Itinerary
Following a triangular route, you'll first head north crossing the majestic Loire river and on through the royal forest of Blois. It's then down through vineyards and poppy fields to the elegant village of Chitenay and back via the peaceful hamlets of Seur and Les Montils. Highlights en route include some of the Loire's most famous chateaux: Blois, formerly known as 'Versailles of the Renaissance', has developed around its massive chateau, which has enjoyed a long connection with royalty and nobility.
The places you'll stay in have been hand-picked for their superb locations, atmospheric charm, excellent cuisine and warm, friendly owners. We've included evening meals everywhere except in Blois - with so many restaurants on your doorstep, we thought you'd appreciate having a choice.
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Day 1: Arrive in Chaumont
We collect you at Blois station and take you (20 mins) to Chaumont where the lovely riverside Hostellerie du Chateau oozes real mediaeval charm - beamed dining room, minstral gallery, grand fireplace. There's a lovely pool if you fancy a dip after your journey.
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Day 2: Chaumont to Blois 18km/11mi or 22km/14mi
Masses of wildlife - herons, hen harriers, roe deer - this morning as you cross the Loire and head north following the course of the Cisse to the pretty C13 Abbaye de la Guiche. Lunch in Coulanges the C12 church is worth a detour. From here it's a delightful stroll through the Royal Forest of Blois until you reach the Mediaeval town. Our hotel is right opposite the famous cheteau, in the centre. In the evenings, the little squares come alive with restaurants, small cafes and tiny bars.
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Day 3: At Blois
The small town of Blois sits on a small hill overlooking the Loire, and is very easy to explore on foot: C16 cheteau, Museum of Fine Arts, C17 St Vincent de Paul church and Maison de Magie - House ofMagic - are all worthy of a visit. Or you can take a river trip on an original flat-bottomed toue sailing boat and view the town from the water. If you want to explore further afield, local buses run from Blois to the cheteaux of Chambord and Cheverny, or you can take the train (20 mins) into Amboise.
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Day 4: Blois to Chitenay 17km/10mi
You leave Blois via the shady banks of the river Cosson and enter the Forest of Russy - look out for nut hatches, woodpeckers and tree creepers. Lunch in the village of Celettes where you must visit the stunning C15 Cheteau de Beauregard set in impressive parkland, this gem is an absolute must! Of particular note is its rare C16 kitchen, portrait gallery and recently restored Gallerie des Illustres featuring 327 portraits of different kings, queens and politicians. Your final stretch takes you on through acres of well-tended vineyards lots of places to pop in for a spot of tasting and poppy fields to the elegant village of Chitenay. Our ivy-clad hotel here has a pleasant garden terrace is an ideal setting for pre-dinner aperitifs!
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Day 5: At Chitenay
The sleepy wine village of Chitenay is ideally placed to visit many of the Loire cheteaux. We particularly recommend picture-postcard Cheverny, it has one of the largest art collections including a permanent 'Secrets of Moulinsart' exhibition and, just 3kms further on, lovely little Cheteau de Troussay with its elaborately decorated ceilings and rich furnishings collection. If you prefer to relax in Chitenay, then there are masses of wine degustations all around the village.
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Day 6: Chitenay to Chaumont 18km/11mi
Today's walk follows the peaceful river Beauvron past the C14 Cheteau Fay and on through the pretty hamlets of Seur, Les Montils and sleepy Cande-sur-Beauvron. There's a pretty riverside park if you fancy a picnic lunch before continuing along the shady banks of the Loire into Chaumont. The impressive C15 cheteau, once owned by Catherine de Medici, hosts the International Garden Festival each year and, on selected summer dates, stays open until midnight as your hotel is just a few metres away, getting home isn't a problem!
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Day 7: Leave Chaumont
We take you to Blois station after breakfast.
* All prices shown are for low season, per person, twin share. Click here to see full Terms & Conditions.
Pricing
7 days/6 nights From $1,743*
Enquire Online
Price Includes:
Six nights two and three-star accommodation, continental breakfast and evening meals daily, services of Headwater locally employed Rep, transfers at set times, route notes and maps.
Departs:
Every 2 days from 11 May-20 Sep 2011.
Highlights
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Gentle, off-the-beaten-track walking
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Lovely temperate climate
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Great royal chateaux: Chambord, Cheverny, Chaumont, Amboise, Blois
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Warm, friendly hotels: masses of local character and great regional cuisine
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Flat river valleys, shaded forest tracks, well-tended vineyards, poppy fields and pretty parkland
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Superb value; outstanding wines; masses to see and do locally