Charming Towns of the Loire Valley (Self Drive)
❮Charming Towns of the Loire Valley (Self Drive)
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This 12 night sample itinerary includes:
- Pick up rental car in Paris Airport
- Rent a car for 13 days
- Hotel for 3 nights in Loiret Area
- Hotel for 3 nights in Loir-et-Cher
- Hotel for 3 nights in Indre-et-Loire
- Hotel for 2 nights in Western Loire
- Hotel for 1 nights in Nantes
Driving Time
Paris- Loiret Area: 1 hour 33 mins. approx.
Loiret Area- Loir-et-Cher: 1 hr. 30 min approx.
Loir-et-Cher- Indre-et-Loire: 1 hr 2 mins. approx.
Indre-et-Loire- Western Loire: 2 hr. 27 min approx.
Western Loire- Nantes: 38 mins. approx.
Experience this fantastic vacation to France! Visit Paris (the romantic City of Lights, stroll the Champs Elysses and indulge in the incomparable French cuisine), Loiret Area, Loir-et-Cher (a department in the Centre-Val de Loire region of France, an area full of history, with several of the most important Loire chateaux, like Chambord, variety of landscapes, horse breeding, and historic sites), Indre-et-Loire, Western Loire (as the Loire River runs west towards the Atlantic, the region is full of lush countryside, vineyards, long sandy beaches and salt marshes, dotted with many small undiscovered castles with attractive cities like Le Mans - famous for its car race competion- or Saumur -France`s military and equestrian center) and Nantes (a city full of interesting landmarks like the castle and the cathedral and famous for its vineyards that produce Muscadet white wine). Travel between them with a rental car. This is a flexible package. Select your number of nights in each city, desired hotel and activities.
Flexible Itinerary
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Loire Valley - Loiret
Day 1Arrive to Loire Valley - Loiret
Overnight in Loire Valley - LoiretDay 2Overnight in Loire Valley - LoiretDay 3Overnight in Loire Valley - LoiretDay 4Departing from Loire Valley - Loiret
Transportation to next city by: Regional Air -
Loire Valley - Loir-et-Cher
Day 4Arrive to Loire Valley - Loir-et-Cher
Overnight in Loire Valley - Loir-et-CherDay 5Overnight in Loire Valley - Loir-et-CherDay 6Overnight in Loire Valley - Loir-et-CherDay 7Departing from Loire Valley - Loir-et-Cher
Transportation to next city by: Regional Air -
Loire Valley - Indre-et-Loire
Day 7Arrive to Loire Valley - Indre-et-Loire
Overnight in Loire Valley - Indre-et-LoireDay 8Overnight in Loire Valley - Indre-et-LoireDay 9Overnight in Loire Valley - Indre-et-LoireDay 10Departing from Loire Valley - Indre-et-Loire
Transportation to next city by: Regional Air -
Loire Valley - Western Loire
Day 10Arrive to Loire Valley - Western Loire
Overnight in Loire Valley - Western LoireDay 11Overnight in Loire Valley - Western LoireDay 12Departing from Loire Valley - Western Loire
Transportation to next city by: Regional Air -
Nantes
Day 12Arrive to Nantes
Overnight 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. And there is more to explore.
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Loire Valley - Loiret
Loiret is an area of woodland, heaths and lakes which is a paradise for nature lovers. The great city of Orleans is the largest city and the most northern point of the Loire river. Heading upriver from Orleans are several sights worth seeking out; Saint Benoit-sur-Loire is famous for its magnificent 11th century Romanesque abbey church, with its beautiful arched façade and carvings and a crypt containing the relics of St Benedict himself. Beaugency, downriver from Orleans, is a charming town with a celebrated bridge of 23 arches spanning the river. Gien is another town that now houses a hunting museum. And many more. The Loire Valley or Centre-Val de Loire region of France, must surely offer the most diverse range of attractions and things to do in this wonderful country. The cathedrals of the Loire Valley will make your jaw drop, the abbeys will intrigue you and the churches will enchant you. Visit Saint Benoît-sur-Loire, Gien, Musée Historique et Archéologique, Musee des Beaux Arts, Cathedrale Ste Croix and so much more!
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Loire Valley - Loir-et-Cher
The Loir-et-Cher has 24 castles that can be visited, including the very prestigious, magnificent, flamboyant Chambord castle. It is crossed by both the Loire itself and the smaller Loir, and encompasses a variety of landscapes, not just the river banks but also the misty forests of the Sologne and the Perche, famous for its horses. Blois also offers you its arms. This city with its obscure history will never cease to amaze you as you discover its history and richness. First of all, the sublime view of the Loire crossed by the Blois bridge with the Saint-Louis cathedral and the royal castle of Blois in the background, all this is of a beauty to take your jaw off it. Admire Chambord Castle, Saint-Louis Cathedral, Royal Castle of Blois, Chateau de Villesavin, Eglise Saint-Louis de Chambord and so much more!
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Loire Valley - Indre-et-Loire
Indre-et-Loire invites visitors to step into the scene of a fairy tale, complete with stunning castles and an enchanting countryside. The area is called the Garden of France and because of its beauty, as well as the opportunities for hunting, the Loire Valley was frequently visited by the French kings. During the 15th and 16th centuries, French kings built extravagant country retreats amid the Loires woodlands and rivers.
Visit Crissay sur Manse, Joue les Tours, Langeais, Montresor, Mosnes, Rigny Usse, Rochecorbon, Savonnieres, Saint Genouph, Vovray and much more. -
Loire Valley - Western Loire
The Western Loire area of Loire Valley is known as the 'valley of the kings' due to its royal past and their legacy of châteaux, abbeys, romantic churches and manor houses. The landscape is dominated by the Loire valley and the longest river in France. Main points include Le Mans-Laval, Saumur/Fontevraud, Angers and the very popular city of Nantes, all the way to the Peninsula of Guerande making way to the mighty Atlantic Visit Chalonnes-sur-Loire, Fontevraud-l'Abbaye, Les Ponts-de-Ce, Montreuil-Bellay.
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Nantes
Attractively situated on islands in the estuary of France's mighty Loire River, the solid city of Nantes exudes an air of importance and historical significance. It is a wealthy industrial port, its architectural heritage reflecting its past achievements, from the medieval remnants in the narrow streets of pedestrianised Bouffay. Many famous people, from Molière to Stendhal, have lived here. Nantes is now home to high-tech industries, it has some 30,000 college students.
Visit St. Peters' and St. Pauls' Cathedral, The Arts Museum, Château des ducs de Bretagne, Jules Verne Museum, Jardin des Plantes, and more!
Visit Saint Benoît-sur-Loire, Gien, Musée Historique et Archéologique, Musee des Beaux Arts, Cathedrale Ste Croix and so much more!
Admire Chambord Castle, Saint-Louis Cathedral, Royal Castle of Blois, Chateau de Villesavin, Eglise Saint-Louis de Chambord and so much more!
Visit Crissay sur Manse, Joue les Tours, Langeais, Montresor, Mosnes, Rigny Usse, Rochecorbon, Savonnieres, Saint Genouph, Vovray and much more.
Visit Chalonnes-sur-Loire, Fontevraud-l'Abbaye, Les Ponts-de-Ce, Montreuil-Bellay.
Visit St. Peters' and St. Pauls' Cathedral, The Arts Museum, Château des ducs de Bretagne, Jules Verne Museum, Jardin des Plantes, and more!