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Châteaux & Vineyards
Stroll between the Loire’s finest châteaux

Holiday information
Nights: 7
Grade: 1
Terrain: paths and tracks through farmland, woodland and vineyards and alongside rivers
Hotels: one 2-star hotel; three 3-star hotels
Meals: 7 breakfasts, 5 dinners, plus 3 picnics
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Why not take the train?

You can leave London St Pancras or Ebbsfleet in the morning and be at your destination by the evening, making it an excellent (not to mention environmentally friendly) way to reach this holiday. You can relax right from the start of your journey as Eurostar services whisk you through the Channel Tunnel to connect with the world-famous French high-speed TGV trains in either Paris or Lille. We reserve seats for you, there is plenty of luggage space, and refreshments are available on board.

You may even break your journey in Paris if you are travelling via the capital. Sit back and enjoy a truly great rail journey! Look for the ‘by rail’ prices in the Prices & Travel section, where you will also find journey details.take the train
  About the Loire >The proliferation of châteaux is due in part to the region’s important role in the struggle for control of France, but also to the fact that from the mid-15th century it was favoured by many kings and thus by noblemen who built their own small châteaux across the region. As these second-generation châteaux served no defensive purpose, the designs were much more elaborate, influenced by the kings’ travels through Italy. Wines also proliferate here. Though there is great variety due to the different grapes used, most are refreshingly light. Some of the best known are Pouilly-Fumé, Muscadet, and the acclaimed sparkling Saumur whites, made using the méthode champenoise. The five major Touraine appellations – Vouvray, Montlouis, Bourgeuil, St-Nicholas-de-Bourgeuil and Chinon – are also very good, meaning there is a wide choice to accompany the regional cuisine, which incorporates pike-perch and bream from the river; locally grown asparagus, courgettes and mushrooms; lamb; and Amboise ham.
  • self-guided hotel-to-hotel walking, luggage transported
  • visit some of the region’s most romantic châteaux
  • easy, leisurely walking
  • pause for wine-tastings

West of Tours, the Loire and its many tributaries meander through the Loire-Anjou-Touraine Regional Park, an area of vineyards, rolling farmland, hunting forests and limestone cliffs into which curious troglodytic dwellings have been carved. Crowning these picturesque landscapes are some of the Loire’s most splendid châteaux, from elegant Renaissance palaces such as that of Azay-le-Rideau to sturdy fortresses like that of Chinon.
Looking back on our six days, it's hard to identify the highlights: the wonderful châteaux, the pleasantly varied countryside, or the excellent food and wines? We concluded that, all in all, it was a marvellous all-round holiday.
     
Staff travel diary
As the walking, accessible to all, is relaxed and leisurely, you have time to visit both these châteaux on this holiday, as well as the château at Ussé, the abbey at Fontevraud and other places of interest such as vineyards and mushroom caves (pay locally in all cases).
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France
 Grade 1 Walk
Local Map
 Walking Chart
Walking Chart:Châteaux & Vineyards This is an approximation only. If comparing holidays, please note the scale of the chart as this can differ.
 Average Temperatures
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
8 7 10 16 16 24 26 25 21 16 11 7
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