Loire Valley Wine and Châteaux Experience: Saumur to Tours
4 nights from $1,967pp
Renowned for its magnificent châteaux, stunning landscapes and award-winning wines, the Loire Valley is one of the most diverse wine producing regions in the world. This self-drive tour highlights the Middle Loire region, with wine tasting tours in Saumur and Touraine. You’ll experience the region’s famed Cabernet Franc and Chenin Blanc grape varieties, and witness the best of the Loire châteaux.
Highlights of our Loire Valley Wine Experience
- Four nights’ accommodation in two authentic châteaux in Saumur and Touraine
- Explore in style with two days of private chauffeured wine tours around the Saumur and Touraine wine regions.
- Explore the château and outstanding gardens at Villandry, the last of the great Loire Châteaux built during the Renaissance.
- Drink in local history and magnificent architecture with a tour of the Renaissance châteaux at Amboise and Chenonceau.
- Savour the local cuisine of the Loire Valley with a special lunch at L’Étape Gourmande.
Day 1: Arrival in Saumur
Self-drive to Saumur, an elegant city in the heart of the Loire Valley, famous for its turreted château, fine dining and sparkling wine cellars. Your accommodation for the first two nights is a beautifully renovated 19th-century château, wrapped in several acres of landscaped gardens.
Unwind after your journey with a dip in the heated pool or relax in the sauna and whirlpool, then enjoy an introduction to Loire Valley wines with a wine tasting at a superb winery a short walk away.
Day 2: Private Wine Tasting Tour in Saumur and Chinon
After breakfast, your private guide will collect you for a full-day chauffeured wine tasting tour around Saumur and Chinon. During the day, you’ll learn about the unique climate, soil and grape varieties of this region, with a particular focus on Loire Cabernet Franc.
You’ll visit a 50-acre domaine in Saumur-Champigny, Domaine des Roches Neuves, to learn about biodynamic viticulture and taste the world-class Cabernet Franc and Chenin produced here.
In the afternoon, it’s on to Couly-Dutheil in Chinon, where you’ll discover the influence of the different terroir in this region, and sample the reds, whites and rosés that excel here.
Day 3: From Saumur to Touraine
After breakfast, it’s time to check out of your opulent room and drive to the Touraine region. The journey time is around an hour, but there’s plenty to see along the way. Savour the region’s traditional cuisine with lunch at L’Étape Gourmande, then spend time admiring the Renaissance architecture and sublime landscaped gardens and maze at Château de Villandry, reputed to be the finest of all Loire Valley gardens.
Your accommodation for the next two nights is a boutique hotel in an exceptional château surrounded by serene wooded parkland, a short distance from Tours and many of the region’s magnificent châteaux.
Day 4: Private Wine Tour of the Touraine Region
After breakfast, your private guide will whisk you away for a full-day chauffeured wine tour of the Touraine region. Your day begins with a visit to the birthplace of Cabernet Franc, Bourgueil, where you’ll enjoy a private tour of the estate and cellars of a highly rated producer, before sampling these award-winning reds.
Next you’ll move on to Vouvray, a predominantly Chenin Blanc producing region renowned for its still, sparkling and sweet whites.
This region is resplendent in magical châteaux, and there’ll be time to explore Amboise and its Renaissance châteaux, including the Château de Chenonceau, whose unique architecture and bridge make it one of the most original and iconic châteaux in the Loire Valley.
Day 5: Your Final Day in the Loire Valley
Your wine tour of the Loire Valley concludes today, though there’s still time for a final dip in the pool or wander around the grounds before checking out and beginning your onward journey.
You might like to extend this tour for a few nights to explore the nearby area of Sancerre, renowned for its crisp, aromatic Sauvignon Blancs and delicious goat cheese, which is an excellent match for the local wine. Please ask for further details and we’ll arrange a bespoke extension especially for you.
Where You Could Stay in the Loire Valley
Domaine de la Tortinière
Set in the heart of the Loire Valley and surrounded by 15 hectares of serene parkland, Domaine de la Tortinière is an imposing 19th century chateau with lofty turrets and sweeping staircases.
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Fleur de Loire Hotel & Spa
Occupying a stunning location on the banks of the Loire River, Fleur de Loire Hotel and Spa opened to great excitement in spring 2022.
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Les Trésorières
Located in the historic heart of Tours next to the covered market, Les Trésorières is an intimate, five-star hotel arranged around a spacious inner courtyard.
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We craft each itinerary just for you. Contact our Travel Designers to plan an unforgettable wine tasting journey from Saumur to Tours.
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