Châteaux & Vineyards

Stroll between the Loire’s finest châteaux
 

Holiday Highlights

The relaxed pace | Some longer days, but plenty of time for exploration.
Iconic châteaux | From fairytale Ussé to elegant Azay-le-Rideau and the Fortress of Chinon.
Medieval history | Embedded in the landscape and celebrated in some excellent museums.
The wines | Pause for tastings in one of France’s most celebrated wine regions.
Price from
£1110pp
Châteaux & Vineyards. 7 nights
Price from
£1110pp
Châteaux & Vineyards. 7 nights
Price from
£1110pp
 

Holiday information

 

A walking holiday in the Loire past châteaux

Visit some of the region’s most romantic châteaux as you set out on relaxed, self-guided hotel-to-hotel walking with your luggage transported. On your picturesque and leisurely walks you may also appreciate pauses 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.

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).
 
Gallery

 

Itinerary

The key to Inntravel holidays is flexibility. You can start on the day of your choice, and are free to add extra nights.
  • The average maximum daytime temperatures and monthly rainfall relate to the nearest weather station and are intended as a guide only.
    Average temperatures and rainfall
      Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
    °C 7 8 11 15 18 22 25 24 22 17 11 7
    mm 62 58 54 52 63 50 49 45 53 58 65 62
  • Arrival in Azay-le-Rideau
    Night 1: at Hotel de Biencourt (the first of two nights here).
    As your first night’s accommodation is on the day of travel, Day 1 is your first day of walking.
  • Free day in Azay-le-Rideau
    Spend your day in Azay-le-Rideau visiting the splendid 16th-century château, one of the most important Renaissance buildings in France, and exploring the streets of this charming town.

    Circular walk from Azay-le-Rideau: 7.5km, 2hrs; ascent/descent 100m
    In the afternoon, stroll across farmland and through woodland to Goupillières, where a series of cave dwellings have been set up as they would have been when they were inhabited in the Middle Ages.
    Circular walk from Azay-le-Rideau: 7.5km
    Track through farmland around Azay-le-Rideau
  • Azay-le-Rideau to Ussé: 14.5km, 4.5hrs; ascent 55m/descent 60m
    From Azay you are taken by taxi to the Maurice Dufresne Museum, whose fabulous automotive and machinery collection you may like to view before beginning today’s route. This traces the riverside as it heads through floodplains and along levées (dykes), offering good bird-watching opportunities along the way. As you approach your destination – and your inn, the Le Clos d’Ussé – you are rewarded with lovely views of Ussé's fairy-tale château.
    Azay-le-Rideau to Ussé: 14.5km
    Fairy-tale château at Ussé
  • Ussé to Chinon: 17.5km, 5.5hrs; ascent 260m/descent 280m
    We recommend that you start the day by visiting Ussé’s beautifully furnished and very romantic château, thought to have been the inspiration for Perrault’s tale of Sleeping Beauty. Your walk begins with a gentle ascent away from the River Indre on which Ussé is located, after which you follow good tracks through a centuries-old hunting forest towards Chinon. The last section is along an ancient trail along the escarpment above the River Vienne that formed the main approach to Chinon in the Middle Ages and is dotted with troglodytic dwellings. Your hotel for the next two nights is the Hotel de France, located in the Old Town.
    Ussé to Chinon: 17.5km
    Track beside the vines en route to Chinon
  • Free day in Chinon
    Surrounded by high walls, Chinon's Old Town contains winding streets of half-timbered medieval houses that lead down to river. You can while away your time in the picturesque main square; visit museums dedicated to Joan of Arc and Richard I; explore the vast 12th-century fortress, or enjoy a wander round the wine museum.
    Around Chinon - Chinon Old Town
  • Chinon to Fontevraud: 17.5km, 5hrs; ascent 170m/descent 140m
    From Chinon, you walk along the willow-lined banks of the River Vienne, before crossing rolling pastureland and woodland to historic Fontevraud, and La Croix Blanche for two nights.
    Chinon to Fontevraud: 17.5km
    Quiet countryside en route to Fontevraud
  • Free day in Fontevraud
    You can spend your last day in a variety of ways. The village is famed for its magnificent abbey which houses the tombs of Eleanor of Aquitaine and Richard, ‘coeur de lion’, among others, and is well worth a leisurely visit. Alternatively, you could opt for one of our two suggested walks into the surrounding countryside:

