Day 1: By train to Tours

With the high-speed train, we're hurtling at up to 300 km/h from Cologne via Paris to Tours.

Day 2: Tours - Life on and with the Loire

Tours is a dignified town, characterized by the long-established bourgeoisie and the life of the young university. The markets are bustling with activity, and our study guide knows all about good regional produce. We hear about "Vive la Loire vivante!" A civic project built to protect the Loire. We stroll through the old quarters from Place Plumereau and idyllic squares to Saint-Gatien Cathedral. Inside, light shines through the beautiful Gothic windows as we hear the story of Saint Martin de Tours. (F)

Day 3: Dream castles of Chambord and Blois

Initially, the Loire's most important castles - Chambord and Blois. After his defeat in the election as emperor of the Holy Roman Empire in 1519, François I began building what was then the most magnificent royal palace in Europe. Be that as it may, the Renaissance ensemble at Chambord remains an exceptional architectural phenomenon: the double-spiral stonework and the rich landscape of the roof are just two of the highlights. In Blois, we discuss the castle of the Valois kings of France: how were the defiant, protective fortifications transformed into luxurious, representative palaces? In this way, we not only walk through magnificent buildings, but also through the history of France. And we see what the city has to offer when we look - up, down - at Blois. 165 km (F)

Day 4: Villandry and Azay-le-Rideau

Travelers come to Château de Villandry to admire the terraced Renaissance gardens. We do the same, walking between cabbages and turnips, boxwood and roses. Continue at a leisurely pace to the Château d'Azay-le-Rideau. Balzac was captivated by the building's proportions and elegance, comparing it to a cut diamond. 70 km (F)

Day 5: Chaumont Garden Festival

The Hurault de Vibraye family has lived in the baroque Château de Cheverny for almost 400 years. When we visit the house, we can see what splendor, furniture and works of art have accumulated over the years without losing sight of the elegant parks. Tip: Tintin fans will also get their money's worth in the small museum in the adjoining building. Chaumont-sur-Loire is beautifully situated on the river. Our visit doesn't involve the château. We're drawn to the park above the Loire to admire the results of the annual international garden festival "Festival International des Jardins". Landscape gardeners, fashion designers and interior architects from all over the world create surprising and individual gems of garden art in the large park. 120 km (F)

Day 6: Tales from Rivau and Chinon

The Château du Rivau of the Beauvau family, who even had family links with the French royal family, presents itself to us like a fairytale castle. A true paradise for rose lovers and amateur gardeners are the sculpture gardens surrounding the château and the remarkable collection of fragrant roses. Just the place for a light lunch! Later, we visit a winery near Chinon before hearing about the past and present of viticulture in the region over a glass of wine. 125 km (B, L)

Day 7: Amboise and Chenonceau

Did you know that Leonardo da Vinci spent the last years of his life at the Château du Clos-Lucé in Amboise? King François I made the property available to him, and so Leonardo set off from Florence towards the Loire with the Mona Lisa in his luggage. The Château d'Amboise watches over the Loire - a truly regal photo motif. At Château de Chenonceau, surrounded by the Cher River - the château des femmes - noble ladies such as Diane de Poitiers and Katharina von Medici put their architectural ideas into practice in their own parks. Take a boat trip on the Cher and marvel at the magnificent arches of the bridge. At the end of our journey, it's not hard to plunge back into the days of glamorous Renaissance garden parties! 90 km (B, D)

Day 8: Goodbye on the Loire

We take the TGV back to the French capital. Return home from the station. 160 km (F) Schedule, hotel and program changes are expressly reserved. (B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner)