Seventh Heaven

Grande Château Tour (9 days)

Join us for 9 days in the luscious Loire Valley and explore the most enchanting château, ancient villages and historic cities. Experience the wine and food of this most beautiful region of France. Home will be a charming countryside B&B, originally an 18th century winegrower’s farmhouse in the heart of the Loire Valley. On this small group tour, enjoy private transport for the daily excursion, gourmet regional food, local Loire wines and soak up the ambiance of the Valley of the Kings

These are small group tours for no more than 6 people

Tour Dates

June 10-18, 2026 FULLY BOOKED
September 9-17 2026 FULLY BOOKED
June 9-17 2027
September 8-16 2027

Released dates not suitable? If you are a group of 2 – 6 guests please do not hesitate to get in touch to discuss alternative dates. Our Chateau tours season runs between the beginning of April until the end of October

DAY 1 Arrival & Welcome

Welcome

Arrive in the Loire Valley to start your fabulous tour of the Loire Valley. Your hosts will collect you from local train stations if you’re arriving from Paris by train. If flying to local airports we will also collect from Poitiers or Tours airport

Settle in at Maison de Lavande in the quaint village of Ranton in the middle of the French countryside, famous for its troglodyte caves and uninterrupted views across the valley of fields of sunflowers, wheat, corn and rapeseed. The house was the original village winery and has been tastefully and luxuriously renovated into the charming/boutique Guest House that it is today. Take a dip in the jacuzzi, relax in the garden and enjoy some delicious canapés and a glass of bubbles.

Dinner will be served al fresco on the terrace. There will be a feast of French bread, cheeses, charcuterie meats and a selection of regional wines

DAY 2 Château d’Azay-le-Rideau & Château d’Ussé

Each day starts with a delicious continental breakfast before hopping aboard private, air conditioned transport for guided tours so that you get to explore the culture, history and stunning sites of the Loire Valley in comfort. There’s no rushing, no big buses, no dashing through a list to tick off. This is slow tourism where you get to explore the splendours of the Loire Valley and truly enjoy a tour where you’ll make memories to cherish

Today we will visit two of the most dazzling must-see neighbouring châteaux of the Loire Valley

Château d’Azay-le-Rideau

Built on an island of the Indre River at the beginning of the 16th century, the French Renaissance style Château d’Azay-le-Rideau is one of the most romantic castles in France.

Surrounded by water, the white stone castle is reflected in the water to give the illusion of a floating castle. The château has wonderful architecture including a magnificent stone staircase, lavishly decorated rooms and a romantic park.
The castle is in the centre of the pretty town of Azay-le-Rideau where we’ll have lunch at a traditional bistro and time to visit the lovely boutiques and artisan shops

Château d’Ussé

It’s just a short journey to the fairy tale pretty Château d’Ussé. This is the castle that inspired Charles Perrault, the famous French fairy tale author to write the story of Sleeping Beauty

The castle also has gorgeous gardens designed by André Le Nôtre who also designed the gardens of Versailles for King Louis XIV.
There’s time for a degustation (wine tasting) at a nearby château before dinner. One of the few château in the Loire valley to be surrounded by its vineyards, we’ll taste several vintages before enjoying a barbecue at Maison de Lavande

Day 3 Richelieu & Château du Rivau

Today we discover the rather secret town of Richelieu, founded by Cardinal Richelieu in the 17th century.

Not just a cardinal, Richelieu was minister to King Louis XIII, and famous as the lead villain in Alexandre Dumas’ book The Three Musketeers!

We’ll also have time to visit the lovely local street market

Château du Rivau

Dating back to the 13th century with Gothic interiors, it is still privately owned and has been renovated over the last 25 years

From here we head a short way to the magical, mediaeval Château du Rivau and we’ll have lunch at the castle’s restaurant La Table des Fées. This is one of the oldest castles in the Loire Valley with beautiful stables. Joan of Arc came here in 1429 to buy a horse to carry her to battle. This castle is famous for its 14 fairytale gardens (think Rapunzel, Alice in Wonderland, Tom Thumb) and 500 varieties of roses plus a huge vegetable garden.

