Chinon-Classic

This four-day escorted driving tour includes ferries, accommodation and tickets to the Grand Prix de Tours.
This is a weekend tour that has gained in popularity over the last couple of years and quite rightly so as it is a fun, relaxed long weekend driving through some of the prettiest parts of France, in the company of an experienced Classic GT Tour Manager.

This tour is ideal for those new to visiting France and suitable for experienced travellers too, in any age or marque of car.

We have selected a hotel in the centre of town; from here the Saturday rally winds around the prettiest parts of the Loire, with a château lunch being a real highlight. On Sunday the demonstrations take place in the centre of Chinon; you are welcome to join in with your car too!

Thursday 20th June | Portsmouth to Caen | Overnight Ferry Crossing
The tour begins at Portsmouth ferry dock at the Brittany Ferries check in desk. We are booked onto the 22:45hrs sailing at Portsmouth bound for the port of Caen. Your comfortable onboard accommodation is reserved for you.

Itinerary

Friday 21st June | Caen to Chinon | 170 Miles
On arrival into France, we head off from Caen onto quiet French back roads to a breakfast stop in Putanges. The scenic D-roads continue from here 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 60s 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 to the town of Chinon, where we are based for the next three nights. This evening our welcome dinner will be in an excellent local restaurant in the town.

Saturday 22nd June | Chinon Rally Day | 100 Miles
Today we join the official Chinon Classic rally (a progression of what used to be the Grand Prix de Tours and run by the same organisers as the Angoulême Circuit des Remparts), which takes in the best roads around the Loire with a coffee stop along the way; this being France there will be wine, cheeses, meats and soft drinks too.
Though the final details are yet to be announced for this year, there is bound to be, as previous years, a stunning lunch location before we meander back to Chinon. This evening there is a gala dinner in the underground vaults of the magnificent Royal Fortress, a unique and special location for an evening's entertainment.

Sunday 23rd June | Race Day
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 not a race, simply enjoy the attention as you drive - and don't forget to wave!
There is plenty to see and do in the town during the day with a large car paddock, exhibitors and stands under the trees alongside the river, not to mention the picturesque cobbled streets of the town to stroll around. This evening we have a finale dinner planned in another superb restaurant in the town.

Monday 24th June | Chinon to Caen | 170 Miles
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 16:30hrs sailing back to Portsmouth.