Itinerary
Day 1 – DEPARTURE
Board your flight from your home destination to Paris, France.
This itinerary assumes this to be an overnight flight.
Air fare independently arranged.

Day 2 – WELCOME TO PARIS
Arrival in Paris, France.
Individual transfer to your hotel in Paris.
Tonight you'll meet your travelling companions and tour director, and enjoy a welcome dinner in Montmartre, the artist district high above the city with great panoramic views.
> Your tour includes: Transfer from airport to Paris hotel, welcome dinner with menu choices and wine (or, of course, something else), hotel in Paris

Paris
Day 3 – PARIS - VERSAILLES, EIFFEL TOWER
After breakfast, board your sparkling clean coach to go for a guided tour of VERSAILLES, perhaps the most famous palace in the world. From 1682, when King Louis XIV moved from Paris, until the royal family was forced to return to the capital in 1789, the Court of Versailles was the centre of power in France. Spend several hours visiting the Palace of Palaces and the famous gardens with the fountains.
In the afternoon we go up to the second floor of the EIFFEL TOWER for majestic views. This tower, built for the 1889 World's Fair, is one of the most recognizable structures in the world and is the most visited paid monument anywhere.
Dinner tonight is on your own.
> Buffet breakfast, door-to-door transportation, tour of Versailles, entrance to Eiffel Tower, hotel in Paris

Versailles
Day 4 – FONTAINEBLEAU, ORLÉANS, LOIRE VALLEY
We leave Paris this morning to visit nearby FONTAINEBLEAU. Used by kings of France from the 12th century, the royal hunting lodge of Fontainebleau was enlarged and embellished in the 16th century by François I, combining Renaissance and French artistic traditions.
We continue on to ORLÉANS, the city which Joan of Arc liberated in 1429. Breaking the English siege was one of the great episodes in the history of France, and marked the rebirth of a country and of a people that had been sinking into despair. Enjoy free time here for lunch.
Later continue to your chateau in the heart of the Loire Valley, our new home for the next four nights.
> Buffet breakfast, door-to-door transportation, guided tour of Fontainebleau Castle, three-course dinner with menu choices, one beverage, and coffee or tea, hotel - Château de Razay in Céré La Ronde

Fontainebleau
Day 5 – CHENONCEAU PALACE, AMBOISE CASTLE, CLOS-LUCÉ
In the morning we go first to visit nearby CHENONCEAU, the "Ladies Castle". This beautiful castle stretches across the River Cher in a harmonious natural setting of water, greenery, gardens and trees. Over a period of 400 years this castle was shaped by women, royal wives, mistresses and queens.
We continue on to Amboise for lunch, and afterwards visit the CHÂTEAU D'AMBOISE, once a very important royal residence and home for several French kings. The palace is a mix of Gothic and Renaissance architecture, and is now less than a third of the size it was in the 16th century.
Leonardo da Vinci lived nearby in MANOR CLOS-LUCÉ as a guest of King Francis. We visit this palace, now a museum with period furniture, sketches and working models of the ideas of this renaissance genius.
> Buffet breakfast, door-to-door transportation, entrance fees and guided tours of the above castles, three-course dinner, hotel - Château de Razay in Céré La Ronde

Chenonceau
Day 6 – CHEVERNY, CHAMBORD, BLOIS CASTLE AND TOWN
This morning our first visit is to the CHÂTEAU DE CHEVERNY. The symmetric design and harmonious grandeur of the façade of are characteristic features of the period of Henri IV and Louis XIII. The interior is sumptuously appointed, with beautiful furniture, sculptures, gilt work, marble and multi-coloured paneling.
We continue with a short ride to CHÂTEAU DE CHAMBORD, the largest by far of all the Loire chateaux, built on a scale foreshadowing that of the Palace of Versailles.
On to the Royal City of Blois where we visit the ROYAL CHÂTEAU DE BLOIS, the residence of several French kings. Built in the middle of the town that it effectively controlled, the Château de Blois comprises several buildings constructed from the 13th to the 17th century around the main courtyard.
Free time for dinner in this beautiful city on the hillside overlooking the river Loire where many of the medieval streets still remain.
> Buffet breakfast, door-to-door transportation, entrance fees and tours of the above castles, hotel - Château de Razay in Céré La Ronde

Chambord
Day 7 – VILLANDRY, TOURS
Today we visit CHÂTEAU DE VILLANDRY, one of the last great Renaissance chateaux to be built in the Loire Valley. Villandry’s international fame is based largely on its gardens, among the most fascinating in all of France and Europe.
In the afternoon we drive to TOURS, the capital of Touraine, a thriving economic and cultural centre. Go for a stroll in Place Plumereau, a picturesque and animated square, once a marketplace, lined with 15th century timber-framed houses alternating with stone facades. Enjoy a café au lait in the square and get your final Loire Valley souvenirs.
Tonight we are having a nice dinner in a medieval village.
> Buffet breakfast, door-to-door transportation, entrance fees and tours of the above castles, three-course dinner, hotel - Château de Razay in Céré La Ronde

Villandry
Day 8 – PARIS - NOTRE DAME, SEINE RIVER CRUISE
We leave the Loire Valley this morning and head north again to Paris, arriving in time for your lunch break.
We are all saddened by the April 2019 fire at NOTRE DAME CATHEDRAL. After lunch you will have time to see restoration work at the site, but from a distance.
Then a short walk across Île de la Cité to visit SAINTE CHAPELLE, a royal chapel in the Gothic style, part of the residence complex of the Kings of France until the 14th century. Marvel at one of the most extensive 13th-century stained glass collections anywhere in the world.
Later we board a River Boat for a scenic cruise on the SEINE RIVER. We see many of the city's most famous landmarks from the river, and pass under many of the three dozen bridges over the river in Paris.
Then a short ride to your overnight hotel near the Charles de Gaulle (CDG) airport in Roissy. Enjoy a great farewell dinner and celebrate a wonderful week in France with your travelling companions.
> Buffet breakfast, door-to-door transportation, Seine River cruise, three-course dinner, hotel in Paris-Roissy

The Seine
Day 9 – TIME TO SAY AU REVOIR
After breakfast individual transfers to the nearby Charles de Gaulle Airport to catch your homebound flight, which arrives the same day.
> Buffet breakfast, transfer to Airport

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Tour Features
- All features as per itinerary, departure guaranteed
- Door-to-door transportation (all modes). Leave the navigating to us.
- 7 breakfast buffets
- 5 three-course dinners with menu choices, one beverage, and coffee or tea after dinner
- 7 nights' accommodation
- All entrance fees, taxes, and local guide fees paid
- No hidden extras, no optional excursions – already included
- Maximum group size of 30 people, fewer on most tours
- The tour language is English only.
- Packing and unpacking is minimized. Four nights at Château de Razay in the Loire Valley.
- The days are well planned to offer you many highlights, but you are never rushed. Ideal combination of free time and planned activities.
- Skip the lines at must-see attractions.
- All visits are inside, not drive-by. Learn the stories that bring old buildings to life.
- You will see not only the highlights but also the spots where only the locals go.
- Tour director – Let our experts make every day and destination fascinating!
- Satisfaction assured – backed up by our money-back guarantee.
Complete printable itinerary in PDF format > French Castles Itinerary

Hall of Mirrors, Versailles

Chenonceau
Loire Valley Hotel
The hotel for the four nights spent in the Loire Valley will be the Château de Razay in Céré La Ronde, south-east of Chenonceau Palace. The chateau was built at the end of the 15th century and is surrounded by 85 acres of grounds and woodlands.



