We’re not taking new bookings for travel to France at the moment. Our specialists can advise you on all the destinations you can currently book with us.

Please select your location:
You can find all your favourites in the menu
Château d'Amboise, Loire Valley
Amboise, Loire Valley
Locals playing pétanque, France

Self-drive tour: The Loire Valley

6 days from £2,625pp

Request a quote

Tour highlights

  • Enjoy the freedom of your own car on this self-drive trip. Audley can arrange a rental vehicle for you if required.

  • Soar over the French countryside on a sunset hot air balloon ride.

  • Cycle through cavernous wine cellars before tasting local wine.

  • Visit three medieval chateaux and enjoy a cruise under the arches at Château de Chenonceau.

Price includes:

  • Return ferry travel
  • All accommodation
  • Activities and excursions as detailed
  • 24-hour support while you travel
Make an enquiry

Itinerary idea in detail

Using your own vehicle for self-drive touring

  • Departing from Portsmouth, you’ll board your overnight ferry set for the north coast of France.

  • Upon arrival in Caen, drive south to Amboise, where you’ll spend the next four nights.

    • Château d'Amboise, Loire Valley
      Château d'Amboise, Loire Valley
    • Château d'Amboise, Loire Valley
      Château d'Amboise, Loire Valley
    • Chapel of Saint-Hubert at Château d'Amboise, Loire Valley
      Chapel of Saint-Hubert at Château d'Amboise, Loire Valley

  • Your private driver-guide will meet you at your hotel ready for a full day of wine tasting in the Loire Valley. You'll visit several wineries, including cycling through one winery's expansive, cave-like cellars, pausing to taste white and sparkling wines from the region.

    • Locals playing pétanque, France
      Locals playing pétanque, France
    • Lush landscape, Loire Valley
      Lush landscape, Loire Valley
    • Château d'Amboise, Loire Valley
      Château d'Amboise, Loire Valley

  • Today, you’ll drive to two of the Loire Valley’s medieval chateaux — the lesser-known Chaumont-sur-Loire and the renowned Château de Chambord — to learn about the expansive history of the two buildings. You’ll get to see the double helix spiral staircase designed by Leonardo da Vinci at Chambord.

    • Boats on the Loire River, Amboise
      Boats on the Loire River, Amboise
    • Fresh strawberries, France
      Fresh strawberries, France
    • Amboise, Loire Valley
      Amboise, Loire Valley

  • Cruise up the River Cher toward another chateau — Château de Chenonceau, where you can immerse yourself in the turbulent history of this grand building. You’ll cruise under its 16th-century arches before exploring its interior. Later this evening, soar through the skies on a sunset hot air balloon ride.

    • Amboise, Loire Valley
      Amboise, Loire Valley
    • Charcuterie, France
      Charcuterie, France
    • Amboise, Loire Valley
      Amboise, Loire Valley

  • Leave the Loire Valley and drive north back to Caen for your onward ferry back to England.

    • Château d'Amboise, Loire Valley
      Château d'Amboise, Loire Valley

Accommodation options

While the itinerary price reflects the suggested accommodation, Audley trips are 100% tailor-made, and a specialist can help you select the option best suited to your tastes and budget.

What our clients say about us

  • Excellent

    TrustScore 4.8 | 3202 of reviews

  • 2 hours ago

    My husband & I had an amazing…

    My husband & I had an amazing experience with Haley Chesna & Annie Authur. Both ladies did a...

    Vicky Halfon, 2 hours ago
  • 5 days ago

    Antarctica Trip.

    My dream trip to Antarctica became a reality thanks to the brilliant organisation of Chloe Harrison...

    David Matthews, 5 days ago
  • 8 days ago

    New Zealand Trip

    My wife and I recently used Audley Travel to plan and book a trip of a lifetime to New Zealand....

    Ms Hobson-Bennett, 8 days ago
  • 11 days ago

    Philippa was great

    Philippa was great, helpful throughout. would recommend 100%

    Consumer, 11 days ago
  • 14 days ago

    Outstanding service

    From the very first conversation with Georgie, it felt that Audley Travel were genuine trying to...

    Nick Edwards, 14 days ago
  • 14 days ago

    Audley Deliver. 10/10

    I had the pleasure of dealing with Josh Clarke. He was amazing from the get go. Always replied with...

    Ian Gallagher, 14 days ago
  • 15 days ago

    Absolutely excellent so far

    The help and advice we have received so far in planning a trip to celebrate our significant...

    debbie, 15 days ago
  • 16 days ago

    Superb pre-trip planning

    I can't overstate how brilliant our experience has been in planning our trip to Quebec this coming...

    Kate Ashton, 16 days ago
  • 22 days ago

    Amazing Trip of a life time

    Where do I start, a trip of a life time, with experiences and memories for all my family. Every...

    Craig Salisbzuuury, 22 days ago
  • 24 days ago

    Christmas in Thailand

    We were planning a special family holiday in Thailand to celebrate our Golden Wedding anniversary....

    Tim, 24 days ago
  • 24 days ago

    Our California Trip

    This was our first time using Audley to organise a holiday for us and Ewan did a simply fantastic...

    Mark Porter, 24 days ago

Rated 4.8 out of 5 based on 3202 reviews on Trustpilot

Audley Travel Specialist Ruth

Contact a France specialist

The specialist who designs your trip to France will have explored the country many times and, in some cases, lived there. Their first-hand knowledge gives us the belief that no other travel company can match our expertise in helping you plan your trip.

Request a quote

When to go

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Place Daily max temperature (°C) Monthly rainfall (mm)
Amboise