Loire Valley: Day Trips and Tours from Paris

A day trip to Loire Valley from Paris allows you to discover this UNESCO World Heritage site known as the "Garden of France." Take a break from the capital to explore its famous vineyards, châteaux (castles), medieval towns and bustling markets.

Here's your guide to the Loire Valley, one of the most spectacular day trips from Paris.

Best Loire Valley tours from Paris

Amazing castles and stunning vineyards are the two main highlights of the Loire Valley. You can visit castles and/or enjoy wine tastings.

Loire Valley castles tours

The valley is a hallmark for its splendor and architecture. The region has been a source of conflict for centuries as rulers fought over its domain. As a result, it is a place of ancient luxury as many castles dot its landscape.

Some of the most prized estates in France are in Loire Valley. Legendary towers, cupolas, and banquet halls decorate the landscape along with lush green land that surrounds the buildings.

With over 100 castles to choose from, it can be hard deciding which ones to see.

The most famous Loire Valley castles to visit are:

• Château de Chambord
• Château de Chenonceau
• Château de Chinon
• Château de Blois
• Château de Loches

There are also numerous iconic places to visit inside (or around) lively cities like Tours, Orleans, Angers, and Blois to name a few.

Loire Valley wine tasting tours

Even though the architecture is important, it is the fertile land that drove multiple nationalities to want to control its domain. The Loire River flows through the middle of the valley and therefore supports many vineyards that are perfect for wine tastings, and other types of farms with fresh produce.

If you love to drink wine and taste fresh fruits and vegetables, it is difficult to find another place in Europe with such a rich history and reputation in agriculture.

With some of the most prestigious wine estates in France, you can sample all types of wine (white, red, rosé, and sparkling). The “Garden of France” also produces several herald crops like cherries, artichoke, and asparagus.

Be sure to visit several vineyards during your journey and schedule transportation, so you don’t have to worry about driving.

Loire Valley multi-day tours

If you wish to spend more time exploring this beautiful region, there are also multi-day tours available — 2-day tours and 3-day tours are great to see Loire Valley castles, experience wine tastings and admire other important landmarks.

The entire Loire Valley is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. You can easily spend multiple days if you have the time. Its combination of scenery, wine, food, and history is hard to match elsewhere.

Some multi-day tours also combine a trip to Normandy and a visit to the breathtaking Mont Saint Michel.

Loire Valley tour prices

Tours can range from €150 to €250 depending on the type of excursion. When you consider all the features you get to see and the included transportation and/or meals – it is well worth the cost!

If you wish to go on a multi-day tour, count around €400 for a 2-day tour, and €600 for a 3-day tour.

Traveling to Loire Valley from Paris

Loire Valley is convenient to visit on a day trip from Paris as the journey only takes a few hours, depending on the method of travel.

Overall, the distance between Paris and the Loire Valley is approximately 200 km. Traveling by car can take 2.5 to 3 hours.

Train rides are about 90 minutes. It is easily the fastest and most convenient method of travel.

When is the best time to visit Loire Valley?

With its continental climate, the Loire Valley weather is pretty warm and sunny in summer, and a bit chilly in winter.

From June to August, it can get hot and busy (peak season), meanwhile from March to June and September to November are great months if you wish to avoid the crowd and enjoy cooler temperatures.

Other day trips from Paris

• Day trips to Giverny from Paris
• Day trips to Normandy from Paris
• Day trips to Mont Saint Michel from Paris
• Day trips to D-Day Battlefields from Paris

Know before you go

There are a few things you should consider before visiting the Loire Valley from Paris:

• Plan in advance. Loire Valley is a popular destination in France, so you want to make sure you prepare for the journey. What do you plan to see? How do you plan to reach the Loire valley? Make your research and book a tour that include all the places you wish to visit.
• Consider the length of the tour. If you are participating in a tour, first, make sure you book in advance. Tours can fill up fast, especially ones that visit popular chateaus or castles. Also pack accordingly with plenty of water, comfortable clothes and shoes, and sunscreen.
• Never drink and drive. If you plan to indulge in more than one glass of wine, consider your transportation home. There are several ways to get home (bus, train, ride-shares, etc.) that don’t involve you getting behind the wheel. Stay safe during your vacation!