Loire Wine Tour

Pick up this morning in Paris, from your hotel, airport or train station.  Make yourself comfortable in your chauffeur-driven Mercedes as you hit the road Sancerre bound, it’s about an hour and a half drive, so sit back and enjoy the ride. On arrival at your Relais and Chateaux countryside hotel, make the most of a relaxing afternoon in this picturesque setting. It is literally green everywhere you look through the extensive grounds, impressive century-year-old oak trees dominate the horizon with a splash of color from the flowers in the perfectly manicured gardens and inviting turquoise swimming pool. read more

Today you will explore the beloved region of Sancerre. Your first stop is for a wonderful wine tour at Henri Bourgeois. It is no coincidence that the Bourgeois family have Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir plots on two opposite poles of the earth; they have a real understanding of the best terroir and climate for these varieties and are producing exceptional wines in both Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé and Marlborough, New Zealand. Having opened your pallet with the sumptuous citrus-forward Sancerre, you will be ready for lunch, which follows in a 14th-century tower at La Tour in Sancerre. A Michelin star tasting lunch awaits at the hands of the talented young chef, Baptiste Fournier, whose creative slant focuses on vegetable dishes, although equally terrific fish and meat dishes follow, not to mention the divine desserts—perfectly paired with stunning wines. read more

Today visit some of the most beautiful and famous Chateaux of the Loire Valley. The first stop is the immense Château de Chambord, utter extravagance in its day, built as a hunting lodge, yet with over 400 rooms, it has to be seen to be believed. Fabulous Renaissance architecture, including the impressive internal and exterior spiral staircases and the immaculate gardens, make for a pleasurable stroll to work up an appetite before lunch. On to L’Orangerie du Château in Blois, where the delightful husband and wife team, Chef Jean-Marc Molveaux and his wife Karine, in charge of the front of house, offer innovative and refined French cuisine using prime locally sourced products. They were accompanied by very quaffable Loire wines from their select cellar. read more

A fabulous French breakfast to start your day and then a brief 10-minute transfer to beautiful Rochecorbon, take in the monumental Cathedral of Saint-Gatien with its elaborate Stain glassed windows as you stroll around the pretty town. Then visit one of our fave wine estates- Marc Bredif. You were producing phenomenal red and white Loire wines, no longer in the Bredif family since the 1980s when current owner Baron Patrick de Ladoucette acquired the estate. However, this change of hands only served to improve the already colossal success story with a much-needed injection of funds. Renovating installations and expanding the estate to include some of the most prized Vouvray plots. A highlight of your VIP tour will undoubtedly be sampling extraordinary vintages and then sit down for a pleasant cocktail style lunch. read more

Check out and transfer to Chaumont Sur Loire, where you will embark on a traditional wooden boat for a cruise on the Loire, complete with picnic and wine tasting, a fun, relaxed way to take in some of the remarkable scenery. In the afternoon visit the exceptional Royal Chateau D’Amboise; famed for being the last resting place of Leonardo da Vinci whose tomb is within the chateau in Saint Hubert’s chapel. Despite its immense size, it is incredibly only a fifth of its original size, however, it still sits imposingly over the river and offers the most fabulous views across the town and surrounding valley. read more

Breakfast overlooking the Loire followed by a stroll around the Medieval Fortress of Chinon, parts of the castle date back to the 10th century and it has played a significant role over the centuries including being the meeting place between Joan of Arc and Charles VII during the Hundred Years’ War or the tower of Argenton which imprisoned Knights of Templar before their execution. Just a few minutes down the road to Domaine Couly-Dutheil. Highly respected and without a doubt responsible for producing some of the Loire’s most admired reds. We are confident that you will never forget the spellbinding effect of a glass of Clos de L’Echo, magical! Before lunch, stop in the adorable village of Montsoreau. Listed as both one of the most “charming” and “beautiful” villages in France, it’s apparent why. Ideally situated at the intersection of Rivers Loire and Vienne, the quaint Tuffeau stoned village sits in front of the dramatic castle. read more

Your chauffeur will be waiting at your preferred time to transfer you back to Paris today. On the way, stop for a visit and lunch at the gorgeous 17th century Royal Versailles Palace, the most beautiful of them all! You will have a private guide here to show you the best of the best including the gardens, the Palaces of Trianon, the Hall of Mirrors, the photogenic fountains- all with entertaining anecdotes and expert commentary. read more