We end the day with a visit to an organic family-run vineyard. After a tour of the domain and caves, there’s a delicious wine tasting, followed by a quick detour to Chinon to have dinner at the exquisite Restaurant Les Années 30

DAY 4 Saumur & Abbaye Royale de Fontevraud

After breakfast, we head to the historic town of Saumur where you get to explore on your own. You could either visit the chateau, the cavalry museum or tour the Combier distillery. You could explore the cobbled streets or take a boat trip. Or you could amble through the vibrant market, taste jewel like cakes and pastries, visit the shops and relax, people watching whilst having a drink. Lunch will be at La Creperie (in the town square)

Saumur

After this, we’ll visit a prestigious wine domain to visit the caves where the grapes undergo the metamorphosis into the magical Crémant de Loire sparkling wine – with of course a tasting!

Next, we will visit the spectacular Abbaye Royale de Fontevraud.

Abbaye Royale de Fontevraud

Steeped in history since the 12th century, it is the largest preserved Renaissance style monastic site in Europe. Buried here is the Plantaganet King of England, Henry II, his wife Eleanor of Aquitaine and their son, King Richard the Lion Heart.

A traditional cream tea will be awaiting you when we arrive back at Maison de Lavande. Relax and enjoy a quiet evening

Day 5 Montsoreau, Candes-St-Martin & Montreuil Bellay

Montsoreau,
Candes-St-Martin & Montreuil Bellay

Today we will visit two of the officially listed most beautiful villages in France (Plus Beaux Villages), and also the very pretty village of Montreuil Bellay.

At Montsoreau we will explore the captivating village and enjoy the magnificent views of the Château and the Loire River. We’ll also have time to visit an Antiques market (Brocante) – perfect for souvenirs to take home!

A very short journey following the route of the Loire River, at the confluence where it meets the Vienne River is the ravishing little village of Candes-St-Martin. We’ll wander the narrow, flower-filled streets, and visit the imposing fortified collegiate church, built in the 12th and 13th centuries which is dedicated to St. Martin after whom the village is named.

We’ll have a delicious picnic lunch (don’t worry, you won’t have to sit on the ground!) before returning to Ranton for a relaxing afternoon.

In the late afternoon/early evening we will head to a Beaux Village, the bijou Montreuil Bellay. After a wander round the village which has a lovely mediaeval château, dinner will be at the gorgeous Restaurant L’Auberge des Isles, nestled at the foot of the château next to the River Thouet

DAY 6. Château de Chenonceau & Amboise

Aristocratic pomp and architectural grandeur are on the agenda for the next 2 days. The Château de Chenonceau is one of the best-known and most- visited châteaux in the Loire Valley. Spanning the Cher River, its architecture is a fascinating mix of late Gothic and early French Renaissance. The list of aristocrats and nobles who have lived in it is astounding including Diane de Poitiers, the famous and beautiful mistress of the French King Henri II – as well as his wife, Catherine de Medici

Château de Chenonceau

Chenonceau is the most visited private monument in France and is sumptuously decorated. The rooms are filled with tapestries and paintings by European masters from the 16th to 18th centuries, including Tintoretto, Rubens and Clouet

The long covered gallery where royal balls were once held is breath-taking. The kitchens are amongst the finest examples of Renaissance kitchens in the world. The gardens of Diane de Poitiers and Catherine de Medici are exquisite and every room is filled with the most elegant display of flowers created by the castle’s famous florist.

Here we will indulge in a delicious lunch in the chateau grounds

Amboise

After this we will drive to Amboise and check in to our overnight accommodation. For the rest of the afternoon you will get to explore on your own

There is time to visit the impressive Château Royal d’Amboise, resting place of Leonardo da Vinci or close by, the lovely Château du Clos Lucé with its beautiful gardens is where da Vinci lived his last years. Or you can simply relax in the town, visiting the shops and bistros.

