Our most recommended things to do in Centre-Val de Loire

Chambord: Skip-the-Line Château de Chambord Ticket

1. Chambord: Skip-the-Line Château de Chambord Ticket

Get skip-the-line entry tickets to Château de Chambord in Chambord, one of the most recognizable châteaux in the world because of its distinctive French Renaissance architecture. Explore the large park spread over 5,000 hectares and benefit from access to all temporary exhibitions. Witness the well-known architecture which is imbued with the spirit of Leonardo da Vinci. Check out the 400 rooms, more than 80 staircases, 365 fireplaces, and an exceptional number of towers, high ceilings, pointed domes, and graceful pinnacles. Discover, among other sights, the renowned double-helix staircase: 2 staircases going around on the same side without crossing. To learn more about the castle's history and architecture, watch a 20-minute film (translated into English, Italian, Spanish, and German), or grab the free visitor guide.

ZooParc de Beauval: Day Admission Ticket

2. ZooParc de Beauval: Day Admission Ticket

Home to 35,000 animals belonging to 800 different species, ZooParc de Beauval covers an area of around 40 hectares. With your day admission ticket you’ll encounter extraordinary animals, including white tigers, white lions, manatees and okapis. Embark on an unforgettable journey and meet more than 10,000 animals from around the world, living within the ZooParc’s 20 territories! Some of the species living at Beauval are found nowhere else in France, such as the koalas, tree-kangaroos and giant pandas. Stop by the giant pandas in the Chinese Heights to see the twins born in 2021, visit the Equatorial Dome to discover 200 fascinating tropical species and take a break at the Land of Lions to admire the majestic fawns. Marvel at the agile and playful sea lions as they show off their amazing balancing skills in the incredible surroundings of a completely renovated aquatic amphitheater – complete with a sea lion slide and diving platform! At the heart of a new 3-hectare extension is an amphitheater seating 3,000 people. See owls, pelicans, cranes, storks, ibis, parrots and birds of prey take part in an incredible aerial ballet! Enjoy a hippopotamus enclosure, including a beach, river and waterfall and discover the African biotope, an extension to the park that features an aquatic habitat and native African animal and bird species. Be sure to walk through the 44 hectares of the park and take the Beauval Cloud, our cable car that connects the Land of Lions to the Elephant Territory. A great opportunity to see the park from a height of 35 meters.

From Paris: Loire Valley Castles Day Trip With Wine Tasting

3. From Paris: Loire Valley Castles Day Trip With Wine Tasting

Discover iconic castles on this bus day trip from Paris to the Loire Valley and explore Château de Chambord on a self-guided tour. Have free time in the charming town of Bloise and visit Château de Chenonceau for a self guided tour and wine tasting experience. From Paris, head to Château de Chambord. Disney fans will find this castle’s turrets familiar; it was the inspiration for the castle in "Beauty and the Beast." Though originally conceived as a royal hunting lodge, it was built to a scale that must be seen to be believed. Learn all about the castle’s captivating history from your guide before entering the castle. You can then visit the inside at your own pace on a self-guided visit. Climb a staircase supposedly designed by Da Vinci, enjoy spectacular turret-framed rooftop views, and glimpse wild deer around the grounds. Having worked up an appetite, get back on the bus and continue on to the next stop: the quaint town of Blois. Take some free time to enjoy lunch (at your own expense) in one of the restaurants located around the beautiful and vibrant Square Louis XII. Last but not least is the elegant Château de Chenonceau. The chapel, bedrooms, and magnificent vaulted kitchens are still furnished and decorated from times gone by, showing off the castle’s many sweeping stone carvings. Don’t miss the impressive main hall, which spans the river Cher, or the gardens cultivated by Diane de Poitiers and Catherine de Medici — 2 of the famous owners that earned Chenonceau the nickname "the Ladies’ Château." After a your visit, continue exploring or indulge in a wine tasting in the castle’s vaulted wine cellar. Your tour leader will entertain you between stops with insights and stories about the countryside and the nobility who once reigned over the region. Three uniquely beautiful French castles and a wine tasting, all amid the stunning scenery of the Loire Valley — this memorable day trip from Paris will delight all the senses.

