Touraine in 7 days, so you don't miss a thing

Want to discover Touraine from every angle? This seven-day programme takes you to the heart of the Loire Valley’s most beautiful treasures. Majestic châteaux, medieval towns, enchanting gardens, characterful villages and gourmet delights will punctuate your stay. From the splendour of Chenonceau to the charms of Loches, via the vineyards of Chinon and the sumptuous gardens of Villandry, let yourself be guided through an unforgettable journey between history, nature and the art of living.

1. First day

Château royal d’Amboise
Dive into the history of the Kings of France as you discover the residence of the sovereigns. The Château royal d’Amboise invites you on a fascinating journey where the Turones left their mark. Admire the Saint-Hubert chapel where Leonardo da Vinci is laid to rest and be amazed by the panoramic gardens overlooking the Loire.

Le Clos Lucé – Parc Leonardo da Vinci
This is a beautiful pink brick building where Leonardo da Vinci spent the last three years of his life. From the great Renaissance hall to the bedroom via the kitchen, enter the genius’ private world, where you’ll discover the ingenious models. Giant canvases and machines, sound terminals, a fun trail through the vast park completes the discovery of this visionary artist and his fabulous inventions.

Château Gaillard
Enter the forgotten paradise of the Renaissance in Touraine. This 15-hectare royal estate reveals its exceptional gardens, created by Dom Pacello, the gardener to kings (Charles VIII, Luis XII and François I). Admire the kingdom’s first orangery and its collections of rare citrus fruits. In this haven of peace, the fountains murmur as you discover the first Italian-style gardens in France. A magical place where nature meets history, between flower-filled terraces and lounges of greenery. Treat yourself to a gourmet break in the tea room overlooking the Renaissance parterres.

Château du Clos Lucé Amboise — ©Chateau Du Clos Luce Amboise Credit Adt Touraine Jc Coutand 2034|ADT Touraine - JC COUTAND

2. Second day

Château de Chenonceau
Its arches gracefully span the Cher. Cherished by Diane de Poitiers and Catherine de Médicis, wonderfully furnished, the château de Chenonceau, remains the most visited in France after Versailles. Fall under the spell of the gardens planted on either side of the keep… and the delightful village, whose name is spelled with an “x”!!

After noon…ride in a traditional boat or canoe!”
The day ends in style with a ride in a traditional boat, offering a unique view of the château from the peaceful waters of the Cher.

3. Third day

Hanging out in Loches
Discover the charm of the Royal City of Loches as you wander through its medieval alleyways. The gateway to southern Touraine, Loches is the perfect illustration of the architectural transition that gradually took place during the Renaissance. From its medieval past, the town has preserved its fortifications, its impressive keep (44 metres) and the collegiate church of Saint-Ours. From the Renaissance, Loches inherited the Logis Royal and its more elaborate lines. Stroll through the streets of the lower town, which is full of charm, with the Hôtel de Ville and the Chancellerie. Every Wednesday, the old town also comes alive with one of the finest markets in the department.

Musée de la Préhistoire
An exceptional prehistoric craft activity left its mark on southern Touraine for 4 centuries. Embodied by long, mass-produced flint blades, the “Pressignian phenomenon” takes pride of place in the new Musée du Grand-Pressigny, set against the remains of the medieval fortress. Visit the cellars devoted to palaeontology and the Gallery of Cultures. The new building offers an illustrated history of the castle.

4. The beaches of the "Bout du monde" peninsula

Musée Balzac
In the heart of the Indre valley, push open the door of the château de Saché, a favourite refuge of Honoré de Balzac. In his bedroom on the second floor, the writer wrote for up to sixteen hours a day, drawing his inspiration from the rolling landscapes. Take a stroll through the period-furnished salons, where the novelist shared games of tric-trac with Jean Margonne, the owner of the premises. The museum’s collections reveal the secrets behind the creation of Le Lys dans la vallée and Les Illusions perdues, two major works written within these walls. The two-hectare park invites you to take a contemplative break, in the footsteps of the author who so loved to meditate here.

Villages of Villaines-les-Rochers
(and its many craftsmen who perpetuate the work of wicker) and Crissay-sur-Manse (one of the most beautiful villages in France)
At the heart of a rolling landscape, let yourself be surprised by the unique charm of Villaines-les-Rochers, a veritable French capital of wicker. In the narrow streets lined with troglodyte dwellings, some forty basket-makers perpetuate an age-old skill. Push open the door of the Maison des Savoir-faire to understand the art of weaving, then visit the workshops where baskets, furniture and contemporary creations are born.

