Gardens of the Loire - Touring by Train

The mellow beauty of gentle rolling countryside between Orleans and Nantes, both natural and more formally landscaped, an area of vineyards, orchards, forests and meadows irrigated by the Loire and its meandering tributaries, rightly make the Loire Valley the so-called Garden of France. And its huge variety of parks and gardens, from classic formal chateau grounds to beautifully designed and cultivated civic and private parks, are without equal in France, making it the perfect destination for garden lovers.

This new rail-based itinerary complements and extends our popular Loire Chateaux tour, retaining its unique cultural attraction but with the emphasis more on its no less captivating parks and gardens. And all so easy to discover by public transport – and a few gentle walks. The Loire you will discover is full of hidden surprises. What’s more, its location and mild climate make it ideal to visit at any time between March and October, with the evolving seasons constantly and naturally renewing its visual appeal.

Our suggested itinerary begins in Orleans, an archetypal green city with its many parks, tree-lined avenues and riverside walks, and a medieval / Renaissance centre testifying to its rich historical legacy. No garden lover will want to miss the ½-hour local tram ride to the beautiful Parc Floral de la Source.

Tours is the ideal base to explore Loire Chateaux country – a delightful green city in its own right, it offers easy access to the chateaux and grounds at Amboise, Chenonceaux and, most notable of all, Villandry. Not to mention the Loire’s major horticultural attraction, the gardens and annual garden festival at Chaumont.

Further west, Angers is a pleasantly green city of great historical and cultural interest, with the added plus of Terra Botanica, France’s newest attraction, part theme park part open-air living exhibition dedicated to floral and plant life. Thence to the vibrant, surprisingly attractive port and old Breton capital, Nantes, a shining example of ecological urban regeneration with its emphasis on its many green public spaces

Along with your itinerary, we provide local timetables and fare information, allowing you to explore in your own time and at your own pace.. We would emphasise that below is just a suggested itinerary; we are happy to accommodate or substitute additional nights or visits to gardens in accordance with individual preferences (please ask for details and prices).

Day One: Arrival and overnight at your chosen hotel in Orleans, Discover the delightful old town and its many public gardens with a self-guided itinerary

Day Two: Take the local tram to the Parc Floral de la Source (fare not included), the extensive, beautifully landscaped park south of the city. Further free time in Orleans (overnight)

Day Three: Follow the Loire to Tours, your base to explore the heart of Chateaux country. Discover the parks and gardens of Tours itself, then take a short trip to lovely Amboise to visit the gardens of Clos Luce chateaux, adorned with models of da Vinci inventions. Overnight Tours

Day Four: A full day excursion to Chaumont, to enjoy the most celebrated of all the Loire gardens, with its annual flower show and horticultural exhibitions. Overnight Tours

Day Five: Morning to relax or take optional excursion to either Villandry or Chenonceaux, Late afternoon continue west along Loire to Angers for overnight

Day Six: Explore the public gardens of the historic centre, then take the local tram to Terra Botanica, the horticultural theme park (fare not included), before heading west again alongside the Loire to Nantes for overnight

Day Seven: free to explore the many delights of Nantes, an exciting, regenerated port, with included visits to the greenhouses of the Jardin des Plantes and Parc Brotteaux. Overnight Nantes

Day Eight: rejoin TGV for the homeward journey to UK