Are you in Paris and looking for a day trip option in this beautiful city? Well, then The Loire Valley, which is considered to be “The Gardens of France” is the perfect option for you. It is located about 213 km south of Paris, and there are about 1000 chateaux altogether just there. Isn’t it amazing? Some of them are small and not open to the public, but some allow visitors and are truly outstanding.
Apart from its fairy-tale castles, Loire Valley is known for its picturesque landscapes, rich history, and fine vineyards. It is a popular choice for a day trip from Paris or other French cities. With just one day to explore, there is no time to spare, so you can book a rental car to give more time to take in all the highlights.
Visi Château Royal d’Amboise
Head to the first destination, which is Château d’Amboise located in a charming medieval town of Amboise. The 2-hour-and-a-half drive from Paris to this beautiful Château is filled with picturesque French countryside. The Château has been perched on a hillside strategically overlooking the Loire river valley. Chateau d’Amboise was refurbished by Charles VIII and François I, which housed the court of the Valois kings and is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
The interiors of the Château is a perfect example of French Renaissance architecture as many French kings have resided here from the 15th to the 19th century. Monarch’s love of Renaissance art is also clearly visible as you wander this impressive building. You can also visit the chapel inside the Château, where Leonardo da Vinci’s tomb is located.
Check out Château De Chambord
Visit Château de Chambord, which is the largest Château in the region. It is one of the most beautiful châteaux in France, and one of its highlights includes a spiral staircase specially designed by Leonardo da Vinci. The Château has remarkable architecture with a mix of French and Italian influences, and it was designed to please king Francis I between the 16th and 17th centuries. The rumor has it that Chambord is the Château that inspired the animator for the classic film. Enchanted by a wondrous forest, It was accredited by King Francis I to be his hunting lodge.
Here you can discover about half a millennium of French history and experience a magical atmosphere. You will find extraordinary architecture inspired by the spirit of Leonard da Vinci. With the towers, the walls, the terraces, and the double helix staircases, the structure of the castle is magnificent and remarkable. You can also take the stairs up to the roof for a stunning view of the surrounding towers.
Explore Château De Chenonceau
Château de Chenonceau is an absolutely gorgeous castle and also the most-visited private monument in France. Spanning over the river Cher, the massive Chenonceau is a stunning symbol of the Loire Valley. It has a maze, lovely gardens and is full of history worth exploring. The castle is well known for the rivalry between two famous women – Catherine de’ Medici and Diane de Poitiers, the wife and the mistress of King Henry II respectively. Upon arrival at the castle, explore its many magnificent rooms and its complete art gallery with masterpieces by Murillo, Rubens, and Tintoretto. You can also paddle on the river to get different views of the massive Chenonceau.
If you want to extend your day trip, then you can consider spending a night in the beautiful Chateau de Chissay, located near Chenonceau.
Visit Villandry Castle and its Stunning Gardens
Check out the Villandry Castle, which is pretty great, but most people visit it to spend time looking at its romantic gardens. In the gardens, you can find labyrinths, fruit and vegetable patches, grapevines, a grass court for tennis, along with a multitude of flower gardens and fountains. The path made of vegetables was colorful and original. It is really nice to walk around the garden.
Go wine tasting in Bouvet-Ladubay
You can find vineyards almost everywhere along the entire Loire Valley region. On your day trip to Loire valley, do not miss out on some amazing wine tasting. For an extensive guided tour of one of France’s best producers of sparkling wine, look no further than the Bouvet-Ladubay winery, which possesses more than 10 miles of wine cellars. You can also have a wine tasting at the end of the tour.