Paris & Self-Drive Château & Wine Tour in the Loire Valley - 13 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Paris, Visit the Eiffel Tower, Seine River Cruise

Welcome to Paris, a lively city celebrated for its charming cafés, high fashion, and delectable cuisine. Meet your driver at the airport and transfer to your hotel to check in before spending the rest of the day as you wish. You can head straight to the city's most iconic landmark, La Tour Eiffel (Eiffel Tower). Ride the elevator to three different observation decks to enjoy a bird's-eye view of the city and the winding river Seine. If you'd like to dine at Le Jules Verne, a Michelin-star restaurant perched at 410 feet (125 m) on the second level, you'll need to make a prior online reservation.

For a glass of champagne or a nonalcoholic drink, ascend to the Champagne Bar at the top level. Then, descend and head to the river Seine for a one-hour evening cruise (or choose a 2.5-hour dinner cruise). As you glide along the water, see famous landmarks like the Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris and the Musée d'Orsay illuminated against the night sky while listening to an audio commentary on your smartphone. Then, watch from the terrace and exterior passageways as you cruise past La Tour Eiffel just as it begins to sparkle in an enchanting light show that changes with the season.

Day 2: Train to Niort, Discover the Château du Coudray-Salbart

After a restful night in Paris, head to the station to catch a 2.5-hour train to Niort, a picturesque city in western France that offers a mix of history, nature, and French culture. As you leave Paris, you'll pass through lush farmland, vineyards, and quaint villages before arriving in Niort, known for its rich historical heritage and strategic location along the Sèvre Niortaise River. Head to your hotel to check in and freshen up before exploring the historic Old Town's narrow, winding streets and medieval gems like the impressive Donjon, a 12th-century twin-towered keep built under the Plantagenets.

After choosing a quaint café for lunch, pick up your rental car and drive 15 minutes to Château du Coudray-Salbart in the neighboring town of Echiré. This 13th-century Romanesque fortress was once a strategic stronghold during the medieval period. Step inside to discover the impressive walls, towers, and defensive features, including a moat. Climb to the top of the towers for panoramic views of the surrounding fields, forest, and agricultural lands. Then, check out the exhibitions showcasing the castle's history and architecture, including its rare keystone-less arches, a testament to medieval engineering.

Day 3: Explore the Regional Natural Park of the Marais Poitevin

Spend the day exploring the Regional Natural Park of the Marais Poitevin on your own. This vast, protected wetland is known for its network of canals, lush greenery, and diverse wildlife. Drive 10 minutes to the park and go for a stroll, rent a bike, or hop on a boat to discover the canals that earned the wetland its nickname, "Green Venice." Gliding along the serene waters, you'll pass centuries-old water mills, traditional thatched cottages, and rich vegetation. Keep an eye out for various bird species, including herons and kingfishers, as well as otters, rabbits, and mink. 

The park is so big it's also home to villages like Coulon and Arçais. In Coulon, you'll find La Maison du Marais Poitevin, a museum detailing the marshland's history, importance, and conservation efforts to protect the delicate environment. Arçais is often less crowded, offering a peaceful setting for a leisurely walk. Stop at one of the cafés for a drink or visit the artisan shops to search for handmade souvenirs. Continue exploring the park on foot or opt for a guided horseback ride along the canals. The slow pace of horseback riding allows you to take in the park's rich biodiversity.

Day 4: Drive to Chinon, Explore the Forteresse Royale de Chinon

Hit the road again this morning with a two-hour drive to Chinon, a historic town on the Vienne River in the Vallée de la Loire. Pass through rolling hills, picturesque villages, and expansive farmlands, keeping an eye out for the lush vineyards characteristic of the region as you get closer to town. When you arrive, check in at your hotel, then enjoy some free time to discover the cobblestone streets, half-timbered houses, and charming squares. Begin your self-guided tour at the Forteresse Royale de Chinon, built in the ninth century as a fortified residence for French kings.

As you explore its various sections, including the well-preserved ramparts, royal apartments, and medieval towers, you'll uncover stories of Joan of Arc's historic visit to the castle in 1429 CE to meet Charles VII. You'll also find several terraces and lookout points offering far-reaching views of the valley dotted with vineyards. After exploring the fortress, continue to the nearby Église Saint-Maurice de Chinon, a Gothic-style church dating back to the 11th century. Admire the facade with its intricate stone carvings before entering to see the stained-glass windows depicting biblical scenes.

