This tour was created by ChatGBT
Here’s a two-week (14-day) Loire Valley châteaux tour itinerary that balances the region’s most spectacular castles with scenic towns, gardens, wine tastings, and relaxed travel pace. I’ve grouped images by region so you can visualize your trip as you plan it.
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🚗 Loire Valley Two-Week Tour – Overview
You'll explore three main zones:
- Eastern Loire (around Blois & Orléans)
- Central Loire (Tours & Amboise)
- Western Loire (Chinon & Saumur)
Each day includes a top château, optional stops, and tips for food or wine experiences.
Orléans is an easy train ride from Paris
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🌸 Day 1 — Arrival in Orléans
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| Views of Orléans | ||
Stay in: Orléans
Highlights:
✔ Explore the medieval old town & Gothic cathedral
✔ Riverside stroll along the Loire
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🏰 Day 2 — Château de Chambord
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| Château de Chambord | ||
Stay near: Chambord / Blois
Must-see:
✔ Iconic Renaissance castle with a double-helix staircase
✔ Vast park & forest perfect for cycling
Optional: Evening in Blois.
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🏰 Day 3 — Château de Blois + Maison de la Magie
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| Château de Blois + Maison de la Magie | ||
Stay in: Blois
Highlights:
✔ Explore four architectural periods
✔ Magic museum at the castle
Add-on: Walk through the riverside quarter.
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🏰 Day 4 — Château de Cheverny & Château de Beauregard
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| Château de Cheverny & Château de Beauregard | ||
Route: Blois → Cheverny → Beauregard → Amboise
Stay in: Amboise
Highlights:
✔ Cheverny’s refined interiors
✔ Beauregard’s gigantic portrait gallery
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🏰 Day 5 — Château Royal d’Amboise & Pagoda of Chanteloup
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| Château Royal d’Amboise & Pagoda of Chanteloup | ||
Stay in: Amboise
Highlights:
✔ Royal residence with Loire views
✔ Da Vinci’s burial site at nearby Saint-Hubert chapel
✔ Sunset at Pagoda of Chanteloup
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🏰 Day 6 — Château du Clos Lucé + Vineyard lunch
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| Château du Clos Lucé + Vineyard lunch | ||
Stay in: Amboise
Highlights:
✔ Leonardo da Vinci’s final home
✔ Inventor’s workshop models
✔ Wine tasting in Vouvray
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🏰 Day 7 — Chenonceau & Gardens
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| Chenonceau & Gardens | ||
Stay in: Tours or nearby
Highlights:
✔ “Castle of the Ladies” gracefully spanning the Cher
✔ Rich formal gardens
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🌳 Day 8 — Leisure Day in Tours
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| Leisure Day in Tours | ||
Stay in: Tours Ideas: 🍷 Bike along the Loire 🍽️ Explore medieval markets 🍻 Dinner in Place Plumereau
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🏰 Day 9 — Château de Villandry
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| Château de Villandry | ||
Stay in: Tours
Must-see:
✔ Lavish Renaissance gardens
✔ Vegetable, ornamental & water gardens
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🏰 Day 10 — Château de Langeais + Royal Fortress
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| Château de Langeais + Royal Fortress | ||
Stay in: ChinonHighlights:
✔ Intact medieval keep
✔ Interactive costume displays
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🏰 Day 11 — Château de Chinon
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| Château de Chinon | ||
Stay in: Chinon
Highlights:
✔ Hilltop fortress with panoramic views
✔ Medieval town alleyways
✔ Chinon wine tasting
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🏰 Day 12 — Château d’Ussé
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| Château d’Ussé | ||
Stay in: Saumur
Highlights:
✔ Said to inspire Sleeping Beauty
✔ Picturesque, fairytale silhouette
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🏰 Day 13 — Château de Saumur & Cadre Noir
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| Château de Saumur & Cadre Noir | ||
Stay in: Saumur
Highlights:
✔ Medieval castle overlooking the river
✔ Consider a Cadre Noir equestrian show (seasonal)
✔ Saumur sparkling wine tasting
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🏙️ Day 14 — Return or Continue
Options:
✈ Return via Tours/Paris train
🍷 Extend with Bordeaux/Champagne side trips
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🍷 Suggested Loire Wines Along the Way
Sancerre / Pouilly-Fumé (east)
Vouvray / Montlouis (near Amboise)
Chinon / Bourgueil (west)
Saumur & Crémant de Loire
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🚙 Travel Tips
Transport:
Best by rental car for flexibility
Trains + bikes work well for central routes (Tours–Amboise–Chenonceau)
Timing:
Spring & early fall = best weather & blooms
Many châteaux open by 9:30–10:00
Dining:
Try rillettes (confit or coarse pâté), goat cheese, tarte Tatin, and Loire river fish
Pair with local whites (Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc)
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📌 Quick Route Map (Sequential)
Orléans → Chambord → Blois → Cheverny → Amboise → Tours → Villandry → Langeais → Chinon → Ussé → Saumur
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| Loire Valley Tour map - Orléans to Saumur |
If you want, this tour can be done by train and bus, but renting a car may be best. And as the map indicates, the distance covered is about 260 kilometers, and the total drive time for the entire route is only 4½ hours.