From Paris: Full-Day Loire Valley Chateaux Tour

4. From Paris: Full-Day Loire Valley Chateaux Tour

Escape the hustle and bustle of Parisian life and enter into the Garden of France. Stroll the walkways of the French monarchs, hear tales of royal love affairs and kidnappings, and behold the beauty of the Loire Valley's exquisite Chateaux.  The first stop of the day is Château de Chambord; the perfect example of French Renaissance architecture, this remarkable structure was built by King François I between 1519-1547 and is the largest château in the Loire Valley. Who designed this masterpiece is still in dispute, and with contenders including Leonardo da Vinci, its sights are sure not to disappoint. Next up is the charming Château de Chenonceau, a true fairy tale castle set picturesquely on the Cher River, its history and character has been shaped by the women who've inhabited it. The site of the first-ever French fireworks display, Chenonceau is really one to fall in love with. The last stop will be at Château de Cheverny, a 17th-century beauty furnished in great taste and with marvelous gardens. Enjoy free time for lunch (not included) during the day either at Chenonceau or Chambord. You’ll be back in Paris in the evening.

Amboise: Clos Lucé Castle, Da Vinci Park and Museum Ticket

5. Amboise: Clos Lucé Castle, Da Vinci Park and Museum Ticket

Learn about the history of Leonardo da Vinci and his masterpieces (including the Mona Lisa) during his time in France at the Château du Clos Lucé. Invited by King Francis 1st of France, Leonardo da Vinci left Italy and took up residence at the Château du Clos Luce in the autumn of 1516. Appointed "first painter, engineer and architect to the King", Da Vinci served the monarch with his talents, working tirelessly on numerous projects and imagining plans for the "ideal château". With this admission ticket, you will receive access to both the castle and park. The visit will begin in the bedroom of Leonardo da Vinci, the site where Leonardo died in 1519 at the age of 67. From the window, you can see the Saint Hubert Chapel at the Royal Castle of Amboise, which is the burial place of Da Vinci. Whilst in the Leonardo da Vinci Park, you will learn about the artistic creations and major inventions of the artist. You will enter the imaginary world of Da Vinci, seeing the world as he did in these unique grounds.

Chenonceau Castle Admission ticket

6. Chenonceau Castle Admission ticket

Enjoy access to Chenonceau site and its wonderful gardens. This unusual castle was built on a bridge across the Cher River. To learn more about castle history, audio guides are available in 16 languages. The castle is located near the small village of Chenonceaux in the Indre-et-Loire department. Chenonceau castle, also known as the Chateau des Dames, is famous for the great heroines who lived there, such as Diane de Poitiers and Catherine de Medicis, and for the beauty of its Renaissance gardens. Chenonceau castle was also used as a military hospital during the First World War. Discover the rich history of this incredible fortress.

Puy du Fou: 1-Day Entry Ticket

7. Puy du Fou: 1-Day Entry Ticket

Pre-book your ticket and enter the legendary Puy du Fou theme park in Les Epesses where heroes are eternal. Visit with your family, loved ones, or friends and experience unique and immersive shows. Discover a natural park on more than 150 hectares of forest and witness nearly 20 impressive shows with daring staging. From Antiquity to the present day, travel through time to the rhythm of special effects, breathtaking stunts, and meticulous choreography. Tremble at the warriors of the North on their terrible Viking ships, dream in front of the unforgettable aerial ballet of 300 birds of prey, and let yourself be carried away by a moving adventure of cloak and sword. In the heart of strikingly realistic settings, you can even act out your own adventure thanks to the immersive shows. For non-french speakers, benefit from live translations on the park's mobile app. Explore four period-styled villages to admire the ancestral know-how of the craftsmen. At nightfall, extend the dream with the night show "Les Noces de Feu"

