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Hiking tour – Loire valley castles Orleans to Chaumont sur Loire
Stays in complete freedom without groups or guides, travel differently and with a light mind!
The Loire River is a Queen loved by Kings
The Loire Valley has seen many of France’s kings pass through its territories. Listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage site, it is one of the rare places in the world where one finds magnificent chateaux, mansions, churches and abbeys in such quantity, giving testimony to an intense and rich spiritual and cultural life, as well as an art de vivre that has continued throughout the centuries.
Your tour will begin at Amboise, one of the oldest cities of the Loire Valley. Your wanderings will bring you to Chenonceaux to discover this magnificent chateau where women have distinguished themselves throughout history. You will cross through the vineyards of Montlouis and Vouvray where lovely little dwellings lie quietly hidden. You will come to the city of Tours, a city of history and art that breathes in the walls of the buildings of the old quarter, the cathedral and the many museums. You will be thrilled by the beauty of the gardens at Villandry, impressed by the fortress of Langeais, and won over by the charm of Azay-le-Rideau.
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Group rate (5 and more) and CE,thanks to contact us
ContactD 1
Day 1 – Arrival at BRIARE
This town where the water is everywhere is marked by the 19th century. It’s best-known for the Pont-Canal, a bridge built by Gustave Eiffel’s company to carry a canal over the Loire River and for the Musee de la Mosaïque et des Emaux (museum), that shows wares produced by the mosaic factories of the town. You’ll see the Port de plaisance (marina) in the center of the town and the St Etienne church covered with mosaics – Lodging and breakfast is a 2-star hotel
D 2
Day 2 – CHATEAU of BUSSIERE – BRIARE (15 km)
Transfer by taxi to La Bussiere. You will tour the chateau, a magnificent, 18th century structure that rises from the banks of a pond and is still inhabited by a family. The chateau houses a fresh-water fishing museum and a wonderful vegetable garden. After the visit, you will head out for Briare, passing by the chateau and the pond of Pont-Chevron and following the canal of Briare. During your visit of the town you will see Briare’s famous bridge-canal, its port and charming city-center. Lodging and breakfast in the same 2-star hotel
D 3
Day 3 – BRIARE – GIEN (7 km)
You’ll leave the town crossing the Loire on the Pont-Canal heading to the village of St Firmin. You’ll walk on the heights through hamlets, crossing some woods and meadows to reach St Brisson. This old village sits at the base of a medieval chateau built straight above an ancient arm of the Loire. It was transformed into a residence during the 16th century. You will hike back to Gien by way of the village of Saint Martin sur Ocre. The afternoon will be spent touring Gien and its many treasures, including the chateau which houses the Musee International de la Chasse (museum dedicated to the art and history of hunting), and the Musee de la Faïencerie (Gien’s famous pottery), where you will learn the history of the Manufacture de Gien since 1821 and see many examples of the fine art of these pieces – Lodging and breakfast in a 2-star hotel
D 4
Day 4 – OUZOUER SUR LOIRE – SULLY SUR LOIRE (11 km)
Transfer by taxi from Gien to Ouzouer sur Loire. From the village, you will walk down to the banks of the Loire River and follow these majestic waters to Sully sur Loire. You will spend the afternoon visiting the chateau, a gorgeous example of a medieval fortress, with its high towers and deep moat. You will climb to the heights of the keep and admire the vaulted framework of the tower’s interior, a masterpiece of apprenticeship. After having visited the city (lovely churches and Renaissance homes), you will again cross the river to arrive at your hotel, situated on the opposite bank, at Saint Pere. Your view will be that of the chateau – Lodging and breakfast in a 2-star hotel
D 5
Day 5 – SULLY SUR LOIRE – CHATEAUNEUF SUR LOIRE (21 km)
You’ll cross the Loire to head St Benoit sur Loire. You will visit the Fleury Abbey, with its bell-tower and choir loft, which help to make it one of the most beautiful gems of the Loire Valley. You will leave this charming village by the banks of the river to arrive at Germigny des Pres and its Carolingian oratory, one of the oldest sanctuaries still standing in France, and decorated by a magnificent 11th century mosaic. You will then arrive in Chateauneuf sur Loire, where the summer chateau lies largely in ruins but the stables have been completely restored and now house the very interesting Musee de la Marine de Loire. Transfer by taxi to Orleans – Lodging and breakfast in a 2-star hotel in Orleans
D 6
Day 6 – ORLEANS
You will enjoy touring the city of Orleans, the Cathedrale Saint Croix, the Renaissance-style Hôtel Groslot, the home of Joan of Arc, the old neighborhoods of the city-center and the fantastic floral park that stretches more than 35 hectares to the south of the city, near the source of the Loiret River. Lodging and breakfast in the same 2-star hotel
D 7
Day 7 – ORLEANS
Tour ends after breakfast
D 1
Day 1 – Arrival at ORLEANS
You will spend the day touring the city, the Sainte Croix Cathedral, the renaissance-style Hotel Groslot, the home of Joan of Arc, the old neighborhoods of the city-center, and the beautiful floral park that stretches more than 35 hectares to the south of the city, close to the source of the Loiret River. Lodging and breakfast in a 3-star hotel
D 2
Day 2 – CLERY-SAINT-ANDRE – BEAUGENCY (16 km)