    Circular walk via Candes-St-Martin: 15km, 4.5hrs; ascent/descent 215m
    This route takes you through woodland and farmland to the historic villages of Candes-St-Martin and Montsoreau beside the Loire. After lunch overlooking the river, you pass the vineyards that produce the refreshing and delicious wines of Touraine and Anjou.

    Circular walk from Fontevraud: 8km, 2.5hrs; ascent/descent 145m
    This shorter route is a gentle stroll though the woodland around Fontevraud.
    Enjoy a circular walk via pretty Candes-St-Martin
    Circular walk via Candes-St-Martin: 15km
    Circular walk from Fontevraud: 8km
 

Accommodation

The four pleasant hotels which feature on this holiday all provide comfortable accommodation and a warm welcome.
 
Prices & travel options
All prices are in £ sterling (GBP). If you'd like to see what they equate to in your currency, use the converter. For general information on pricing, see the 'your holiday price explained' page.
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  • 7 nights: 01 April 2024 - 31 October 2024 & 01 April 2025 - 31 October 2025

    Start any day | End by latest date(s) shown above

    Starting Price Single room
    1 - 24 Apr 2024 £1040 £295
    25 Apr - 21 May 2024 £1185 £295
    22 May - 31 Jul 2024 £1220 £295
    1 - 24 Aug 2024 £1135 £295
    25 Aug - 30 Sep 2024 £1215 £295
    1 - 24 Oct 2024 £1060 £295
    1 - 24 Apr 2025 £1125 £310
    25 Apr - 21 May 2025 £1245 £310
    22 May - 31 Jul 2025 £1275 £310
    1 - 24 Aug 2025 £1170 £310
    25 Aug - 30 Sep 2025 £1250 £310
    1 - 24 Oct 2025 £1090 £310
    3rd & 4th person discount -£40 to -£50
    Single traveller supplement £40 to £50

    Includes accommodation, meals and services integral to the holiday as described, plus walking notes and maps, but no travel from the UK, nor any connecting travel from the airport unless stated below.

    Book your flights through us and we'll find the best route and times to suit you. Please contact us to find out more about our flight booking service. We can also book connecting travel - see below.

    7 nights: 01 April 2024 - 31 October 2024 & 01 April 2025 - 31 October 2025

    Start any day | End by latest date(s) shown above

    Starting Price Single room
    1 - 24 Apr 2024 £1390 £295
    25 Apr - 21 May 2024 £1535 £295
    22 May - 31 Jul 2024 £1570 £295
    1 - 24 Aug 2024 £1485 £295
    25 Aug - 30 Sep 2024 £1565 £295
    1 - 24 Oct 2024 £1410 £295
    1 - 24 Apr 2025 £1500 £310
    25 Apr - 21 May 2025 £1620 £310
    22 May - 31 Jul 2025 £1650 £310
    1 - 24 Aug 2025 £1545 £310
    25 Aug - 30 Sep 2025 £1620 £310
    1 - 24 Oct 2025 £1465 £310
    3rd & 4th person discount -£150 to -£160
    Single traveller supplement £150 to £160

    Includes all elements in the 'walk price', plus standard-class travel by Eurostar from London St Pancras to either Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam, or Lille, with onward travel as described below.

