Conflans-Sainte-Honorine to Loire Valley Chateaus: Day trip

Begin your Orleans exploration at the magnificent Sainte-Croix Cathedral, where Joan of Arc prayed for divine guidance before lifting the English siege in 1429 and changing the course of French history forever. Marvel at the Gothic architecture rebuilt after Protestant destruction, and step inside to see the stunning stained glass windows depicting Joan's story alongside biblical scenes. Walk the historic center following the Joan of Arc trail marked by bronze plaques embedded in the pavement, visiting the Maison de Jeanne d'Arc museum with its multimedia presentations about her extraordinary life and the Place du Martroi with its dramatic equestrian statue showing the Maid of Orleans in full armor. Explore the Renaissance-era Hôtel Groslot with its elegant brick and stone facade where François II and Mary Queen of Scots held court, and stroll along the Loire River banks lined with elegant 18th-century mansions for beautiful views of France's last wild river. The city's blend of medieval heritage and Renaissance elegance includes vibrant shopping districts, excellent restaurants serving regional Loire Valley cuisine with local wines, and the Museum of Fine Arts with its impressive collection spanning from medieval religious art to contemporary works that reflect Orleans' continuing cultural vitality.

Discover Chateau de Villandry, world-renowned for its spectacular Renaissance gardens that are considered among the most beautiful and historically significant in Europe, meticulously recreated from 16th-century designs using period plants and techniques. Explore the chateau's elegant furnished rooms with their Renaissance and 18th-century decorations, then spend ample time wandering through the six terraced gardens including the famous Love Garden with its symbolic plantings representing different types of love from tender to passionate to fickle. Marvel at the ornamental kitchen garden where over 40 varieties of vegetables are arranged in geometric patterns that change with the seasons, creating living works of art that demonstrate Renaissance garden design principles. Discover the water garden with its ornamental pond surrounded by box hedges trimmed into intricate patterns, and the herb garden with its collection of medicinal and aromatic plants used in Renaissance times. Climb to the chateau's upper floors or the garden's elevated terraces for panoramic views of these horticultural masterpieces that require a team of ten gardeners working year-round to maintain their perfection. The gardens change dramatically with the seasons, offering different color palettes and experiences throughout the year, with over 150,000 plants creating an ever-evolving tapestry that demonstrates the French art de vivre and the Renaissance pursuit of beauty through harmony between architecture and nature. Verify opening hours and ticket prices online before visiting: https://www.chateauvillandry.fr/useful-information/prices-opening-times-how-to-get-there-how-to-visit-villandry/?lang=en

Visit the fairy-tale Chateau d'Ussé, dramatically perched above the Indre Valley with its forest of towers, turrets, and chimneys that famously inspired Charles Perrault's Sleeping Beauty when he visited in the 17th century. Explore the castle's fascinating mix of Gothic fortifications and Renaissance residential wings, walking through furnished rooms that bring the beloved fairy tale to life with period decorations, costumes, and tableaux depicting scenes from the story. Climb the towers for stunning views over the Loire countryside's rolling hills covered in vineyards and forests, and visit the charming Renaissance chapel in the grounds with its remarkable tomb sculptures. Stroll through the terraced French gardens designed by André Le Nôtre with their geometric parterres, ornamental fountains, and perfectly manicured hedges that frame views of the castle's romantic silhouette. The castle's collection of towers, dormers, and decorative elements creates the perfect storybook appearance that continues to inspire visitors of all ages. Learn about the castle's history from medieval fortress to Renaissance pleasure palace, and discover why this chateau, more than any other, embodies the magic and romance of the Loire Valley that has captured imaginations for centuries and continues to influence fairy tale illustrations and Disney castle designs around the world. Preview the opening hours and ticket prices before your trip: https://www.chateaudusse.fr/horaires-tarifs/?lang=en