5-day Private Loire Castles, Mont Saint-Michel, D-Day from Paris

5 days (ID: 162352)

Private Mercedes minivan Tiered Pricing

Overview

A high-quality Live-guided 3-day Private trip for 2 to 6 clients to 7 Top Loire Valley castles with two wine tastings.
Accommodation at 4* Chateau-hotel included.
Mercedes Minivan, extra long with adjustable seats, drives faster than a bus or minibus.
Despite the large number of castles etc the tour is quite relaxing.
We bring You as well to two local Wine producer where You can get explanations how it is being made for centuries and make the tastings of minimum 7 wines at each place.
Do not miss the opportunity that we offer you to make this reservation and take some memories that will remain in your memory as the best vacations.
You will only have to relax and enjoy, we assure you comfort.
More guided trips to Loire Valley in Small-groups and as Private Experiences available.

Itinerary

Day 1 Summery: Paris — Chambord Castle — Blois Castle — Winery visit

Day 1: 07:30 Departure to Loire Valley

07:30 Pick-up from Your hotel. There are 180 km to drive on highway by our comfortable air conditioned Mercedes minivan. It takes about 2,5 hours. The Guide will give You general Information about the French history connected to the Castles of Loire Valley.

Day 1: 10:00 - 12:00 Arrival at the Loire Valley at Château de Chambord

10:00 - 12:00 Visit of Chateaux Chambord. The Guide will tell You the history of the Castle and its construction. The Château de Chambord is one of the most popular castles because of its French Renaissance architecture. The building was constructed from 1519 to 1547 by Francis I (Francois 1-er) and is nowadays the biggest castle with its 440 rooms, 282 fireplaces and 84 staircases. The castle is also known because of its open double-spiral staircase. The two spirals ascend the three floors without ever meeting. Leonardo da Vinci may have designed the staircase.
12:00 Departure to the Blois city. It take about 20 minutes (17 km)

Day 1: 12:30 - 14:00 Arrival in Blois city. Lunch break.

12:30 - 14:00 Arrival in Blois city. Lunch break. We will recommend You a good restaurant.

Day 1: 14:00 - 15:30 Visit of Chateaux Blois.

14:00 - 15:30 Visit of Chateaux Blois. The Royal Château of Blois is located in the center of Blois city. It was a residence of some French Kings, Joan of Arc also went there by 1429 to be blessed by the Archbishop of Reims before departing with her army to battle against the English. The castle comprises several buildings of four different architectural styles. There are 564 rooms in the castle, including 100 bedrooms with a fireplace in each, and 75 staircases.
15:30 Departure to the Winery Plou et Fils. It takes about 30 minutes (30 km).

Day 1: 16:00 - 16:45 Wine Tasting at a local family winery

16:00 Wine Tasting at a local family winery existing since many centuries. You will learn how wines have been making for centuries and have afterwords the wine tasting of local wines with explanations. We will present You red, rose and white wines (minimum 7 different wines)
16:45 Departure to Domaine De La Tortinière, Château Hôtel Val de Loire. It takes about 45 minutes (40 km). Accommodation. Free time.

Day 1: 17:30 Accommodation at Château Hôtel

17:30 Arrival and accommodation at Château Hôtel "Domaine De La Tortinière" or another 4 Star Chateau-Hotel. Accommodation. Free time.

Day 2 Summery: Chenonceau castle — Amboise city — Amboise castle — Clos Luce castle

Day 2: 09:00 Departure to Chateau de Chenonceau

09:00 Departure from Château Hôtel "Domaine De La Tortinière" to Chenonceau castle. It takes just half an hour drive (40 km).

Day 2: 09:30 - 11:30 Arrival at the Chenonceau castle

09:30 - 11:30 Arrival and visit of Château de Chenonceau. Skip-the-line access with Guide to Chenonceau Castle nicknamed the "ladies’ castle", remarkable for its feminine history of famous women of France such as Catherine de Medici as well as for it’s stunning architecture as well as unique aches over the River Cher. The Renaissance-style gardens Gardens of Chenonceau with their more than 130,000 flowerings plants will impress You as well. You will also get a brochure with explanations of each room.
Free time to walk around the gardens.
11:00 Departure from the Chenonceau castle destination Amboise City. It takes about 20 min (14 km)

Day 2: 12:00 - 14:00 Arrival in Amboise city and Lunch break.

