Gardens of the Loire Valley

We depart from London St Pancras International on the morning Eurostar service to Paris Gare du Nord (First Class upgrades and regional connections also available on request). On arrival, we are met by our comfortable coach and travel to the charming town of Tours. Later this evening, we reconvene for a welcome dinner.

Meals: Dinner

Accommodation: Best Western L’Artist

This morning, we depart for Château de Villandry, a grand country house well known for its stunning gardens. During the Renaissance, Jean Breton transformed the medieval fortress of Colombiers into the elegant Château reflective of the architectural styles of the period. Château de Villandry has been in the Caravallo family since 1906, with each room telling stories of bygone eras thanks to carefully curated furniture and decoration. The family also revitalised the gardens in the early 20th century.

We enjoy a guided tour of the three-tiered terraced gardens that are a delight to explore and are complimentary to the architectural style of the château. There is a decorative kitchen garden, home to a plenitude of colourful flowers and vegetables that are planted in a chequerboard pattern. In the ornamental garden, box hedges form musical symbols, hearts and butterflies. The water gardens are the most tranquil part of the grounds. Here, the pool takes centre stage, and the bubbling fountains combined with great lawns allow for a moment of peace and reflectiveness. Rose bushes, shrubs and vibrant grasses as well as perennials can be seen blooming in the sun gardens during the summer.

In the early afternoon we return to Tours, where we enjoy a guided walking tour of the Old Town with its well-preserved medieval architecture, lively squares and picturesque streets.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Best Western L’Artist

After breakfast, we depart for the town of Amboise where we spend the morning at Château Clos Du Lucé, the former home of Leonardo De Vinci. After travelling through Italy, Leonardo made his way into France and in 1516 King Francis I invited him to Amboise, where he was made ‘Premier Painter, Engineer and Architect of the King’ and granted residency at Château Clos de Lucé. Leonardo spent the last three years of his life at the Château working on several projects for the King of France. We have some time to explore Leonardo’s Garden, home to rocks, caves, streams and waterfalls reminiscent of the sfumato technique with gentle transitions and no firm borders. Enjoy a walk around the pond surrounded by majestic pines, Italian cypresses and yews, along with collections of Madonna lilies, yellow irises, horned violets and of course, the famous Mona Lisa rose. Enjoy lunch at your leisure here.

In the early afternoon we visit Château del Valmer, a marvel of the Italian Renaissance where Vouvray wines and an exceptional garden are happily combined. We spend some time exploring the eight levels of terraces which overlook the surrounded landscape, where highlights include clipped hornbeam labyrinth, yew hedge castle Florentine fountains, box hedges, the extensive 17th-century park and the exceptional troglodytic chapel which was built in 1524.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Best Western L’Artist

Today we head to the well-known Château de Chenonceau. Spending the morning exploring the gardens, we discover the garden of Diane de Poitiers, mistress of King Henry II. Overlooked by the Chancery, it's home to eight large lawns decorated with curving scrolls of Santolina shrubs and the original fountain, which has been painstakingly restored. There are also raised terraces offering views over the yew, spindle, box and laurustinus bushes that line the flower beds. During the summer months, more than one hundred hibiscus stems flower and climbing iceberg roses embellish the terrace walls. With magnificent views of the western façade of the château, the Garden of Catherine de Medici is based around five panels of lawn, surrounding a central basin and punctuated with globes of boxwood. Tall rose bushes and lavender mark out harmonious patterns and to the east the garden is bordered by a walkway looking over the moat, where Clair-Matin roses can be found. We then explore the Green Garden, designed in 1825 by Lord Seymour for the Countess of Villeneuve, the château’s owner who desired an 'English-style' park. Not to be missed is the Flower Garden where, in 12 squares surrounded by apple trees and Queen Elisabeth rose bushes, the estate gardeners cultivate approximately one hundred varieties of cutting flowers for the château’s famous floral displays.

In the late afternoon, we visit Les Caves du Père Auguste, where for 145 years and six generations the same family have been producing their own wines. We enjoy a tour of the cellar and sample some of the estate’s wines before returning to our hotel.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Best Western L’Artist

We depart for Château Chaumont-sur-Loire and the International Garden Festival, which welcomes gardeners from around the world each year. Covering ten hectares, the Prés du Goualoup is a collection of permanent gardens with ties to great civilisations such as Japan, China and Great Britain and provides a home to works by many international artists, architects and landscapers. There are also stunning plant collections to explore such as the dome of old roses, the arches of star jasmine and the collections of clematis, dahlias, peonies and asters.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Best Western L’Artist

The morning is spent at leisure exploring the local markets of Loches. The collection of stalls selling everything from local cheeses to flamboyant pottery and fresh flowers can be found meandering through the medieval streets. Other highlights include the magnificent church with its Romanesque nave and Gothic choir, the medieval castle or the Tour Saint-Ours with its panoramic views over the town (entrance not included). Be sure to take the opportunity to try something from the Loches Fresh Weekly Market for lunch at leisure.

In the afternoon, we head to Chédigny, the only village in France to be certified with the label ‘Jardin Remarquable’. Created in 1998, the mayor of Chédigny decided to plant roses all over the village and today, there are now over 1,000 roses of all different colours, shapes and sizes. The roses are planted in flower beds, on fences and walls and even in trees – it really is a unique sight! We are joined by a local guide for a tour through this quaint French village and also visit the Priest’s Garden when in Chédigny. Later this evening, we enjoy a farewell dinner together.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation: Best Western L’Artist

Following breakfast we depart for Gare du Nord, Paris for our Eurostar train back to London, where we expect to arrive in the evening.

Meals: Breakfast