a 6-day discovery of French Loire valley where "living is an art!"
and enjoy the privilege of a truly “insider’s view”
of one of the most beautiful and culturally rich regions of France

Discover France and Touraine in the center of the Loire Valley, known as "valley of the kings" and "garden of France". You will explore the fascinating facets of this beautiful region and enjoy an intimate glimpse into its rich history and culture. Taste incredible food and wines, wander the countryside antique markets, bike through rolling vineyards and cruise down the Vienne and Loire rivers. “Here, living is an art” is the motto of our region and the motto of your travel experience.

Day 1 : Saturday

• Arrival at the central train station of Tours

• Transfer to the Chateau de Marçay (hotel)

 Arrival at Tours by TGV, the high speed train from Paris or CDG Airport

You are met at the station of Tours or Saint Pierre-des-Corps and transported to your chateau hotel by private coach. If you arrived from West or East Coast of the USA thru CDG Airport, or if you arrive from Paris, we will adjust the program accordingly.

Your hotel: le Château de Marçay

This 15th century castle is built on the ruins of an 11th century fortress. The successive owners and legacies parceled out this immense domain, hence all that is left is the Château and its outbuildings, a park planted with trees, vines and land over a 15 hectares area. This domain forms an island of greenery in the Chinon countryside, developed into a hotel and a restaurant which opened to the public in 1973.

The Château of Marçay offers 22 rooms, all different. Some have a view on the park, others on the main courtyard. The rooms of the château and its wing have been decorated in a «haute époque» style.

You will settle into your room at our chateau accommodations. You will have time to rest after your long trip.

Strolling in Chinon

The historic town of Chinon presents an interesting architectural ensemble, from the Middle Ages and the beginning of the Renaissance when the Loire Valley was the seat of the king's court.Topography has played a major role: the formerly fortified town was developed at the foot of the castle on the rocky outcrop, protecting the northern side, with the Vienne River in the south. Apart from the natural defensive protection on both sides, this fact makes a long narrow urban space, with the main streets running parallel to the river.

The town was developed on both sides of the river: the fortified town at the base of the castle; the canons' quarter to the east; and on the other bank a suburb on the way to the southern regions of the Poitou, important to the 12th century Plantagenets. The former fortified town at the foot of the castle contains a significant collection of old houses and narrow streets, including some half timber houses dating from the end of the 14th or the 15th centuries. The majority of the houses line the main street of this quarter, the rue Voltaire that then becomes the rue Haute Saint Maurice, originally Gallo-Roman, and also presents a number of hôtels particuliers, or town manor houses, some with graceful turrets, winding staircase towers, and decorative elements form the end of the 15th or the beginning of the 16th century. Others, more sober and classical, date from the following periods, with some fine examples from the 17th and 18th centuries.

Dinner at Auberge du Val de Vienne

Trained at the cooking schools of Tours and Blois, Jean-Marie Gervais wanted to become a cook from the age of seven, and it was the love of Florence, his wife, who inspired him, in 1992, to launch his own restaurant. Started from scratch in an old road stop in 1992, the Auberge du Val de Vienne and "this young chef with inventive cuisine" was discovered by “Bottin Gourmand” in 1994, and then by the “guide du Routard” in 1997 and by the “Gault & Millau” guide in 2000. Fascinated by Asian cooking, Jean-Marie Gervais likes "to work simple things, to make the terroir speak", while adding a point of exoticism. His wild duck in spicy crust, his rack of lamb with thyme or his mellow chocolate cake are the pillars of a menu that changes with the seasons.

Make a gastronomic stop in this former post house (1870) in the heart of the Chinon vineyards. Warm décor blends perfectly with quality contemporary cuisine. - MICHELIN guide inspectors

Day 2 : Sunday

• Stroll through an outdoor antique market - la brocante

• A gourmet picnic aboard a traditional river boat

La Brocante

After enjoying a breakfast of local specialties at your chateau we embark on a favorite Loire Valley pastime, browsing a riverside Brocante. Depending on the week of your visit, you will hunt for antiques and soak in the local atmosphere of the monthly antique markets of Montsoreau or Chinon.  The banks of the Loire and Vienne rivers come alive with crowds of antiques hunters hoping to uncover that rare gem among the old books, curios, furniture and more, displayed in the stalls of the antique dealers. Whether you are a serious collector or just here to look, the atmosphere is magic!