12:00 - 14:00 Arrival in Amboise city and Lunch break. There are many cafes and restaurants at the main walking street of Amboise near the entrance to the Castle. So You will have the best choice for Lunch. We can as well make a reservation at a good restaurant.

Day 2: 14:00 - 15:30 Château Royal d'Amboise

14:00 to 15:30 Visit of Château Royal d'Amboise with Histopad explaining to You the history of this Castle and of each room. Amboise is the grand 15th-century residence of King Charles VIII and an example of the transition of Gothic to Renaissance architecture. Learn the history of the castle Amboise which is known as birth place of princes, the reign of Kings, and the death of the greatest Renaissance master, Leonardo Da Vinci! You can see his grave in the chapel.

15:30. Walking of about 400 meters to Leonardo da Vinci castle Clos Luce

Day 2: 15:45 - 17:30 Visit of Chateaux Clos Luce

15:45 - 17:30 Visit of Chateaux Clos Luce with Parc Leonardo da Vinci. The Château du Clos Lucé is a castle located just 400 meters away from Château Royal d'Amboise to which it is connected by an underground passageway. Built by Hugues d'Amboise in 1471, the palace belonged once to the French king Charles VIII and afterwards to Leonardo da Vinci who lived there at the invitation of Francis I from 1516 until his death on 2 May 1519. Today it is a museum about Leonardo da Vinci's life, work and memory. Clos Luce is of top 100 extraordinary destinations to explore 2021 by Time magazine.
Free time in Amboise city.
17:30 Back ride to Domaine De La Tortinière. It takes about 40 min (36 km)

Day 2: 18:15 Arrival at Château Hôtel "Domaine De La Tortinière"

18:15 Arrival at Château Hôtel "Domaine De La Tortinière". Free time.

Day 3 Summery: Chateau de Chaumont — Amboise city — Villandry castle

Day 3: 09:00 Departure to Chaumont castle

09:00 Departure from Your Château Hôtel to Chaumont castle. It takes just one hour drive (55 km).

Day 3: 10:00 - 12:00 Arrival and visit of Chateau de Chaumont Sur Loire

10:00 - 12:00 Arrival and visit of Chateau de Chaumont Sur Loire. The castle Château de Chaumont was founded in the 10th century and rebuilt in the 15th century by Charles I d'Amboise. Protected as a monument historique since 1840, the château became the French state ownership and is now open to the public. Catherine de Medici forced in 1559 Diane de Poitiers, to accept the Château de Chaumont in exchange for the Château de Chenonceau. Diane de Poitiers spent here last 3 years of her life.

Day 3: 12:30 - 14:00 Arrival in Amboise city and Lunch break.

12:30 - 14:00 Arrival in Amboise city and Lunch break. There are many cafes and restaurants at the main walking street of Amboise near the entrance to the Castle. So You will have the best choice for Lunch. We can as well make a reservation at a good restaurant.
14:00 Departure to Villandry castle. It takes 45 min (40 km).

Day 3: 14:45 - 16:15 Visit of the Villandry castle

14:45 - 16:15 Arrival and visit of the Villandry castle.

Château de Villandry is a magnificent blend of history and beauty that beckons travelers from around the globe. Originally an ancient fortress from the 14th century, this stunning site was transformed in the 17th century when a new château was constructed around the original keep, a place where King Philip II of France once met Richard I of England.

Experience the rich history of this château, which was confiscated during the French Revolution and later acquired by Emperor Napoleon for his brother, Jérôme Bonaparte, in the early 19th century. Today, Château de Villandry remains privately owned, preserving its legacy and splendor.

The highlight of your visit will undoubtedly be the extraordinary Renaissance gardens, renowned for their breathtaking beauty and intricate designs. Wander through the exquisite water garden, the vibrant ornamental flower gardens, and the meticulously arranged vegetable gardens. Marvel at the formal patterns created with low box hedges, showcasing the artistry and precision of these historic gardens.

Designated as a Monument historique in 1934, Château de Villandry offers a captivating journey through time and nature, inviting you to explore and immerse yourself in its timeless charm.

16:15 Back ride to Domaine De La Tortinière. It takes about 25 min (28 km)

Day 3: 16:40 Arrival at Château Hôtel

16:40 Arrival at Château Hôtel "Domaine De La Tortinière". Free time.

