About the location: Among the glories of the Loire Valley are the magnificent chateaux studding the banks of the Loire river. The playground of nobles, the valley became the cradle of the artistic explosion of the French Renaissnace. Today, you will also find vineyards flanking much of the length of the Loire, and you will blend your visits of the chateaux with tastings of the best wines of the region. Pascal Mineau, a noted wine specialist, will be your private guide throughout this exceptional experience. Your accommodations will be in a lovely Chateau hotel located in the heart of a wooded park.
During this special and exclusive itinerary, you will enjoy tastings at some truly remarkable locales. Visit world-class wineries where the the experts will lead you in a tasting of the Loire's famous wines; explore the subterranean caves where many varieties of mushrooms are cultivated; let a renowned cheese Affineur lead you through a paired tasting of the region's specialties; and revel in a chocolate class with a famous chocolatiere.
About the cooking lessons: You will have the exceptional opportunity for two lessons during your stay in the Loire Valley. Chef Garanger of "Le Medicis" was trained in Michelin star restaurants in the Loire valley, Paris and Burgandy. And the chef of Chateau du Breuil will propose a menu using the freshest seasonal ingredients. An added bonus is the special chocolate demonstration by Max Vauché, "Master Chocolate maker."
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1:
* Arrival at Blois train station on your own. A taxi will be waiting for you to transfer you to your Chateau hotel.
* Check-in at Chateau du Breuil. Please note that rooms are available after 3:30 PM. Set in a magnificent, 30-hectare wooded park, the Château du Breuil is situated in the heart of the Châteaux de la Loire (Castles of the Loire Valley), close to the major historical sites of the French Renaissance. The Chateau consists of a 15th-century tower and some late 18th and early 19th-century buildings. Accommodation in double superior room in the Chateau.
* Enjoy a relaxing afternoon by the pool or in the park of the Chateau.
* Four-course welcome dinner at the Chateau, drinks included.
Day 2:
* Pick-up in the morning by your English-speaking chauffeur and transfer to Blois.
* This morning you will go to the restaurant "Le Medicis", where Chef Damien Garanger welcomes you for a cooking demonstration. Chef Garanger trained in Michelin-star restaurants in the Loire Valley (“Domaine des Hauts de Loire”), and in Paris and Burgundy. After a few years traveling around the world (Saint Martin, Cyprus, Moscow), he is now back in his region of origin.
* Gourmet lunch in the restaurant with the recipes you have prepared.
* Transfer to Cheverny.
* Visit of the Chateau of Cheverny. In the 17th century Cheverny was the first chateau incarnating the classic style in the Loire Valley. Built by the governor of Blois city, this chateau is known for the richness of its interiors, which have been kept unaltered thanks to its owners, the Hurault family. Cheverny presents a magnificent collection of furniture and master paintings from the Renaissance period.
* Later in the afternoon, a winery visit and wine tasting in Cour Cheverny, at the Domain Des Huars Michel Gendrier. Mister Gendrier wins awards every year for the quality of his wines. The Cour Cheverny wines exist today because of King Francois I. On his way back from Italy, Francois I stopped in Burgundy and brought back 80,000 Romorantin vines. Nowadays the Cour Cheverny is the only appellation in the world using the Romorantin grape. Each couple will receive a nice bottle of Cour Cheverny to take home. Four-course dinner at the Chateau, drinks included.
Day 3:
* Cooking class with the Chef of Chateau du Breuil . Every day a new menu is proposed with the freshest seasonal ingredients. The lesson starts around 10.00 AM and lasts about 2 hours. The menu you prepare in the morning will be served to you for dinner. All the recipes you prepare can be reproduced at home.
* After the lesson, your chauffeur will pick you up for your excursion to Chambord.
* Your three-course lunch in Chambord (drinks included) is at "Le Saint Michel," which faces the magnificent Chateau.
* Visit of the Chateau of Chambord. Chambord was the very first Chateau of the Valley to be proclaimed by UNESCO as a world heritage. It was commissioned in 1519 by King Francois I to Leonardo Da Vinci and his architects.
* Transfer to Bracieu.
