- Vineyard Adventures
- Where to Stay
- Where to Eat
- Fun Events
- Where to have wine
Vineyard Adventures
Maison des Sancerre and the Tour du Pouilly Fumé
Before setting off to discover the wineries of Centre-Loire, get an introduction to the world of wine-making at the Maison des Sancerre or the Tour du Pouilly Fumé. Innovative exhibitions, shops, wine tastings – all you need to make the most of your visits to the wineries.
For more information:www.maison-des-sancerre.com (External link)
www.pouillysurloire.fr (External link)
www.vins-centre-loire.com (External link)
An Oenology Weekend in Saumur
In addition to a night in a 17th-century mansion (4-star hotel) on the banks of the Loire, and a food and wine pairing dinner, we have set up a unique oenology tour. It culminates in a visit to the Château of Brézé, the biggest underground fortress in Europe. Along the way, you'll unlock the secrets of Loire Valley wines. 2 days/1 night starts at 157€/person.
For more information and to book:En Pays de la Loire (External link)
An Oenology Weekend in the Loir Valley
Come and see for yourself the stages of production of the Jasnières and Coteaux du Loir wines. A wine producer will take you on a guided tour of his estate, show you his winery and introduce you to wine tasting. On your arrival at the guest house, Marie-Danièle will welcome you to the beautifully restored 18th-century water mill located on a tributary of the Loir with a delicious meal! 2 days/1 night starts at 89€/person.
For more information and to book:http://www.vallee-du-loir.com/en/partez/week-end/fiche.asp?fiche=107 (External link)
21 LoireValley Châteaux to discover or rediscover
At the gateway to Paris, come and make your way alongside theroyal river to discover the Loire Châteaux: Renaissance mansions, medievalfortresses… Daydream as you witness the fairytale quality of Chambord, thepurity of Chenonceau, the affluence of Fontevraud Abbey, the proud silhouetteof Saumur or the haughty bearing of Nantes… And share in the most harmoniousgardening feats on view the gardens of Villandry or the limitless inventivenessof the Chaumont-sur- Loire International Garden Festival! The Loire Valley,France's largest UNESCO-listed site, and its prestigious stately homes are theperfect illustration of French Art de Vivre. We invite you to come here!
Loire Valley Châteaux
(External link) (External link) (External link) (External link) http://loire-valley.us/ (External link)
4 Maisonsdes Vins de Loire
The LoireValley Maisons des Vins (Houses of Wine) in Nantes, Saumur,Angers and Tours are open to the public all year long. Come and discover the LoireVineyard : the AOC (protected designation of origin),the land, the tourist route, the wine cellars… as well as sampling theirselection of Loire wines.
Seventy-five wines have beenhand-picked from about forty appellations. Compared with a winery, here, education is paramount. You can sample allof the vintages without any obligation to buy them. Something you must dobefore exploring the vineyard!
Contact details:
Maison des Vins de Loire de Tours
Maison des Vins de Loire de Saumur
Maison des Vins de Loire d'Angers
(close to the castle)
Maison des Vins de Loire de Nantes
http://www.vinsvaldeloire.fr/en_EN/vins_trouver/maisons_vins.aspx (External link)
Discover the vineyards of the Loire Valleyby bike
La Loire à Vélo is an immensecycle tourism route stretching along 800 kilometres. It runs alongsideFrance’s longest river, the Loire, in what is known as the Valley of Kings,with its inexhaustible mine of treasures. .
Made up of easy bike rides and dotted with services specially adapted tocyclists (accommodation, bike hire…), the itinerary has been designed foradults and children, families, couples, friends and solo riders, all sharingthe same desire: get away from the humdrum. It is fully signposted and safe.
For all information about the “Loire à vélo” routes,and to organize your stay in the Loire Valley, visit:
www.cycling-loire.com (External link)
Where to stay
Sleep in a château
Surroundedby 17 hectares of gardens and 12 hectares of vineyards, Château de Fontenay (built in the 19th century)functions both as a wine-growing estate and a place to stay. Visit the winecellar and sample some home-made products and wines. In addition to the guesthouse, the estate also has two fully restored gîtes boasting furnishingsof the highest quality.
Château de Fontenay, Bléré, Touraine
Tel: + 33/ (0)2 47 57 12 74
www.leclosfontenay.com (External link)
A guest house in the midst of the Nantes wineregion: La Maison des Landes
Locatedin an ideal setting near Clisson, La maison des Landes welcomes you throughoutthe year in a converted wine cellar surrounded by vineyards. Each of the threecharming rooms has a private bathroom and a terrace. The owners will bedelighted to advise you on the numerous wine cellars you can visit and all theactivities you can do. Theywill offer you a scrumptious breakfast, varying with the seasons.
http://www.maisondeslandes.fr/?pg=0 (External link)
A charming 4-star hotel: La Demeure de la Vignole
Thisdistinctive troglodytic residence built into the bank of the Loire superblyblends into the Saumur-Champigny vineyards. The hotel has 11 rooms and suites, as well as a 17thcentury troglodytic gîte. A distinctive feature: the heated troglodytic swimming pool is carved intothe rock.Locatednear the Fontevraud Abbey and the châteaux of Saumur and Brézé, this hotel isideally situated to set off on a tour of the wine cellars dug into the hillsideand meet the local wine growers.
http://www.demeure-vignole.com/web/index.php (External link)
Where to eat
A troglodytic restaurant & château
France’sleading luxury troglodytic hotel, Domaine des Hautes Roches features 14 roomsoverlooking the Loire, 12 of which are carved out of rock. With a star in theMichelin guide, Didier Edon creates delicate, seafood-inspired cuisine, servedalongside an impressive wine menu. In good weather, guests can relax on thelarge terrace shaded beneath lime trees, overlooking the majestic river.
