The Loire Valley's Heritage & Gastronomy

Overnight in Le Perche near Le Mans

Pick up the rental car in Paris downtown or at CDG airport (or another location) and drive about 2hr30 to 3 hours to the Perche region, which is just North of the Loire Valley. 

• Recover from jetlag in a luxury family-owned Boutique-Hotel...and enjoy a fantastic candle-light dinner "at home". La vraie vie de château ! 
• From this area of France, a lot of people emigrated in the 17th century to the New World. Maybe you have some roots there?
   

Western Loire Valley

• You will spend the following 4 nights of your journey comfortably settled in a beautiful historic home nestled in a lively town, by the river. Your host will be happy to make many recommendations about wineries, wine bars or restaurants to experience the Touraine sweet life. 
• Located on the banks of the Vienne River, you will jump back to the Medieval times and learn about Joan of Arc history with a private guide. At night, one of the best restaurants in the area is less than a 1-minute-walk. 
•  You will also wander off the beaten path into tiny villages dotted along the Vienne and Loire rivers and get a taste of French gastronomy in restaurants and local markets that we have tested for you. Stroll Langeais medieval town or Villandry gardens enjoying the quietness of the wilder Loire.

Eastern Loire Valley

• Your next stop will be in the heart of the medieval city of Loches. Spend 2 nights in a very comfortable house - built against the old city walls - that used to be a post house. From here, explore Montrésor, one of the "most beautiful villages of France" and many other places away from the crowds.

• One day, cruise along the Loire river as a passenger aboard a vintage sidecar : explore the little towns and enjoy the landscapes. 

   

Northern Loire Valley

• You will then stay for 4 nights in a very pleasant family house which is located half-way between Blois and Amboise, in the heart of the "castle country." Also, a Michelin-star restaurant is only 1.5 miles away . . . a great opportunity to plan for an extraordinary dinner !
• From here, explore all the marvels of the Loire Valley: the castles of Chambord, Chenonceau or Chaumont-sur-Loire gardens.
• Discover the vineyards of the Loire Valley with Vincent who has worked in wine-making for the past 10 years and will take you to his favorite wineries in the area. You will have the opportunity to taste very different wines: red, whites, still or sparkling. You will be able to taste to your heart's delight - Vincent will drive you back to your B&B safely. 
• Included in this itinerary is an Electric Bike rental for a day. You will explore, at your own pace, several villages and castles. No worries, the road along the Loire river is totally flat!

Overnight in Orléans

• On your way back to Paris or CDG Airport, you will spend a night in a family-owned Boutique-Hotel, in Orléans historical city. A great occasion to walk again on Joan or Arc's footsteps and discover this lively, student city. 

• The next morning you are only a 1hr30 drive to Paris and 2hr to CDG Airport. 

   

We hope you are ready for this great immersion into French culture!