Things to do & places to visit in Loire Valley, France

Old world villages and storybook chateaux bedeck the Loire, once fought over by Gauls, Romans, Visigoths and even Attila the Hun. Rent bikes and roll through the lush valley, visiting fortresses in Amboise and Angers, UNESCO-designated Chartres Cathedral and the Gothic cathedral in Nantes. Musee Jules Vernes houses replicas of inventions designed by the futuristic author. Pay respects to other former residents: the Romans in Tours, the cave dwellers of Touraine, and the liberator of Orleans, Joan of Arc.

Loire Valley #14 destination in France 2023. Timezone: Europe/Paris, current date and time: Wednesday, May 08, 2024, 1:59.

Top things to do (26)

Top places to visit (30 attractions) view more »

5.0 Freemove Segway Centre (588 reviews)
- Just do it!
Segway Tours • Gear Rentals

Whole family took part, all complete novices to Segways. Up and running in no time and within minutes relaxed and under control enough to enjoy the witty and amusing tour commentary as we traveled through Amboise. Without doubt this is going to be a highlight of our holiday in France as we stopped off just to do this activity before continuing our journey south. See more..
5.0 Aerocom Montgolfiere (454 reviews)
- BUCKET LIST MUST!
Wednesday: 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM Balloon Rides • Private Tours • Air Tours

We took our flight from Chaumont-sur-Loire……late on a Friday afternoon. Federico was our pilot and he did an outstanding job. There were 16 people in our large basket and we were not crowded at all. It was very smooth and calm….no anxious moments or ever any reason to doubt Federico’s ability to land us perfectly, which he did. It was well worth the cost from beginning to end!…..lasted about an hour…..fascinating to watch them unload the balloons and get them ready! See more..
5.0 A la Francaise! Loire Valley (376 reviews)
- Multi-generational Magic!
Wednesday: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM Historical & Heritage Tours • Private Tours • Wine Tours & Tastings • Day Trips

My mother, my daughter and I booked 3 days’ worth of private tours with a la Francaise, Bonjour Loire. We could not be happier with the entire experience! With only a rough idea of what we hoped to see and do, Bonjour Loire’s Laure was able to craft 3 itineraries that delivered the perfect amount of travel, education, and fun! And our tour guides were extraordinary. Dimitri expertly escorted us through the crowds at Chenonceau and accompanied us to a private wine tasting and vineyard tour. And Nicolas was an absolute font of information, able to handle every question my mom asked while providing enough gossip and humor to keep my teenage daughter engaged. His knowledge about the history of the region is astounding. We look forward to exploring other regions with them!! See more..
5.0 Touraine Montgolfière (321 reviews)
- Balloon ride in the Loire
Balloon Rides

Having a former French Air Force jet pilot in charge gave us confidence. We had thought the balloon would take us wherever the wind blew us. But no, Franck piloted us directly to our objective: Chenonceaux and flew us over the chateau, and down to river level and up again - magical. Helene assisted on the ground, spoke excellent English, and served post flight drinks and cookies. We enjoyed chatting over coffee and croissants back in Amboise and learning more about ballooning and their lives. An unforgettable experience for Rupert, Christine, Sophia and Sydney. (Having trouble uploading our photos- will keep trying!) See more..
5.0 Odyssee en Val de Loire (254 reviews)
- Stephanie in Loire
Bus Tours

The best guide I could have asked for. Considerate of my needs and anxious to provide the entire history of each chateau we visited. I learned so much and grew to feel like I gained a new friend. I would recommend Stephanie to my friends and feel confident that the trip would be both meaningful and enjoyable. See more..
5.0 Loire Valley Tours (222 reviews)
- Two Great Tours
Wednesday: 8:30 AM - 6:30 PM Historical & Heritage Tours • Private Tours • Food Tours • Wine Tours & Tastings • Day Trips

We had booked the Friday tour before leaving Australia. We visited 3 Châteaus, and had a great lunch at a local house with lovely wines. Our drive guide, Charlotte was great. Friendly, knowledgeable and great fun. We enjoyed the tour so much we immediately booked for one the next day (Saturday)with Charlotte as our driver / guide. Again 3 great Châteaus, plus wine tasting of some very old white wines. Great lunch as well. Charlotte, friendly and knowledgeable as before. The tours seem expensive, but it is the best way to see the Châteaus which are not that easy to reach on public transport. We had thought of doing our second day like that but realized during our first tour this was not the best way to go. Money well spent. See more..
5.0 Chateau du Petit Thouars (197 reviews)
- Great tour. Superb wines. Delicious food.
Wineries & Vineyards

