Ever find yourself in Paris, wondering if you should venture out to see those famous châteaux in the Loire Valley everyone talks about? After hopping on the City Wonders Loire Valley Tour recently, I’ve got all the insights you might need to decide if it’s worth squeezing a Loire Valley day trip into your tight itinerary.
This wasn’t just any trip—it was my intro to the region, and with a few more similar tours now checked off, I thought I’d be cool to break down what this experience offers, especially for those of us who love jam-packing our travels with epic sights but also watch our budgets closely.
Ready to see if a castle tour fits into your Parisian adventure? If you’ve already done your homework on this tour (props to my fellow detailed planners), you might want to jump straight to my final take on it at the end.
This review is all about my day with City Wonders, though you’ll find it useful if you’re looking at similar Loire Valley tours on platforms like GetYourGuide or Viator.
I compare a few of the top options later on in this article but really I’ve been on several day tours in France and elsewhere in Europe with various companies, and they tend to offer pretty comparable experiences.
Full disclosure: I travelled as a guest of Get Your Guide however, I’m under no obligation to give a positive review and everything I’m sharing is my own honest opinions and experience, no filters.
Also, I’ve thrown in some affiliate links, so if you decide a Loire Valley tour is right up your alley, booking through them won’t cost you extra but it helps support this blog.
TLDR: Is the Loire Valley Worth It?
Totally! If you’re all about diving into rich history and snapping pics that scream “I was here,” then yes.
The Loire Valley is iconic for its breathtaking châteaux and vineyards. We’re talking places like Château de Chambord and Château de Chenonceau that look like they’re straight out of a fairy tale.
Plus, who can say no to some exquisite French wine tasting along the way? Yeah it’s not Champagne or Bordeaux but it’s not bad wine.
Where Do You Go on a Loire Valley Day Trip
Here’s the rundown on the main stops:
Château de Chambord: This place is massive and seriously impressive. It’s got a vibe of French Renaissance luxury with a hint of Leonardo da Vinci’s genius (rumor has it he had a hand in its design).
There’s tons to check out inside and outside—think sprawling gardens and quaint market stalls where you can grab unique souvenirs. There’s even a wine cave where you can do tastings.
Blois: We stopped here for lunch, and although it’s a bit on the touristy side, it’s packed with charm. There’s a gorgeous town square with a castle, a park and a magic museum (?).
The town offers a mix of cute eateries where you can grab a bite—just perfect for a mid-tour break. Even though most of the central eateries are touristy, the quality is decent and no more expensive than Paris.
Château de Chenonceau: Otherwise known as the ‘Ladies Castle’, this beauty stretches right over a river and is totally insta-worthy, especially the gardens.
It’s a bit smaller than Chambord, so even though it gets crowded, you can still take in everything it has to offer during a quick stop.
What’s Included and What’s Not?
Included:
- Transport: Comfy round-trip bus ride from Paris.
- Tour Guide: Not one, but two knowledgeable guides brought the history to life (though one was definitely more engaging).
- Entry Fees: All included, so no extra cost to wander through those majestic castles.
- Wine Tasting: A stop at the Chambord wine cave with 3 wine tastings that’s part of the deal.
Not Included:
- Meals: Grabbing lunch is on you.
- Extra Snacks and Souvenirs: There are plenty of cute shops and market stalls to buy from but purchases aren’t covered.
- Tips: If you want to tip the guide(s) and/or driver(s) then set aside some extra. Tipping his encouraged in France for things like this but not enforced or pushed aggressively.
Guided vs. Self-Guided Tours: Costs and Experience
If you’re like me you might prefer self-guided experiences where you can do your own thing and it is definitely possible to do the Loire Valley this way.
However, there are some serious advantages to doing a tour particularly if you don’t want to hire a car and handle French country roads. Here’s a run down of the pros and cons of each option to help you decide.
Guided Tour:
- Pros: Everything is handled for you—transport, tickets, and expert narration. It’s hassle-free and informative, ideal if you’re short on time or prefer structured schedules.
- Cons: Less flexibility. You follow a set schedule, which can feel rushed, especially if there are delays or organizational issues like the bus timing snafus I encountered.
- Cost: Competitive for what’s included, tours are usually between €100-€150, covering transport, entrance fees, and sometimes wine tasting.
Self-Guided Adventure:
- Pros: Flexibility to explore at your own pace. You can spend as long or as little at each site as you prefer, perfect if you want more control over your day.
- Cons: Requires more planning—booking your own tickets, figuring out car rentals (chateaus are not accessible by public transport), and potentially higher costs.
- Cost: Variable, the actual activity cost (chateau entrance, wine tasting) is only around €30-€50 but the experience is potentially more expensive once you factor in car rental and insurance and petrol.
Overall, I’d say if you’re a confident driver (remember it’s driving on the right in Europe!) and have a group of 3-4 people to split transport costs with then definitely go by yourself.
Otherwise for solo travellers, couples and less confident drivers (like me) a tour is the way to go.
Which Company Is Best for a Loire Valley Tour?
I used City Wonders which is one of the top companies on Get Your Guide. Their tour costs about 165EUR which is one of the cheapest available.
They’re solid for a well-organized, hassle-free experience. The guides are great storytellers which really makes the history pop. But there were a few hiccups with bus timings at meeting points which felt a bit disorganized.
An alternative option is by ParisCityVision which is a similar price and includes a third chateau (Cheverny) instead of the Blois lunch stop. You can check that out one on Get Your Guide.
If you prefer a small group experience, there are also some great options on Get Your Guide with similar itineraries like this one from Blue Fox Travel and this one from My Wine Days but expect to pay 50-100% more for the tour.
Loire Valley Day Trip Review Wrapped: Yay or Nay
A day trip to the Loire Valley is a killer way to add some extra flair to your Paris trip without too much hassle or expense. Whether you go with City Wonders or another tour operator, those castles and vineyards are like stepping into another world—a can’t-miss experience for any travel lover looking to maximise their time abroad.
Looking for more French travel guides? Try this 3 day Cannes itinerary.
Happy travelling!
Europe Travel Resources
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