Loire Valley Château Tour: A Royal Road Trip with Temporary Transit

The Loire Valley: A Royal Heritage to Discover in Complete Freedom

Nicknamed the “Garden of France,” the Loire Valley stretches over more than 280 kilometers between Sully‑sur‑Loire and Chalonnes‑sur‑Loire. This exceptional region, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, is home to no fewer than 300 châteaux, about forty of which are open to the public.
For travelers in temporary transit, discovering the Loire châteaux by car is the quintessential French experience. Unlike rigidly scheduled guided tours, your TT vehicle gives you the freedom to create your own royal itinerary, linger in the French‑style gardens that charm you, or make an unexpected detour to a lesser‑known but equally fascinating château.
 

A Region Shaped by French History

The Loire Valley was the setting for some of the greatest moments in French history. It’s here that the kings of France established their court during the Renaissance, attracting the finest Italian artists such as Leonardo da Vinci. Charles VII, Louis XI, François I, Henry II... all left their mark on this region.


Each château tells a unique story:

• Chambord and its 440 rooms, a masterpiece by François I inspired by Leonardo da Vinci
• Chenonceau, the “Ladies’ Château,” built over the Cher River and witness to royal romances
• Amboise, Leonardo da Vinci’s final residence and the cradle of the French Renaissance
• Blois, the royal favorite with its four wings in different architectural styles
• Clos Lucé Château, Leonardo da Vinci’s residence where his inventions are on display
• Cheverny, the model for Marlinspike Hall in the Tintin adventures

 

Our Suggestion: 7‑Day Royal Itinerary in the Loire Valley

 

Day 1: Arrival and First Immersion – Orléans Area

- Pick up your temporary transit vehicle in Orly or at Roissy
- Visit Sully‑sur‑Loire Castle, the eastern gateway to the Loire Valley
- Settle in Orléans, the city of Joan of Arc
- Evening stroll through Orléans’s historic centre
 

Day 2: Royal Grandeur – Chambord & Cheverny

- Early departure to Chambord, the most magnificent château of the Loire
- In‑depth visit of the château and its 5,440‑hectare hunting park
- Lunch in a traditional inn in Bracieux
- Afternoon at Cheverny: tour the château and its pack of hunting dogs
- Overnight stay in Blois or a château‑hotel nearby
 

Day 3: Blois, the Royal Residence Par Excellence

- Full morning at Blois Castle and its sound‑and‑light show on French history
- Walk through the old town of Blois and its Denis‑Papin staircases
- Free afternoon to visit the House of Magic or wander in the bishop’s gardens
- Dinner in a local brasserie overlooking the Loire
 

Day 4: Amboise and Leonardo da Vinci’s Genius

- Drive to Amboise through the Touraine vineyards
- Visit Amboise Castle and the Saint‑Hubert chapel, Leonardo da Vinci’s last residence
- Lunch by the Loire on the quays of Amboise
- Afternoon at Clos Lucé, Leonardo da Vinci’s home with life‑size reproductions of his inventions
- Overnight in Tours, the gastronomic capital of Touraine
 

Day 5: Chenonceau, Renaissance Jewel

- Morning drive to Chenonceau through the Amboise forest
- Full visit of the Ladies’ Château spanning the Cher River
- Stroll through the Diane de Poitiers and Catherine de Médicis gardens
- Lunch at the château’s Orangery or a picnic in the park
- Late‑afternoon drive to Azay‑le‑Rideau
- Overnight in a charming guesthouse in Azay‑le‑Rideau
 

Day 6: Gardens and French Art de Vivre

- Morning at Azay‑le‑Rideau, the “faceted diamond set in the Indre”
- Drive to Villandry and lunch in the village
- Afternoon devoted to Villandry’s famous French‑style gardens
- End the day in Langeais to visit the medieval‑Renaissance château
- Last night in Touraine
 

Day 7: Return via the Final Jewels

- Morning at Ussé, the “Sleeping Beauty” château
- Drive back to Paris with an optional stop at Fontainebleau
- Return your vehicle late in the day in Paris or Nantes

 

Which Cars to Choose for Your Royal Route?

For a Loire Valley château tour, TT Car recommends vehicles combining comfort, elegance, and practicality. You'll cover roughly 800 to 1,200 kilometers depending on your itinerary, on mostly excellent roads but occasionally narrow village lanes.

PEUGEOT 308 Sedan – Our Favorite Pick

This French sedan perfectly embodies French elegance for discovering our royal châteaux. Its exceptional driving comfort will let you savor every kilometer between the castles, while its refined finish perfectly matches the sophistication of the royal residences you’ll visit.
Its generous trunk will easily accommodate your luggage as well as your purchases (Loire wines, gourmet specialties, art books). The 308 also features an integrated navigation system especially useful for finding the small country roads leading to lesser‑known châteaux.
 

CITROËN C4 X – Next‑Gen Comfort

This raised sedan blends the elegance of a saloon with SUV‑like comfort. Its air suspension ensures optimal comfort even on the cobbled streets of old towns like Blois or Amboise.
Its spacious interior is perfect for couples or small families looking to travel in room and refinement. Its high‑tech dashboard and driver‑assistance features will make your drives between châteaux as pleasant as relaxing.

