Top Loire Valley Half-day Tours

Live an unforgettable experience in the Loire Valley: in the morning, set off to discover two unmissable castles in the region, Azay-le-Rideau and Villandry. The first, which is considered one of the "jewels of the Loire Valley", will immerse you in the French art of living of the 16h and 19th century and the second will introduce you to the fashion of elegant formal gardens. Wander through the kitchen garden and classical water garden, then attempt to find your way through the maze. Accompanied by your guide, discover the interiors and exteriors of these two chateaux through historical facts and anecdotes. Get your cameras ready!

The sweeping vineyards, lush forests and fairy-tale castles of the Loire Valley are even more impressive from above and this 3-hour hot-air balloon experience is the ideal way to enjoy an aerial view. Float over the UNESCO-listed landscapes of the Loire, Indre or Cher Valleys; spot landmarks like the Chateau of Chenonceau or the gardens of Villandry; then toast your safe landing with a glass of Champagne or sparkling grape juice.

Discover the wines of the Vouvray appellation, part of the Loire Valley, on this wine-tasting adventure from Tours. Explore the famous underground caves and learn the proper wine-tasting techniques for comparing different flavors and fragrances. You’ll have the chance to meet a local winemaker and hear about the terroir of the Loire Valley, one of the most renowned in France.

Enjoy an intimate, grape-to-wine tour of the ins and outs of wine production in the stunning Loire Valley. Go behind the scenes in a family-run Vouvray vineyard, and enjoy a guided walk through the vines, winery, and rock-hewn cellar. Get an exclusive taste of different wine varieties, accompanied by fresh local amuse-bouches. Tours are capped at 12 people for personalized attention.

Visit two of the most renowned castles in the Loire Valley—aka French château country—on a day trip from Tours. Château de Chenonceau and Château de Chambord are known for their Renaissance architecture and picturesque riverside settings. With a knowledgeable guide, enjoy views from little-known panoramic spots, and hear historical details and amusing anecdotes about the French kings and other nobles who have lived here. As a bonus, enjoy a relaxing lunch away from the crowds at a private, family-owned château.

Discover the UNESCO-listed landscapes of the Loire Valley, sample regional wines, and visit two magnificent châteaux on this full-day tour. Traveling in a small group ensures a more personalized experience as you visit Chambord and Chenonceau Castles and enjoy guided wine tastings at each venue.

The Loire Valley is famous for its magnificent châteaux and historic wineries, and this tour from Chinon combines both into an unforgettable lunch date. Enjoy a tour and wine tasting at the Château du Petit Thouars, then select your favorite wine to accompany your romantic picnic lunch, overlooking the idyllic Loire Valley vineyards.

The UNESCO-listed landscapes of the Loire Valley are home to some of France’s most magnificent chateaux and this full-day tour from the cities of Tours or Amboise visits two of them in one day. The fairy-tale Chateau de Chenonceau with its famous stories and the marvel at the Renaissance architecture and beautiful gardens of the Chateau de Chambord.

During this full-day, small-group tour from Amboise, you will discover multiple highlights of the UNESCO-listed Loire Valley. In the morning, meet your guide and set off to discover two of the region's highlight châteaux: the Château d'Azay-le-Rideau and the Château de Villandry. After free time for lunch (own expense), visit a winery in the Vouvray region and indulge in an in-depth tour and tasting session.

Join us on a wonderful afternoon wine tour starting from Tours or Amboise, and discover the local wines of the Touraine region. As a small group of up to 8 people, you'll visit two wine estates in the Touraine "appellation" area with your local expert guide. He will take you through the vineyards and the wineries, providing insights into the geography, terroir, and the art of winemaking. You'll have the chance to taste a large variety of red, white, rosé and sparkling wines from the region, made with many grape varieties (Chenin, Malbec, Cabernet, Gamay, Grolleau,…), accompanied by cheeses and charcuterie specialties from the region (rillettes, rillons, …) Throughout the transfers between locations, you'll have the opportunity to admire the beautiful Loire landscapes through the windows of our comfortable chauffeured Mercedes minivan.

The region of Chinon is dotted with vineyards, yet it can be hard for tourists to visit them if they don't know the language or wine tasting etiquettes. This vineyard experience makes it easy with a tour created by wine-loving English expatriates who showcase the wine made by Chinon's independent producers. You'll cycle to a selection of winemakers, sample the wine, and enjoy a picnic lunch, too.

Savor views of the beautiful Loire Valley from an unbeatable vantage point – on a hot air balloon ride! Soar over the fairy-tale châteaux, sweeping vineyards and winding waterways of the UNESCO-listed Loire Valley on a thrilling 1-hour flight. Spot iconic landmarks like the Château de Chenonceau and Amboise castle from above, then toast your safe landing with a glass of Champagne.