Château d’Azay-le-Rideau
Admire this architectural diamond set on its shimmering water setting. The reflections of the Indre sublimate the finely chiselled facades of this jewel of the early French Renaissance. After an ambitious restoration programme, the château reveals its splendours: a monumental staircase with bold lines, sumptuously furnished flats and a remarkably well-preserved period roof structure. The romantic park is full of delightful surprises. Its century-old trees paint changing pictures as the seasons go by, while the Pressoir interpretation area reveals the secrets of the builders.

Nearby: the domain of Candé, the fortress of Montbazon, the château de l’Islette…

©Walking tour of Chinon|ADT Touraine - JC COUTAND

5. Fifth day

Cycling morning. Take advantage of the morning to cycle a few miles. There are signposted routes around Azay-le-Rideau (5 loops from 7 to 21 km),

Chinon and its royal fortress…
Majestic on its rocky spur, the royal fortress of Chinon transports you to the heart of the Middle Ages. In the magnificently restored royal dwellings, relive the historic meeting between Jeanne d’Arc and Charles VII. With Histopad in hand, contemplate the 3D reconstructions of the flats of Eleanor of Aquitaine and Richard the Lionheart. From the ramparts, admire the breathtaking panorama of the medieval town and the AOC Chinon vineyards that stretch as far as the eye can see. A stroll through the cobbled streets of the old town leads you to the troglodytic cellars, where the winegrowers welcome you for a tasting of the wines that have made the reputation of Chinon.

6. Sixth day

The gardens of the Château du Rivau
Breathe in the enchanting scents of the 500 old roses that line the paths of the Rivau. In this plant kingdom with the “Remarkable Garden” and Tourism Quality labels, 14 themed areas tell you wonderful stories. Gargantua’s organically-grown vegetable garden delights the taste buds at the Table des Fées, while Alice’s maze invites you to lose yourself in delight. Contemporary works of art punctuate your stroll: here a giant seven-league boot, there a monumental watering can. In the evening, the 7 rooms of the château hotel extend the enchantment, with a privileged view over these fairytale gardens.

The village of Candes-Saint-Martin
The parish where Saint-Martin died in 397, offers a magnificent panorama over the confluence of the Loire and Vienne rivers. Listed as one of France’s most beautiful villages, Candes is nestled into the hillside around its massive collegiate church (12th-13th century), which is packed with curiosities. Its facade is particularly noteworthy for a porch featuring the heads of saints and kings amid a beautiful decoration of angels and plants.

7. Seventh day

Château de Langeais

The drawbridge lowers with an evocative creak, inviting you to enter this fascinating medieval fortress. In the great banqueting hall, tapestries from the 15th and 16th centuries tell the story of the place, while the finely carved furniture testifies to the refinement of seigneurial life. Climb up the battlements: the panoramic view over the Loire from the machicolations will take your breath away. The park has other surprises in store for you: a hut perched in a hundred-year-old cedar tree and the remains of the dungeon dating back to the year 1000 will delight young and old alike.

Jardins de Villandry

Purple basil, red chillies, blue leeks… An extraordinary mosaic of plants is revealed before your very eyes. The decorative kitchen garden, a veritable tableau vivant, boldly combines vegetables and flowers in the style of Renaissance gardens. Along the terraces, you’ll be amazed by the water garden where the clouds reflect, the labyrinth of a thousand twists and turns and the brightly coloured sun garden. The passionate gardeners have been cultivating the estate organically since 2009, providing a peaceful haven for birds. At the end of the day, enjoy a contemplative break in the tea room overlooking this unique plant symphony.

Late afternoon in Tours

City of Art and History, gateway to the Val de Loire, located at the heart of an exceptional heritage area… Tours is a city “to live in”, boasting a first-rate heritage and galvanised by the energy of its students. As you wander through its pretty shopping streets, don’t miss the historic districts, the Fine Arts Museum, the cathedral and basilica housing the tomb of Saint Martin and, of course, the brand new Centre de Création Contemporaine Olivier Debré.

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©Château de l'Aulée à Azay-le-Rideau|ADT Touraine - JC Coutand

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