    Included travel from the UK: UK–Lille/Paris (Eurostar), Lille/Paris–St Pierre des Corps (TGV), approx. duration 6h10 plus 0h45 taxi transfer. Home, St Pierre des Corps–Lille/Paris (TGV), Lille/Paris–UK (Eurostar), approx. duration 7h plus 1h30 taxi transfer.
    > More about 'by rail' prices
    > The 'rail experience': what to expect

    If you book your holiday less than 6 months in advance of your travel date, seats may no longer be available at the tariffs on which our prices are based, but we may be able to offer you seats on the same services at a supplement.

    7 nights: 01 April 2024 - 31 October 2024 & 01 April 2025 - 31 October 2025

    Start any day | End by latest date(s) shown above

    Starting Price Single room
    1 - 24 Apr 2024 £1160 £295
    25 Apr - 21 May 2024 £1305 £295
    22 May - 31 Jul 2024 £1385 £295
    1 - 24 Aug 2024 £1300 £295
    25 Aug - 30 Sep 2024 £1380 £295
    1 - 24 Oct 2024 £1225 £295
    1 - 24 Apr 2025 £1290 £310
    25 Apr - 21 May 2025 £1410 £310
    22 May - 31 Jul 2025 £1440 £310
    1 - 24 Aug 2025 £1335 £310
    25 Aug - 30 Sep 2025 £1415 £310
    1 - 24 Oct 2025 £1255 £310
    3rd & 4th person discount -£160 to -£170
    Single traveller supplement £160 to £170

    Includes all elements in the 'walk price', plus a return Channel crossing between Folkestone and Calais with LeShuttle for your party and one car.

    We also include a transfer back to the first town at the end of your holiday to collect your car.
    > More information about travelling self-drive

    A supplement of approximately £65 per car per single journey applies for travel at key dates over Easter, while from May onwards a supplement of approximately £42 per car per single journey applies for travel over public holidays and at weekends during school holidays. See the self-drive page or contact us for more details.

  • Room upgrades (£ per person per night)

    Hotel de France, Chinon
    Superior: 01 Apr - 31 Oct 2024 £31
    Superior: 01 Apr - 31 Oct 2025 £32
    La Croix Blanche, Fontevraud
    'Mini suite': 01 Apr - 31 Oct 2024 £33
    'Mini suite': 01 Apr - 31 Oct 2025 £34

    Extra nights (£ per person per night) in a double or single room

    Hotel de Biencourt, Azay-le-Rideau (B&B) Double room Single room
    01 Apr - 31 Oct 2024 £90 £149
    01 Apr - 31 Oct 2025 £94 £155
    Hotel de France, Chinon (B&B) Double room Single room
    01 Apr - 31 Oct 2024 £103 £167
    01 Apr - 31 Oct 2025 £107 £174
    La Croix Blanche, Fontevraud (with dinner) Double room Single room
    01 Apr - 30 Apr 2024 £155 £201
    01 May - 30 Sep 2024 £190 £236
    01 Oct - 31 Oct 2024 £155 £201
    01 Apr - 30 Apr 2025 £165 £213
    01 May - 30 Sep 2025 £200 £248
    01 Oct - 31 Oct 2025 £165 £213
  • RECOMMENDED AIRPORT(S):
    Tours, St Pierre des Corps (air/rail option) or Paris CDG
    As an alternative to flying, we can arrange rail travel from London

    Travelling from the UK

    Travelling from outside the UK

    If you are flying from outside Europe,  we recommend flying via Paris CDG. To discuss onward connecting travel to the start of your holiday, please contact us.