A gourmet picnic aboard a traditional river boat*

We will then raise a glass of sparking wine to toast our market “finds”  as we float down the Loire or Vienne, enjoying our on board picnic as we cruise by riverside villages and the vineyards of the valley.

Visit of the castle fortress and medieval town of Chinon

Enjoy the afternoon with an exclusive guided visit of the castle fortress and medieval town of Chinon.

Fortress of Chinon is a castle located on the bank of the Vienne river in Chinon, France. It was founded by Theobald I, Count of Blois. In the 11th century the castle became the property of the counts of Anjou. In 1156 Henry II of England, a member of the House of Anjou, took the castle from his brother Geoffrey after he had rebelled for a second time. Henry favored the Château de Chinon as a residence: most of the standing structure can be attributed to his reign and he died there in 1189. Early in the 13th century, King Philip II of France fought the English for the lands in France and in 1205 he captured Chinon after a siege that lasted several months, after which the castle remained under French control. When King Philip accused the Knights Templar of heresy during the first decade of the 14th century, several leading members of the order were imprisoned there. Used by Charles VII in the 15th century, the Château de Chinon became a prison in the second half of the 16th century, but then fell out of use and was left to decay. It has been recognizedas a "monument historique" by the French Ministry of Culture since 1840. The castle, which contains a museum, is now owned and managed by the Indre-et-Loire General Council and is a major tourist attraction. In the early 21st century it was restored at a cost of 14.5 million euros.

The historic town of Chinon is on the banks of the Vienne river about 10 kilometres (6 mi) from where it joins the Loire. Settlement in Chinon dates from prehistoric times with a pronounced importance for both French and English histories in the Middle Ages. At this period rivers were the main trade routes, and the Vienne River joins both the fertile regions of the Poitou and the city of Limoges, and is a tributary of the Loire, which acted as a traffic thoroughfare. The site was fortified early on, and by the 5th century a Gallo-Roman castrum had been established there.

Gastronomic dinner in one of the very old street of Chinon

Located in one of the oldest street of the city of Chinon, at the bottom of the royal fortress, our restaurant welcome you warmly to make you discover a gastronomi cooking based on fresh and local products.

"Trinkets, little paintings and photos from the 1930s contribute to the charm of this restaurant in Chinon's old town. Contemporary cuisine made with fresh ingredients. -© MICHELIN guide inspectors"

Day 3 : Monday

• Visit of the gardens of "Château de Villandry"

• Lunch Time in Villandry

Visit of the gardens of "Château de Villandry

The acquisition of Villandry by Joachim Carvallo i1 1906 marked a return to their roots for the gardens. Already known for their beauty in the Renaissance, different owners successively transformed them, now into a formal garden, now a romantic garden. With a scientist’s meticulousness, Carvallo recreated gardens that were worthy of the restored chateau. Ever since the construction of the Chateau of Villandry in 1532, outstanding gardens have embellished the building. The passage of time and changing fashions meant they underwent drastic changes in appearance. Archeological findings tell us how, in the Renaissance, there was a decorative kitchen garden at close proximity to the chateau.
As a man of science, he used a scientific approach to assemble a series of archeological and literary clues. By comparing the remains of walls and pipes against old plans, such as those of the Marquis de Castellane and the Napoleonic land register, Carvallo was able to recreate the decorative kitchen garden, while works like Les Plus Excellents bâtiments de France or the Monasticon Gallicanum gave him an idea of Renaissance landscaping.
Far from being a mere replica of gardens reproduced in architectural treatises, the gardens of Villandry are a reinvention. From their layout to the choice of vegetables, everything was conceived in terms of a return to the origins of the Renaissance formal garden. True to Joachim Carvallo, his descendants have undertaken to preserve and develop the Villandry estate with the rigour and selflessness that are the making of outstanding gardens. 

Lunch in Villandry

A sweet interlude for food lovers… A delicious moment to share… A restaurant at immediate proximity to the chateau, but which manages to avoid being a tourist trap… Allow yourself to be seduced by a delicate, choice menu which is also quick!