There are several excellent restaurants in the town for our dinner, and we’ll choose one together

DAY 7 Château de Chambord and Château de Cheverny

After an early breakfast we will head off to the monumental Château de Chambord, one of the most recognisable, largest and famous château in the world

Château de Chambord

King Francis I, known as the Renaissance King, and patron of Leonardo da Vinci, spent a fortune creating this opulent building of 440 rooms, 282 fireplaces, 365 chimneys and a world famous double-helix staircase that has been attributed to Da Vinci

The Staircase is designed in such a way that two people can go down at the same time without ever seeing each other. Marvel at the panoramic view from the rooftop terrace towards the vast gardens. The rooftop itself,with its impressive spires and chimneys, which was designed to look like the skyline of Constantinople, is simply unforgettable.

Lunch will be taken at one of the many eateries in the chateau grounds

Château de Cheverny

In the afternoon a short drive will bring us to the Château de Cheverny. Built in 1634, the estate has been privately owned for over six centuries by the Hurault family

The woodland-surrounded château features a unique collection of antiques, tapestries and paintings. It is considered to be one of the most elegantly furnished castles in the Loire valley. It’s also famous for its 19th century kennels which are home to more than 100 hunting dogs.

A relaxing light dinner this evening will be back at Maison de Lavande

DAY 8 Chinon and Château de Villandry

No trip to the Loire Valley would be complete without a visit to the quaint mediaeval town of Chinon nestling on the banks of the Vienne River

Chinon

This lovely area is famed for the Royal Fortress dating back to 1160, built on an impressive rocky spur, its vineyards and the grapes grown on either side of the river are made into wine

For noble gastronomic reasons, it can then be turned into red wine jam, which is the key ingredient, along with apples, for making the delicious Chinon tarte du vigneron , which we will of course sample.

This was a favourite home of Plantagenet King Henry II and his wife, Eleanor of Aquitaine. Richard the Lionheart was born here. Their Kingdom extended from Scotland to the Pyrenees, but they governed from Chinon’s fortress. In 1429, Joan of Arc requested permission to raise an army, which eventually led to the end of the 100 Years’ War. We’ll wander through the picturesque narrow cobbled streets lined with ancient houses, shops and restaurants.

Lunch will be at Le Bistro on the picturesque town square

Château de Villandry

Not far away, the Château de Villandry has the most incredible gardens which have dazzled visitors since the 1920s

With a history stretching back to the 11th century, the gardens have undergone many transformations but acquired their current Renaissance form in the early 1900s, replacing the English garden style employed in the mid-1800s. Now, the French style gardens include a water garden, ornamental flower gardens, vegetable gardens, labyrinths and fruit trees.

One of the last major castles built in the Loire Valley during the Renaissance. The château became the property of Napoleon Bonaparte’s brother, Jerome, King of Westphalia, in the 19th century. Now it is privately owned.

Our final farewell dinner together will be at Maison de Lavande, sharing sumptuous platters of cheese, meat and fish

DAY 9

After a last breakfast together, which will give us a chance to reminisce about our tour experiencing this unique part of France, you will be driven to Saumur to pick up the TGV (or local airport) to take you onwards to your next adventure.

9 days, 8 nights
PRICE: €4250 per person

No Single Person supplement

All tours include:
Private en suite accommodation in our renovated guest house, Maison de Lavande, and one overnight stay in Amboise.
Collection and return to local airports of Tours or Poitiers or local train stations of Chinon, Tours or Saumur.
Guided tour with a knowledgeable local guide
Comfortable, air-conditioned transport
8 Breakfasts
6 Restaurant / Bistro lunches as per itinerary
1 Picnic lunch as per itinerary
2 Restaurant evening meals as per itinerary
6 Evening meals made from seasonal produce with local wine
Admissions and entry fees as per itinerary
Garden with Jacuzzi and seating areas for relaxing in after your day
Wifi
Laundry facilities
Our undivided personal attention

Reserve Your Place

Released dates not suitable? If you are a group of 2 – 6 guests, please do not hesitate to get in touch to discuss alternative dates. Our Chateau tours season runs from the beginning of April until the end of October.

If you would like to upgrade your Chateau Tour to a ‘Grande Plus’ Tour where you will get to spend 2 nights in a Loire Valley Chateau (on Days 6 and 7) please ask for more details and we’ll be happy to tell you all about it.
PRICE: €4750 per person

When Memories Speak: Guests Share Their Unforgettable Loire Moments.

