A 3 Day Loire Valley Itinerary You’ll Want to Steal

Last Updated on 25th October 2023 by Sophie Nadeau

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The Loire Valley is a remarkable place punctuated by its historic châteaux, gushing rivers, and wooded valleys. Best visited over the course of few days so as to enjoy all of the impressive architecture, medieval towns, and fairytale châteaux, here’s the perfect 3 days in the Loire Valley itinerary.

The Loire Valley is best-known for its abundance of Châteaux. In total, there are over 300 Châteaux, and over 40 of them are open to the public, meaning it can be hard to narrow downs just which ones you should visit during your trip.

The most popular and famous of the Loire Valley Châteaux are Chambord (where Da Vinci is alleged to have had in its design), Amboise (within a town of the same name), and Chenonceau (surrounded by a moat and one of the most fairytale-looking of all castles in France).

I’ve been to visit this gorgeous area of France a handful of times over the years, both with my friends, and with my husband. You can visit the Loire Valley as a day trip but ideally you’ll need several days in order to get a better feel for this special area of France.

Thanks to its charming towns and stunning vistas on long, open roads, it’s the perfect place for a road trip and is even a great option as a honeymoon destination if you’re searching for a French option.

Best time to visit the Loire Valley

Winter in the Loire Valley can be a bit cold and bitter, and many of the trees and surrounding landscapes are barren, meaning that it’s not the best time to visit. I personally love to travel to travel to the Loire Valley during the springtime, when the blossom has come out and the sun is shining.

Summer is a popular time to visit the region, leading to elevated prices and more crowds. As such, I recommend visiting just before or just after peak season so as to ensure the best weather coupled with the best prices and slightly fewer crowds than during the high summer.

Is 3 days enough time in the Loire Valley?

Yes, three days it the perfect amount of time to discover the Loire Valley. Over the course of a few days, you’ll have the chance to discover two of its most important towns and see some of the châteaux that the region is so famed for.

Where to stay in the Loire Valley

In this itinerary, you’ll want to spend the first two nights in Amboise and the third night in Tours. Those who want to stay a little longer to discover the region and visit a few more towns and châteaux can consider extending their trip by booking a few more nights in Tours. After all, its central location and great size means that it’s a great base from which to explore the wider region.

Amboise accommodation

Hôtel Restaurant Le Clos d’Amboise: This four-star establishment is located in the heart of Amboise and is set against the backdrop of a 17th-century mansion house. Boasting amenities such as an outdoor pool and a sauna, this is true luxury in the Loire Valley. Check prices and availability here.

Hôtel Le Manoir Les Minimes: For an über luxe stay in the Loire, the Hôtel Le Manoir Les Minimes is a five-star hotel which is less than a ten-minute walk from main town attractions like the Royal Château and the tourist office. Check prices and availability here.

Tours accommodation

Budget: One of the most affordable and yet cosy places to stay in Tours is The People. This chic hostel offers private rooms as well as mixed-gender and female-only dorms. There’s a bar onsite with a terrace. Check prices and availability here.

Mid-range: Those in search of an affordable luxury option when it comes to staying in Tours can check out this cosy little hotel. Amenities include air conditioned rooms, free Wi-Fi, and a fairly central location. Check prices and availability here.

Luxury: For the ultimate luxury experience during your time in Tours, consider booking yourself a stay at this four-star hotel. Highlights include a pool and spa, as well as a fitness centre. Check prices and availability here.

Suggested 3 days in the Loire Valley itinerary

Day 1: Chartres and the Châteaux

If you’re visiting the Loire Valley from Paris, then you’ll want to rent a car for your trip. Check car rental comparison prices here. Then, you’ll drive due south to reach the Loire Valley. Around an hour and a half from Paris, you’ll reach Chartres, which will be the first stop of your Loire Valley itinerary.

Chartres is most famous for its beautiful Gothic Cathedral, which dates back to the 12th-century and is widely regarded to be one of the best works of the 13th-century still in existence.

Other highlights of the town include timber-framed buildings and a number of other Gothic churches dating back to the Middle Ages. You’ll need a few hours to fully enjoy Chartres, wander its historic streets, and perhaps even have lunch here.

After exploring Chartres, it’s close to a two hour drive to reach the next stop of the day, Chambord. The drive takes almost two hours so bring along some snacks and put on a relaxing playlist.