Day 5: Wine Tasting at Grosbois Estate, Visit Château du Rivau 

Start your day with a wine tasting at Grosbois Estate, just a 10-minute drive from Chinon. This historic family-owned estate is housed in a 15th-century fortified farm, which you'll discover with a private guide. Explore the vineyards and cellar while you learn about the organic and sustainable methods the winery uses to cultivate their grapes. Following the tour, sample five wines, each showcasing the terroir's mineral-rich limestone influence. Your guide will share insights into each wine's character, offering tasting tips to savor the fruit flavors, subtle herbal notes, and refined structure.

Then, drive 20 minutes to the 15th-century Château du Rivau, with origins going back to the 13th century as it was built on the foundations of a fortified house. As you explore the castle's interior, you’ll see rooms filled with period furnishings, impressive tapestries, and whimsical art pieces. Beyond the castle walls, discover over a dozen themed gardens inspired by fairy tales. After touring the castle and its grounds, make your way to the on-site restaurant, La Table des Fées, for lunch. The menu focuses on organic and regional ingredients, often sourced directly from the château's own vegetable gardens.

Day 6: Vineyard Picnic at Château du Petit Thouars, Visit Château d'Azay-le-Rideau

After a relaxing morning, drive 15 minutes to Château du Petit Thouars, a 17th-century family-owned estate, for a picturesque picnic in the vineyards. Enjoy a tour of the cellar caves and vineyard, followed by a wine tasting in the historic tasting room. Then, choose a bottle of the estate's fine wine to enjoy with your picnic lunch. Sit down among rows of cabernet franc and chenin blanc vines to savor the well-curated picnic basket of local specialties like artisan cheeses, charcuterie, fresh bread, and seasonal fruits while enjoying sweeping views of the rolling countryside.

Following your picnic, consider a 30-minute drive to Château d'Azay-le-Rideau, set on an island in the Indre River. Built in the early 16th century by Gilles Berthelot (the mayor of Tours and Treasurer of King Francis I), the castle combines French Renaissance architecture with Italian-inspired design elements. Step inside to discover the period furniture, intricate tapestries, and displays that showcase the rich history of the nobles who once lived here. Be sure to go for a stroll through the gardens featuring tree-lined paths, peaceful ponds, and seasonal flowers like roses and hydrangeas.

Day 7: Drive to Blois via Caves Ambacia & Château d'Amboise

Leave the medieval town of Chinon behind this morning as you set off on a 1.5-hour drive to Blois, once a royal city that hosted kings, queens, and courtiers. On the way, stop at Caves Ambacia for the Odyssey Wine Tour, which takes place in four stages. Start by learning about the winery's history and heritage, then discover the wines' terroirs and aroma families through a sensory experience. Move on to the cellars to learn about the different aging methods before ending with a wine-tasting class led by a sommelier to sample five wines paired with local food specialties.

After the tour, walk 15 minutes to Château d'Amboise, a Renaissance-era château that was once the residence of French kings. Explore the elegant rooms, like the king's bedroom and council room, filled with beautifully restored furnishings and artwork. Outside, you'll find the Chapel of Saint-Hubert, which houses the tomb of Leonardo da Vinci. Stroll through the Italian and English gardens and take in the beautiful views of the Loire River and the town of Amboise from the terrace. Then, return to your car and complete the drive to your hotel in Blois where you'll check into your hotel. 

Day 8: Self-Guided Tour of Château de Chambord

Today, you're free to explore Château de Chambord on your own. Just a 15-minute drive away, this grand Renaissance castle is renowned for its distinctive French Gothic architecture, featuring towering spires and turrets. Inside, you'll find grand hallways, an impressive double-helix staircase, and numerous rooms decorated with intricate tapestries and period furniture. To learn more about the château, watch one of the films projected on the ground floor detailing its history and architecture. Be sure to visit the different terraces for wide-ranging views of the surrounding forest and Cosson River.

Then, head outside for a stroll through the Parc de Chambord, one of the largest enclosed parks in Europe, spanning over 12,300 acres (5,000 ha). The park is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including deer, wild boar, and over 130 bird species. Follow one of the well-maintained paths through dense woodlands and open meadows, stopping to enjoy the various canals, ponds, and rivers. If you're tired of walking, opt for a scenic boat ride on the calm waters, enjoying a different perspective of the château. Afterward, return to your hotel in Blois.

Day 9: Explore Château de Cheverny & the Royal Château de Blois

Enjoy a day exploring more castles of the Vallée de la Loire, like Château de Cheverny, just 20 minutes away. The Hurault family, who have lived in the château since the 17th century, still reside in one of the wings. As you explore the rooms that are open to the public, you'll discover a treasure trove of luxurious furnishings, antique tapestries, and colorful paintings, many of which belong to the Huraults. If you're a fan of the comic book series "The Adventures of Tintin," you may recognize the château as the inspiration for the fictional Moulinsart Castle.