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Images

Paris

Versailles

Latona Fountain, Versailles

Chenonceau

Amboise

Amboise Castle

Cheverny

Bridal Chamber, Cheverny

Chambord

Blois Castle

Villandry

Plumereau Square, Tours
There are more pictures of tour destinations in the In Depth section below, in larger formats. There are two automated Slideshows and a Gallery for selecting and examining larger images.
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In-Depth
Paris, Versailles, Chenonceau, Amboise, and Clos-Lucé
The Cheverny, Chambord, Blois, and Villandry châteaux, and the towns of Orléans and Tours
Individual images of the above tour features, organized by location, for selective viewing of enlargements.
The Slideshows and the Gallery present the same images in the same sequence, but using different techniques. The Slideshows are effortless. The gallery has more comprehensive captions.
Tour Destinations map from the top of this web page
Clickable links to detailed articles on major tour itinerary features
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References
Thank you so much for a fabulous tour of the Loire castles and Paris last week. It all seems like a fantastic dream now!
You covered so much more than I expected, while giving us enough rest times and independence that I didn't feel overwhelmed, either. So thank you for such a well-orchestrated tour.
- Cathy Wolz, Virginia
Taking Astrid’s French Castles Tour was a dream come true for me! .... The chateaux in Loire Valley were magnificent and the pace of the tour was just right. Very little driving, centralized lodging in a fabulous location, and plenty of free time. Astrid is very personable and everyone loves her. I’ve taken two of Astrid’s European Castles tours and can’t wait to take another!
- Leslie Granger, California
Read more ...
Castles, breathtaking scenery, quaint towns, vintage wines, gourmet food, Paris, history, culture, 653 photos.
All this and more, in an awesome location with an amazing tour guide. The French Castles tour was an exceptional deposit in our memory bank and we cannot wait to follow Astrid again!
- Rick and Suzanne Handley, Texas
Additional comments on this and other Castles Tours are provided on a separate References Page .
Comments, experiences and recommendations from guests on past tours are featured in our References Video
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Dates, Prices and Reservations
Complete printable itinerary in PDF format >
This tour is offered on the following basis:
Tour prices are for the land segment only. Air fare is not included.
Prices are per person, in U.S. dollars, based on double occupancy.
Single occupancy is available for a single supplement charge, triple occupancy rates are reduced, and there is a special rate for a child 8 to 16 years old sharing a room with two adults.
Guaranteed Departure: This tour is guaranteed to operate as scheduled and will not be cancelled due to a low level of participation.
A deposit of US $ 400 per person is required to secure a reservation on these tours.
Personal expenses, lunches and gratuities for the driver and local guides are not included.
Note re Inflation: Due to inflation in the general economy and additional inflation in the travel industry prices may need to be increased in mid-season. Prices in effect at the time deposits are paid are guaranteed not to change.
French Castles Tour – 2025 Departure Dates
Your overnight flight leaves on ... |
Status |
---|---|
Friday, May 16, 2025 | Available - Book Now |
Friday, September 19, 2025 | Available - Book Now |
French Castles Tour – 2025 Prices
Accommodation | Price Per Person |
---|---|
Double Occupancy | US $ 3,849 |
Single Occupancy | US $ 4,149 |
Triple Occupancy | US $ 3,349 |
Child 8-16 with 2 Adults | US $ 2,299 |
Reservation info and online form >
Dates for all scheduled major tours >
Private Tour Option
If our dates do not work for you we can arrange the tour for you or your party as a private tour. Same itinerary as above in a private limousine or van, with bilingual, professional private guide / chauffeur. Prices per individual are the same as for the regular group tour, plus a US $ 400 per day private tour premium for the group.
Contact us with your preferred dates and specific requirements at this private tour email link ... or phone one of the numbers below, or write to the address on our Contact page.
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Contact Information
Email is fast, flexible, and free. You can write to us at this email link (or castles.office@yahoo.com).
You can call us in Germany (Eastern Time + 6 Hours):
U.S. Phone: (202) 580 - 8732 / Direct number in Europe: +49 171 546 6839