Day 4 Summery: Loire Valley — Mont Saint-Michel

Day 4: 09:00 Departure from to Mont Saint-Michel.

09:00 Departure from to Mont Saint-Michel. It takes you 3,5 hours (300 km). One stop at a rest area will be made.

Day 4: 12:30 Arrival at Mont Mont Saint-Michel. Lunch break

12:30 to 13:00 Arrival at Mont Mont Saint-Michel.

13:00 - 14:30 Lunch break. We recommend You a good restaurant.

Day 4: 14:30 - 18:30 Visit of UNESCO World Heritage Mont Saint-Michel island and the Benedictine Abbey.

14:30 - 18:30 Visit of UNESCO World Heritage Mont Saint-Michel island and the Benedictine Abbey. Your guide will bring you up the narrow streets of the medieval village toward the top of the Island. You can admire panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean and bay and enter the Benedictine Abbey. Entrance tickets into the Abbey include audio-guides in many languages.
The whole island with the Bay is classified by UNESCO as a world heritage site. It remains practically the same since the Middle Ages as it was the goal of pilgrims from all over the world. Mont Saint Michel remains the most visited site in France.
Free time for Lunch and visiting of the city and the Bay.
18:30 accommodation at the hotel near Mont Saint-Michel. Free time.

Day 5 Summery: Mont Saint-Michel — Omaha beaches — Normandy American Cemetery — Memorial de Caen — Calvados tasting — Paris

Day 5: 08:00 Departure to Omaha Beaches

08:00 Departure from Mont Saint-Michel to Omaha Beaches. It will take about 2 hours (147 km) to reach the Omaha beaches Signal Monument.

Day 5: 10:00 - 10:30 Arrival at Omaha Beaches

10:00 - 10:30 Arrival at Omaha Beaches. Learn about the huge sacrifice made by the 34 000 men who landed here on D-Day. Omaha Beach is the most popular travellers destination of the D-Day Beaches. Omaha beaches Signal Monument visit.

A 5 minutes ride (4 km) to Normandy American Cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer.

Day 5: 10:30 - 12:00 Arrival and Visit of the Normandy American Cemetery

10:30 - 12:00 Arrival and Visit of the Normandy American Cemetery & Visitor Center in Colleville-sur-Mer and overlooking Omaha Beach. It contains 9,387 U.S. soldiers, most of whom were killed during the Normandy Landings and the Wall of the Missing with the names of 1,557 soldiers missing in action. The cliffs leading down to the beaches contain the remnants of the German defences, including concrete casemates with memorials to the soldiers. At Normandy American Cemetery you’ll see as well the semicircular memorial colonnade with the sculpture “Spirit of American Youth Rising from the Waves” and large maps of military operations; and the most beautiful, idyllic spot on Planet Earth.

12:00 Departure to The Caen Memorial and Museum. It takes about 40 minutes (45 km).

Day 5: 12:40 - 15:00 Lunch break and Visit of The Caen Memorial and Museum

12:40 - 15:00 Lunch break and Visit of the Caen Memorial and Museum, located in the British Sword Beach sector. Caen Museum is the best World War II museum in France. You will get an overview of the battle of Normandy as well the sense of the personal lives of the people who took part in it. An excellent 19-minute film documents this battle with original historic footage.
15:00 Departure to Calvados tasting. It takes half an hour (50 km)

Day 5: 15:30 - 17:00 Calvados tasting

15:30 - 17:00 Calvados tasting in Normandy. we will make a stop for Calvados tasing with animated show about Normandy's history and Calvados production secrets.
17:00 Departure to Paris. It takes about 2,5 hours (190 km)

Day 5: 19:30 Arrival in Paris.

19:30 Arrival in Paris. Drop off at Your hotel.

What's Included

4 Stars Chateau-Hotel accommodation in Double Rooms for 2 nights
Visit of 7 Loire Valley castles, tickets included
Hotel accommodation in Double Room one night with breakfast
Mercedes E220 business class car for 2 - 3 people or Mercedes Minivan for 3 - 7 people
Professional Guide - Driver
2 Wine tasting during the local wineries visits
All fees and taxes
Bottled water

Exclusions

Gratuities and Souvenirs
Meals and Drinks
Single Room supplement