Ten miles south of Chambord lies the magnificent 17th century Château of Cheverny. Built in 1624, the Château has magnificently adorned interior rooms as well as a renowned collection of tapestries, furniture and other objets d’art. The Château is also the model for Marlinspike Hall in The Adventures of Tintin books. Through the enchanting Forest of Russy is the beautiful Beauregard Château, whose expansive Portrait Gallery is a nostalgic lesson in both art and history. It is located close to Blois, which lies along the banks of the Loire between Tours and Orléans. In the center of town sits the Royal Château de Blois, a medieval Renaissance castle also with a unique spiral staircase. In addition to being the residence of several French kings, the castle is where Joan of Arc was blessed by the Archbishop of Reims before heading off with her army. Another château overlooking the Loire is Château Chaumont, an 11th century castle that once belonged to Catherine de' Medici (in 1560), who entertained Nostradamus and other astrologers there. These are just some of the over 300 châteaux to be found in the area!

Accommodations for this tour are at the 2* hotel-restaurant Auberge du Centre in Chitenay with friendly staff and excellent food. Room category: Superior