* This afternoon, a very special experience: a visit and tasting at Max Vauché's in Bracieux. Mr. Vauche is a "Master Chocolate maker" and has travel around the world to select the best quality cocoa to create outstanding chocolates. Max developed a unique partnership with Soa Tome, also called the Chocolate Island, where he developed a “cooperative” Fare Trade agreement with the growers. After a short film about the history of chocolate, you will be treated to a chocolate demonstration. Max is attentive to every step in the process that turns raw cocoa beans into rich, luxurious chocolates. We end the visit and demonstration with a chocolate tasting. Blois is the home town of Mr Poulin. A contemporary of Lindt, Mr. Poulin in the 1870's invented the chocolate bar. Each participant gets a nice selection of Chocolates to take home.
* Return to your hotel. Four-course dinner at the Chateau, drinks included.
Day 4:
* Morning pick-up by your English-speaking chauffeur.
* Visit of the Chateau of Chenonceau. The unique architecture of the Chateau makes it one of the most exquisite Chateaux of the Loire Valley. Chenonceau is related to important French Renaissance women and was offered by King Henry II to his mistress Diane de Poitiers.
* Transfer to Amboise. Enjoy the exceptional matured wines of the Loire Valley: you are welcomed in Caves Duhard, established in 1874. Its owner and wine maker Daniel Gatay is specialized in matured Loire Valley wines. You will discover a large range of vintages, from 1959 to the present. The caves were originally carved in the 12th century. Many of the stones extracted from the caves were used for the construction of the Chateaux and Cathedrals of the region.
* Lunch is served in a private room next to the cave. We will present a selection of local specialties (Rillons de Touraine, charcuteries), salads, and an outstanding selection of cheeses. The cheese selection will be by Rodolphe Meunier (2007 France Master Cheese Affineur “Refiner” and 2007 World Champion Cheese Affineur “Refiner”). All wines are selected by Daniel Gatay to match perfectly the local dishes and cheeses. You will have a chance to taste wines form 1960 to the present.
* Next is the Chateau of Amboise. Built in the 15th and 16th centuries, this authentic royal castle introduced Italian style to the Loire valley. Relive the warmth of the past in this historical place thanks to the presence of an exceptional collection of Gothic and Renaissance furnishings. In the Saint-Hubert chapel, the tomb of Leonardo Da Vinci has recently been elegantly restored.
* Return to hotel late afternoon.
* Four-course dinner at the Chateau, drinks included.
Day 5:
* Transfer to Bourré. In a troglodyte village of Touraine in the heart of the Châteaux of the Loire, lies the Cave des Roches. It was from this former tufa (lime stone) quarry that the stone was extracted to build the jewels of the Renaissance: Chambord, Cheverny and Chenonceaux, among others. This stone has the unique feature of both hardening and whitening in contact with the air.
* The Cave des Roches at Bourré is the only example in the world of the complete production of different varieties of mushroom at 50 meters underground. The farm covers 120 kilometers of galleries on seven levels.
* Three-course lunch at the mushroom cave, drinks included.
* Visit of the Chateau du Clos Lucé. This Manor was the last residence of the Genius Leonardo Da Vinci where he spent the last four years of his life. You will discover in the Manor and the gardens some of his inventions: the helicopter, the parachute, the mobile bridge, and the tank.
* Transfer to Villandry. Visit of the Gardens of the Chateau of Villandry. Villandry was the last Chateau built during the Renaissance period. It is today famous around the world for its unique French terrace gardens.
* Return to your hotel. Four-course dinner at the Chateau, drinks included.
Day 6:
* Following breakfast, your chauffeur will drive you to the Blois train station, where you can catch a train to Paris.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Price Includes:
- Five nights accommodation in Chateau hotel
- Two cooking sessions
- Nightly dinners (drinks included)
- Four lunches (drinks included)
- All transfers in an air-conditioned, comfortable mini-van
- Entrance tickets and guided tour of the Chateaux Cheverny, Chambord, Clos Lucé, Chenonceau, Villandry and Amboise
- Visits and wine tastings in Cours Cheverny and Amboise
- Max Vauché Chocolaterie visit
- Bourré mushroom farm.
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