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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.
6 days from £2,625pp
Price includes:
- Return ferry travel
- All accommodation
- Activities and excursions as detailed
- 24-hour support while you travel
Travel that's shaped around you
We know that travel has the most meaning when it's created individually for you. Our specialists will only start designing your trip once they understand exactly what you want it to be. So, consider this idea simply as inspiration for your own experience.
Itinerary idea
Using your own vehicle for self-drive touring
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Departing from Portsmouth, you’ll board your overnight ferry set for the north coast of France.
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Upon arrival in Caen, drive south to Amboise, where you’ll spend the next four nights.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Leave the Loire Valley and drive north back to Caen for your onward ferry back to England.
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Accommodation
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Brittany Ferries ![Ferry, Brittany ferries]()
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Le Clos d'Amboise ![Le Clos d'Amboise, Amboise]()
Le Clos d'Amboise
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Manoir les Minimes ![Manoir les Minimes, Amboise]()
Manoir les Minimes
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- Caen
- Amboise
- Loire East
- Amboise
- Loire East
- Amboise
- Loire East
- Amboise
- Caen
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.
When to go
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Place | Daily max temperature (°C) | Monthly rainfall (mm) |
|---|---|---|
| Amboise |
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