Meet your guide at Paris’ Gare d’Austerlitz in the morning and hop aboard your train for the short journey to nearby Blois. Nestled on the bank of the Loire River between Orl□ans and Tours, Blois is the perfect start point from which to discover the delights of the famous Loire Valley.
After a mid-morning snack of traditional French pastries (own expense), visit the magnificent Ch teau de Blois, a beautiful Renaissance castle that was once home to French royalty. It was here, in 1429, that Joan of Arc was blessed by the Archbishop of Reims before she went on, with her army, to defeat the English at Orl□ans.
Explore the castle independently, admiring its grand apartments, galleries and hallways, and then jump in the saddle and follow your guide on a bike ride to the open-air market to buy your picnic food for lunch (own expense).
Cycle through the Loire Valley to the Ch teau de Chambord, a former hunting lodge of King Francis I and, today, widely considered among the region’s most impressive castles. Sit down to a picnic in the park and enjoy breathtaking views over the grand castle and its grounds. Head inside to explore the Ch teau de Chambord on your own, and gain insight into its rich history and heritage. After the outbreak of World War II, many of the Louvre Museum’s finest treasures were hidden here for safekeeping.
At the end of your visit to the Ch teau de Chambord, follow your guide through the scenic countryside by bike to Blois. There, jump aboard your train back to the Gare d’Austerlitz in Paris where your Loire Valley tour will come to an end.
