Loire Valley Private 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 around a two-hour drive, so sit back and enjoy the ride.

On arrival at your Relais & Châteaux 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-old oak trees dominate the horizon with a splash of color from the flowers in the perfectly manicured gardens and inviting turquoise swimming pool.

Enjoy an aperitif in the hotel bar before tonight’s dinner at La Table des Templiers, the Auberge’s one-Michelin-starred restaurant. Chef Thibault Nizard leads the kitchen, and the cellar holds more than 750 references, with the sommelier guiding food-and-wine pairings. Welcome, and Bon Appétit!

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 has 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 produce exceptional wines in Sancerre, Pouilly-Fumé, and Marlborough, New Zealand.

Having opened your palate with the sumptuous citrus-forward Sancerre, you will be ready for lunch in a 14th-century tower at La Tour in Sancerre. Chef Baptiste Fournier’s menus follow the seasons, with modern cooking and a vegetarian option alongside fish and meat dishes.

After lunch, enjoy a second wine tour and tasting at Ladoucette’s Château du Nozet in Pouilly-sur-Loire. Château Nozet has been home to the Ladoucette family since 1787 and has been a prominent name on the wine map since the 1970s as one of the region’s most beautiful estates. You will do a Ladoucette trail, including all three of their Sancerre estates, after Nozet, moving on to Poussie and Comte Lafond. This VIP tour will conclude with tasting some of their prized vintages and a gourmet food pairing. Then, it’s back to your fabulous abode for a free evening.

Today, you will visit some of the most beautiful and famous châteaux 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, makes for a pleasurable stroll to work up an appetite before lunch.

On to L’Orangerie du Château in Blois for innovative and refined French cuisine using prime locally sourced products, accompanied by very quaffable Loire wines from their cellar.

After lunch, visit Château de Cheverny, another magnificent stately home that was among the first to open its doors to the public in 1922. The grandeur of château life comes through as you stroll through the vast, elaborately decorated rooms and explore the grounds and botanical gardens—an extra treat for Tintin fans—in the interactive Tintin exhibition.

And then finally, on to your next hotel, the splendid Les Hauts de Loire. Paradisiacal; gorgeous ivy-covered château, luscious gardens, and grounds complete with lakes, trees, and wildlife.

Start your day with a fabulous French breakfast before heading to Rochecorbon for your first winery visit.

Then visit one of our fave wine estates—Marc Brédif. The winery is known for its exceptional red and white Loire wines, although it is no longer in the Bredif family. Baron Patrick de Ladoucette purchased the estate in the 1980s, and this transition has only enhanced its impressive success story. With a substantial infusion of funds, the installations have been renovated, and the estate has expanded to include some of the most sought-after Vouvray plots – after your tour and tasting, sit down for a pleasant lunch on site.

After lunch, a second private wine tour and tasting at Domaine Huet, just a few minutes’ drive down the road. An inspirational story of backbreaking work, war, and love is behind what has become synonymous with Vouvray wines. The tumbling-down ancient stone wall that encompasses the Clos du Bourg vineyard adds to the charm and feel that Domaine Huet’s success comes simply from the grandeur of its vines and resulting wines.

Then, on to Chenonceaux to visit the spectacular chateau, another fabulous Renaissance masterpiece with a fascinating story of predominantly female ownership over the centuries of royal wives, lovers, or widows. It also served as a military hospital during the First World War and played an important role in WW2, helping to smuggle people escaping from the occupying Germans.

A free evening back at your gorgeous abode, you might like to try the gastronomic restaurant onsite, now led by Chef Arthur Peta.

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 a picnic and wine tasting, a fun, relaxed way to take in some of the remarkable scenery.

In the afternoon, visit the exceptional Royal Château d’Amboise, famed as the last resting place of Leonardo da Vinci, whose tomb lies in Saint Hubert’s chapel. Despite its immense size, it is 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.

About an hour’s drive to Candes-Saint-Martin. It’s picture-perfect, and it’s no surprise it’s listed as one of France’s most beautiful villages. Explore the town, enjoy a spot of shopping, and pick up some gourmet goodies for dinner this evening. You have a kitchen at your next residence.

Then, your driver will transfer you to yet another beautiful château, Château de Candes, which will be your stunning accommodation for the next couple of days.

This morning, enjoy a 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 serving as the meeting place between Joan of Arc and Charles VII during the Hundred Years’ War and the imprisonment of Knights Templar at the fortress before their trial.

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 one of the most “charming” and “beautiful” villages in France, it’s easy to see why. Ideally situated at the intersection of the Loire and Vienne rivers, the quaint Tuffeau-stoned village sits before the dramatic castle.

Then it is on to the lovely town of Saumur itself. Very much the wine hub of the Loire and often described as the Loire’s Reims and Épernay in one. Lunch is a more casual affair today at gastro bistro Terrasses de Saumur with a terrace view of the castle. Les Terrasses de Saumur pride themselves in offering hearty dishes with a modern, inventive touch, washed down with some gutsy Saumur wines, of course.

After lunch, you’ll head to Domaine de la Paleine. Low yields and an impressively equipped winery produce elegant, fresh, ripe Saumur. Enjoy a private tour and tasting of some of their top vintages.

This evening, after time to unwind, return to Montsoreau for dinner at Ververt. The restaurant serves creative, local, and fresh cuisine, and its menu changes with the seasons and its producers.

Your chauffeur will wait for your preferred time to transfer you back to Paris today. On the way, stop for a visit and lunch at the gorgeous 17th-century Palace of Versailles, the most beautiful of them all! You will have a private guide here to show you the best, including the gardens, the Palaces of Trianon, the Hall of Mirrors, and the photogenic fountains- all with entertaining anecdotes and expert commentary. On arrival in Paris, your chauffeur will transfer you to your hotel, airport, or next port of call. Your chauffeur will assist you with check-in and your luggage for your onward journey. Bon voyage!