France

Autotour Les Châteaux de la Loire et le Zoo de Beauval 4^*

Car rental pick-up (cat. C, type Peugeot 2008) at Paris Orly airport.

Meet in the afternoon at the Château de Villandry for a tour of its remarkable gardens. The Château de Villandry is the last of the great Loire castles built during the Renaissance in the Loire Valley. The understated elegance of its architecture combined with the charm of its remarkable gardens make this monument a world heritage gem.

Settle into your four-star hotel in the Tours area for 5 nights. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Breakfast.

Departure for Chambord. Nestled in the forest of Sologne, this castle is the greatest achievement of François I and the Renaissance period. Inside, the rooms reflect the splendour of the king of France through the vaults, the staircase and the ingenuity of the construction and you can see recreations of the original decor, including Françoise I's private chamber, for a day full of discoveries.

Free visit of the chateau and gardens of Chambord with explanatory brochure followed by a "horse and falconry" display at 11:45 a.m. (show runs from Tuesday to Sunday from 09/04 to 02/10/2022). In the middle of the afternoon, continue onwards to Blois to stroll through the pedestrianised streets with rows of old half-timbered houses and incredible views full of quaint details. From the rue Poids du Roi, a succession of facades and roofs leads to the bell tower of the gothic cathedral of Saint Louis which overlooks the city.

Return to the hotel. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Breakfast.

Depart to Chenonceau for a free visit with a brochure of the castle. Initially the property of the crown, then a royal residence, the Château de Chenonceau is an exceptional site, because of its unusual design, the richness of its collections, its furniture and its decor, but also because of its history, since it has been very much loved, managed and protected by a succession of women, each of them extraordinary characters, many of whom made their mark on history. There are lots of activities available on-site so you can enjoy it in many different ways.

In the middle of the afternoon, discover the troglodyte caves and how Vouvray wine is made. It's a journey in several stages, from the vine to the glass. After a visit to the "Follow the Chenin" area, follow your guide through 3 kilometres of troglodyte galleries where 6 million bottles are stored. They'll show the secrets of making the still and sparkling varieties of Vouvray. A video will also show you the modern production site (bottling, disgorging, labelling). Your visit will end with a fun tasting session!

Return to the hotel. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Breakfast.

Make your way to the Château de Chaumont-Sur-Loire. Every year, the Chaumont-Sur-Loire estate hosts the International Garden Festival, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year. The Festival is both a source of inspiration and a breeding ground for talent, revitalising the art of gardening and engaging the public and the profession by presenting new blooms, new materials, innovative ideas and brand new approaches. In the middle of the afternoon, discover the art of glass blowing in a troglodyte cave. You will be given explanations about the history of glass, techniques, furnaces, the composition of crystalware, colours, and the tools used, then you will watch a piece being created from beginning to end, starting with picking the crystal, colour work, decoration and the shaping of this unique, signed piece.

Return at the end of the day to your hotel. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Breakfast.

Departure to Saint Aignan sur Cher for a free visit of Beauval Zoo (open from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.) Over 8000 animals can be seen in remarkable habitats spread over 35ha. It is now ranked among the world's top 10 zoos. Uniting so many species in one place is a feat. From koalas and gorillas to tigers, white lions and pandas, with two hippos arriving in 2016. A memorable and pleasant visit where you'll enjoy strolling along the shaded alleys with benches for breaks where you can watch the animals. You will see our zoologist guides around the zoo throughout your visit! Every day, the team of enthusiasts from Beauval Zoo's educational department introduces visitors to extraordinary species and explains their lives and habits. Free lunch in a restaurant in the zoo. After lunch, the visit continues. There are also shows to enjoy. At the two amphitheatres, you can watch "Masters of the Air" an amazing bird show, and "Sea Lions Odyssey" a show put on by agile sea lions.

Return to and overnight stay at the hotel.

Breakfast.

On this final morning, head to Amboise for a free visit of the Château de Clos Lucé, which used to be called the Manor of Cloux.

Originally conceived in 1471 as a former fief under the château of Amboise, it became the summer residence of the kings of France. It kept this function until 1516 when François I gave it to Leonardo da Vinci, who lived there for three years, until his death on 2 May 1519. Come and discover the world of Leonardo da Vinci. Free time in Amboise depending on your train or flight schedule.

Return of your rental car to the rental company. Return transport.