Chateaux Blois — Chaumont — Da Vinci Clos Lucé Small-group trip

07:30 Meeting at Opera Garnier Steps of Pick-up from Your hotel if option booked. There are 245 km to drive on highway by our comfortable air conditioned Mercedes minivan with adjustable seats. It takes about 3 hours. One stop at a rest area will be made. The Guide will give You general Information about the French history connected to the Castles of Loire Valley.

10:30 to 11:45 Visit of Leonardo da Vinci Chateau Clos Luce where he lived last 3 years of his life. The Château du Clos Lucé is a castle located just 400 meters away from Château Royal d'Amboise to which it is connected by an underground passageway. Built by Hugues d'Amboise in 1471, the palace belonged once to the French king Charles VIII and afterwards to Leonardo da Vinci who lived there at the invitation of Francis I from 1516 until his death on 2 May 1519. Today it is a museum about Leonardo da Vinci's life, work and memory. 11:45 Departure for the Wine tasting. It takes just 5 minutes.

12:00 - 12:50 Wine Tasting of minimum 7 wines at a local family vinery existing since many centuries. You will learn how wines have been making for centuries and have afterwords the wine tasting of local wines with explanations.

13:00 - 14:30. Lunch break in Amboise city where You'll find many restaurants and cafes. We can advise You or reserve for You a good restaurant in Amboise. 14:30 Departure to Chaumont sur Loire Castle. It takes just 20 minutes (17 km) driving along the Loire river.

14:50 to 16:10 Visit of Chateau de Chaumont. The castle Château de Chaumont was founded in the 10th century and rebuilt in the 15th century by Charles I d'Amboise. Protected as a monument historique since 1840, the château became the French state ownership and is now open to the public. Catherine de Medici forced in 1559 Diane de Poitiers to accept the Château de Chaumont in exchange for the Château de Chenonceau. Diane de Poitiers spent here last 3 years of her life. 16:10 Departure to Blois. It takes about 20 minutes to reach the Blois city.

16:30 - 18:00 Arrival in Blois city and Visit of Chateaux Blois. The Royal Château of Blois is located in the center of Blois city. It was a residence of some French Kings, Joan of Arc also went there by 1429 to be blessed by the Archbishop of Reims before departing with her army to battle against the English. The castle comprises several buildings of four different architectural styles. There are 564 rooms in the castle, including 100 bedrooms with a fireplace in each, and 75 staircases. 18:00 Departure to Paris. There are approx. 180 km to drive on highway. One stop will be made at the rest area.