"I wanted to tell you how very, very much I enjoyed your hospitality. Your efforts went above and beyond and I sincerely appreciated all of the extra effort you both put into making our stay first-rate. I wish I were a travel guide because I would rate your tour as five+ stars - a Conde-Nast or Travel & Leisure, or AAA “Gem”. What made it five stars? The cream in the refrigerator, wash cloths that appeared after our first night, exceptional evening meals, Graham’s “right balance” of providing info at the sites to his critical eye for finding the perfect photo. The stage was set the first night when we walked through the delightful town seeing the flowers and houses to eating an excellent meal. I realize you may think, “Kate liked everything so how discriminating is she?”, but I assure you I have a very critical eye and exceptionally high expectations—you both met them all. It is a difficult job trying to meet the expectations of many people from different cultures, but your “servants’ hearts” shine through in every way. Intimate tours, exceptional guides, five-star hospitality, this is seeing the Loire Valley and its magnificent chateaux at its finest!! Many, many, thanks!! "

Kate Felix (Colorado)

"I have just returned from the fantastic Seventh Heaven, 9 day Grande Chateaux Tour! I can’t say enough about how wonderful our two hosts: Jacqui and Graham were. Jacqui is a first rate cook and baker. We had wonderful meals and snacks during our stay, and the desserts were to die for. Graham was an excellent guide, providing a good balance of information and knowledge with the intuition to know it was time to let us explore on our own. The accommodations were first rate. A nice blend of old world rustic charm with all the modern amenities. Beds were large and comfortable. Rooms were very clean and nicely decorated. The bathrooms were spacious with beautiful tiled showers, heated towel bars, and plenty of space to arrange toiletries. The chateaux were beautiful and we saw a nice mix. Graham did an excellent job telling us the history of the Chateaux and pointed out the important items to notice. Knowing my interest in churches, Graham personalised the tour and stopped at a few churches that he knew I would enjoy. There were two other friends that joined me on this tour so in effect, the three of us had a private tour. Our two hosts provided us with a truly wonderful vacation. We had five star accommodation and meals, a private and knowledgeable tour guide, and the magnificent background of the Loire Valley and its beautiful chateaux. Who could ask for more? As three very experienced world travellers, we all agreed that this was the best vacation we ever had! "

Matthew (Massachusetts)

"Graham and Jacqui were born to do Loire valley chateaux tours. Their passion for the region and for these extraordinary architectural and historical buildings is evident in all they do to make your visit interesting, colourful and delightful. Their hospitality is generous, and their home and garden are welcoming and comfortable on every level. The food we had at Maison de Lavandre was equal to the delicious food we had in all the restaurants they had booked. That picnic on the banks of the Loire was especially memorable and unexpected – and yet another example of how they thought of everything. Graham and Jacqui’s careful consideration comes through in all the detail, the planning and the execution of a wonderful tour. The chateaux visits were spectacular and complemented perfectly by visits to beautiful Loire valley towns and by the sampling of some wonderful local wines and food. It all adds up to a great ‘file’ in one’s memory bank. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Loire Valley Chateaux Tours – you will be amazed and delighted at every turn, and you will learn more than you can possibly imagine about why this region is such a treasure. "

Karey Evett

"Having just come home from a fantastic 9 day tour with Graham and Jacqui, I wanted to recommend this trip to anyone who wishes to explore the beautiful Loire region. We were treated to the warmest hospitality, a sumptuous home from home as our base, complete with dogs, chickens and cat, and a full schedule carefully tailored to include a wide variety of splendid chateaux – each with an inspirational and humbling style, history and heritage to explore - interwoven with visits to charming markets, towns and villages, all with the calming backdrop of the magnificent Loire, Vienne and Cher rivers. Delicious wines to sample and food to indulge in – not just in gorgeous restaurants but at Maison de Lavande to. Jacqui is a warm host and accomplished baker, and Graham is a wonderful, knowledgeable, courteous guide as well as a very good driver. Thanks to them both, I fell in love with this glorious region, and will return again soon. An unforgettable experience. "

Rosie Kennar

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