The Loire is not only a region, it's a river:

And it's because of this river than there are fertile soils and a micro-climate. The Loire is known to the French as "the garden of France" because of its beautiful landscapes, its numerous agricultural products, its cheese and its wine!

The Loire region is also world famous for its castles, some from the Middle Ages (Amboise, Chinon...), most from the Renaissance (Chambord, Chenonceau, Villandry...).

If you only have one day to spare in your program to see the Loire chateaux, we can do it. But do know that it will be a long 12-hour day. Long, but totally worth it. Expect a departure at 8:30 AM from your hotel with a 2h30 drive (we'll make a pit stop of course). Our first stop for sightseeing will be at 11 AM when we arrive at the chateau of Chambord. It will be your choice to go inside or save time for more chateaux.

Next we go to Amboise where, again, you choose to go inside or not.

If we go in, you'll want to visit Leonardo da Vinci's tomb (no less) inside the Chapel Saint-Hubert

(which we'll see from the outside anyway):

Otherwise, a place that you'll really like at Amboise (500 yards from the chateau) is the Clos-Lucé,

Leonardo da Vinci's last known address where he lived the final three years of his life. Not only is it a beautiful house:

You will also find life-size replicas of his inventions in the delighful park which is full of surprises:

But the highlight of the day will be the visit of the chateau of Chenonceau which, on its own, is totally worth the trip:

Then we will drive back to Paris. I recommend that we have a quick (but decent) lunch on that day (to save time) and we should be back around 8:30 PM after a 2h45 ride back (I make great conversation or, chances are, I'll let you sleep) for you to have "late" dinner in Paris. Or we can have a nice dinner in Chartres on the way back so that you can see the illuminations which are really worthwhile. We can play it by ear, I'm flexible. In any case, it will be a great day!