📍 France

INDRE-ET-LOIRE: LOIRE CHÂTEAUX AND GARDEN RENAISSANCE

Turrets emerging from mist, formal French gardens mirroring light, white stones heavy with history. The Loire, the royal river.

≈ 10
Days
285
Km
9
Stops
📖 5 min read 🔄 Last updated: 2026-01-17

Explore the great Loire châteaux and their gardens. Start from Tours, gateway to the valley. Visit Amboise and its castle overlooking the Loire. Cross Chenonceau castle, set upon the Cher. Discover Loches and its medieval city. Admire Azay-le-Rideau and its Renaissance elegance. Royal architecture accompanies every stage.

Your day-by-day itinerary

1
Day

Tours

city river regional gateway

Tours - Photo 1Tours - Photo 2
2 photos
Day 1
🔍

Discover

1
Saint-Gatien Cathedral.
2
Old Tours.
3
Plumereau Square.
4
Clos Lucé (Leonardo da Vinci's last residence).
🎯

Activities

→
Les Halles Market.
→
Banks of the Loire.
→
Troglodyte caves.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 29.3 km
Travel time: 59min
2
Day

Amboise

château royal riverside tower

Amboise - Photo 1Amboise - Photo 2Amboise - Photo 3Amboise - Photo 4Amboise - Photo 5Amboise - Photo 6Amboise - Photo 7Amboise - Photo 8Amboise - Photo 9Amboise - Photo 10
10 photos
Day 2
🔍

Discover

1
Château de Chenonceau ("château of the Ladies").
2
Gallery over the Cher.
3
Royal city (keep).
🎯

Activities

→
Wines.
→
Hiking in the Indre valley.
→
Market Wednesday and Saturday.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 15.3 km
Travel time: 31min
3
Day

Chenonceaux

Chenonceaux - Photo 1Chenonceaux - Photo 2Chenonceaux - Photo 3Chenonceaux - Photo 4Chenonceaux - Photo 5Chenonceaux - Photo 6Chenonceaux - Photo 7Chenonceaux - Photo 8Chenonceaux - Photo 9Chenonceaux - Photo 10
10 photos
Day 3
🔍

Discover

1
Royal lodge.
2
Collegiate Church of Saint-Ours.
3
Renaissance château on the Indre.
🎯

Activities

→
Walk in the park.
→
Surrounding villages.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 29.2 km
Travel time: 58min
4
Day

Loches

medieval fortress tower crown

Loches - Photo 1Loches - Photo 2Loches - Photo 3Loches - Photo 4Loches - Photo 5Loches - Photo 6Loches - Photo 7Loches - Photo 8Loches - Photo 9Loches - Photo 10
10 photos
Day 4
🔍

Discover

1
Night show.
2
Royal fortress (Joan of Arc).
3
Renaissance castle and gardens (decorative vegetable gardens).
4
Terraces.
🎯

Activities

→
Chinon vineyards (red).
→
Banks of Vienne.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 55.6 km
Travel time: 56min
5
Day

Azay Le Rideau

renaissance château stone beauty

Azay Le Rideau - Photo 1Azay Le Rideau - Photo 2Azay Le Rideau - Photo 3Azay Le Rideau - Photo 4Azay Le Rideau - Photo 5Azay Le Rideau - Photo 6
6 photos
Day 5
🔍

Discover

1
Medieval-Renaissance castle.
2
Keep (10th century).
3
Night show.
🎯

Activities

→
Walk in the gardens in different seasons.
→
Cher.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 26.2 km
Travel time: 52min
6
Day

Chinon

fortress river wine village

Chinon - Photo 1Chinon - Photo 2Chinon - Photo 3Chinon - Photo 4Chinon - Photo 5Chinon - Photo 6
6 photos
Day 6
🔍

Discover

1
Royal fortress (Joan of Arc).
2
Old town.
3
Troglodyte caves.
🎯

Activities

→
Reenactment of the marriage of Charles VIII and Anne of Brittany.
→
Village walk.
→
Indrois.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 36.8 km
Travel time: 1h14
7
Day

Villandry

garden terraced renaissance estate

Villandry - Photo 1Villandry - Photo 2Villandry - Photo 3Villandry - Photo 4Villandry - Photo 5
5 photos
Day 7
🔍

Discover

1
Renaissance castle and gardens (decorative vegetable gardens).
2
Terraces.
🎯

Activities

→
Walk in the gardens in different seasons.
→
Cher.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 10.8 km
Travel time: 22min
8
Day

Langeais

château rampart medieval tower

Langeais - Photo 1Langeais - Photo 2Langeais - Photo 3Langeais - Photo 4Langeais - Photo 5Langeais - Photo 6Langeais - Photo 7Langeais - Photo 8Langeais - Photo 9
9 photos
Day 8
🔍

Discover

1
Medieval-Renaissance castle.
2
Keep (10th century).
3
Park.
🎯

Activities

→
Reenactment of the marriage of Charles VIII and Anne of Brittany.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 81.8 km
Travel time: 1h22
9
Day

Montresor

château village medieval stone

Montresor - Photo 1Montresor - Photo 2Montresor - Photo 3Montresor - Photo 4Montresor - Photo 5Montresor - Photo 6Montresor - Photo 7Montresor - Photo 8
8 photos
Day 9
🔍

Discover

1
Renaissance Castle.
2
Most Beautiful Villages of France.
3
Collegiate church.
🎯

Activities

→
Village walk.
→
Indrois.
→
Crafts.

🗺️ Itinerary map

🗺️ Nearby itineraries

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🛡️ Travel advice - France

Check official recommendations

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❓ Frequently asked questions

What weather should you expect?

Spring (April-June): Perfect weather, blooming countryside, ideal for all regions, moderate crowds, excellent value, romantic atmosphere.

Summer (July-August): Warmest weather, peak tourist season, highest prices, crowded attractions, perfect for Mediterranean coast, festival season.

Fall (September-October): Harvest season, comfortable temperatures, fewer crowds, wine regions spectacular, excellent photography, good value.

Winter (November-March): Christmas markets, ski season Alps, fewer crowds, lowest prices, cozy indoor attractions, cultural experiences.

How many days should I plan?

We believe you will enjoy this itinerary best by dedicating between 8 and 12 days. The next step will allow you to adjust the duration of your stay.

What to discover in France?

Cultural capital with incredible cuisine, world-famous attractions, and diverse regions from Paris to Provence. Experience artistic heritage, wine culture, and sophisticated lifestyle. The country offers excellent infrastructure with cultural depth and culinary excellence. France provides complete cultural experiences with historical significance and modern sophistication in easily accessible destination.