Storia Royale Journeys
Seven Days Among the Châteaux
Loire Valley, France
One of Europe's most beautiful river valleys. Renaissance châteaux, ancient vineyards, medieval villages, formal gardens and the deep culture of the French heartland.
The Journey
The Journey
The Loire Valley is France at its most refined — a landscape shaped by centuries of royal ambition, artistic patronage and agricultural tradition. Your base for the week is a private château estate selected for its beauty, location and character. From here, a small group of approximately ten guests explores the valley together — visiting châteaux, vineyards, markets, villages and galleries at a pace that allows genuine discovery.
Experiences
What You Will Experience
The Châteaux
Chambord, Chenonceau, Villandry, Amboise and others — each a story of power, beauty and ambition. Private guided visits bring the history to life.
Loire Wines
Vouvray, Sancerre, Chinon, Muscadet — the Loire produces some of France's most distinctive wines. Visits to family domaines, cellar tastings and conversations with producers.
French Cuisine
A private chef prepares meals from regional produce — rillettes, tarte tatin, fresh river fish, local cheeses and wines from the valley. Shared breakfasts, long lunches, candlelit dinners.
Medieval Villages
Chinon, Amboise, Loches, Richelieu — villages where history is still visible in the stone. Morning markets, artisan producers and quiet streets.
Gardens and Art
The formal gardens of Villandry, the tapestries of Angers, the Leonardo collections at Amboise — art and horticulture woven through the landscape.
The Château Life
Evenings on the terrace, aperitifs in the salon, breakfast in the morning light. The property is not simply where you sleep — it is where the story unfolds.
The Week
Seven Days in the Valley
Each journey is shaped around the season, the group and the property. This is a guide to the rhythm of the week.
Day One
Arrival & Welcome
Guests arrive at the château. A welcome dinner prepared by the private chef — introductions, wine from the valley, the week ahead.
Day Two
Chambord & Blois
Morning at Château de Chambord — the grandest of all Loire châteaux. Afternoon in Blois, the royal town. Evening at the château.
Day Three
Chenonceau & Wine
Château de Chenonceau spanning the River Cher. Afternoon visit to a Vouvray or Montlouis domaine — cellar tour and tasting with the producer.
Day Four
Villandry & the Gardens
The extraordinary formal gardens of Villandry. Afternoon free for the village, the market or the château grounds. Long dinner at home.
Day Five
Chinon & Saumur
Medieval Chinon — fortress, old town, Rabelais country. Afternoon in Saumur, the sparkling wine capital. Tuffeau caves and a producer visit.
Day Six
Amboise & Leonardo
Château Royal d'Amboise and the Clos Lucé — Leonardo da Vinci's final home. The collections, the gardens, the view over the Loire. Farewell dinner.
Day Seven
Departure
Final breakfast at the château. Departures arranged by private transfer to Tours, Paris or onward connections.
Your Home for the Week
Your Château for the Week
Every Storia Royale journey is based in a private property selected for its beauty, location and character. In the Loire Valley, this means a genuine château estate — a historic property with formal rooms, private grounds, a terrace overlooking the gardens and the atmosphere of a private home rather than a hotel. The property is exclusively yours for the week.
Inclusions
What Is Included
International flights are not included. We are happy to assist with flight recommendations and private aviation arrangements.
Applications
Begin Your Loire Valley Story.
Register your interest and we will be in touch within a few days.