The Loire Valley Self Drive (Orleans - Blois - Tours - Saumur - Nantes)
❮The Loire Valley Self Drive (Orleans - Blois - Tours - Saumur - Nantes)
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This 12 night sample itinerary includes:
- Flight into Paris and out of Nantes
- Rental Car for 13 days
- Pick Up: Paris Airport/Drop Off: Nantes Airport
- Hotel for 2 nights in Orleans
- Hotel for 2 nights in Blois
- Hotel for 3 nights in Tours
- Hotel for 2 nights in Saumur
- Hotel for 3 nights in Nantes
Driving Time
Paris Airport - Orleans: 2 hrs. 10 mins. approx.
Orleans - Blois: 55 mins. approx.
Blois - Tours: 50 mins. approx.
Tours - Saumur: 55 mins. approx.
Saumur - Nantes: 1 hr. 35 mins. approx.
An unforgettable Road Trip Adventure along The Loire Valley (a region with picturesque villages alternate with towns rich in art and history and lined with magnificent Chateaux's, luxuriant landscape and fine food and wine to make the region one of the most attractive destinations in France. Pick up your car at Paris Airport and start your trip in: Orleans (capital of the "Loire Valley Centre Region", and best known as one of the cities visited by Joan of Arc); after that, drive to
Blois (renowned for its magnificent Renaissance chateaux created by French Kings in the 15th and 16th centuries); next is Tours (with its gothic cathedral Saint-Gatien, with 12th-century bases and Renaissance tops); after that,
Saumur (famous above all for two things: its excellent sparkling wine and its military French Cavalry Academy); and finally, visit
Nantes (a city full of interesting landmarks like the castle and the cathedral and famous for its vineyards that produce Muscadet white wine).
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Flexible Itinerary
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Orleans
Day 1Arrive to Orleans
Overnight in OrleansDay 2Overnight in OrleansDay 3Departing from Orleans
Transportation to next city by: Regional Air -
Blois
Day 3Arrive to Blois
Overnight in BloisDay 4Overnight in BloisDay 5Departing from Blois
Transportation to next city by: Regional Air -
Tours
Day 5Arrive to Tours
Overnight in ToursDay 6Overnight in ToursDay 7Overnight in ToursDay 8Departing from Tours
Transportation to next city by: Regional Air -
Saumur
Day 8Arrive to Saumur
Overnight in SaumurDay 9Overnight in SaumurDay 10Departing from Saumur
Transportation to next city by: Regional Air -
Nantes
Day 10Arrive to Nantes
Overnight in NantesDay 11Overnight in NantesDay 12Overnight in NantesDay 13Departing from Nantes
France
France remains one of the worlds most talked-about and written-about destinations. Whether the romance of Paris sweeps you off your feet or you fall gently for the relaxed life of Provence, France is a place for lovers, and will leave you spellbound. Paris is undoubtedly one of the world's great cities, with enough monuments, museums, restaurants, theatres and shows to last a lifetime. The northern provinces of Normandy and Brittany are steeped in history while the Loire Valley is world famous for its châteaux.
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Orleans
Only an hour away from Paris, Orleans is the capital of the Loire Valley and is famous for two reasons - Joan of Arc and the many Chateaux in the region. An important settlement by the time of the Roman conquest, the city sealed its place in history in 1429 when Joan of Arc relieved the city from attacks by the Burgundians and the English, a key turning point in the Hundred Years War. Six centuries later, the Maid of Orléans still has a powerful hold on the French imagination!
Enjoy the Parc Floral de la Source, Saint Croix Cathedral, Place du Martroi, Charlemagne Island, the historic center, the Fine Arts Museum, Hotel Groslot, and so much more! -
Blois
Blois, a hillside city on the Loire River, is a piece of living history, with cobblestone streets and restored white houses with slate roofs and red brick chimneys. Some of its 'streets' are mere alleyways that were originally laid out in the Middle Ages, or lanes linked by a series of stairs. The city is famous for its chateau, which is like an illustrated storybook of French architecture. The Château Royal de Blois is a former royal palace with ornate chambers featuring paintings and sculptures from the 16th to 19th centuries.
Explore Château de Blois, Beaux-Arts Museum, Fondation du Doute: Museum of Contemporary Art, Maison de la Magie (House of Magic), Rocher de la Vierge, Historical Museum, tour Beauvoir, take a boat ride on the Loire River, visit nearby chateaux in the Loire Valley, enjoy the many gardens, and so much more! -
Tours
Situated at the confluence of the Loire and Cher rivers, Tours is an excellent base for visiting the region's magnificent châteaux. The original home of the French language and the 'art de vivre', Tours has a modern, lively center with a thriving university. Experience the city's charm by visiting the old quarter, the cathedral, Saint-Gatien, whose flamboyant Gothic facade is flanked by towers with 12th-century bases and Renaissance tops, as well as the Touraine Wine Museum, the fine-arts museum, and Plessis les Tours.
Explore the Old Quarter and Pilgrims, Place Plumereau, Priory Saint-Cosme, Saint-Gatien Cathedral, La Psalette Cloisters, Saint-Martin Basilica, Botanical Garden of Tours, Museum of the Compagnonnage, markets, châteaus, and so much more! -
Saumur
Nestled between the Loire and Thouet Rivers, beautiful Saumur sits amongst acres of vineyards and farmland, close to many beautiful châteaux. A Loire Valley gem for foodies and history buffs, the town is famously home to the National Cavalry School.
Visit the Château de Saumur, National School of Horse Riding, Museum of Decorative Arts and Horse Museum, old town, and so much more! -
Nantes
Attractively situated on islands in the estuary of France's mighty Loire River, the city of Nantes exudes an air of importance and historical significance. It's home to the restored, medieval Château des Ducs de Bretagne, where the Dukes of Brittany once lived. The castle is now a local history museum with multimedia exhibits, as well as a walkway atop its fortified ramparts. Today, this wealthy industrial port is home to high-tech industries and a large student population.
Visit St. Peter's and St. Paul's Cathedral, the Arts Museum, Château des ducs de Bretagne, Jules Verne Museum, Jardin des Plantes, and more!
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Enjoy the Parc Floral de la Source, Saint Croix Cathedral, Place du Martroi, Charlemagne Island, the historic center, the Fine Arts Museum, Hotel Groslot, and so much more!
Explore Château de Blois, Beaux-Arts Museum, Fondation du Doute: Museum of Contemporary Art, Maison de la Magie (House of Magic), Rocher de la Vierge, Historical Museum, tour Beauvoir, take a boat ride on the Loire River, visit nearby chateaux in the Loire Valley, enjoy the many gardens, and so much more!
Explore the Old Quarter and Pilgrims, Place Plumereau, Priory Saint-Cosme, Saint-Gatien Cathedral, La Psalette Cloisters, Saint-Martin Basilica, Botanical Garden of Tours, Museum of the Compagnonnage, markets, châteaus, and so much more!
Visit the Château de Saumur, National School of Horse Riding, Museum of Decorative Arts and Horse Museum, old town, and so much more!
Visit St. Peter's and St. Paul's Cathedral, the Arts Museum, Château des ducs de Bretagne, Jules Verne Museum, Jardin des Plantes, and more!