The most acclaimed and renowned wine in the entire world. In an unparalleled demonstration of history through stunning scenery. The locals are welcoming and warm, the land is pure and the traditions are everlasting. As French-born I can assure you that if any places in France need to be visited, these are the ones.
Itinerary
Bon Voyage!
Arrival in Nantes Airport Atlantique, board our private luxury bus to be transported to the hotel in the town of Pornic. Welcome cocktail, check in and settled, then a visit and orientation of the village. Early dinner together and a good night’s sleep!
Breakfast at the hotel and then departure direction to Guérande
Visit of salt marshes: Informative tour on foot around the salt pans, the salt workers ‘paludiers’.
Guided tour of Guérande, Medieval village. The Guérande Peninsula reaches the White Country which means both sacred and salt country, not so far from the Black Country which is that of Briere marshlands. Discover the ramparts still standing – a rare case in France.
Lunch at a traditional Crêperie, Bretagne specialities
Continue to La Baule, one of the most beautiful bays in the world. Followed by a cruise: sailing and conviviality! Discover the ria of Pornic and sail towards the Baie de Bourgneuf between the island of Noirmoutier and the coast of Sainte-Marie-sur-Mer.
Stop at the famous shop ‘La Fraiseraie’ for tasting of a fruit ice cream. Returning to the hotel and dinner together.
Breakfast at the hotel and departure for vers St Nazaire
Tour by coach of the Chantiers Navals de Saint Nazaire: To visit the shipyard STX is to undertake an unforgettable journey into the world of the giants of the seas. The company, which is one of the foremost names in maritime history and economics. See the workshops and docks while high above you, one of Europe’s most powerful gantry cranes lifts subsections as big as whole buildings. Normandy, France, Queen Mary 2, and the world’s biggest cruise ships and cruise fleet, which have been built here over the years.
Lunch at the submarine base!
Entrance to Escal’Atlantic: Immerse yourself in the world of legendary ocean liners, walking in the footsteps of yesterday’s travellers – decks, cabins, and corridors. Learn about the history of the transatlantic vessels, and what life and work onboard were like.
Return to the hotel for an evening on your own to explore and enjoy the town and pack and ready to check out in the morning as we will be checking in to another hotel in Angers on Wednesday!
Breakfast at the hotel and checking out of the hotel in Pornic, on to another village hotel in Angers
Departure for Nantes, with a Petit Train ride in the center of Nantes: discovering the main monuments: Cathedral Saint-Pierre, Château des Ducs de Bretagne.
Lunch at the Restaurant La Cigale
Tour of the historic center of Clisson: go back in time in the very prosperous period of the Middle Ages and its illustrious characters who lived in the impressive castle of Clisson. Discover a palette of colors put here and there at the beginning of the XIXth century by loving artists, on their return of Italy.
Continuing to Chateau du Coing Wine cellar with wine tasting and an Early dinner at the vineyard – simple buffet with dry white wines Also known as “the place for Muscadet wine”
Between Loire and farmland, a green and nuanced landscape through the seasons is revealed in the detours of uplands and hills. From these vines come the Muscadet, emblematic of the vineyards of Nantes.
Departure to Angers and our new hotel, check in and free evening to relax and settle in.
Breakfast at the hotel followed by a walking tour of the town and area.
Guided tour of Angers and Entrance to the Castle. Built by Saint Louis around 1230, this imposing fortress flanked by 17 towers offers an astonishing panoramic view of the Maine and the town. Inside the ramparts, you will find the 106-meter long Apocalypse Tapestry, displayed in a specially designed museographic area.
Free time to enjoy the town, lunch on own.
Off to a Vineyard for tasting of expectational white wine!
In the extension of Nantes, the vineyard of Anjou-Saumur extends on the hillsides which overhang the Loire and along its tributaries.
Return to the hotel and dinner together
Breakfast at the hotel and then direction Amboise!
Entrance to the Château du Clos Lucé, place where Léonard de Vinci lived the three last years, painting and working on different projects among of thousands of passions until 2nd May 1519, date of his death in the house. Short free time in the gardens,
Lunch -Restaurant Troglodytique La Cave aux Fouées.
Short visit to the village d’Amboise and on to Chenonceau.
The history of the Château de Chenonceau is defined by an almost uninterrupted succession of women who built, embellished, protected, restored and saved it. The first château was a medieval château dating from the 12th and 13th centuries.
Followed by a fascinating Helicopter flight over some of the Loire Valley Châteaux to admire architectural masterpieces.
Returning to the hotel for an evening free to relax and enjoy.
Breakfast at the hotel and then on to Villandry.
The castle of Villandry is the last of the great castles of the Loire built during the Renaissance. The sober elegance of its architecture combined with the charm of its outstanding gardens make this one of the jewels of the world heritage. Time to enjoy the famous gardens and castle.
Lunch at the La Doulce Terrasse
Route to Vouvray: Visit of the Cave: immersion through 3 kilometres (on foot) of troglodytic galleries where 6 million bottles are kept. It will show you the secrets of how the still and sparkling Vouvray wines are made from grape to glass. Tasting of these amazing wines.
Vineyard of Touraine: 300 km separate the cities of Blois and Nantes. With the Loire as a link, multiple terroirs and appellations coexist. Reds, whites, sparkling wines, rosés … Discover the many wines of AOC Touraine, whose vineyards extend over 4400 hectares, near the Loire and its tributaries.
Return to the hotel to relax and a free evening.
Breakfast at the hotel and direction Saumur!
Guided tour of Château de Saumur, walk through the fortified city dominated by its castle: Fortress dating XIII century under the minority of Saint Louis then castle-palace of Ducs d’Anjou, the castle of Saumur majestically overlooks the Loire.
Lunch in Saumur.
Visit of the wine cellar followed by a tasting session of Sparkling local wine.
Returning to the hotel for our last dinner and evening together.
Breakfast at the hotel and then departure and transfer to Airport Nantes Atlantique.
Price $7000
Add-ons
Single Supplement
$1000Additional Information
Airfare is not included – we will advise you what time you will need to arrive in Nantes
This price is based on the Euro exchange rate not climbing over 1.40 US dollars to the Euro.
To reserve your space a $1000 per person non-refundable deposit is due. A non-refundable payment of 50% due March 1st and balance due by May 1st.
If utilizing a credit card a 3% service fee will be applicable
20 guest minimum, 30 guest maximum.
Please RSVP for one of our Informational Meetings:
Saturday, November 7th 2:30
Saturday, January 16th 2:30
For additional information: (336) 449-6266