Royal Loire Valley: Castles, Wine & Paris Day Trip

Amazing day.Bruno was great! Very funny and full of knowledge! Would recommend to all of my friends!

This was a phenomenal experience. It is a long day but was so worth it. Our tour guide Valeria was amazing. She was funny entertaining and so considerate of everyone. She made sure everyone was comfortable, had everything they needed, and offered stops for bathroom whenever needed. She checked in frequently with everyone. The castles were a perfect selection of three very different castles. One wine tasting is included but you can also do wine tastings at two of the other castles as well one for a small fee and the other free as well. The included wine tasting is informal which I have seen negatively impact other people’s reviews but again it is not the main focus of the trip. Valeria and the store owner were phenomenal and gave brief info about wines and I personally thought it was a fun little add on to the day. Be prepared to walk a lot!

The three castle tour was excellent - Serena was an excellent diver and a wonderful guide! The lunch break in Ambrose was fun as was the wine Tasting. This was our 2nd time taking this tour as the first time a few years ago was also very good and we wanted our friends to experience this tour!

We used Blue Fox Travel two years ago and were impressed with their expertise so decided this trip to visit the Loire Valley and three of its most famous chateaus. Our guide was interesting and gave us lots of historical information about each chateau. We had a good amount of time at each stop to explore on our own and the crowds were manageable. Lovely lunch in Amboise at Le Vinci right across from the chateau. Also had a brief wine tasting in Amboise. It's a long day with a good bit of driving and walking but our guide was very efficient in the use of our time and we feel we got our money's worth.

Tim was a great guide and driver. I enjoyed his history lessons about the kings and castles and his picture book to illustrate the stories. We had a small group of 6. So it was quite nice not going with a big group. It was a long day from 7-7:30 but Tim told us we could sleep on the way to the castles which was a 2 hour drive. I think we all did! I thought Chenonceau and Chambord were the prettiest. Ambroise was nice and it had the advantage of having a quaint town next to it where we got to choose where we wanted to go for lunch. Lunch and drinks and snacks are not included which is fine since you get to pick what you want. Each of the castles have interesting history. It was nice to get away from the Paris crowds! The wine tasting was a disappointment because somehow I assumed it would be at a winery. But it was in a small wine shop. It was a good break though. It was not informative. There is a lot of walking and circular staircases at the castles so be prepared. We walked 5.5 miles. There were plenty of bathroom breaks. I highly recommend, it was worth the money.

Tour Organization: The day was very well arranged from the start. Booking was straightforward, instructions for departure were clear, and everything followed the schedule smoothly. Communication before and during the trip was efficient, making the experience easy and well-coordinated. Guide: Our guide, Enzo, was exceptional. He shared fascinating insights about the Loire Valley’s history, culture, and architecture with enthusiasm and clarity. His storytelling made the long drives and castle visits genuinely engaging, and he kept the group comfortable and well-paced throughout the day. Transportation: The vehicle was clean, comfortable, and ideal for the long journey. Driving was safe and on time, and the seating felt fair and organized. The whole transfer experience added to the overall comfort of the trip. Sightseeing: The selection of castles and stops was excellent — each destination offered a distinctive glimpse into the Loire Valley’s beauty. The amount of time at each stop was generally well balanced, giving enough opportunity to explore without rushing. Wine Tasting: The only disappointing part was the wine tasting at La Cave. The host was unfriendly, hurried, and offered almost no explanation of the wines. The selection itself felt poor and outdated, which didn’t represent the Loire Valley’s true wine quality. This stop clearly needs improvement or a change of venue. Group Experience: The group size worked well overall, and Enzo maintained a pleasant, organized atmosphere. The only downside was that a couple of participants repeatedly delayed the group, which slightly disrupted the timing. Value: Considering the quality of the guide, the well-chosen castles, and the comfortable travel arrangements, the tour offered very good value. With a better wine-tasting stop, it would be close to perfect. ⭐ 4.5 / 5

What a lovely experience we had on this tour. Our guide Serena was very energetic, knowledgeable and just kind. She made sure we had enough time to enjoy each castle. The castle’s were just amazing and definitely a site to see. The wine was good too. I would recommend this tour with Serena.

This day trip was so fun! The castles were amazing! The trip was well organized and the guide was friendly. A few things I would note. The trip is 12-13 hours so definitely plan for that. I’m sure every trip and tour guide is a bit different but we spent a lot of time at Chenonceau castle. So, we felt a bit rushed at the 2nd stop, Amboise castle. Since there is more to do at the Amboise castle (castle, lunch and wine tasting) it would have made more sense to spend the most time here. Also, the wine tasting was a bit dull and skimpy. I expected something a little bit more exciting since we were in Loire Valley. Overall the experience of the castles was absolutely lovely and definitely recommend.

Our tour of the Loire Valley with Brunelle was great! She is a fantastic guide and we enjoyed every minute of the day. It's a long day but very worthwhile.

The travel time seems long but goes quickly… and is so worth it! A stop is well placed both outboard and returning. Would highly recommend this trip to anyone visiting Paris or France for first time… Did you KNOW how these castles came to be and just how much a part of everything they really are!!!???