This was a highlight of our 17-day trip to France. Our tour of the organic vineyard and the cellar process was brilliantly conducted by Mariella, who is currently doing an internship with them. She was incredibly informative and spent a generous amount of time with us. She then led us to the chateau for a tasting of several estate wines accompanied by delicious local pate, cheese, and bread. The wines were superb, particularly their 2011 cabernet franc, and we bought as many bottles as we’re allowed to bring back on the flight home. We also met and chatted with owners Sebastian and Darcy; Sebastian’s family has owned the beautiful chateau for 400 years. Between the glorious setting, the warmth and guidance of our hosts, and the quality of what they produce, this is a must visit. See more..
5.0 Vino Loire (187 reviews)
- All Day Wine Tour with Vincent, Highlight of the Trip!
Wednesday: 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM Segway Tours • Private Tours • Food Tours • Wine Tours & Tastings • Day Trips

We could not recommend Vincent more highly! Our wine tour with Vincent was the favorite day of our entire trip. We learned so much about each winery and the process of wine making throughout France. Vincent was a wealth of knowledge and a phenomenal guide. It was clear how passionate he is about wine and about sharing this passion and knowledge with others. We are already looking forward to our next trip to France and would love to book another experience through Vincent! See more..
5.0 Le Tasting Room Wine - Day Tours (179 reviews)
- Spend a day with Cathy and Nigel
Wednesday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Wine Tours & Tastings

Cathy and Nigel provided us with a wonderful day out. They are both so knowledgeable about wine and the region. We tasted 6 wines at their home, and another 4 at a local producer, Phillip Chigard. Cathy and Nigel treated us as friends, fed us a delicious homemade lunch, and introduced us high quality wines. I would highly recommend spending a day with them. See more..
5.0 Top Balloon (177 reviews)
- Smooth Sailing
Balloon Rides

From the set-up of the balloon to take off, everything was excellent! Smooth sailing through the skies and champagne at the end of the ride. My flight was during sunset and everything was beautiful. This was my first hot air balloon ride and was an amazing experience from start to finish. Highly suggested! See more..
5.0 Escape Time (172 reviews)
- Plaisir d'être enfermé
Wednesday: 4:00 PM - 10:30 PM Spent 1-2 hours Escape Games

Sans aucun doute le meilleur escape game de Tours. Très bons scénarios, décors immersifs et qu'une seule envie après une partie : y retourner See more..
5.0 Escape Express (167 reviews)
- Une expérience magique et fantastique
Wednesday: 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Escape Games

Escape express is a live escape game in tours, france. Our train will bring your team in different universes you will have to leave by resolving riddles. Be observant, be logical and communicate with your team, this is the key to... Escape ! We hope to see you soon aboard our escape express ! See more..
5.0 Compagnons-du-Vent (154 reviews)
- Great Experience
Wednesday: 8:30 AM - 9:00 PM Balloon Rides

The balloon was a surprise to me from my friend. It was a so great experience! We were 6 people inside the balloon. Not too much. The company's people are very professionals. They are very pedagogic, understandable. We were part of the team as we helped to inflate and fold the balloon. The company choose a great place to be in the air - above the river and a castle. If you want a first experience with great people, a personalized visit of the area... I am recommending to you this company! See more..
5.0 e-FOLLOW me (135 reviews)
- Great bike rental in Chinon!
City Tours • Segway Tours

Brilliant, easy experience with e-follow. Myself and my mam rented the electric bikes from Jeff and can't compliment him enough. Such great humour and the bikes were perfect, clean and ready to go! Would highly recommend. Thanks Jeff! See more..
5.0 France Just for You (132 reviews)
- An unforgettable experience!
Wednesday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Self-Guided Tours & Rentals

