3-Day Mont Saint-Michel & Loire Valley Châteaux Tour, from Paris

Itinerary

Day 1:
You will be picked up from your hotel in Paris at the scheduled time in the morning. Pass through the western districts of Paris before entering the Normandy highway. Bear witness to the tranquil beauty of the verdant French countryside on your way to Mont Saint-Michel. You will be reaching your first destination for the day mid-morning, stopping at the entrance to the causeway. Your guide will lead the way to the Relais Saint Michel (or a similar restaurant) located in the bay boasting breathtaking views of Mont Saint-Michel. Tuck into a sumptuous meal of local specialties.  For the lunch menu, click here

After lunch, a shuttle will take you to the entrance of Mont Saint-Michel. Soak in the old world charms of the village along the Grande Rue, as you make your way to the top past the museums, souvenir shops and medieval houses that line this street. At the summit you will find the famous Benedictine Mont Saint-Michel abbey, which dates back to the 8th century. Enjoy a guided tour of this Gothic marvel dedicated to Saint Michael the Archangel. Explore the particular points of interest: the refectory, the cloister and the garden overlooking the sea. Throughout the trip, bask in the spectacular scenic beauty of your surroundings. Head back along the city walls and admire the fabulous views of the Mont Saint-Michel bay. Wander through the pretty streets, pick up a souvenir or two, and sample some traditional Breton crêpes.

Around 4:30 pm the bus will leave for Angers (about 2.5 hours away). Once you have checked in at the Mercure Lac de Maine (or a similar hotel), where you will spend the night, dinner will be served at the hotel restaurant.

Day 2:
Start your day with a hearty breakfast before heading to the picturesque Loire Valley for the day. Enjoy a brief halt at the Chateau d’Angers so that you can view the exterior of this medieval fortress before heading to the next destination.

Enjoy a tour of the Chateau de Langeais, located about one hundred kilometers from Angers. Langeais is made up of two very different chateaux: the keep built around the year 1000, considered the oldest in France, and the Chateau of Louis XI constructed in 1465. While you tour the inside of the Langeais chateau you can experience French history first-hand through depictions made with highly realistic wax figures.

Your next destination is Amboise, about 45 minutes from Langeais. There will be time for lunch. Your guide will point out the various restaurants near the Chateau d’Amboise. Post lunch, enjoy a guided tour of Chateau du Clos Lucé, which is a mere ten-minute walk from Chateau d’Amboise. Built in 1500 and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Clos Lucé was once home to the Renaissance genius, Leonardo da Vinci. During the guided tour of the castle you will learn about the private life of this Renaissance legend who spent the last three years of his life there as the guest of King Francis I. 

Next head to Chateau de Villandry, the last of the great chateaux of the Loire built during the Renaissance in the Loire Valley. Explore the spectacular gardens with your knowledgeable guide and admire paths lined with linden trees, several different levels and a wealth of colors that will surround you with a feeling of peace and tranquility.
The bus will then make its way to the town of Tours, about 30 minutes away. During your guided tour of the historic district of Tours you can admire this charming area and its lovely half-timbered houses. Next, your guide will take you to your hotel (Hôtel Mercure Tours Nord or a similar establishment) where you will dine and get settled for the night.

Day 3:
After a sumptuous breakfast in Tours before heading out for another day of splendid sightseeing in the Loire Valley.

Located approximately 30 kilometers from Tours, your first stop for the day is Chateau de Chenonceau, an integral part of French history and a true Renaissance masterpiece. Explore this incredible Loire Chateau with its fairytale architecture that seems to have appeared by magic on top of the Cher River. Built and renovated by famous French women throughout history (including Diane de Poitiers and Catherine de' Medici), the castle is a true testament of the refined French way of life with its lavishly appointed rooms. This is why it is known as the "Chateau des Dames". 

The guided tour of Chenonceau is followed by a tour of Chateau de Cheverny, which is about 45 minutes away. Explore the 17th-century aristocratic estate that embodies the French way of life with its magnificently decorated royal chambers, including a birthing room and a private dining room. Then, admire the chateau's picturesque park before enjoying lunch at Saint Hubert Cour Cheverny. For the lunch menu, click here

After lunch, head to the Château de Chambord, some twenty kilometers from Cheverny. Explore the fascinating, complex heritage of this breathtaking Loire Valley castle, built by François I in the 16th century. Behold its extraordinary architecture with the famous double-helix staircase in the center of the monument, and visit the former lodgings of the king and the other rooms on its various stories. The large terrace with its majestic chimneys offers a sweeping views of Chambord Park.
Depart from Chambord a little after 6pm. You will be dropped off to your hotel in Paris after the tour.