Visit of "Château de Langeais"

The Château de Langeais is a medieval castle in Indre-et-Loire, France, built on a promontory created by the small valley of the Roumer River at the opening to the Loire Valley. Founded in 992 by Fulk Nerra, Count of Anjou, the castle was soon attacked by Odo I, Count of Blois. After the unsuccessful attack, the now-ruined stone keep was built; it is one of the earliest datable stone examples of a keep. Between 994 and 996 the castle was besieged unsuccessfully twice more. During the conflict between the counts of Anjou and Blois, the castle changed hands several times, and in 1038 Fulk captured the castle again.

After it was destroyed during the Hundred Years' War, King Louis XI (1461–1483) rebuilt Château de Langeais into what today is one of the best known examples of late medieval architecture. It is especially noted for its monumental and highly decorated chimneypieces. Restored in the late 19th century, Château de Langeais came under the control of the Institut de France, who own the site today. It is listed as a monument historique by the French Ministry of Culture and is open to the public.

Wine tasting in Panzoult

Domaine Hérault is located on the heights of the village, next to the Château de Panzoult. It covers 24 hectares of vineyards, from the plain to the hillside.

Cabernet Franc has been grown here since 1964, and the year 2015 was marked by the planting of the Chenin grape varietal used for AOC Chinon white wine.

The estate's wines are available in red, with the wines "La Barriquade", "Hérault-Ik", "Cuvée Tradition", and "Vieilles Vignes", as well as “rosé de saignée” and sparkling. The visitors are welcomed in an old cave carved in the “tuffeau stone”.

Gastronomic dinner at l’Auberge de l’Ile

Monday evening you are the guests of Genevieve and Pierre Koniecko at their gastronomic restaurant L’Auberge de l’Ile.

Situated on the banks of the Vienne river, the Koniecko’s welcome you to share in their passion for seasonal and inventive local cuisine. We will dine either on the terrace overlooking the river or in their elegant dining room on Pierre’s contemporary creations dictated by local specialties and the choice of the season.

"This island in the middle of the Vienne river wouldn't be such a bad place to get stranded... as long as you could eat at this restaurant every day! Tuck into carefully cooked dishes made with good ingredients, in the contemporary interior or on the terrace to watch the boats sail by". - MICHELIN guide inspectors

Day 4 : Tuesday

• At "Le marché de Bourgueil"

• Market lunch and wine tasting in a vineyard of Bourgueil

Le marché de Bourgueil

Visit one of the most attractive "marché à la française" and buy food for the next picnic/lunch at "La maison des vins de Bourgueil"  ; under the supervision of your guides you will buy your next meal! Enjoy and choose what you would like to discover, taste and eat the fresh food of your market!

Most towns and large villages in France have a large market once a week; but in larger towns, markets may take place twice a week, or even every day.  Typical French markets  are a mix between the farmers' market and a traders' market, with stalls offering local produce straight from the farm standing alongside fruit and vegetable stalls, cheese stalls and other stalls offering a full range of produce.  Today they are expanded versions of large weekly markets that attract more traders from a wider area; there will usually be an eclectic and colorful array of ironmonger, clothes stalls, large organic produce stalls, craft stalls, plus the normal range of fruit and vegetable sellers and much more. In rural areas, there is often a small funfair too.

Virtually every French town has its covered market (marché couvert), which is a permanent structure, occupied by an array of market stalls; in a classic "marché couvert", sometimes called "les Halles", and it is the case in Bourgueil.

Lunch and wine tasting in a vineyard of Bourgueil

Our market lunch will be enjoyed in a vineyard close to to Bougueil. 

Accompanying our delicious picnic will be a private tasting of Bourgueil wines led by an English speaking specialist of the region.

Bourgueil wines are made from the Cabernet Franc grape – the same cepage as Chinon.  Bourgueil is often compared to the wines of the Medoc region in Bordeaux.

Afternoon and evening : free for your choice of activities

OR

You make choose to stay at the Chateau to relax and take advantage of the number of activities available to our guests. Dinner on your own at the Chateau. As a guest at Chateau Marcay, you can choose to take a horseback ride through the surrounding vineyards, have a relaxing massage, take a swim, play tennis or bicycle in the rolling countryside.