I highly recommend France Just for You. My 13 year old daughter and I took a multi week long trip around France this summer and used their services to create our itinerary. I knew I didn’t want to take a completely guided tour with a bunch of other people and I was also having a hard time finding a tour that included all of the things I wanted: the city, the countryside, local art, museums, castles, nature activities, vineyards, homemade food and restaurants, so finding France Just for You was a God Send! Emily is the owner of the company and was my main point of contact. She listened to what I wanted and helped create a custom itinerary that included train tickets, car pick up, amazing places to stay and lots and lots of things to do. She also provided a custom book and phone app that included every detail about France and our trip. She left no stone unturned. I didn’t have any questions because the app is so informative. The only time I had to call her was to make a change in our itinerary because my daughter was ill. Emily was super responsive and the change was made without any problems. When Emily wasn’t available, I Laura contacted me to let me know she was available if needed. Both women are amazing and went above and beyond to plan an unforgettable trip for my daughter and me! I wish they could expand to other countries in Europe or elsewhere. I’m not sure they could duplicate this level of detail and dedication by spreading out, but if they were to do so, I’d be their first customer! See more..
5.0 Broaden Horizons (93 reviews)
- Private tour of Orléans geared to my time and interests.
Cultural Tours • Historical & Heritage Tours • Sightseeing Tours • Private Tours

Yves was an informative and friendly guide. Since I was in the area on business, I wanted to make my spare time meaningful. Had I just walked around myself, I would have never noticed the historic buildings that Yves was able to point out and tell me of their architecture. In the old City Hall and Cathedral we discussed Jean of Arc, Kings and Queens of France and how it relates to French and world history. Even the land where the parking garage that I used was built upon had a historic significance. The tour turned my spare time into a learning experience and an appreciation of the city that I would have otherwise missed out on. See more..
5.0 La Chasse au TrésOrléans (93 reviews)
- AMAZING EXPERIENCE
Spent 2-3 hours Scavenger Hunts

Un amazing adventure through the streets of Orleans. Its a super cool way to explore the city, get to know more about it's history and details but with the plus side of being a part of a very cool "chase/ game". Dudu and Marjorie, our hosts, are amazing and have a lot to share about Orleans. Since me and my husband are from Brazil, we don't speak french properly. And that is not a problem here. Both, dudu and Marjori speak english and spanish and there is all you will need in english, for the chase. It's cool for kids, for teens, grownups.... for all ages really!!! We loved it and super recommend it. See more..
4.5 Chateau de Villandry (3.890 reviews)
- Lovely Visit
Wednesday: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM Spent 2-3 hours Historic Sites • Castles • Gardens

A monumental countryside villa surrounded by world-famous gardens, organized in the classic French Renaissance style. See more..
4.5 Cathedrale Ste-Croix (1.767 reviews)
- Marvelous Cathedral in Orleans center
Wednesday: 9:15 AM - 6:00 PM Religious Sites

One of the most impressive Cathedrals we saw on our 10 day tour was this one. It adorns the central city square in its glorious Gothic beauty with two twin towers. The interiors are spectacular with amazing rose windows and stained glass telling among others the story of Joan the Arc. See more..
4.5 Château de l'Islette (1.141 reviews)
- The Rodin et Camille Claudel love Castle
Temporarily closed - Closed until Apr 30, 2023 Points of Interest & Landmarks • Castles

Due to a problem with the structure of a floor, urgent work lust be undertaken and the castle is therefore closed to visitors until the end of the season for safety reasons. It will reopen on 1 May 2023. Thank you for your understanding. See more..
4.5 Musee du Compagnonnage (653 reviews)
- Fascinating Museum
Wednesday: 9:00 AM - 12:30 PM, 2:00 PM - 6:00 PM Speciality Museums

This museum will not be for everyone but I am interested in French history and this is one of the most fascinating museums I have ever visited. The Compagnons du Devoir is a very old worker's movement, more or less unique to France. It was somewhat similar to a guild, but much more than a guild. I think the best way to describe it is an organization that sought to preserve and transmit the heritage of crafts. Really, it's hard to describe. The works presented in the museum demonstrate enormous skill and craftsmanship and are impressive, even without the historical background. It's not for everyone, and to get the full historical story it's helpful if you read French since the English descriptions are much abbreviated compared to the French, but I loved it. See more..
4.5 Château de Meung sur Loire (579 reviews)
- Don't skip this castle
Spent 1-2 hours Points of Interest & Landmarks • Castles

