RAIL-DRIVE
CHATEAUX OF THE LOIRE VALLEY RAIL-DRIVE TOUR
8 nights / 9 days From £ 1,960 per person
Chenonceau
AMBOISE • CHINON • ANGERS
This rail-drive tour to the Chateaux of the Loire Valley and the Touraine features a region that is renowned for its gentle rolling countryside, vineyards, ancient forests, wide rivers and numerous châteaux. You stay in three chateaux or historic house hotels, each giving access to a wide range of cultural sites and activities.
DAY-BY-DAY ITINERARY
DAY ONE London to Amboise Your rail-drive touring holiday of the Chateaux of the Loire starts with a Eurostar journey from London to Paris, a change of stations in Paris and then the highspeed TGV from Paris to Tours, at the heart of the Garden of France. If you leave London about 09.30 hrs you arrive in Tours about 15.00 hrs. You collect your hire-car from the station and your first stay is at Amboise, just to the east of Tours and about 40 minutes’ drive. You stay in Amboise for three nights.
DAYS TWO AND THREE In Amboise You have two full days to explore this part of the Loire Valley. There are numerous places of importance to visit within a very short drive. Amboise, on the banks of the river Loire, is home to the Chateau d’ Amboise, a 15th century residence of Charles VIII and where you will find the tomb of Leonardo da Vinci. Nearby is the Chateau du Clos Lucé where Leonardo Da Vinci lived. In the grounds are displays of working models of this designs. Not far from Amboise is the Château de Chenonceau, known sometimes at the‘ Ladies Castle’ due to its string of female owners, such as Catherine de Medici and Diane de Poitiers, is not to be missed. This château offers an extensive art gallery and a collection of exquisite Flemish tapestries, as well as wine-tasting opportunities. You can dine in L’ Orangerie, the on-site restaurant, or relax in the tea rooms, before exploring the wax museum or enjoying a boat ride. In the warmer summer months of July and August, night strolls around the castle and its grounds are very atmospheric, particularly with the backdrop of music by Arcangelo Corelli. Whilst in Amboise, you may want to visit the capital of the region, Tours. It is an ancient university town and this region purports to speak the‘ purest’ form of French. The old town is a delight with its narrow streets and tall, gabled, half-timbered houses. The Cathedral of Saint Gatien dates from the 12th century but most of it is obviously flamboyant Gothic.
DAY FOUR Amboise to Angers This is really a day to explore the north bank of the River Loire and there is lots to see along the way, from fortified towns with the mediaeval chateaux, such as at Luynes and Langeais, to the vineyards at Bourgueil. This might also be the day to visit the Chateau of Villandry. Your stop for tonight and the next day is just to the north of the town of Angers.
DAY FIVE In Angers Just a short distance from the banks of the river itself, sits the historic town of Angers. A number of prestigious châteaux are open for tours, including the Château de Brissac, the home of the 13th Duke of Brissac, where you see the Duke’ s collection of antique paintings, the unique private theatre commissioned by the Duchess in the 19th century and dedicated solely to opera, and finally into the Château’ s wine cellar, where you will be invited to taste the wine produced on the Duke’ s estate. The Château of Angers itself is the ideal spot to take in views of the whole town, while strolling around the beautiful aromatic landscaped gardens, not to mention the Apocalypse Tapestry kept within its walls. Venture into Nantes to the enormous Château des Ducs de Bretagne. Other, smaller châteaux are open for wine-tasting sessions; some wines to look out for are Saumur-Champigny, Coteaux-de-l’ Aubance, Coteaux-du-Layon, and the famous Coulée-de- Serrant. For a relaxing break from exploring, sit back on one of the Loire de Lumière cruises around some of the 300km of navigable waterways in the region.
DAY SIX Angers to Chinon Your journey today includes a mixture of castles, abbeys and wine. Set off along the King’ s Valley Route and cross to the southern side of the Loire to see the 11th century Château de Saumur, formerly a fortress, manor house, town governor’ s residence, prison, arms and ammunitions depot, and now housing the museum. Nearby are the troglodyte
30 To speak to our specialist rail holidays team telephone 01392 441250 or see www. expressionsholidays. co. uk