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7–10 days exploring châteaux, historic towns, and riverside France
The Loire Valley is one of the most iconic road trip regions in France. Stretching west from Orléans toward the Atlantic, this gentle river valley is lined with grand châteaux, historic cities, vineyards, and quiet countryside that feels made for slow travel.
A Loire Valley road trip by car lets you balance famous castles with lesser-known towns, market lunches, riverside walks, and short scenic drives that never feel rushed. Distances are manageable, roads are easy, and there’s enough variety to keep the journey interesting without constant packing and unpacking.
This itinerary follows the Loire River west through five key bases, giving you time to explore the region properly while keeping driving stress to a minimum.
Loire Valley Road Trip Map
Route: Orléans – Blois – Tours – Angers – Nantes
Distance: 350 km
Duration: 7–10 days
Best time to go: Year-round
Best for: castles, historic cities, wine, classic France
This map shows the full route and main stops on this road trip. You can save it to Google Maps to use while planning or on the road.
Planning tools we actually use for France Road Trips
Day 1: Orléans: Joan of Arc and the Upper Loire
Base: Orléans
Start your Loire Valley road trip in Orléans, a compact and historic city that’s closely tied to the story of Joan of Arc. The old town is easy to explore on foot, with half-timbered houses, a lively cathedral square, and riverside paths along the Loire.
Spend time at Orléans Cathedral, then wander through the historic centre before heading down to the river for your first taste of Loire Valley scenery. Orléans sets the tone well: historically rich, relaxed, and walkable, without the crowds found further west.
If you arrive early, a short riverside drive or cycle along the Loire à Vélo route makes a gentle introduction to the region.
Day 2: Blois and Chambord: Royal Power on Display
Drive: ~1 hour from Orléans
Drive west to Blois, one of the Loire’s most characterful towns. The Château de Blois itself is a highlight, showcasing multiple architectural styles and centuries of royal intrigue in one place.
From Blois, detour to Château de Chambord, the largest and most extravagant château in the Loire Valley. Its vast scale, elaborate roofline, and surrounding forest park make it feel more like a royal estate than a single building. Arrive early or late in the day to avoid peak crowds and give yourself time to walk the grounds.
Return to Blois for the evening, where the old town’s steep streets and restaurants offer a lively but manageable base.
Day 3: Tours: Gardens, Wine, and Riverside Life
Drive: ~45 minutes from Blois
Continue west to Tours, one of the best bases in the central Loire Valley. The city combines historic architecture with a youthful energy thanks to its university population, and it’s well placed for exploring nearby châteaux and vineyards.
Spend time in the old quarter around Place Plumereau, then walk along the riverbanks or cross to quieter neighbourhoods for a different perspective. Tours is also an excellent place to start exploring Loire Valley wines, with Vouvray and Touraine vineyards just outside the city.
Just outside Tours, Château de Chenonceau is one of the Loire’s most distinctive sights. Built directly over the River Cher, its arched galleries and elegant proportions make it feel lighter and more intimate than many of the valley’s grand castles. Inside, richly furnished rooms tell the story of the powerful women who shaped its history, while the gardens on both banks of the river are perfect for a slower wander after the crowds thin.
Day 4: Villandry and the Central Loire Châteaux
Drive: Short local drives from Tours
Use a full day to explore the châteaux around Tours, with Château de Villandry as the standout. Its formal gardens are among the most impressive in France, laid out with precision and designed to be viewed both from above and at ground level.
Depending on your interests, you can add one or two smaller château visits, vineyard stops, or a relaxed afternoon cycling or walking along the Loire. This is a good point in the trip to slow the pace and enjoy the landscape between major sights.
Tours also works well as part of a longer France road trip linking the Loire Valley with Burgundy or western France.
Day 5: Angers: Medieval Strength and the Lower Loire
Drive: ~1 hour 15 minutes from Tours
Angers marks a shift in tone from Renaissance elegance to medieval strength. Its massive fortress, Château d’Angers, dominates the city, and inside you’ll find the famous Apocalypse Tapestry, one of the most important medieval works in Europe.
The old town is compact and pleasant to explore, with cafés, small shops, and good food options. Angers also sits at the gateway to Anjou wine country, known for both whites and rosés, making it a natural place to mix culture with tasting stops.
Day 6: Countryside Detours
Flexible day
If you have extra time, use this day to explore quieter parts of the Loire Valley. One excellent option is a detour south toward La Brenne Natural Park, a lesser-known wetland region filled with lakes, birdlife, and peaceful walking trails.
Alternatively, stay closer to Angers and explore nearby villages like the scenic island village of Béhuard, wine-focused Savennières, and riverside Le Thoureil, wineries, or riverside routes. This flexibility is one of the Loire Valley’s strengths and helps prevent château fatigue.
Day 7: Nantes: Where the Loire Meets the Atlantic
Drive: ~1 hour from Angers
Finish your road trip in Nantes, where the Loire widens and the atmosphere changes again. Once the capital of Brittany, Nantes blends maritime history with a creative, modern edge.
Explore the historic centre, then head to the riverfront to see the city’s famous mechanical creations at Les Machines de l’Île. It’s a playful and unexpected end to a classically French journey, and a reminder that the Loire Valley isn’t just about castles.
If you have time, Nantes also works well as a jumping-off point toward the Atlantic coast or as a return route north.
Where to Stay on a Loire Valley Road Trip
For a 7–10 day Loire Valley road trip, you only need three well-chosen bases. These locations keep driving times short, work well with a car, and allow you to explore nearby châteaux and towns without constantly changing hotels.
All options below are easy to access by road and offer parking.
Blois or Chambord Area: Eastern Loire Base (2–3 nights)
This is the best base for Chambord, Blois, and early château visits, especially if you’re arriving from Paris or Orléans.
Luxury: Relais de Chambord sits directly beside Château de Chambord, with contemporary rooms and on-site parking. Ideal for early or late access to the grounds without crowds.
Mid-range: Hôtel Mercure Blois Centre is comfortable, car-friendly, and well placed for exploring Blois on foot.
Budget: ibis Styles Blois Centre Gare is good value, with straightforward parking and fast access back onto the road.
Tours: Central Loire Base (3–4 nights)
Tours is the most practical multi-night base on the route, perfectly positioned for Chenonceau, Villandry, Amboise, and the surrounding vineyards.
Luxury: Les Trésorières is a modern five-star hotel with a spa, private parking, and a calm setting just outside the historic centre.
Mid-range: Hôtel Oceania L’Univers Tours is reliable and central, with parking and easy access to restaurants and sightseeing.
Budget: ibis Tours Centre Gare is practical and affordable, ideal if you want minimal fuss and good road access.
Angers or Nantes: Western Loire Base (2–3 nights)
Choose Angers if you want medieval architecture and vineyards, or Nantes if you prefer a livelier city finish with culture and riverfront energy.
Angers Luxury: Markus is an elegant boutique option with parking, well located for exploring the old town.
Nantes Luxury: Sozo Hotel is a stylish conversion near the Jardin des Plantes, with parking options and easy access by car.
Mid-range (both cities): Mercure Angers Centre Gare or OKKO Hotels Nantes Château both work well for central stays without driving stress.
Budget (both cities): ibis Angers Centre Château or ibis Nantes Centre Gare Sud are dependable, affordable, and car-friendly.