Explore the grounds of the Chateau de Chenonceau on a guided walking tour. Learn about women’s history, people’s beliefs, mysterious graffiti, and much more about the chateau. Check out the interior and grounds as you listen to the fascinating stories the guide tells based on your preference.

Discover the largest vineyard of French white wines, the vineyard of Nantes and its multiple appellations and rare grape varieties. Your guide is a passionate character living in the heart of the vineyard and more particularly in the appellation Muscadet Sèvre et Maine. It will make you discover unusual places along the river or in the hills overlooking the Loire. You will participate in a tasting in the vineyards and you will end your excursion in a winery with the winemaker for a visit and tastings.

Enjoy a small group half-day trip from Tours to the beautiful Château de Chenonceau in the heart of the Loire Valley. Experience a guided visit of the interior of one of the most elegant Chateaus of the Loire.

Embark on an unusual ride aboard a comfortable vintage sidecar. Your gentleman sider will make you discover the unmissable places of Amboise and Tours by traversing magnificent vineyards.

Develop your photography skills while capturing the magic of one of the most beautiful regions of France with international prize winning photographer and tutor Mark Playle. With expert guidance and local knowledge this walking photography tour of Amboise with tuition will ensure you get the best possible images from your visit. Your guide, tutor and local resident, Mark Playle is a prize winning photographer who has shot London Fashion Week, Le Mans 24hr and photographed Daphne Selfe, one of the world’s top Supermodels. His work has been exhibited at The Photography Show in the UK, FESPA Hamburg, FESPA Amsterdam and across Europe. Join us for a bespoke one to one or small group masterclass for the beginner or a photography tour for the seasoned photographer. Customised tours are available. Contact us for details.

On this immersive tour, you will discover the heart of the Vouvray appellation, celebrated for its exquisite Chenin Blanc wines. Throughout your excursion, you'll be guided by a knowledgeable and English-speaking local guide, expert in Loire Valley wines. The Vouvray vineyards are strategically situated along the northern banks of the Loire River, just east of the charming town of Tours. The region's unique terroir boasts a mosaic of soils, resulting in a dynamic range of flavors and styles in its wines. Chenin Blanc reigns supreme in Vouvray, contributing to the region's reputation for producing some of the world's most versatile white wines. On this half-day tour you will visit 2 carefully selected local wineries, where you'll have the unique opportunity to step behind the scenes of winemaking. At each winery, you'll be treated to a selection of their finest offerings. Let your taste buds dance with the flavors of fresh fruit, floral notes, and the unique terroir of the region.

Set off on this tasty and beautiful walking tour that leads you through the heart of Nantes, from its majestic squares and classical buildings, to the old streets of the medieval Bouffay district and its castle (Château des Ducs de Bretagne). With your local foodie guide, you will make 5 stops to try local wine, seafood, crèpes and other treats. If you like to discover and feel the atmosphere of a thousand-year rich port city by tasting some of its traditional food and admiring beautiful buildings, squares and streets, then this is the right adventure for you! Everything is included in the tour, so keep your wallet tucked away!

Visit with your own personal guide of Chambord Castle followed by an exclusive private wine tasting in a confidential room of the Château not open to the public.

Embark on an unusual ride aboard a comfortable vintage sidecar. Your gentleman sider will help you discover the must-see places between Tours and Azay-le-Rideau along the water

Develop your photography skills while capturing the magic of Christmas in one of the most beautiful regions of France with international prize winning photographer and tutor Mark Playle. Starting at 3.00pm This tour covers both day and night photography of the town. With expert guidance and local knowledge this walking photography tour of Amboise will ensure you get the best possible images from your visit. Your guide, tutor and local resident, Mark Playle is a prize winning photographer who has shot London Fashion Week, Le Mans 24hr and photographed Daphne Selfe, one of the world’s top Supermodels. His work has been exhibited at The Photography Show in the UK, FESPA Hamburg, FESPA Amsterdam and across Europe. Join us for a bespoke one to one or small group masterclass for the beginner or a photography tour for the seasoned photographer. Customised tours are available. Contact us for details.

Nantes is truly a unique city to visit. You will have a chance to visit the Cathedral of Nantes, amazing views and green gardens, and of course a view of the Castle of Duques of Bretagne. You will be able to enjoy much more during this private tour. The tour will be a 3 hour private walking tour. Your private tour guide will show you around the best parts of Nantes. Here is an example of some of the sites that you will enjoy in Nantes: Marc Elder Square Statue Anne of Brittany Castle of Dukes of Brittany Nantes Cathedral Cours Cambronne - Bouffay square Passage Pommeraye Graslin theatre area Fountain de la Place Royale The exact order will depend on the exact starting time. We will arrange the exact itinerary depending on that. The exact time spent in all the locations will also depend on how much time is spent at each.