The Loire Valley is home to France's most famous chateaux. (Those are castles to us Anglophones.) Literally hundreds of royal and private chateaux dot the region. They range in style from massive medieval fortresses built atop rocky promontories complete with dungeons and torture chambers to elegant renaissance palaces rising from shimmering lakes. Take your pick. Some are prized for their unique architecture while others have renowned gardens. What they all share is their common location south of Paris within the lush Loire Valley, a UNESCO world heritage site.
What you will find so intriguing about the chateaux, besides the obvious grandeur and beauty, are the histories of the people who built and maintained them. Some of the royal chateau sport tales that rival daytime soap operas! Kings, dukes and counts were born and raised in them, queens and king's mistresses reigned supreme over some and and at times the chateaux would hold the seat of power in France. As if that wasn't enough, Leonardo da Vinci died in France and is buried in the chateau of Amboise.
Of course there's more to the Loire Valley than just chateaux. The region is also rich in medieval villages, some of which are considered the most beautiful towns in all of France. There are abbeys, including the royal abbey of Fontevraud, final resting place of Richard the Lionheart, king of England. Then there's the river. The Loire is the longest river in France and considered the country's last wild river.
With 125,000 acres of vines, the Loire Valley the third largest wine region in France producing all styles. The fertile soil overlies soft limestone, perfect for growing grapes and for excavating caverns that provide the ideal conditions for fermentation. Don't expect Napa; there are no fancy faux Italian-villa tasting rooms selling imported olives. In the Loire all energy goes into the product, not the package!
We pride ourselves on providing a unique experience for every one of our guests. After all, it is one of the reasons you choose a private guide over a public tour bus. With a private guide you get something unheard of on a public tour...flexibility and our undivided attention. You can consider us your friends who live in France, friends who just so happen to have the time and inclination to show you around this great country.
The Loire river is very long (1,000 km) originating in the Massif Central plateau and extending north then west to the Atlantic. The UNESCO area lies between Sully-sur-Loire and Chalonnes with the town of Tours considered the heart of the valley.
The Loire Valley is a wonderful, long day trip away from Paris.
The region produces a wide range of wine. Wine tasting in France is a refreshing experience with the quality of the wine and beauty of the region speaking more to authenticity than to marketing.
At A Guide in France we do not use standardized itineraries; therefore, we often dine casually, on-the-fly. If you have any restaurant preferences, please let us know during the itinerary-building process and we will plan accordingly.
Meals: we usually dine separately from our guests but will join you if asked. Either way, we will always assist you with the menus and ordering.
Pricing for Travel Partner extended-length guide services*
  • 1 to 2 people = €350/day up to 12 hours
  • 3 to 4 people = €450/day up to 12 hours

Price does not include food, fuel, autoroute tolls, train tickets or entrance fees. Drinks and snacks are provided.

*3 days or more. For quotes on day tours, contact us.
To get started, contact us anytime. Ask questions, tell us where you want to go and what you want to see. We're always glad to help and we look forward to showing you beyond the Eiffel Tower.
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