ITINERARY | HIGHLIGHTS | WEATHER | ACCOMMODATION & ADDITIONAL INFO THE LOIRE VALLEY 2010
From the famed Loire River walk the Royal château route, hiking via the green Sologne forest, to the famous Touraine Vineyards, a route enabling you to enjoy the richness of the Loire Valley area with its unique flavour. An easy to moderate walk in one of the most beautiful parts of France.
PRICE
£575 per person (based on two people sharing) £140 single room supplement. Supplement of £60 for one person walking alone. An extra night in Blois on half board: £50 pp with a single supplement of £18
INCLUDED
7 nights in 2** star hotel, double room with shower and toilets
7 continental breakfasts and 5 dinners
Transfer by taxi on Day 5 from the hotel to Choussy.
Transfer of luggage from hotel to hotel.
Maps and itineraries.
Local back-up
NOT INCLUDED
Travel to/from holiday, drinks, local tax (the 'taxe de séjour' a small charge that has to be paid on the spot), personal expenses. Return to starting point at Blois.
WHEN TO GO
Daily March to October
To book email:
walking@star.co.uk T: (44)
(0)1242 254353
Day 1: Arrival in Blois. Discover the town with its handsome streets and its château offering a brilliant illustration of the evolution of French architecture from the Middle Ages to the 17th century.
Day 2: Blois - Bracieux - Departure for a walking stage through the forest to reach the pretty village of Bracieux situated at the edge of the Sologne.
21 km/13 miles
Day 3: To Chambord - Walk to the magnificent Château of Chambord, one of the largest Châteaux of the Loire Valley, built mainly under King Francois I, passing through the huge Forest Estate covering more than 5500 hectares.
21 km/13 miles
Day 4: Bracieux - Chitenay Walk via Cheverny, well known for its Château still inhabited by the owners, and known for its hunting traditions, before proceeding to the charming village ofChitenay.
21 km/13 miles
Day 5: Transfer by taxi to Choussy: Choussy – Montrichard Leaving the Sologne area through the vineyards, you will reach the Cher Valley and the villages of Bourré and Montrichard. Overlooked byvineyards, these typical villages shelter remarkable underground mushroom beds where you can now discover the secrets of mushroom cultivation. 19 km/11.8 miles
Day 6: To Chenonceaux Following the Cher river, this excursion will bring you to Chenonceaux, famous for its Renaissance chateau spanning the river, still thought of in association with the famous women of French History: Diane de Poitiers and Catherine de Medicis. 21 km/13 miles or 25 km/15.6 miles
Day 7: Montrichard - Amboise Leave the Cher river to join the Loire. Cross the forest of Amboise before reaching the charming town of Amboise itself where you will have the opportunity to visit the Royal Château (where the most important Kings of France lived) or the Parc Leonardo Da Vinci, last home of Leonardo Da Vinci, which keeps an astonishing collection of models representing his genius.
22 km/13.75 miles
Day 8: Departure from Amboise.
DIFFICULTY OF WALK
Easy to moderate – longish distances but easy countryside.
Some of Europe's finest architecture
If you have done this walk before, we would like to hear your personal highlights.
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GETTING THERE
Blois railway station (from Paris Austerlitz)
ACCOMMODATION
Comfortable 2** hotels with private bathrooms
WHAT TO TAKE
Walking boots and walking socks (with a change of socks in rucksack), rucksack/day pack, water bottle, insect repellent, sunglasses, sun hat, sun block/cream, compass, torch, mobile phone, container for sandwiches and a first-aid kit.
INSURANCE
We recommend that you take out appropriate holiday insurance covering you against illness, injury, and loss or damage to luggage. This insurance should also cover the possibility of your having to cancel your holiday for any reason.
To book, contact
worldwalks at:
email:
walking@star.co.uk T: (44)
(0)1242 254353