Domaine des Hautes Roches, Rochecorbon, Touraine
www.leshautesroches.com (External link)
Tel: + 33/ (0)2 47 52 88 88
Le P’titGoûter, Chavignol
Bistro-stylecuisine using high-quality produce. The menufeatures excellent delicatessen produce, succulent meats, cheese boardsincluding the famous Crottin de Chavignol, and a variety of desserts. All dishesare homemade and accompanied by wines from Sancerre and further afield. With arelaxed and friendly atmosphere, come and treat yourself to a moment ofpleasure. Le P’titGouter is open every day and food is served all day.
Contact: Le P’tit Goûter, Chavignol
(External link) http://www.tourisme-sancerre.com/main.php?p=15&id=441&cat=17&lang=uk (External link)
Tel: + 33/ (0)2 54 01 66
La Table de la Bergerie**, in Champ-sur-Layon**
She's awine grower and he's an experienced chef. Anne and David found the best compromise: opening a restaurantin the midst of the Bergerie vineyards. The cuisine is refined, authentic and contemporary. The menu changes withthe seasons and gives pride of place to the work of local producers. The estate is locatedin the heart of the Coteaux du Layon wine region. You will thus discover mellow, sweet wines, as well ashigh-quality reds, rosés and dry white wines.
Fun Events
Vignes, Vins et Randos : 10thanniversary!
Join us on September 7th and 8th for the 10th anniversary of Vignes, Vinset Randos, a series of 15 walks through the heart of the Loire Valley’svineyards !
Winemakers will be pleased to share their love of their profession,their soil, and their know-how and will guide you through vineyard landscapelisted as Unesco world Heritage site.
With gourmet breaks and literary events, grape tasting and cellarvisits… set out with other walkers and hikers to get the taste and feel ofthese landscapes. Once you arrive at your destination, share a picnic withfellow travellers, and taste the region’s best wines with the winemakers.
Tel : +33 (0)2 47 6055 31
tourisme@vinsdeloire.fr (External link)
www.vignesvinsrandos.fr (External link)
French Wine Fair at Les Caves de la Mignonne in Sancerre
24th and 25thAugust 2013
With 30wine producers from across France and 60 appellations represented, the 41stFrench Wine Fair is one of the most popular events in the region.
Freeentrance. Purchase an engraved wine tasting glass for 5 Euros and gain accessto free tasting at all the stands of the fair.
Contact : Maison des Sancerre
www.maison-des-sancerre.com (External link)
Tel :+33 (0) 2 48 54 11 35
La Translayon, a unique event in the heart ofAnjou
FromJune 7th to 9th, 2013, take part in the Translayon eventand go down the entire Layon valley on foot or on horseback. Three exceptionalhiking days to discover the beautiful landscapes of the Layon valley and itsexceptional vineyards, from the source of the Layon river all the way to theLoire. Activities focused onlocal foods, history, music… as well as rides in hot-air balloons, concerts,tastings of local wines and products, will take place in the stop-over villagesalong the way.
www.translayon.fr (External link)
Where to have wine
Domaine du ClosRoussely
Le Domaine du Clos Roussely is at a stone’s throw from the Château de Chenonceau, in the ‘Appellation Touraine’ wine region.Vincent Roussely, who heads the vineyard, is a new generation wine-grower familiar with all the latest techniques. Vincent works the vineyards according to organic specifications and harvests the grapes by hand. His colourfully–named vintages such as ‘Libertine’, made from a slightly over–ripe Sauvignon, and ‘Anthologie du Clos’, a subtle mix of Cabernet and Côt (Malbec) grapes, are pure delights.Come to taste, order, or just to learn and share the passion of Vincent for the art and the land as his ancestors.
Contact : Domaine du Clos Roussely
www.domaineduclosroussely.fr (External link)
Tel : + 33/ (0)2 54 32 86 46
Vouvray wine at Château Gaudrelle
Dry, light, sweet or sparkling, there’s a fullrange of Vouvray white wines to be sampled at Château Gaudrelle. In the winery of AlexandreMonmousseau carved in local tuffeau stone, we are concerned with all aspects ofwine-making, from initial fermentation to bottling.
Contact: Château Gaudrelle, Rochecorbon, Touraine
www.chateaugaudrelle.com (External link)
Tel: + 33/ (0)2 47 25 93 50
Château de la Cassemichère**, at La Chapelle-Heulin**
Builtin 1601, the Château de la Cassemichère is an exceptional place. Having won an awardfor its outstanding wine cellar tours, La Cassemichère offers a guided tourfocused on the history of the Nantes vineyards, followed by a tasting of theChâteau's wines in the winery. Revive your senses by rediscovering Muscadet wine andtasting the special vintages of Philippe Ganichaud. You can even prolongthe pleasure by taking advantage of the Château's accommodation.