Ms Blair says...
Helen could not do enough for us - we had never been on a trip like this previously but found everything was clearly explained and we felt very comfortable ...
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The Loire is famous for its chateaux with over 300 in total to discover. This easy paced, gentle walking holiday balances peaceful, off-the-beaten-track discoveries, with the splendour and opulence of some of the finest Renaissance chateaux in France. There's no tough climbing; the highest point is at just 150m but you're still rewarded with beautifully unspoilt landscapes and enchanting views at every turn.
You follow a circular route from Chaumont-sur-Loire along peaceful riverside tracks, passing quiet hamlets, before continuing alongside the River Cher through Montrichard, Chenonceaux and Montlouis. On your return you'll enjoy wonderful walks through open fields and sprawling vineyards - with opportunities for wine-tasting - and on to Leonardo da Vinci's bustling town of Amboise, before returning to Chaumont-sur-Loire. Along the way you'll take in some of France's most impressive chateaux: Chenonceau mesmerises with its iconic arches over the River Cher (be sure to taste the chateau's wine and enjoy a scenic riverside walk); the majestic Chateau d'Amboise is a former royal residence and also houses the tomb of Leonardo da Vinci; while Chateau de Chaumont is set in beautifully tended gardens which host the annual Festival des Jardins.
The places you'll stay in have been hand-picked for their superb locations, atmospheric charm, excellent cuisine and warm, friendly owners. As well as chateaux, the Loire prides itself on its delicious local cuisine and wine and we've included evening meals everywhere except in Amboise - given the fantastic variety of restaurants on your doorstep, we thought you'd appreciate us leaving the choice to you.
Mainly flat walking along riverside paths and through open fields and vineyards. Much of the route follows waymarked GRs. Good views with not too much effort!
Arrive at your riverside hotel in Chaumont where there's a lovely pool if you fancy a dip.
You stay at the Hostellerie du Chateau (breakfast and evening meal)
Today a 20-minute transfer takes you to Bourre, before walking alongside the River Cher. En route you have the opportunity to visit the Cave des Roches, an underground town previously sculpted in a limestone quarry, and La Magnanerie de Bourre, a troglodyte site and silk-worm farm in a lovely hillside setting. The route continues alongside the Cher to Montrichard, a bustling market town which has kept its French traditions, a perfect place to have lunch. The final section of the route takes you along the GR41 through Chissay-en-Touraine to Chenonceaux with its iconic chateau.
You stay at the Hotel La Roseraie (breakfast included)
Explore the superb Chateau de Chenonceau with its famous arches spanning across the river. It's the most romantic and beautiful of all the Renaissance chateaux and is associated with some famous names - rivals Diane de Poitiers and Catherine de'Medici (respectively mistress and widow of Henry II) and Mary, Queen of Scots who stayed here as the child bride of Francis II. After you visit you can taste the chateau's wines, hire a rowing boat (July-August), or take a pleasant riverside walk. Why not take the train to explore the lively city of Tours before coming back to relax with a swim in the hotel pool?
You stay at the Hotel La Roseraie (breakfast included)
You begin today with a transfer from Chenonceaux to Veretz-Montlouis. The route then takes you along the quiet back roads of the GR3, running parallel with the Loire. Leaving Montlouis you walk through the open fields and vineyards of the Loire region, with the opportunity to stop for wine tastings and perhaps take advantage of our wine-carrying service. The final stretch takes you beside the Loire River into the fascinating town of Amboise, providing you with numerous options for your rest day.
You stay at the Hotel Le Pavillon des Lys (breakfast included)
Amboise is filled with interest. It's well known for its Son et Lumiere display based at the massive chateau, which was turned by Charles VIII into a luxurious palace in the late 15th century. The town has bustling narrow streets, some excellent restaurants and attractive buildings. Leonardo da Vinci spent the last four years of his life at Clos Luce, now a museum with displays of models constructed from his original plans. there's a striking fountain (made in 1968 by Max Ernst) and fascinating stained glass, paintings and sculptures in the 12th century church of St-Denis.
You stay at the Hotel Le Pavillon des Lys (breakfast included)
Today's walk leads you out of Amboise heading south east along the GR3 trail towards the charming village of Souvigny-de-Touraine. The paths then flow through the fields and wineries of the Loire region (your last opportunity for a tasting or to purchase a few bottles). The final stretch follows part of the Camino de Santiago trail back to Chaumont-sur-Loire beside the river, with its impressive 15th century chateau.
You stay at the Hostellerie du Chateau (breakfast and evening meal)
During your holiday you stay at the following hotels. If you'd like to extend your time at any of these or, if you'd like to enhance your stay with an upgraded room, just let us know at the time of booking.
To find out more call our sales team on 1-800-267-3347, use our live webchat or email usa@exodustravels.com
Find out more on the hotel website.
Read customer reviews on Tripadvisor.
NEARBY:
Extra nights: Please contact us for details.
Find out more on the hotel website.
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NEARBY:
Find out more on the hotel website.
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NEARBY:
Room upgrades: Deluxe Room, Suite or Suite Terrasse.
Find out more on the hotel website.
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Extra nights: Please contact us for details.
If you'd like to extend your trip with extra nights at the start or end, or if you'd like to arrange a stop off point en-route, then we recommend the following hotels.
Find out more on the hotel website.
Read customer reviews on Tripadvisor.
Transfers can be arranged at a supplement from Tours St Pierre des Corps train station at 12:58 and back to Tours St Pierre des Corps train station at 10:10.
