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A woman smiles on a stone bridge overlooking a canal and historic buildings during a journey through Brittany and the Loire Valley, France.
France

Brittany & The Loire Valley: Castles, Chateaux & Celtic Roots

Program No. 24803RJ
Participant Reviews
4.82
Based on 12 Reviews
SHOWING
Barbara – Class of 2007 | Austin, TX
I highly recommend this program as a way to see parts of France that are not Paris. The size of the group (17) was perfect and we were able to get to know each other. Marianne was out tour guide and kept us going to the right place at the right time. She was wonderful. She loves what she does and it shows. The Loire Valley and Brittany are varied with so much history. I'm glad I got to enjoy both.
— Review left October 8, 2026
Rebecca – Class of 2022 | Medford, OR
I traveled in the "Brittany and The Loire Valley: Castles, Chateaux & Celtic Roots" program in September 2026. What a lovely program! I had thought the Loire Valley would be the best part of the tour, but Brittany was even better. The variety of locations visited was wonderful, and we had great instruction from the local guides and from our tour leader, in the geography, natural history, historical events, and culture of the regions we visited and of France in general. We had several experiences that would be hard to arrange individually -- a private visit with an archaeologist at Carnac, an overnight stay at the Abbey of Fontevraud, and visiting beautiful and historic locations from the western tip of Brittany at Pointe du Raz to the Loire Valley. Transportation was safe and easy with our wonderful bus driver. So much scenic beauty all around! The group was a good size for us, 17 travelers, and it was a very congenial group. All interesting folks, and all very interested in learning from the tour. I will definitely be taking other Road Scholar trips in the future! (This was my first one.) I highly recommend this tour.
— Review left October 7, 2026
Harlan – Class of 2025 | Medford, OR
The Brittany and Loire tour exceeded my expectations, which were high already based on recommendations from friends. I learned about the culture, history, art, architecture and cuisine of these regions of France.
— Review left October 7, 2026
Fredricka – Class of 2025 | Flagstaff, AZ
Wonderful Road Scholar offering. On this journey to Brittany and the Loire Valley, there is so much to learn, see, experience, and taste. You'll see two distinct parts of France, with captivating histories, beautiful medieval towns, historic abbeys and monastaries, iconic cathedrals, exquisite chateaus, prehistoric standing stones in Carnac, the western most point of France at Pointe du Raz, and so much more. A truly memorable Road Scholar program. We are grateful for the experience.
— Review left October 2, 2026
Carole – Class of 2024 | Vashon, WA
This was another awesome RS trip. Of course the coutryside is gorgeous, but our tour leader was absolutely the best. I got ill from the heat and Marianne took matters in hand, got me seen by a doctor, started an insurance claim for me and made certain I was well taken care if as I needed to leave the trip early. While I am sad that I had to leave, it ws so special that I have rebooked the same trip for next year!
— Review left July 22, 2026
Susan – Class of 2019 | Smithfield, VA
Great trip to a lovely, relatively untraveled part of France. There was plenty to see and do, in an area that was calm and less hectic. People here were very welcoming to us. Just enough free time and several of the hotels were exceptional.
— Review left October 10, 2025
Christina – Class of 2022 | Vienna, VA
I really enjoyed this trip through Brittany and onto Mont Saint Michel (which is technically in Normandy now). The Loire Valley was beautiful, Saint Malo did not disappoint (don't miss an opportunity to walk the beach at low tide) and as always - I felt welcomed as a solo traveler amongst mainly couples. I have spoken with Road Scholar at length about this itinerary. It needs a bit of work for the 3 days in the middle. There was also an issue with the guide not being a French resident, much less a Brittany resident. Due to that is seemed that he was not immensely knowledgeable about the places and locations that we were visiting. I think it also made it difficult for him to pivot on those 3 days that were somewhat disappointing in the middle of the trip. He followed the itinerary he was given, which was not always in sync with the itinerary on the RS website. I have every faith that RS will work with the tour operator to finely tune this program for 2026 and beyond. Pack a good raincoat and good walking/trail shoes - and consider a hat and gloves just in case. You will be extremely active on your feet and umbrellas are of little help with the Brittany winds.
— Review left October 7, 2025
Andrew – Class of 2019 | Pittsburgh, PA
We really enjoyed this program very much. The sites we visited, the knowledge of the instructors, the pace of the program, the food including plenty of terrific cheese, wine and bread, were everything we could have asked for.
— Review left September 27, 2025
This participant did not give a star rating.
Kathryn – Class of 2022 | Batavia, IL
This trip is a fascinating glimpse of a part of France that is not on the usual "Grand Tour" itinerary. Brittany ,with its proud heritage , reveals it's distinctive culture and food through this excellent new Road Scholar program.Natalie,our guide, introduced us to Brittany and the castles of the Loire with knowledge and a great sense of humor . The stay at Fontrevauld Abbey was magical! Highly recommended!
— Review left August 9, 2025
Sandra – Class of 2019 | Felton, DE
This program gives one a whole new perspective of the western part of France, Brittany, the culture and the life and legends of the Breton people. Highly recommend.
— Review left July 5, 2025
Theresa – Class of 2019 | Williamsburg, VA
Brittany was amazing and so different from other parts of France as they are proud of and determined to preserve their unique heritage. The chateaus are amazing and the choice of those to visit was “spot on”. We had knowledgable guides, the best food I have had on a French tour , quiet rooms and Marianne for our leader- what more could anyone want from a tour?
— Review left June 24, 2025
Lelane – Class of 2017 | Vero Beach, FL
While this is a newer offering it provided the same high quality I've come to expect from Road Scholar. It was an opportunity to see an area of France quite different from other areas. The Celtic influence in Brittany was fascinating. Late spring with all the flowers in bloom was a great time to visit.
— Review left June 5, 2025