Tours

Day Trips

Start your day with flaky croissants and café au lait at a local boulangerie tucked into a narrow medieval alley. Stroll through Place Plumereau admiring half-timbered houses and artisan workshops just as they open. Feel the history seep from cobblestones as you wander toward the Loire River.

Savor a light lunch of rillettes on fresh baguette at a riverside café overlooking the water. Step inside Cathédrale Saint-Gatien to marvel at its stained glass and Gothic facade. Wander down Rue Colbert, popping into patisseries and bookstores for local treats and guides.

Dine at a hidden gem bistro serving regional dishes like andouillette and local goat cheese salad. Sip a chilled glass of Touraine AOP while soaking up the warm glow of lanterns in Place Plumereau. Take a leisurely after-dinner stroll along the illuminated riverbanks before returning to your hotel.

Drive or take a scenic train ride to Château de Villandry before the crowds arrive. Join a guided tour through its geometric Renaissance gardens ablaze with seasonal blooms. Capture photos of the maze, herb beds, and vibrant flower parterres framed by early morning light.

Enjoy a picnic lunch amid the potager gardens with fresh bread, cheese, and charcuterie from local markets. Meet with resident gardeners for a hands-on herb-planting workshop beneath age-old linden trees. Bike along quiet country lanes flanked by sunflower fields and rolling vineyards.

Return to Tours and dine at a farm-to-table restaurant highlighting hyper-local produce. Chat with the chef about seasonal harvests as you sample dishes crafted from ingredients grown steps away. Take a gentle evening walk through the old town, breathing in the scent of summer flowers and warm stone.

Catch an early train to Amboise and wander through the quiet streets toward the royal château. Tour the grand halls and terraces of Château d’Amboise, absorbing sweeping views of the Loire below. Snap photos of medieval ramparts and watch the town come to life around you.

Stroll to Clos Lucé, Leonardo da Vinci’s final residence, and explore his miniature machines in the interactive museum. Enjoy lunch at the château’s café overlooking shaded gardens and tranquil ponds. Follow winding paths to see full-scale reproductions of da Vinci’s inventions in lush surroundings.

Return to Tours and dine at a riverside bistro specializing in Loire fish terrine. Pair your meal with a crisp white from a local Vouvray vintner. Afterward, meander along the softly lit quayside, listening to the gentle flow of the river.

Travel to Vouvray for an immersive tasting of Chenin Blanc in family-run cellars hewn into tufa rock. Descend into vaulted chambers and sample fresh terroir in each glass. Learn cellar secrets passed down through generations as the morning light filters through underground openings.

Lunch at a rustic auberge featuring rillons, fresh goat cheese, and baguettes warmed by a wood-fired oven. Cycle through vineyard-lined lanes, stopping at farm stalls for seasonal fruit and homemade preserves. Chat with a biodynamic winemaker about organic practices and earth-friendly harvest methods.

Head back to Tours for dinner at a jazz-themed bistro dishing out local small plates. Enjoy the smoky melodies of live saxophone while sipping Vouvray Moelleux. Conclude your evening with a moonlit promenade through the cobblestone streets.

Arrive at Château de Chenonceau before the crowds and admire its reflection dancing on the Cher River. Explore opulent chambers filled with Renaissance art and period furniture. Wander through the gallery that spans the water, basking in the serene morning atmosphere.

Picnic in the riverside gardens set beneath fragrant roses and towering trees. Rent a rowboat to glide gently under the castle’s iconic arches. Later, tour the vegetable and herb gardens cultivated historically for Catherine de' Medici’s kitchen.

Return to Tours for a Michelin-starred tasting menu celebrating Loire Valley flavors. Delight in dishes like river fish en papillote and garden-fresh vegetable tian. Finish with a digestif in the intimate hotel bar, illuminated by soft candlelight.

Pick up rental bikes and set out on the scenic Loire à Vélo route heading west. Pedal past vine-covered hills, abandoned quarries, and quaint riverside hamlets. Stop at a charming café for a mid-morning espresso and slice of lemon tart.

Continue through sun-drenched landscapes to Villaines-les-Rochers, famed for its troglodyte workshops. Tour a stone-carving atelier hewn into cliffs and meet local artisans. Enjoy a riverside lunch of grilled fish and seasonal salad at a shady picnic spot.

Return your bikes in Tours and treat yourself to a spa session at a boutique hotel. Sip barrel-aged gin cocktails in a plush lounge overlooking hidden gardens. Cap the night with a peaceful stroll through Jardin des Prébendes, listening to croaking frogs and night birds.

Take a picturesque train ride to Saumur, perched atop limestone cliffs above the river. Explore the massive Château de Saumur and climb its towers for panoramic views. Sample freshly baked brioche at a nearby patisserie before continuing your journey.

Descend into troglodyte caves to visit centuries-old wine cellars burrowed deep in the rock. Taste robust Saumur Champigny directly from the barrel alongside aged goat cheese. Wander through mushroom farms that thrive in the cool, damp tunnels.

Return to Tours and dine at a cozy crêperie by the riverbank, sampling savory galettes and sweet buckwheat crepes. Pair your meal with crisp Normandy cider poured straight from a wooden barrel. Stroll through the softly lit streets, savoring the evening’s gentle ambiance.

Rise before dawn for a hot air balloon flight over châteaux, meandering rivers, and patchwork vineyards. Float in silence as the sun casts golden hues across the Loire Valley. Celebrate your landing with a traditional champagne toast in an open field.

Visit a prestigious estate for a guided vertical tasting of Vouvray, Montlouis, and Bourgueil vintages. Enjoy a gourmet lunch in a vine-clad pergola, sampling local cheeses and charcuterie. Chat with the winemaker about soil types and aging techniques under the summer sun.

Back in Tours, unwind at a lively bistro famous for tarte tatin and regional desserts. Sip a Loire rosé while enjoying an impromptu guitar performance by the owner. End the night with a moonlit walk along the riverbanks, soaking in the valley’s nocturnal calm.

Head to Les Halles de Tours where stalls overflow with ripe fruits, artisanal cheeses, cured meats, and fresh vegetables. Sample specialties like rillons, fouace, and locally smoked trout as you wander the aisles. Chat with vendors about their seasonal harvests and heritage breeds.

Join a hands-on cooking class in a vaulted stone kitchen to learn a classic Touraine recipe. Shop the market with your chef instructor, selecting perfect produce and spices. Prepare a three-course meal, then sit down to savor your creations over lively conversation.

Dine at a contemporary brasserie experimenting with Loire Valley fusion cuisine. Each course is paired with varietals recommended by a knowledgeable sommelier. Wrap up the evening at a rooftop bar, enjoying panoramic views of Tours’ rooftops and bell towers.

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at your favorite pâtisserie, sampling pain au chocolat and fresh fruit tartlets. Take a final stroll along the Loire, pausing to photograph the bridges and riverside cafés. Browse boutique bookshops for cookbooks and local maps to remember your journey.

Check out of your hotel and linger over a farewell lunch at a gourmet café in the heart of Tours. Reflect on your trip while enjoying coq au vin enriched with Loire Valley wine. Purchase jars of honey, artisanal preserves, and butter cookies to bring a taste of France home.

Head to the station or airport with cherished memories of châteaux, vineyards, and medieval streets. Sip a last glass of Touraine pétillant as you wait to depart. Bid adieu to this enchanting region, already dreaming of your next return.