Call now to speak to our specialist team at 1-800-267-3347 or email us at usa@exodustravels.com for enquiries or to book your trip.
Everyone who goes on a Headwater holiday will be emailed a link to our post-holiday questionnaire where they can give us an honest assessment of all aspects of their holiday - everything from how quickly we answer the phone to how clean the hotels were - plus an overall rating and comments about their holiday.
Any feedback collected is posted to our website, so that people can make an informed decision based on past experiences before heading off on holiday. We don’t edit the reviews, the only thing we do is proofread them and alter any typos, where necessary, to ensure they are easy to read for everyone. All reviews will be published (except in certain extreme circumstances), and a member of the Headwater team will respond to any constructive criticisms/comments under the reviews, at their discretion. So, for the real tales, twists and turns of our holidays, look no further than the reviews from our previous travellers.
Helen could not do enough for us - we had never been on a trip like this previously but found everything was clearly explained and we felt very comfortable throughout. Even when we had a problem with one of the hotels Helen was immediately responsive and helped to negotiate a suitable solution. Highly recommend this to anyone who is thinking about their first walking holiday.
Enjoyable wander through French countryside ending in the magnificent sighting of three chateaux. Gentle walking with time to stop and stare. The route instructions ensure that walkers can keep on the route without asking ‘which way!
The part of the Loire we visited (our 1st visit) was interesting (mainly for the variety between the 3 chateaux included). The actual walking between the locations was, in truth, pretty boring. Not Headwaters fault but we expected more of a GR route than mainly farm tracks and cycle paths. Also, we were surprised and disappointed by the extreme flatness of the Loire "valley".
An excellent experience where we could walk independently, taking our time to see and experience what we wanted, but with really well researched route notes to ensure we could find our way easily. Highly professional reps helped make our holiday an even better experience. We returned physically tired but mentally refreshed.
Our twenty first holiday with Headwater.........speaks for itself really! The formula is just right: walk a day, explore a day, good hotels, professional, reliable reps, interesting areas and good notes and maps..
Great introduction to the Loire. Good introduction to Walking Holidays
A straightforward and easy walk, interspersed with days to view old towns and chateaux. Varied hotels and we enjoyed some excellent food
The holiday was very enjoyable once we had arrived. Be sure to check all the details of travel arrangements.
Both times we have been on your holiday they have been well organised and well planned. Hotels well chosen, food very pleasant. Hope to go one a few more in future years
A gentle walking holiday just right for our age with sufficient tourist interest to fill in the non-walking days.
Our 6th or 7th Headwater holiday. Although not as physically challenging as some of the others - purposely - this was one of the best. The hotels were excellent and their staff extremely friendly and helpful. It was a new experience having a "minder" as most of our other holidays used hoteliers as local reps, but this time Marc your rep was helpful, and charming . The walking was good, route notes so good we only referred the maps a couple of times. And the weather was great - who needs more? Thanks!
A great introduction to a luxury walking holiday
A lovely area to visit, with well-planned routes, excellent accommodation and helpful representatives.
We really rated Amboise and Blois and enjoyed a trip to Tours. The range of wild flowers we saw and bull frogs too whilst walking were amazing. The House of Magic in Blois was great so glad we found the time to stop there. The Headwater Reps were really helpful and enabled us to tailor the activities to our needs.
We had a well organised trip which went smoothly.
Excellent locations, accommodation, food and service from local reps. Good instructions and walks, but check the amount of walking on metalled surfaces before booking.
The local team gave us really useful practical tips and were very friendly
The holiday exceeded our expectations in terms of pure enjoyment, accuracy of walking routes and notes and we particularly appreciated the views, suggested stops for refreshments and quality of the hotels we stayed in
Easy walking, lovely views and good food
A very easy paced walking holiday in an interesting area of France.
You can be confident that our pricing includes all the standard requirements of your holiday and many additional extras. Always ensure that you are comparing like for like when booking your holiday.
This 6 night self-guided walking holiday includes:
Hotel-to-hotel accommodation in a mix of and hotels
Continental breakfast and 2 evening meals
Management by your local Headwater-appointed agent
Route directions and maps
Standard transfers at the start/end of the trip (if booking inclusive flights)
Luggage transfers between hotels
How to book:
For further details, or to check availability, speak to our sales team on 1-800-267-3347 or complete our holiday enquiry form (we'll contact you at a time that's most convenient for you).
To enquire about this holiday, or for further information, call our sales team on 1-800-267-3347 or complete our holiday enquiry form.
We do not currently have departure dates and prices available on-line. The season may have ended for this tour, or we are still in the process of adding these details to our website. Please contact us for further details.
Children
Please contact us for child prices.
Holiday type
Self-guided walking Managed locally by Headwater appointed agent.
Departures
Meals
Continental breakfast and 2 evening meals
Other details
For people wanting to have bikes available for all 'rest days' these can be pre-booked for you (£60 per adult) and will be waiting at each hotel for you.
This holiday may be adapted into a 4 night version.
Tour only
Transfers can be arranged at a supplement from Tours St Pierre des Corps train station at 12:58 and back to Tours St Pierre des Corps train station at 10:10.
For further details, or to check availability, speak to our sales team on 1-800-267-3347 or complete our holiday enquiry form (we'll contact you at a time that's most convenient for you).
Call now to speak to our specialist team at 1-800-267-3347 or email us at usa@exodustravels.com for enquiries or to book your trip.