Enjoy a light lunch at the on-site Café de l'Orangerie (open from April to November) before continuing to the 15th-century Royal Château de Blois, once the residence of 10 queens and seven kings of France. Rent an audio guide and wander through the château as you immerse yourself in the opulence of royal life with richly decorated rooms, grand staircases, and intricate woodwork. Explore the four wings built in distinct styles from different periods (from the 13th to the 17th century) and see if you can find the secret chamber where Catherine de' Medici is rumored to have kept her poisons.

Be sure to visit the Museum of Fine Arts inside to admire the paintings, sculptures, and decorative arts from the Middle Ages to the 19th century. Then, end your visit with the sound and light show held on select evenings. Watch as the projected lights and dramatic soundscapes highlight the castle's architecture and tell stories of its royal past.

Day 10: Train to Paris, Explore the Capital at Leisure

Drop off your rental car this morning and head to the station for a 1.5-hour train back to Paris. When you arrive, check in at your hotel and freshen up for more self-guided sightseeing. Start with a stroll along the Champs-Élysées, a grand avenue stretching from the Place de la Concorde to the Arc de Triomphe. Walk past elegant stores, chic cafés, and landmarks like Petit Palais—a grand museum housed in an opulent Beaux-Arts building. If your feet aren't too tired, continue your stroll along the Seine for a closer look at the river and its historic bridges.

Then, head underground to visit the Catacombs of Paris, a vast network of tunnels that house the remains of over six million Parisians who were moved there in the late 18th and early 19th centuries due to overcrowding in the city's cemeteries. As you walk through the dark, narrow passageways, you'll discover neatly stacked bones arranged to create patterns, archways, and eerie sculptures. Back above ground, head to a French restaurant to try local delights like escargots de Bourgogne (snails prepared with garlic, butter, and parsley).

Day 11: Free Morning at the Louvre, Le Marais Pastry & Chocolate Tour

This morning, visit the Louvre to immerse yourself in the world's largest art museum, where you can marvel at iconic masterpieces like the "Mona Lisa" and the "Venus de Milo" and explore centuries of history and culture. When you arrive, admire the building that was originally a royal palace before entering through the iconic glass pyramid. Peruse the unparalleled collection of masterpieces spanning thousands of years and discover famous works like "The Winged Victory of Samothrace." Then, head outside to the 16th-century Jardin des Tuileries, the former private royal garden.

After a stroll through the garden, meet your local guide for a three-hour pastry and chocolate tour of Le Marais, one of the city's oldest neighborhoods. Wander the cobblestone streets and stop at some of the best bakeries, patisseries, and chocolatiers, each offering their own take on classic French treats like macarons (airy almond meringue cookies sandwiched together with a creamy filling) or éclairs (choux pastry typically filled with chocolate cream or vanilla custard). Savor each mouthful while learning about the history of French sweets and the techniques behind each creation.

Day 12: Champagne Tour of Saint-Germain-des-Prés, Dinner at Ô Chateau

On your penultimate day in France, embark on a three-hour champagne tour of Saint Germain des Prés, one of the city's most historic and stylish neighborhoods. Follow your guide along the cobbled streets, passing an eclectic mix of art galleries, boutiques, bookstores, and eateries. Stop at a brasserie (a traditional French restaurant with a casual yet refined atmosphere) for your first tasting. As you savor the crisp, sparkling champagne, you'll learn about the intricate process of its production in the Champagne region of France—the only region legally allowed to name sparkling wine as "champagne."

Your next stop is a traditional wine cellar, where you can enjoy another glass of champagne paired with food like cured meats and cheeses. After trying four champagnes with local delicacies, you can continue to explore the city on your own. In the evening, opt for a wine-tasting dinner at Ô Château to sample more French beverages and cuisine. The experience starts at 8:15 pm with a welcome glass of champagne. You'll then sit down to enjoy a set three-course menu paired with three French wines chosen by a sommelier, who will share with you how to taste wine and navigate a French wine list.

Day 13: Depart Paris

Wake up early and take advantage of your final few hours in France to explore more of the capital on your own. For one last look at Paris, head to Montmartre, an artistic neighborhood perched on a hill. Climb the steps of the Basilique du Sacré-Cœur and look out at the city and its landmarks, like the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre. After enjoying the view, head inside the basilica to see one of the largest mosaics in the world, "Christ in Majesty." Then, visit a café for one last croissant before returning to the hotel to grab your bags, meet your driver, and transfer to the airport for your flight home. Safe travels!