Loire Valley Castles and Culinary Tour Price Includes
Tour Summary • Loire Valley Itinerary • Loire Tour FAQ • Loire Valley Hotel • LOIRE VALLEY TOUR BROCHURE (Adobe pdf)
Our Loire Valley Castles and Culinary, Gourmet Tour Price of $3,298 Per Person Includes:
- Full-time services of a professional Off the Beaten Path Expert Tour Guide who is a history, culinary and wine professional, and who serves as guests liaison during this fully escorted Loire Valley tour program.
- 5 nights, home based, deluxe historical castle accommodations (NO Hotel Hopping) at The Chateau des Tertres.
- 10 Meals: 5 buffet breakfasts, 5 gourmet French dinners.
- All restaurants and bistros on this tour are Michelin-star and/or have been featured/recommended by top "foodie" magazines. We dine in both gourmet restaurants and our favorite hide-a-ways cherished by the locals.
- Regional classified wines included at all meals
- All ENTRY FEES at the Castles of Chambord, Cheverny, Blois, Amboise, Chenonceau, Villandry and Azay-le-Rideau.
- FIRST CHEF: A special welcome dinner prepared by Michelin Star Chef and friend Ludovic
- SECOND CHEF: Cooking Class and Cooking Demonstration Accompanied by a Wine & Cheese Tasting during class with Michelin Star Chef and friend Damien
- THIRD CHEF (A husband & wife team): Cooking Class with celebrity Chefs, our friends Angelique and Christophe Q. at their home
- FOURTH CHEF: Dinner of gourmet recipes prepared by our friend, Michelin Star Chef Christophe C. exclusively for us on our last evening of the tour.
- All fees for the cooking classes-demonstrations, corresponding dinners and wine/cocktails/beverages.
- Fees for Evening Hot Air Ballooning Excursion.
- Meals include Regional Wines and Non-alcoholic Beverages. All restaurants and bistros on this tour are Michelin-star and/or have been featured/recommended by top "foodie" magazines and/or fellow Michelin-star French Chefs. We dine in both gourmet restaurants and our favorite hide-a-ways cherished by the locals.
- Ground transportation during the tour by comfortable minivan
- Roundtrip transfers between Tours Saint Pierre des Corps TGV rail station and the hotel on tour start and conclusion day at designated times.
- Extensive walking daily at the Castles and in local villages.
- This tour is limited to a maximum of 8-12 guests per tour date. Small Groups, Couples, solo travelers, friends traveling together all welcome to join.
Activity Rating: 90% Easy, 10% Moderate
Unrivaled Expertise within France and the Best Tour Guides:
All Off the Beaten Path guides are Americans with dual nationality (American-French citizenship), are multi-lingual and reside in France. They also bring a wealth of local information and history to enrich each guest's experience and have been selected for their comprehensive understanding of French culture. You will find that Off the Beaten Path guides are wonderful traveling companions, whose knowledge and sense of fun and positive attitude make each day a wonderful experience.
Frequently Asked Questions and Answers about our Loire Valley Tours
Where do we rendezvous on day 1 of the Loire Valley Tour?
Your OTBP Guide(s) will meet you at the St. Pierre des Corps TGV train station, Tours, France at the following times: NOTE: There are 2 pick-up times. The first pick-up is at 1:30 PM and the 2nd pick-up time is at 4:00 PM on day 1 of the tour. Specific meeting location details will be included in your complete tour information package we send you 30 days prior to the tour. Train times are subject to seasonal changes, and we will keep these schedules updated as any changes occur.
- From downtown Paris - rail station Gare Montparnasse, there is a train that departs at 12:25 pm arriving at the ST PIERRE DES CORPS rail station at 1:27 pm, in time for the 1:30 pm group pick-up. Note: There are shuttle buses that run between the airport and Gare Montparnasse rail station every 30 minutes.
- From downtown Paris - rail station Gare Austerlitz, there is a train that departs at 1:35 pm arriving at the ST PIERRE DES CORPS rail station at 4:03 pm, in time for the 4 pm group pick-up.
- From downtown Paris - rail station Gare Montparnasse, there is a train that departs at 3:10 pm arriving at the ST PIERRE DES CORPS rail station at 4:11 pm, in time for the 4 pm group pick-up. Note: There are shuttle buses that run between the airport and Gare Montparnasse rail station every 30 minutes.
- From Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, there is a train that departs at 9:12 am arriving at the ST PIERRE DES CORPS rail station at 10:50 am, in time for the 1:30 pm group pick-up.
- From Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, there is a train that departs at 1:37 pm arriving at the ST PIERRE DES CORPS rail station at 3:21 pm, in time for the 4 pm group pick-up.
- MORE options are available. We've just elected to include the most popular trains.
Where does the Loire Valley Tour finish?
We depart the hotel in the morning in order to arrive at 10 AM at the St. Pierre des Corps TGV train station in Tours, France.