    Outward route Airline
    Aberdeen - Paris CDG Air France,  KLM 
    Outward route Airline
    Birmingham - Paris CDG Air France,  KLM 
    Outward route Airline
    Bristol - Paris CDG Air France,  easyJet 
    Outward route Airline
    Edinburgh - Paris CDG Air France,  easyJet 
    Edinburgh - St Pierre des Corps via Paris CDG air/rail Air France 
    Outward route Airline
    Glasgow - Paris CDG easyJet 
    Outward route Airline
    Leeds Bradford - Paris CDG jet2 
    Outward route Airline
    Liverpool - Paris CDG easyJet 
    Outward route Airline
    Gatwick - Paris CDG easyJet 
    Outward route Airline
    Heathrow - Paris CDG British Airways 
    Outward route Airline
    London Southend - Paris CDG easyJet 
    Outward route Airline
    Stansted - Tours Ryanair 
    Outward route Airline
    Manchester - Paris CDG Air France,  easyJet 
    Manchester - St Pierre des Corps via Paris CDG air/rail Air France 
    Outward route Airline
    Newcastle - Paris CDG Air France,  KLM 
    Newcastle - St Pierre des Corps via Paris CDG air/rail Air France 
    Travelling from outside the UK

    If you are flying from outside Europe,  we recommend flying via Paris CDG. To discuss onward connecting travel to the start of your holiday, please contact us.

    This list of flight options should be used as a guide only, and you should check each airline’s website for current routes, frequency and schedules. Not all flights operate daily, and may not run for the entire season. You should also heed the latest flight arrival time and earliest flight departure time stated in the connecting travel section, as it may not be possible to arrange connecting travel outside these times. Please do not book your flights until we have confirmed your accommodation to you. Alternatively, our expert reservations team will be happy to offer advice and to make flight bookings for you for any of the options listed above. We charge £35 per person for our flight booking service. Your flights are then covered by our package-booking conditions, which give you greater protection in the event of delay or cancellation, as well as providing ATOL cover.

  • Prices below are based on 2 people travelling together. If you are travelling solo or as a party of 3 or more and our arrangements include a taxi, please contact us for prices; additional passengers often pay less.

    Unless otherwise stated, connecting travel by rail or bus tends to be from the city centre station, rather than from its airport, and connections between the two should be paid for locally.

    Where a price range is given, the price you pay depends on your date of travel.
     

    Connecting travel options - flying via Paris CDG

    Outward route Price per person Latest flight
    arrival time
    rail Paris CDG to St Pierre des Corps (1h40), taxi St Pierre des Corps to hotel (0h40) £97-£101 1700
    rail Paris Montparnasse to St Pierre des Corps (1h05), taxi St Pierre des Corps to hotel (0h40) £92-£96 1700
    Homeward route Price per person Earliest flight
    departure time
    taxi hotel to St Pierre des Corps (1h30), rail St Pierre des Corps to Paris CDG (1h50) £128-£135 1500
    taxi hotel to St Pierre des Corps (1h30), rail St Pierre des Corps to Paris Montparnasse (1h) £125-£130 1500

    Connecting travel options - flying via St Pierre des Corps SNCF

    Outward route Price per person Latest flight
    arrival time
    taxi St Pierre des Corps to hotel (0h45) £44-£46 flexible
    Homeward route Price per person Earliest flight
    departure time
    taxi hotel to St Pierre des Corps (1h30) £77-£80 flexible

    Connecting travel options - flying via Tours

    Outward route Price per person Latest flight
    arrival time
    direct taxi Tours airport to hotel (0h45) £55-£57 flexible
    Homeward route Price per person Earliest flight
    departure time
    direct taxi hotel to Tours airport (1h15) £84-£87 flexible
What's included
  • 7 nights
  • 3 dinners
    3 picnics
    7 breakfasts
  • luggage transported
  • route notes and maps
  • GPS navigation
  • transfer on day 2
 
Reviews

If you've experienced this holiday first hand, why not write a review?

