wine cellars in Vouvray or in Montlouis and discover amazingly deep galleries. Taste the famous wine! Return to Tours
on time for a guided tour of the Vieux Four, a traditional bakery where you taste the local “fouace” while learning all about
the history of bread. Dinner will be at a restaurant close to the hotel. Overnight at our hotel. (B/D)
Day 6: Chateau Langeais - Azay Le Rideau - Villaines le Rochers - Tours
This morning we drive to the Château de Langeais. It is one of the few castles in the region which is beautifully furnished
in the 15th century style. Here, we will discover an exceptional collection of Aubusson tapestries. Its 10th century dungeon
is still standing as a part of this 15th century royal residence where Charles VIII and Anne de Bretagne got married in 1491.
Continue to Azay le Rideau where we have lunch at our leisure or enjoy a gourmet lunch at the Domaine de Beauvois in Luynes,
an elegant 17th century residence surrounded with a magnificent park. The castle of Azay le Rideau is a real jewel of Renaissance
architecture right on the bank of the Indre River. It reflects the Italian influence with its wide staircase and its
sculpted windows and passageways. Continue to Villaines les Rochers, the capital of basketry. We will have a special visit
to the cooperative where we will meet crafts people who will introduce us to their work. Farewell dinner at a gourmet
restaurant in Tours. Overnight at our hotel. (B/L/D)
Day 7: Tours - Paris or USA
Check out of the hotel after breakfast. Transfer to the railway station and take a TGV train to Paris. Coach transfer to Charles
DeGaulle airport for outgoing flights, unless you are staying for a three day optional post tour of Paris. (B)
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