How should I go about making my travel plans?
Off the Beaten Path is a full service tour operator and it is our pleasure to assist you with all aspects of upcoming travel plans. Whether you are looking for a suggestion for a hotel in Paris or assistance with your rail tickets, simply contact us at contact@traveloffthebeatenpath.com or call us at 1.877.846.2831 for assistance.
What is the weather going to be like in the Loire Valley?
April through October, day time temperatures in the Loire Valley range from the 70's- to mid-80's Fahrenheit with evenings being slightly cooler. Typically it is sunny, but be prepared with the proper rain gear.
What is not included on my Loire Valley Tour?
Airfare to and from the trip, Train fare to and from the trip, lunches, entry fee to optional Clos Luce visit, entry fee to optional International Garden Festival visit, gratuities for guide(s), and incidentals along the way.
Are Off the Beaten Path, LLC tours in English?
Yes. All tours are conducted in English and designed for an English speaking clientel.
Who are the Loire Valley Tours designed for?
OTBP's Loire Valley Tours are designed for discerning travelers of all ages and backgrounds, from the seasoned traveler and independent traveler to the first time traveler to France. Join any one of the our tours as a solo traveler, a couple, a small group of friends or family, or bring your entire travel club, affinity group, women's organization or wine society. No culinary, history or other type of experience is necessary. Join us for the vacation of a lifetime to discover the Best of the Loire Valley, as an insider, and make new friends along the way.
Do I need to be an expert to take your Loire Valley Tour?
Not at all. The idea is to learn about French culture, traditions, wine, daily life, artisan lives and culinary practices in a fun and relaxing environment. Our tours offer great learning opportunities for everyone. Off the Beaten Path guides are very skilled at adapting their discussions to the general level of knowledge of the group, providing good introductory information for novices, and more advanced discussions for those who have more experience or a specialty interest. It's vacation and our tours are all about having fun, enjoying new experiences and being active!
Is wine included at meals? What kind of wines are included at meals?
Yes, regional classified wine is included at all scheduled meals together. We expertly match premium wines from the region we're visiting with each dish. Meals offer an excellent opportunity to try wines from appellations not available to guests at home, and to introduce guests to some select wines worth a favorable mention or that are exceptionally appreciated by the locals.
How are the Loire Valley Tours structured?
Having over 15 years experience in the tour industry, specifically with small group touring, we have found that our guests are generally more interested in active experiences, culture, people to people experiences and guided tours of museums and sites. Our guests like to visit private homes, and pursue their hobbies when they travel. Our guests enjoy being able to shop locally for items, such as, collectibles, art and local products. Our guests tend to do more homework and want a meatier trip, and also want to enjoy down time or leisure time to explore independently. All of our trips are designed based on these factors. Each trip offers organized activities and excursions daily combined with periods of leisure time each day. Our tours encourage individual approach and pursuit of your interests, as well as introducing you to new experiences and people during each trip.
How should I tip my Off the Beaten Path guide(s)?
If you appreciate the service your OTBP guide(s) provide, we recommend each guest provide a gratuity of approximately 100 euros per guide.
How should I pack? How should I expect to dress during the tour?
Please limit your luggage to one medium-sized suitcase and one carry-on. Try not to over pack; you will not wear all your clothing! A suggested packing list will be enclosed in your tour information package. Pack comfortable light weight, casual clothing. It's vacation and we want our guests to feel and be as comfortable as possible during our daily activities and excursions. Our dinners together include a mix of Michelin star and casual bistro style restaurants. For men we suggest a business casual ensemble (no tie or jacket necessary unless it's your personal preference) and for women we recommend a casual dress for dinners.
What travel documents will I need for my Tour?
All travelers to France are required to have a valid passport. Please make 2 copies of your passport and personal identification before you depart. Keep one set of copies with you in a separate location from your travel documents, and leave the other set of copies with a contact at home before you depart. If you are not a U.S. citizen, please check with your consulate general for entry requirements.
Do I need to be an athlete to participate in the Loire Valley Tour?
No, not at all. Our Loire Valley Tours are designed for all types of travelers. By nature of the region and our scheduled visits and activities, this tour includes extensive daily walking in villages and at the castles, and is considered suitable for all travelers. We enjoy the "slow road" taking in the beautiful scenery of the castles and local villages daily.
Reserve a Loire Valley Tour Now
Loire Valley Tour Guest Testimonials:
"The trip gets a 5 out of 5! My favorite thing was the extensive cheese and wine tasting with Damien. Thanks to our guide for making this trip so exceptional!" Marti Hyland, Arlington, VA (Loire Valley Tour)
"The hotel accommodations were great! Our guide was fun, knowledgeable and friendly. And being invited to cook and dine with Christophe and Angelique in their home was definitely one of the many highpoints. Thank you for a wonderful experience!!" Duncan and Mary Ann Aldrich, Reno, NV (Loire Valley Tour)