Paris & the Loire Valley Chateaux
Tournesol Travel specializes in private, customized travel experiences based on the individual interests, pace and schedule of our customers. Below an example of such an itinerary.
Day 1 | Paris
You will be met at Charles de Gaulle airport by our driver and taken your hotel in the center of Paris.
If your transatlantic flight has you arrive a little early to check-in to your room, you will be able to leave your bags at the concierge, use the hotel facilities to freshen up and head out into the area near your hotel to explore, get your bearings and start to adjust to your new time-zone. Paris welcomes you at the pace that suits you.
We recommend you take a short walk to the River Seine and Ile de la Cité to admire the majestic Notre Dame Cathedral, currently being rebuilt following the tragic fire of April 2019. Behind Ile de la Cité, the quiet charm of the Ile Saint Louis beckons.
Walk across the pedestrian bridge Pont St-Louis, alive with street art and musicians, wander through the narrow streets and perhaps have a drink at one of our favorites, the Brasserie Saint-Louis.
Later this afternoon we will arrange a one-hour cruise on the river, the best way to get immersed into the City of Light. You will glide past iconic buildings such as the Orsay Museum, the Eiffel Tower, the Conciergerie and Notre Dame and under famous bridges such the Pont Neuf and the Alexandre III.
Day 2 | Paris
This morning, after breakfast at your hotel, take the short walk across the river to one of Paris’s most famous cultural symbols, the Louvre Museum. We will arrange for you to have a private guided tour, with skip-the-line tickets. This is a tour with a twist; we will arrange for you to take part in a treasure hunt for all the family, as your children turn into detectives to complete 11 challenges to solve the mystery of the disappearance of the Mona Lisa back in 1911. With the help of your art expert guide, you will all learn about the history of this vast museum, as you discover some of its famous masterpieces, such as the Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo, as well as some of its lesser-known gems.
The rest of the day is yours to seize. An off-the-beaten-path option: take the afternoon to discover the uniquely beautiful covered walkways that are dotted throughout the city. Each passageway holds its own unique charm and it’s truly a wonderful way to uncover a few hidden gems. A 19th-century adaptation of the Arab souk or market, "le Passage Parisien" was more than just a forerunner to our modern shopping mall, it was a vision of the ideal city: beautiful, productive, refined – and protected from the elements. Read about it on our blog at https://tournesoltravel.com/blog/covered-walkways-paris.
Day 3 | Paris
This morning is yours to enjoy at your own pace. There is lots to discover. Here are just a few ideas: rent e-bikes or segways to be able to give your feet a rest and cover more ground in new neighborhoods; smaller museums, such as the Rodin or Picasso, are must-sees for art lovers; history buffs might enjoy a visit to Napoleon's Tomb in the Invalides Museum; visit the iconic Arc de Triomphe and take in the breath-taking view of the city from the top (as well as experience the organized chaos of the traffic at the famous "etoile" roundabout below); walk along the "Coulée Verte", an oasis of green on a disused raised railway track, very similar to the Highline in New York.
Later this afternoon, you will have timed access tickets to the summit of the Eiffel Tower, over 1000 feet above the city. We will also arrange for you to have dinner at Madame Brasserie on the 1st floor of the Tower at 6.30pm. You will be able to enjoy the City of Light laid out before you after sunset.
Day 4 | Paris & Versailles
Today we will arrange for you to join a full-day small group (maximum 8 people) guided tour of Versailles, its Palace and Gardens. You will be accompanied on the short train journey out of Paris by your guide. You will then visit the local market in Versailles to sample some local specialities and buy some delicious food for your picnic lunch by the Grand Canal. You will be provided with your bikes (helmets provided) and set out to explore so much more of the vast Palace Gardens, than you would be able to on foot. A few of the highlights include the king's private retreat, the Grand Trianon and Marie Antoinette's private hamlet.
You will then have skip-the-line tickets to the Palace and your guide will help you discover its secrets. The brainchild of King Louis XIV and former home to Marie Antoinette, Versailles holds a special place in French history. Of all the 2,300 rooms in this palace, perhaps the most famous is the Galerie des Glaces, or Hall of Mirrors, but there is plenty more to discover: the 18th century Royal Chapel, the sumptuous State Apartment where the king would meet with dignitaries and lastly the king and queen’s former apartments and bedchambers.
This is a full-day tour. You will arrive back into Paris at Montparnasse Station about 6pm. The famous Coupole restaurant is very close to the station and might be a good place to call in for a drink or early dinner on your return to the city.