We are keen for as many customers as possible to review their holiday. To make it easier to do so, we include a specific review section on our post-holiday questionnaire, and this is what we publish here, unedited. Read our full review policy >

 

FAQs

If you have any questions relating to this or any other Inntravel holiday, our friendly travel experts will be happy to help. You might also find our General FAQs section helpful.
  • Yes, prior to going on holiday you will be able to download GPX tracks so that you can follow your route on your smartphone or dedicated GPS device if you wish. It’s entirely up to you whether or not you use them – our detailed, step-by-step route notes remain the principal means of guiding you from A to B – but we provide them as a secondary means of navigation for additional reassurance when walking.
  • We can book a wide range of routes from the UK with a variety of airlines. As well as being more convenient for you to book all elements of your holiday together, it also means that we’ll accept liability for your travel arrangements, so if things go wrong, such as the airline going bust, we’ll make suitable alternative arrangements for you. The fee for this service is £35 per person (£15 for children aged 2-11). More information on flights >
  • We can’t book flights that originate outside the UK, but if you wanted to book your own flights to London (or elsewhere in the UK), we can make all onward travel arrangements (including flights) from there. Alternatively, if you are booking your own flights to an airport in continental Europe that’s appropriate for your holiday, we can book onward rail travel and/or taxis. More information about how we can tailor holidays for customers outside the UK >
  • Since our holidays are self-guided, we recommend calling us for a chat about your plans before making a booking, especially if it’s the first time you’ve booked with us.
    The price panel shows the supplement for a single room and also the single traveller charge (this covers (luggage) transfers and other costs which are usually shared between two people).
  • Once you’ve decided on your exact itinerary (our travel experts will be happy to offer advice), you need to provide us with your party’s details, either by phone or via our booking form. At this point we also ask you to pay a deposit so that we can secure a room for you immediately on confirming availability with the hotel(s). If it turns out that we can’t secure the accommodation for the holiday you’ve requested, or offer an acceptable alternative, we’ll refund your deposit promptly and in full. After booking your accommodation and other key elements, we'll then book your travel (or you can do so if you’re making your own arrangements) and send you a Booking Confirmation and Invoice.

    More information about the booking process >
    Information about accommodation, general practicalities and more >
    Booking conditions >
  • Yes, it’s something we insist on, even for holidays in the UK. The vast majority of holidays go smoothly, but when things go wrong, it can be expensive to put them right. Buying a new pair of walking boots after your suitcase is stolen mightn’t seem so bad, but the bill for being airlifted down from a mountain with a broken leg or flown home while still recovering from an illness or accident can incur a five or six-figure bill.

    Many insurers offer travel insurance (you can find details on our insurance page of a policy that you may like to consider if you are a UK resident), but you do need to make sure that you’re covered for medical emergencies – including falling ill with Covid-19 while on holiday – and repatriation. We also recommend that you are covered for other eventualities, such as cancellation and loss of luggage and passports.

    When you purchase a policy, be sure to check that it covers the activities you'll be doing on holiday and that it is adequate for your own individual needs.
  • It is your responsibility to ensure you are in possession of the correct travel documents, with the correct validity. If you’re a UK citizen, you need a full British passport to travel to France, but not a visa (please note, however, that a new travel authorisation system is being introduced). If you are a citizen of another country, you’ll need to check requirements with the national embassy or your own consulate.

    Current information regarding vaccinations and travel health advice for UK citizens can be found through the Travel Health Pro website. You must make sure you have adequate insurance cover for illness, accidents and repatriation (see the insurance question). You should also apply for a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) if your EHIC has expired (if you have a still-valid EHIC, you can use this until it expires).
  • The official language is French. The currency is the Euro. French time is GMT/UTC + 1. It uses Daylight Saving Time, so in summer is on BST + 1.
  • For information on the practicalities of travel now that the UK is no longer part of the European Union, visit www.gov.uk/visit-eu-switzerland-norway-iceland-liechtenstein.
  • The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides up-to-date, country-by-country travel advice, as well as information on security, local laws, passports and visas for UK citizens.

    If you live outside the UK, see our essential travel information page for a list of relevant websites.
  • You are the best judge of your child’s/children’s capabilities. We are happy to take bookings for families of older children/teenagers if they walk regularly, love the outdoors and are comfortable with the distances and ascent/descent involved. Please note that the bedrooms at most of the accommodation we use will normally only sleep a maximum of 3 people, and sometimes only 2.
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