Join us on an unforgettable journey through the picturesque landscapes of France, celebrating the timeless elegance of classic cars. Our Chinon Classic tour offers a unique blend of driving excitement, cultural immersion, and camaraderie.
Experience the thrill of driving through scenic countryside, participate in the renowned Chinon Classic rally, and admire stunning classic cars at the exhilarating race day demonstrations. With comfortable accommodations, delicious cuisine, and the vibrant atmosphere of Chinon, this tour is a must for any classic car enthusiast.
Book your adventure today and create memories that will last a lifetime.
The tour begins with dinner at the Quays in Portsmouth ahead of checking in at Portsmouth ferry dock at the Brittany Ferries check-in desk. We are booked onto the 23h00hrs overnight sailing from Portsmouth bound for the port of Caen. Your comfortable on- board accommodation is reserved for you.
On arrival into France, we head off from Caen onto quiet French back roads to a breakfast stop in a delightful hotel by the river in Putanges. The scenic D-roads continue from here, or you can hop on to the motorway, as we carry on down to just south of Le Mans. We then pick up the D304 down to La Chartre-sur-le-Loir, the road used by several of the Le Mans racing teams back in the day and is still a must-do drive for motoring enthusiasts visiting the area.
We will have lunch at the famous Hotel de France, where the GT40 and Aston Martin teams were based over the 24-hour race weekend in the 60’s and which continues to welcome celebrities, such as Derek Bell and Jackie Ickx, from the motor racing world throughout the year. From here we have a beautiful, gentle two-hour drive through the vineyards and orchards to the town of Chinon, where we will be based for the next three nights.
Nestled in the heart of medieval Vieux‑Chinon, the accommodation offers an enchanting blend of heritage and comfort. Housed in a beautifully restored 16th‑century manor, this elegant 3‑star hotel overlooks a charming square with its fountain and boasts views of the majestic Chinon Château. This evening’s dinner will be together to welcome you to the wonderful town of Chinon.
Today we join the official Chinon Classic ‘rally’ (run by the same organisers as the Angouleme GP) which takes in the some of the most picturesque roads around the Loire valley with a ‘coffee’ stop along the way; this being France there will be wine and gourmet snacks on offer…and soft drinks too. Though the final details are yet to be announced for next year, there is bound to be, as previous years, a stunning lunch location before we meander back to Chinon.
It takes the form of a tulip rally but there are no timings or prizes for first home and you should follow the instructions in good humour as you enjoy the scenery and many roads not usually driven by tourists. This evening there is a gala dinner in the underground cellars of the magnificent Royal Fortress, a really different and special location for an evening’s entertainment with live music.
Today the roads around the town are closed off for the demonstration circuits. You are in prime position to spectate and take your car out to show the crowds. Again, it’s definitely not a race and you are encouraged to simply enjoy the attention from the spectators lining the circuit – and don’t forget to wave!
There is plenty to see and do in the town during the day with a large car paddock directly opposite the hotel, exhibitors and stands under the trees alongside the river, not to mention the cobbled streets of the town to stroll around or discover a local restaurant for lunch. This evening we will enjoy dinner together as a group to end off a fun-filled weekend.
After breakfast, you make your way back up to Caen (170 miles mainly along motorways allowing you plenty of time and opportunity for comfort breaks) for the 16:30 hrs. sailing back to Portsmouth.
We have a minimum number of participants required for all of our events enabling them to be viable for us to run – this is usually 10 riders unless stated otherwise. In the event that we don’t reach the minimum numbers, the tour may be cancelled at which point your booking deposit will be refunded to you, or if preferred, allocated to another event of your choice.
As with all of our tours and events, this tour is protected by ABTOT and ATOL.
Click here for more information.
To secure your place – £500 deposit per person.
Unfortunately this tour is fully booked. Have a look through all of our tours to see if there is an upcoming tour. If there is no upcoming tour of this type you can still register your interest by filling in the below form.
Interested in something similar? Explore this featured selection of luxury adventures.
Register below to receive our regular newsletters via email.