Day 5 | Paris
Today we will arrange for you to visit the Orsay Museum, where you will discover the largest Impressionist collection in the world, in what was once a Belle Epoque train station and is now one of the most beautiful museums of Paris. You will have timed entry tickets, with audio guides and you can self-guide the visit of the museum at your own pace. We highly recommend you have lunch in the restaurant at the museum. It is absolutely beautiful, decorated in the style of the Belle Epoque, and a destination in itself. After lunch, perhaps you might be in the mood for some fresh air and a change of scene. Hire e-bikes and explore a new area of the city. The Jardin des Plantes or the Jardins des Luxembourg are lovely oases of green in the city.
Day 6 | Paris to Amboise
Today you will leave the city behind and take the short direct train journey to the Loire valley, famous for its castles and vineyards. Take a short taxi (or metro) ride from your hotel to Montparnasse Station to catch your train to the medieval university city of Tours, which will take a little over an hour. You will have First Class tickets with reserved seating. Our driver will meet you at the train station and take you to your hotel in nearby Amboise, 30 minutes away, nestled on the banks of the River Loire. The hotel we've booked for you is located is located at right at the foot of the Château d'Amboise, on the river bank in the heart of Amboise, a town seemingly taken from the pages of a fairy tale.
This afternoon to stretch your leg with a walk through historic Amboise. Alternatively, we can arrange e-bikes to explore the town and the banks of the Loire. The town is dominated by the Château d’Ambois, which is open to visitors. From the ramparts, the view of the town, river and valley spread out before you is breathtaking.
The Clos Lucé is the place where Leonardo da Vinci spent his last years and is now a museum dedicated to his life and works. If you are in the mood for some wine-tasting, the Caves d'Ambacia are just a 15-minute walk from the town center.
Day 7 | Amboise
Today you will join a small group full-day guided tour of two of the most famous castles of the region.
Château de Chenonceau is yet another fairy-tale looking castle amidst a most picturesque riverside setting, spanning the Cher River. It is an ornate mixture of Gothic and Renaissance styles and is often referred to as the ladies' castle because it was owned and renovated by women such as Diane de Poitiers (Henri II's mistress) and Catherine de Medici (Henri II's wife, then widow).
The sumptuous Château de Chambord, built as a hunting lodge for King François I, boasts a staggering 426 rooms and 282 fireplaces. The double-helix staircase is thought to be a creation of Leonardo da Vinci
Day 8 | Amboise
This morning you will set off on an exciting adventure to experience the Loire Valley from a different perspective - by hot air balloon. The sweeping vineyards, lush forests and fairy-tale castles of the UNESCO-listed Loire Valley are even more impressive from above. You will float over the UNESCO-listed landscapes of the Loire, Indre and Cher valleys. Spot landmarks like the Château of Chenonceau or the gardens of Villandry, then toast your safe landing with a glass of Champagne.
Upon your return to land, if you have not already done so, then this afternoon would be a good chance to explore the Clos de Luce. King François 1 offered Leonardo Da Vinci a home here in his latter years in exchange for company and conversation. He lived and worked here until he passed away on May 2nd 1519. If you have already explored the Clos de Luce, then perhaps take to the water and take a canoeing expedition along the Loire and experience the region from yet another perspective.
Day 9 | Amboise to Paris
Today after a leisurely breakfast, you will be picked up from your hotel by our driver and taken back to Tours to catch your train back to Paris. You will have First Class tickets with reserved seating.
On arrival in Paris and after checking in to your hotel, make your way to one of the city's most fascinating historical areas, Montmartre. We will arrange for you to explore the area, while also learning where locals go to satisfy their sweet tooth on a chocolate and pastry secret food tour. In a small-group setting, you will sample different and unique varieties of sweets and pastries, including chocolates, macarons, crepes, pastries, and hot chocolate.
Montmartre is a former village where many of the famous Impressionist artists spent their lives, and still a vibrant artistic neighborhood today, not to mention offering one of the best views over the city of Paris from the Basilica of Sacré Coeur. From the Maison Rose restaurant to the Clos Montmartre vineyard (the only vineyard in the city), from the Assassin’s Cabaret to Van Gogh & Renoir’s apartments, you can discover charming cobblestoned streets and understand why Picasso once said that he was only happy in Montmartre.
Day 11 | Paris to usa
Our driver will collect you from your hotel and take you to Charles de Gaulle airport for your journey home.
Bon Voyage - and we hope you will come back soon, as France has so many other regions to discover.
Per-Person pricing estimate: $5,200.00
(flights not included)