 

PEUGEOT 3008 – For Royal‑Sized Families

This compact French SUV offers the perfect driving position to admire the châteaux from the road. Its exceptional versatility allows comfortable accommodation for up to 5 people with their luggage.
The 3008 will be particularly appreciated by families with children: generous space, comfortable seats, and entertainment features so that young and old can fully enjoy the royal journey.
 

Royal Gastronomy: Loire Valley Specialties

Your château tour wouldn’t be complete without discovering the gastronomic specialties that once delighted royal courts.
 

Sweet Specialties Not to Miss

The Tarte Tatin by the Tatin Sisters: created by accident in 1898 at the Hôtel Tatin in Lamotte‑Beuvron in Sologne, this upside‑down apple tart has become the region’s iconic sweet. The original location still exists and is worth a detour during your visit near Chambord.
Les Croquignoles from Selles‑sur‑Cher: these small crispy biscuits flavored with brandy traditionally accompany tea in château salons. You can find authentic ones at local bakeries.
Cormery Macarons: created by the monks of Cormery Abbey in the 8th century, these rustic macarons bear no resemblance to their Parisian cousins but have been delighting palates for over 1,000 years!

 

Royal Wines to Discover

The Loire Valley has produced wine since Gallo‑Roman times. During your tour, savor:
Sancerre and Pouilly‑Fumé (Sauvignon Blanc): mineral and elegant whites, perfect as an aperitif
Vouvray (Chenin Blanc): from dry to sweet, these wines pair well with goat cheeses and desserts
Chinon and Bourgueil (Cabernet Franc): fruity reds that pair beautifully with game from Sologne
Muscadet: ideal with Loire River fish (pike‑perch, pike, eel)
 

Where to Enjoy Royal Cuisine?

Auberge du Bon Laboureur in Chenonceaux: gourmet cuisine in a historic setting, game specialties and Loire wines
La Maison d’à Côté in Montlivault: Michelin‑starred restaurant offering creative cuisine inspired by local produce
L’Épicerie in Blois: chic bistro ambience to discover Touraine specialties in a relaxed setting
Les Années Trente in Chinon: Art‑Deco decor and traditional cuisine, perfect after visiting troglodyte cellars

 

Practical Information for Your Royal Road Trip

 

Tips to Optimize Your Visits

Booking recommended: The most prestigious châteaux (Chambord, Chenonceau, Cheverny) often sell out in high season. Reserve your visit slots in advance, especially on weekends and school holidays.
Passes and packages: The Château Pass allows visits to multiple estates at preferential rates. Inquire at the Loire Valley tourist office.
Parking: All châteaux offer free or paid parking (€2‑5). With your TT vehicle, you can easily move from one château to another at your leisure.
 

Events Not to Miss

Spring (April–May): blooming gardens, especially spectacular at Villandry and Chenonceau
Summer (June–August): sound‑and‑light shows at several châteaux, garden festivals
Autumn (September–October): vineyard harvests, magnificent autumn foliage
Christmas season: fairy‑tale decorations in châteaux, Christmas markets in towns
 

Transporting Your Purchases and Souvenirs

Your temporary transit status allows you to bring back your personal purchases:
Keep all your purchase receipts
Wines may be transported within personal consumption limits
Protect your bottles with bubble wrap available from winemakers
Check quotas if you leave the European Union

 

Where to Pick Up Your Vehicle with TT Car?

To begin your royal adventure in the Loire Valley, TT Car offers vehicle pick‑up at its Paris delivery centre: ideal if you arrive by plane at Roissy or Orly, and just 1½ hours from Orléans via the A10 to start your tour in the eastern Loire.
The privileged access to the A10 and A85 motorways from our Paris delivery centre allows you to quickly reach the first château of your itinerary while avoiding Paris traffic.
 

Why Choose Temporary Transit for Your Royal Route?

Total freedom: unlike organized tours, you set your own pace, stops, and detours.
Optimal comfort: travel in recent, air‑conditioned vehicles with built‑in GPS.
Flexibility: ability to modify your itinerary according to weather, your favorites, or local recommendations.
Cost savings: more economical than an organized tour, especially for families.
Authenticity: discover small lesser‑known châteaux, authentic villages, and great local addresses.

And if You Extend the Adventure...

Your Loire château tour can easily continue into other French regions:

• To the west: discover the châteaux of Angers and Nantes, then the Atlantic coast
• To the south: the châteaux of Berry and George Sand at Nohant
• To the east: Burgundy and its prestigious vineyards
• To the north: return through Champagne and its iconic houses

The Loire Valley is ideally visited from April to October, though each season reveals its own charm: flowering gardens in spring, summer shows, flamboyant autumn colors, intimate winter atmosphere in heated châteaux.

Your royal road trip in the Loire Valley awaits. Contact TT Car now to reserve your vehicle and start planning your itinerary following in the footsteps of French kings. A journey where each kilometer brings you closer to the art of living the French way in all its splendor.