Transfer by taxi from Orleans to Clery-Saint-Andre. You will begin the day with a visit to the beautiful, gothic-style church of Notre-Dame-de-Clery, where Louis XI and his wife Charlotte de Savoie are buried. You will walk from there to the banks of the Loire to discover Meung-sur-Loire. You will visit the half-medieval- half-renaissance-style chateau, the collegiate church, the ancient ramparts and the mills in the centre of the old city. Finally, you will take again to the river, the misleading, nonchalant Loire, and follow it to Beaugency for the evening. Lodging and breakfast in a 3-star hotel, a former abbey
D 3
Day 3 – BEAUGENCY and CHAMBORD
The morning will be spent in the lovely setting provided by the village of Beaugency. Wandering through the old neighborhoods, you will discover the history of the town, the keep, the house of the Templars, Notre-Dame Abbey, the Hotel-Dieu, and the old bridge. In the start of the afternoon, a taxi will bring you from Beaugency to Chambord, where you will visit the chateau and the residence, both of which were of great importance during the Renaissance in France. The chateau is the incarnation of the royal power of François I and Louis XIV. Lodging and breakfast in a 4-star hotel in the village of Chambord, opposite the chateau
D 4
Day 4 – CHEVERNY – CELLETTES (15 km)
Transfer by taxi to the chateau of Cheverny, one of the best-known, which represents a unique uniformity of style. Built during the 17th century, it is richly decorated and houses a beautiful collection of furniture. After visiting the chateau and the park, you will move on to the chateau of Troussay, a manor house dating to the Renaissance, which today houses a museum on the Sologne. You will continue your hike to the chateau of Beauregard, once a property of François I. Be sure not to miss the Galerie des Illustres, a gorgeous collection of antique furniture and a rare 16th century kitchen. Transfer by taxi from Cellettes, the city in which this chateau it located to Blois. Lodging and breakfast in a 4star hotel in Blois
D 5
Day 5 – BLOIS
Visit of the city, the old neighborhoods, the imposing chateau which marries four very distinct architectural styles and houses the Musee des Beaux-Arts et Archeologie (museum), Saint Louis Cathedral and the numerous churches and gardens that decorate the city. Lodging and breakfast in the same hotel.
D 6
Day 6 – Visit of the chateaux of CHAUMONT SUR LOIRE and FOUGERES
Transfer by taxi to Chaumont. Built on a raised promontory, the chateau of Chaumont sur Loire resembles more closely a medieval fortress than a renaissance residence. You will visit the historical part of the chateau, filled with antique furniture, the horse stables and the beautifully landscaped park. You may wish to wander along the banks of the Loire. A taxi will take you from Chaumont sur Loire to Fougeres sur Bievre, where you will visit the 15th century fortified castle. It’s an odd one out in this area. It looks defensively medieval with its massed turrets and its inner courtyard enclosed on all four sides. Escort by taxi to Blois – Lodging and breakfast in the same hotel
D 7
Day 7 – BLOIS
Tour ends after breakfast
Useful information
Sentiers de France concocts for you a turnkey stay. Your only concern will be to enjoy and hike.
Service
- 6 nights in handpicked 2-star hotels
- 6 breakfasts – No dinner (several restaurants in cities where you stay)
- Hotel to hotel luggage transfer along the trail & taxi transfers as written in the tour decription
- A set of maps (1/25 000 scale) with the route marked on and detailed route notes describing the trail
- A daily itinerary together with information about facilities and places of interest along the trail
- Emergency assistance
- Visa fees – transportation fees to and from the walk area – Insurance (strongly recommended on all trips) – Transfers except those mentioned above – Drinks – Additional meals Entrance fees – Spending of personal nature e.g. laundry, souvenirs, phone calls…are not included
- 6 nights in handpicked 3 or 4-star hotels
- 6 breakfasts –No dinner
- Hotel to hotel luggage transfer along the trail & taxi transfers as written in the tour decription
- A set of maps (1/25 000 scale) with the route marked on and detailed route notes describing the trail
- A daily itinerary together with information about facilities and places of interest along the trail
- Emergency assistance
- Visa fees – transportation fees to and from the walk area – Insurance (strongly recommended on all trips) – Transfers except those mentioned above – Drinks – Additional meals Entrance fees – Spending of personal nature e.g. laundry, souvenirs, phone calls…are not included
Restoration
- Catering service is offered for this hike
Level 1/4
- Grade 1 – This tour is easy. No walk more than 17 km (10.5 miles)
- You will walk 4 or 5 hours at relaxed pace and spend time at places of interest along the route
- Walking experience is not necessary as distances are short and the terrain is gentle. Everybody can walk this tour
Hosting
- Lodging is proposed on this hike
Access
- By train: Scheduled trains from Paris-Austerlitz station to Amboise. Bus or trains to reach Tours or St Pieere des Corps where you catch a TGV train to Paris
- By car : A10 motorway (Paris-Bordeaux) from Paris – exit 18 and continue to Amboise along the D31 road
- Where park your car : free toll unattended car park in Amboise on the Loire banks. Return journey from Azay to Amboise by train
Best period
- From beginning of April to end of November
Concept
Double roomRate / Person
Single roomRate / Person
Solo hiker
solitaireRate / Person
solitaireRate / Person
Standard7 Jours
985 €
1240 €
€
Comfort7 Jours
1395 €
1775 €
€
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