So large is the domain of Château de Chambord that you end up driving along the tree-lined boulevard leading to the castle for at least ten minutes, passing many ‘beware of the deer signs on the way’ before the ornate turrets suddenly loom up above the horizon.

Built in the French Renaissance style in the first half of the 16th century and originally intended for use as a hunting lodge for Francis I, the castle has seen many changes during its history. It takes a few hours to see Chambord, depending on your pace, but be sure to wear comfortable shoes as you’ll be on your feet a lot!

It’s then just a twenty minute drive from Chambord to Cheverny, another Loire Valley Château which is open to the public for a fee. Whether or not you have time to see Cheverny depends on how early you left Chartres and how long you spent at Chambord.

If you don’t have time to see Cheverny, then don’t fret as there are several other châteaux included within this Loire Valley itinerary and you can always see Cheverny as a day trip from Tours on day 3 or 4 of your visit.

Featured in Tintin novels as Marlinspike Hall and famed for its beauty, Cheverney (pronounced sheeverney) was built in the mid-1600s by Henri Hurault, the military treasurer for Louis XIII. Six centuries later, one of his direct descendants is now the present day owner and the castle is open every day of the year.

If you want to see everything that Cheverny has to offer, then you’ll need around two and a half hours, though you can easily get a good overview of the Château in an hour. Afterwards, drive to Amboise, check into your hotel in Amboise and enjoy a restful night of sleep after your big travel day!

Day 2: Amboise

After a lot of driving on day one, the good news is that the entirety of day two will be spent exploring Amboise. Start the day by heading to the Château Royal d’Amboise.

Constructed by the French monarchy during the 15th-century, the historic building has seen plenty of events over the course of its lifetime. It takes a few hours to see the interior of the Château and enjoy its comprehensive gardens. Just don’t miss all of the amazing vistas around the castle grounds.

After touring the Château, head down into the town below. Truth be told, one of the greatest ways to explore Amboise is on your own two feet (many of the smaller roads in town are pedestrian only), and allowing the town to reveal itself to you.

While walking around Amboise, be sure not to miss the clock tower which dates back to the 15th-century and the church of Saint Florentin. Those who wish to learn more about the town can check out the free-to-visit museum at the Hôtel de Ville.

After spending a few hours indulging in some local French food and wandering the cobbled streets, it’s time to head to the second Château of the day. The place where Leonardo da Vinci lived and worked for the three years leading up to his death was Château du Clos Lucé, just a short walk away from the town centre.

The château is sometimes referred to simply as Clos Lucé and was built in the latter half of the 15th-century. Today, the Château and beautiful gardens are accessible to the public for a fee. Due to its sheer size, it takes a few hours to fully enjoy Clos Lucé.

Afterwards, head back into the town centre where you can enjoy local food and drinks before packing up your things to head to Tours the next day. If you’re looking for traditional French fare in Amboise, check out The Master of Art and La Suite. Wherever you choose to go to for dinner, be sure to make a reservation as all the good places fill up fast.

Day 3: Tours

On the third morning, check out of your hotel in Amboise and drive to Tours. The largest city in the Loire Valley has more than enough to occupy you for an entire day. You can also opt to stay in a hotel overnight here if you want to go on more day trips to the surrounding region.

Begin your day by taking a stroll around the largely pedestrianised old town. Full of timber-framed buildings, there’s a number of picturesque squares, historic towers, and churches. If you want to get a coffee, head to Place Plumereau, where you can sit on one of the little café terraces and people watch.

Afterwards, head to Tours Cathedral (Cathédrale Saint-Gatien de Tours). This Gothic church boasts beautiful stained-glass windows and intricate carvings. It is located in the heart of the city and is free to visit.

Close by, you can discover the Fine Arts Museum. Known in French as the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Tours, the museum showcases works from the 14th century up to the present day. It includes works by famous artists such as Rubens, Delacroix, and Monet.

For dinner, sample the local cuisine. Tours is famed for its delicious food and wine scene, so make sure to try some of the local specialties such as goat cheese dishes, and Loire Valley wines.

End your day in Tours by heading to the river bank. You can go for a stroll and admire the Loire River. If you happen to be visiting during the summer, then you can head to the Guinguette (open air bar) and enjoy a drink in the heart of all the action.

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