Itinerary

Day 1:
Arrival in Tours

Arrival in Tours. You will have the opportunity to visit the heart of the city, especially the old quarters including the famous ‘Place Plumereau’ with its half-timbered house and the gothic cathedral.

Day 2:
Villandry – Azay le Rideau, 11 miles (17km)

First you will be transferred by taxi to Villandry. A visit to the famous gardens ‘à la française’ in Villandry is really worthwhile. This walking stage will bring you to the Indre Valley passing via Azay le Rideau and its Renaissance château, a jewel in a wonderful setting of water and green!

Day 3:
Rigny Ussé - Chinon, 12 miles (19km)

Transfer by taxi to Rigny Ussé. From Ussé and its ‘Sleeping Beauty’ château which inspired Perrault to write his famous novel, you leave through Chinon Forest to the medieval city of Chinon built on the edge of the Vienne river and famous for its red wine well appreciated by François Rabelais.

Day 4:
Excursion around Chinon, 10 miles (17km)

An excursion through the vineyards of Chinon where you will have the opportunity to enter and visit numerous cellars, without forgetting to taste this famous red wine! Returning to Chinon for night.

Day 5:
Chinon – Fontevraud, 10 miles (17km)

Leaving Chinon, you will follow the Vienne river to reach Fontevraud, well known for its amazing Abbey. Fontevraud is the largest monastic city remaining in Europe.

Day 6:
Excursion to Montsoreau, 9 miles (14km)

Today’s walk is an excursion towards Montsoreau. This is a charming village on the Loire river where you can visit a unique system of caves, formed through the mining of “tuffeau” stone in the 15 th and 16 th centuries, now used for growing mushrooms.

Day 7:
Turquant - Saumur, 7 miles (11km)

Transfer by taxi to Turquant. Departure from Turquant for a stage through the vineyards of ‘Saumur’ and ‘Saumur-Champigny’ towards Saumur, a beautiful town on the River Loire overlooked by its imposing château.

Day 8:
Departure from Saumur

Departure from Saumur after breakfast.