Day 5 : Wednesday

• Visit of Sainte Radegonde chapel

• A Bicycle ride through the lush vineyards between Chinon and Panzoult

• Visit the cave "Domaine de Beauséjour" and Chinon wine tasting

The Chapel of Sainte Radegonde

Following breakfast, we explore the secluded Chapel of Sainte Radegonde in the hills behind Chinon.

• Our exclusive guide will reveal the fascinating history of this chapel half built into the rock face on the eastern outer limits of the town. During Antiquity, a natural underground spring at the back of the actual chapel was a site used for pagan worship.

• The site was Christianized in the 6th century when Queen Radegonde, later named a Saint, supposedly came to visit the hermit John who lived there. The name of the sanctuary comes from this event. The chapel is decorated with some of the most beautiful and well preserved frescos of the 12th century which tell the story of the power and intrigue of the Plantagenet family in Chinon

Cycling the lush Touraine vineyards

 We then mount bicycles to cycle through the lush vineyards between Chinon and Panzoult. We wind through the rolling hills and valleys of Cabernet franc dotted with family winemakers’ estates (alternative transportation available for those who choose not to bicycle)

Welcome to"Domaine du Beauséjour" in Panzoult

Arriving at Domaine du Beauséjour in the charming winemakers’ village of Panzoult, we are the guests of the proprietors of this two generation family winery. Domaine du Beauséjour is set in the hills of the village overlooking the Vienne river.

Visit the wine cave

You will discover the vineyard and impressive limestone cave carved into the cliffs of the winery with the charming Madame Chauveau, of this winemaking family. Our private tasting will encompass the full range of the domaine -  from their amazing sparkling rosé to the oldest red wines raised in oak casks.

Private wine tasting

Our private tasting at Domaine de Beauséjour: sparkling, rosé and red wines for this private tasting :

Chinon Beauséjour

Chinon La Chesnaye Vieilles Vignes

Chinon L'Angelot

Chinon Rosé Pétillant

Chinon Rosé

A lunch in an auberge in the middle of the vineyards

A typical lunch in a small auberge in the countryside...

Back to Chinon

Following lunch, we bicycle back to Chinon and then return by coach to your chateau to rest before dinner

Gastronomic dinner “Au Chapeau Rouge”

Chinon is a celebrated, medieval city which is situated in one of the most beautiful regions of France. In the 16th century the Hotel de France was then the home of The Royal Messengers. The coachmen of that time wore distinctive red hats. The Hotel, therefore, took the name "Au Chapeau Rouge" which means belonging to the red hat. Though the hotel has changed it's name to Hotel de France it's restaurant has retained the name "Au Chapeau Rouge" to keep the historic connection.

Today "Au Chapeau Rouge" provides both traditional and gastronomic food. There is passion in the kitchen for both good food and the use of local produce. When in season we use dried pears from Rivarennes, fresh fish from the Loire river, truffles from Marigny, saffron from Preuilly on Claise........

Named after the red hats worn by the coach drivers of the royal mail. An apt name seeing as Chinon Château stands very close to this restaurant, which you will recognise by the fountain out front. The excellent cuisine remains faithful to the seasons and is made using carefully selected local fare. Truffle menu in winter. - MICHELIN guide inspectors

Day 6 : Thursday

• Early breakfast before check out

• Visit of "Château de Chenonceau"

• Lunch Time at "L'Orangerie" du chateau

Enjoy an early breakfast before checking out of the Chateau and setting out for a visit to the incomparable Chateau de Chenonceau (your luggage will be kept in our private coach)

Visit of Château de Chenonceau

Built on the Cher River whose waters reflect the unique beauty of its Renaissance architecture, Château de Chenonceau is the wonder of the Loire Valley.  At Chenonceau the harmony between nature and architecture is there for all to see. Particularly exceptional are the château’s gardens, all of which are remarkable: French-style gardens by Diane de Poitiers and Catherine de Medici, a maze and vegetable garden. Again, you will be privy to the story and secrets of this romantic chateau thanks to your private guide.

Farewell lunch at Chenonceaux

The restaurant "l'Orangerie is located inside the castle walls.

Touraine sparkling wine tasting in Montlouis-sur-Loire

Return to Tours train station

Return to the station with your private coach. Please note that TGV may go direct from Tours/St Pierre des Corps to Roissy CDG