At the gates of Chambord, from the sophistication of its drawing rooms to its unsettling underground passages, you will be astonished while discovering this private chateau and the illustrious figures who have stayed there. See more..
4.5 Maurice Dufresne Museum (400 reviews)
- Could be better
Temporarily closed - Closed until Mar 31, 2023 Spent 2-3 hours Speciality Museums

A journey full of fun and surprises through a whole era of mechanization of French rural areas and industrialization of France: first cars and tractors, bikes & motorbikes, engines & steam machines, airplanes & locomotives, agricultural & military machines, weaving loom, guillotine and lots of other remarkable items. Following the footsteps of Leonardo da Vinci, it’s mechanical, industrial & human ingenuity of the 19th and 20thcentury which is exhibited here! The evolution of the agricultural world and modes of transport, the Industrial Revolution, the Second World War: these are some of the biggest themes showcased in museum Maurice Dufresne. An incredible journey through time, contributing to family stories, bringing back memories and evoking great emotions. A visit to the museum will surely animate conversations of elderly people as well as the youngest, men as well as women, even long a er your visit. See more..
4.5 Escape Yourself (348 reviews)
- Excellent time
Wednesday: 2:00 PM - 10:00 PM Escape Games

If you are looking for a nice way to spend an afternoon in Tours this is game is a must. We had a lot of fun and enjoyed our time there. I strongly recommend it. See more..
4.5 Caves Louis de Grenelle (279 reviews)
- Fantastic
Spent 1-2 hours Wineries & Vineyards

Situated at 12m underground in the centre of Saumur, the Louis de Grenelle wine cellars have been producing, in the purest tradition, Cremant de Loire and Saumur Brut ever since 1859. In this former tufa quarry, you will discover the secrets of traditional wine-producing methods. After the guided tour there will be a commented wine-tasting session. You will also be able to discover wine in a wine-dedicated space. See more..
4.5 Le Jardin des Kangourous (264 reviews)
- de vrai Kangourous
Zoos

They have been rescued in this sanctuary. you will walk amongst Kangourous in a great park and discover their life. pretty cool See more..
4.5 Cave Monplaisir (233 reviews)
- Fabulous experience
Spent 1-2 hours Wineries & Vineyards

These extensive wine caves are something I think everyone who visits this area of France needs to see! The caves paired with the excellent knowledge of Leo (a member of staff) who talked us through all the different areas of vineyards that they cover, and who showed us and let us taste a superb selection of wines, pointing out what to look for and how they each differ. I was looking for a wine cave experience to try to help my mum relive old holidays with my father, and this has certainly done it! An excellent taste of France! See more..
4.5 Croisières Saumur Loire (229 reviews)
- Perfect afternoon excursion.
Wednesday: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM Boat Tours

We have done this river cruise on numerous occasions over the years with visiting family and friends and it is always a success. We never tire of doing it; each time we learn something new about the history of Saumur and the Loire river. The guides are always very well informed. The crew are always extremely friendly and helpful. The cruise is a good length (about 50mins), relaxing and offering beautiful views of the town of Saumur and the wonderful Loire river and it's birdlife and habitat. This time we booked a later afternoon time on a sunny October day; it was even more beautiful than in high Summer, with glorious autumnal colours along the river banks and the sun dipping towards its sunset. The glass of local cremant and biscuit rounds off the trip. We highly recommend this cruise as a 'must do' when visiting Saumur - you will see the town in a different light once viewed from the middle of the Loire. See more..
4.5 Laser Quest Orleans (213 reviews)
- Anniversaire réussi
Wednesday: 2:00 PM - 10:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Game & Entertainment Centers

Accueil, écoute et équipe au top!!... structure de bonne taille avec le laser game et le pire mission See more..
4.5 Plou Et Fils (189 reviews)
- Tasting
Wednesday: 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Wineries & Vineyards

We stopped by for a tasting and we weren’t disappointed! The tasting doesn’t cost, but I think the expectation is that you buy a bottle... we brought 2 for €11.50 The wines here are excellent and incredibly well priced. We rode our bikes from Amboise to here as it’s about a 10min cycle outside of the city. Next time I’d like to do the tour, but the tasting is excellent in any case. See more..