ACCOMMODATIONS
📍 Orléans – Days 1–2
Hotel options near the train station:
Novotel Orléans Centre Gare – Comfortable mid-range right next to the station.
ibis Orléans Centre Gare – Budget friendly and walkable to the station.
Empreinte Hotel – Stylish option near the Loire river.
Hotel Escale Oceania Orléans – Good choice with riverside views.
Hôtel St Roch - Best Western Plus – Highly rated boutique-style stay.
Arago - Encore Mieux / Fernand - Encore Mieux – Comfortable budget options a short walk away.
Perfect for spending time near Château de Blois and shuttle access to Chambord/Cheverny.
Hotels near Blois station / city centre:
Hôtel Mercure Blois Centre – Upscale choice near the Loire.
ibis Blois Centre Château – Reliable mid-range close to sights and transit.
Hôtel Beelodge Blois Centre – Comfortable moderate option.
Anne de Bretagne Hotel – Budget pick near historic centre.
Fleur de Loire · Spa Hotel & Restaurant – Splurge choice with high reviews.
Tip: Blois isn’t huge and most options are a short walk to cafés, restaurants and the château.
📍 Amboise – Days 5–6
Lovely riverside town with its own station and many châteaux within easy reach on foot.
Top choices:
Le Manoir Saint Thomas – Classic, elegant stay right in town.
Hôtel Restaurant Le Clos d'Amboise – Charming, central and well-reviewed.
La Maison Rabelais – Cozy boutique feel.
Best Western Hotel Le Vinci Loire Valley à Amboise – Reliable, convenient base.
Au Charme Rabelaisien Amboise – Highly rated guesthouse feel.
Hôtel Le Manoir Les Minimes – Splurge watch (may need early booking in high season).
📍 Tours – Days 7–9
Major regional hub with excellent train connections to Chenonceau, Villandry and onward.
Hotels close to Tours train stations / city centre:
Château Belmont Tours – Great mid-range pick with lots of charm.
Hilton Garden Inn Tours Centre – Modern comfort in town.
Labe Hotel Proche Gare Tours – Fabulous small luxury near station.
Hôtel du Cygne – Well-reviewed boutique choice.
Ferdinand Hôtel Tours – Stylish and centrally located.
Novotel Tours Centre Gare / Hampton by Hilton Tours Centre – Easy, solid mid-range options.
Hôtel Le Colbert – Boutique pick near restaurants and sights.
📍 Chinon – Days 10–11
Quaint town location for Château de Chinon and western Loire vibes.
Recommended stays:
Best Western Hôtel de France – Comfortable central choice.
Hotel Diderot – Well-rated boutique feel.
O Doux Matins – Charming B&B vibe.
Logis Hôtel la Boule d'Or/ Restaurant At'able! – Option with on-site dining.
Manoir des Bertinières – Great B&B near town centre.
📍 Saumur – Days 12–13
Great final stop for Château de Saumur and Loire crossings.
Top hotel choices near station / city centre:
Hotel les Terrasses de Saumur – Popular, comfortable mid-range.
Hôtel Anne d'Anjou, The Originals Collection – Stylish and well-rated.
Hôtel Saint Pierre Boutique Hôtel – Great boutique stay.
ibis Styles Saumur Gare Centre – Reliable choice right by transit.
Hôtel Mercure Bords de Loire Saumur – Classic brand with river views.
The Originals Boutique, Hôtel Le Londres, Saumur – Good budget boutique option.
Hôtel spa Château la Comtesse de Loire – Splurge option with spa.
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