From Amboise: Chambord and Chenonceau Tour with Lunch

8. From Amboise: Chambord and Chenonceau Tour with Lunch

Travel back to the days of the French Renaissance on a full-day tour of the châteaux of the Loire Valley. Enjoy a relaxed lunch in a family-owned, and still occupied, chateau. Meet your guide in Amboise and travel to Chateau de Chenonceau. Stroll through the manicured gardens named after Catherine de Médicis and Diane de Poitiers, the chateau's former residents. Appreciate the refined architecture and feminine influence in each room and see precious antiques and flower arrangements. For lunch, after a short drive, enjoy a meal served at an off-the-beaten-path private castle, hosted by the French Countess who lives there. Taste local food in one of the smallest of all the Loire Valley castles. Then, continue to Chateau de Chambord. Discover a glorious work of art and architecture as your guide selects the most emblematic rooms to visit. Hear memorable anecdotes as they point out hidden details. Get breathtaking views of the castle during a coffee break in Chambord Park before returning to Amboise in the evening.

Amboise: Caves Ambacia Visit and Wine Tasting

9. Amboise: Caves Ambacia Visit and Wine Tasting

Discover the original wines and matured vintages on offer at the house Duhard, founded in 1874. Visit their 16th-century troglodyte caves facing the Loire near the historical center of Amboise and enjoy a wine tour experience in 2 parts. First, awaken and stimulate your 5 senses and learn more about wine on the Sensorial tour. Then, travel through 150 years of wine history on the Vintages Odyssey tour of  Les Caves Ambacia (formerly Les Caves Duhard) wine collection. Follow your tour with a tasting of 3 wines with a sommelier, with an optional food and wine pairing also available. After, enjoy the delicatessen boutique and purchase wines with shipping available worldwide. Tours in English take place at 12 PM, 2 PM, and 4 PM. Tours in French take place at 11 AM, 3 PM, and 5 PM.

From Tours: Chambord, Chenonceau & Lunch at Family Chateau

10. From Tours: Chambord, Chenonceau & Lunch at Family Chateau

Travel back to the days of the French Renaissance on a full-day tour of the châteaux of the Loire Valley. Enjoy a lunch in a privately owned and still-occupied castle. Start with a visit to Chenonceau, and pass the must-see castles of the French “Valley of the Kings,” including Chaumont, Amboise, and Blois. Upon arrival at the Château de Chenonceau, admire the unusual castle built on a bridge across the Cher River.  Stroll through the manicured gardens, named after Catherine de Médicis and Diane de Poitiers, the famous women who once lived there. Take time to appreciate the refined architecture, beautiful antiques, and lovely arrangements of fresh flowers. Discover glorious works of art and architecture as your guide selects the most emblematic rooms to visit. On your way to lunch at the Chateau of Villesavin, admire authentic French villages and the countryside. Eat a traditional French lunch with local products and local wine. Arrive at Chambord and discover the apartments of Francis I. View the double helix staircase, an emblem of Chambord. Hear memorable anecdotes and see hidden details. Get breathtaking views of the castle during a coffee break in Chambord Park. Enjoy the most striking view of Château de Chambord, before ending your tour in the evening.

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What people are saying about Centre-Val de Loire

Overall rating

4.6 / 5

based on 3,055 reviews

It was a very nice experience, as a professional photographer I like to take time and look around the area, this trip gave us ample time to look around and all was on time. Loved it .

It was a “magnifique” experience, we are from Mexico. We chose the English tour but Rafael tried to speak some words in Spanish for my mom in the tour :)

Great day trip! It was indeed a long day (13hrs) but well worth it. The tour guides were very informative and the attractions were worth the visit.

Beautiful castles, definitely worth visiting! We enjoyed the trip

Wonder your, wine tasting fun. Great host, meet other people too