Loire Valley Castles Day Trip from Paris with Wine Tasting

Summary

Paris to Loire castles with wine, stories and garden walks

You’ll step inside Chambord’s grand halls and climb its legendary staircase before wandering Blois for lunch at your own pace. Taste local wine beneath Chenonceau Castle and stroll gardens once tended by queens—all with stories from a local guide. The Loire Valley feels different when you’re really there.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I remember is how our guide, Camille, greeted us by name as we shuffled onto the coach in Paris—she had this way of making everyone relax, even before we’d left the city. She pointed out a bakery near the station where she said she always gets her croissant (I wish I’d had time to grab one). The drive out to the Loire Valley was longer than I expected but honestly, watching the fog lift off the fields made it feel like we were slipping into another century. Someone behind me started humming that “Beauty and the Beast” song when Chambord’s turrets came into view—no shame, I nearly joined in.

Chambord Castle itself is wild—huge and kind of surreal with its double-helix staircase (Camille swore Da Vinci designed it but said there are debates). The stone felt cold under my hand as I climbed, and you could smell damp leaves from the grounds drifting in through open windows. There was a moment on the roof where everything went quiet except for crows circling above. It’s hard not to get lost just staring out over all that green. Afterward, we had free time in Blois for lunch—I ended up in a tiny place off Square Louis XII where an old man served me goat cheese salad and corrected my French with a grin.

Chenonceau was next. The wine tasting happened down in these echoey stone cellars—I’ll be honest, I couldn’t tell you what grape it was but it tasted earthy and sharp, and someone spilled theirs laughing at a joke about Catherine de Medici (Camille again). The castle itself sits right over the river Cher; walking across that main hall felt strange, like floating. The kitchens still smelled faintly of wood smoke somehow. In the gardens, two women were arguing quietly about roses—maybe staff?—and I just stood there for a minute watching sunlight flicker on the water. I didn’t expect to feel so much just standing there.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Loire Valley castles and wine tasting

• Depart Paris for Loire Valley
• Visit Chambord Castle and explore
• Climb Da Vinci staircase
• Enjoy rooftop views and deer spotting
• Travel to Blois town
• Lunch free time at Square Louis XII
• Visit Chenonceau Castle wine cellar
• Taste complementary wine
• Self-guided tour of Chenonceau Castle
• Explore gardens and main hall

Top questions

How long is the day trip from Paris to Loire Valley?

The full-day tour lasts approximately 12 hours including travel time from Paris.

Are entrance tickets to Chambord & Chenonceau included?

Yes, entry fees for both castles are included in your booking.

Is lunch provided during the tour?

No, lunch is not included but you have free time in Blois to choose your own restaurant.

Is transportation air-conditioned?

Yes, return transportation from Paris is provided on an air-conditioned coach.

Is there a wine tasting included at Chenonceau Castle?

Yes, a complimentary wine tasting takes place in Chenonceau’s vaulted cellar.

Is this tour suitable for families with children?

The tour is suitable for all fitness levels; parents should bring their own child seats if needed.

Do you get free time during the day trip?

You have free time for lunch in Blois and to explore parts of each castle at your own pace.

What’s included

Your day includes return transportation from Paris by air-conditioned coach, entrance tickets to both Chambord and Chenonceau Castles, complimentary wine tasting in Chenonceau’s cellar, an English-speaking local guide throughout, plus free time for lunch in Blois before heading back to Paris together in the evening.