– Loire Valley –

WHAT’S INCLUDED

• 6 intimate wine tastings at estates selected by Isabelle
• 4 Châteaux visits: Chenonceau, Azay-Le-Rideau, Villandry, Brissac
• 1 Abbaye visit: Abbaye de Fontevraud
• 1 Farmers market visit in Brissac
• 1 Troglodyte caves immersive visit: Le Mystère des Faluns
• 1 Traditional mushroom farm visit
• Isabelle Corneaux as your full-time tour director

WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED

• Airfare and transportation to Tours are not included and must be booked and paid separately.
• 3 dinners not included on days when we have a large lunch.
• Subject to exchange rate fluctuation

ITINERARY:

Day 0:

Your hotel room in Tours will be available after 3:00 pm.

Day 1: SAUMUR TO AZAY-LE-RIDEAU TO CHINON

Start the day with Château d’Azay-Le-Rideau visit, followed by a lunch in Azay-Le-Rideau Village. After lunch, enjoy a winery visit in Chinon and then some free time for exploring Tours. Dinner in the evening will be with the group.

Day 2: SAUMUR TO CHENONCEAU TO VOUVRAY

We’ll spend the whole morning visiting one of the most iconic and romantic châteaux, the Ladies’ Castle: Château de Chenonceau, built over the Cher river. and its magnificent gardens: two formal Renaissance gardens (Diane’s and Catherine’s) followed by a brunch at L’Orangerie de Chenonceau. In the afternoon, we pay a visit to a winery in Vouvray. In the evening, use your free time to explore, shop, or rest. Dinner will be at a venue of your choice.

Day 3: TOURS TO VILLANDRY TO BOURGUEIL

In the morning, we check out of the hotel in Tours. Then we’ll start the day with a tour of Château de Villandry; one of the most spectacular and beloved châteaux in the Loire Valley, especially famous for its Renaissance gardens. Afterwards, we’ll have lunch in Villandry. In the afternoon, on our way to the next hotel in Saumur, we’ll visit a winery in Bourgueil and then enjoy some free time for exploring Saumur. Dinner in the evening will be with the group.

Day 4: SAUMUR TO BRISSAC TO SAVENNIÈRES

Start the day with a visit of Brissac farmers market, then we’ll visit Château de Brissac, known as the “Giant of the Loire Valley”. Brissac is the tallest château in France – seven stories high with more than 200 rooms! Then we’ll have lunch in Brissac and visit a winery in Savennières. Later, the remainder of the afternoon is free for an activity of your choice. In the evening, we will be treated to a marvelous dinner at a 1-star Michelin restaurant, L’Ermitage at l’Abbaye de Fontevraud

Day 5: SAUMUR TO ANGERS TO SERRANT

We’ll start the day with a local cooking class and lunch. Following that will be an enjoyable visit of an iconic winery in Serrant. Later in the afternoon, we’ll take you to Le Mystère des Faluns, a fascinating immersive experience in troglodyte caves. Dinner in the evening will be at a venue of your choosing.

Day 6: SAUMUR TO ABBAYE DE FONTEVRAUD

Beneath the vineyards and tuffeau cliffs of Saumur lies a vast network of limestone caves, originally dug out as quarries to supply stone for the Loire’s grand châteaux. These cool, humid caverns later became ideal for mushroom cultivation- a tradition that continues today. Start the morning with a visit to a winery in Saumur, then to a typical mushroom farm. We’ll have lunch in Saumur and then head to the Beautiful Abbaye Royale de Fontevraud, one of the most extraordinary historical sites in the Loire Valley. Use the remainder of the afternoon to finish your shopping. Dinner in the evening will be with the group.

Day 7: SAUMUR

Breakfast at the hotel in Saumur.

Tour Locations