2022 Loire Valley ExperienceWalter Eagleton2021-03-18T11:28:14-05:00
Tuesday, September 13 – Monday, September 19, 2022
Tuesday
We will meet you outside the Saint Pierre des Corps rail station, which is located outside Tours, in the afternoon and then we will transport you on to your luxurious Château home for the week in the amazing Loire Valley.
After a tour of the Château, you will enjoy a meet-and-greet with homemade hors d’oeuvres and locally produced wines. Then you will have time to relax, take a walk on the grounds, or just unwind in the rooms of the Château until it is time for your Gourmet Welcome Dinner.
Gourmet Dinner prepared by Le Cordon Bleu-Paris Alum Chef Walter and Artistic Gourmet Adventures.
Wednesday
After a homemade breakfast at the Château, we will visit a local English-speaking wine expert and viticulturist couple, Cathy and Nigel Henton of “Le Tasting Room”. The day begins with coffee and includes a comprehensive tutored tasting and homemade lunch pairing in the comfort of their “troglodyte” cave home and after, a visit to a nearby vineyard.
After this wonderful experience, we will drive a short way to the nearby medieval town of Amboise for a few hours of a “Roam on Your Own” Experience with direction from Kim, your Adventure Hostess who will be available for any questions. In Amboise there are many things to see and do: For the history buff there is Clos du Lucé ** final home of Leonardo Da Vinci https://www.vinci-closluce.com/en and Château Amboise ** https://www.chateau-amboise.com/en/. The medieval town also provides bistros, cafés and shopping! We will then head back to OUR château.
Breakfast, Lunch (Le Tasting Room) and Gourmet Dinner provided by Le Cordon Bleu-Paris Alum Chef Walter and Artistic Gourmet Adventures at the Chateau.
Chef Walter prepared “Cooking Experience” to be announced for those interested.
Thursday
After breakfast, we will venture out for an exciting morning to experiene our favorite weekly town market in Chinon. The medieval town of Chinon rests by the banks of the majestic Vienne river just before it meets the mighty Loire. It is a town steeped in history and rich with culture, the ancient châteaufort (castle) was the preferred residence of Henry II, one of the English Plantagenet kings, and his wife Aliénor (Eleanor) d’Aquitaine. Henry II died here in 1189 and their son, Richard The Lionheart was born here. In Chinon the winding streets up to the castle are lined with small shops, inns, and cafes. The cobbles and timber houses dating back to the fifteenth century give you a feel of its history.
Chinon Fortress is the Castle of Joan of Arc (Jean d’Arc) fame. In 1429 the teenage Joan of Arc came to Chinon to meet the Dauphin Charles VII, who was holed up after losing most of his kingdom. Joan succeeded in inspiring Charles to reclaim his kingdom, after which Chinon became his capital and they enjoyed a century of prosperity.
You will have the morning for “Roam on Your Own” Experience with your choice of bistro or restaurant for lunch*. Or, buy your lunch fresh from the market and take it to the riverside to enjoy your own picnic! After lunch you are welcome to remain in Chinon to tour the castle** or sit at an outdoor bistro people – watching, or those interested can make a short 5 minute drive to one of our favorite French “brocantes” or vintage and antique charity shop (think Kim’s Etsy site)! After a day in Chinon we will return back to our Château for a wonderful evening.
Breakfast and Gourmet dinner provided by Le Cordon Bleu-Paris Alum chef Walter and Artistic Gourmet Adventures at the Chateau. *Lunch on your own.
Chef Walter prepared “Cooking Experience” to be announced for those interested.
Friday
After breakfast we will depart for Chateau Chenonceau where we will tour the grand and historical palace as a group. The estate of Chenonceau is first mentioned in writing in the 11th century. The current château was built in 1514–1522 on the foundations of an old mill and was later extended to span the river. The bridge over the river was built (1556-1559) to designs by the French Renaissance architect Philibert de l’Orme, and the gallery on the bridge, built from 1570–1576. Noted as the Château built by women, Diane de Poitiers, Catherine de’ Medici, Louise de Lorraine, Françoise de Lorraine, Louise Dupin and Marguerite Pelouze all owned the Chateau over many centuries.
Weather permitting, we will enjoy a lovely homemade picnic prepared by Chef Walter. In case of inclement weather, you may choose to lunch* in the renovated stables of the Château – a self service restaurant with freshly cooked hot meals which is open all day. We will then drive back to our Château for our gourmet dinner.
Breakfast and Gourmet Dinner provided by Le Cordon Bleu-Paris Alum chef Walter and Artistic Gourmet Adventures at the Chateau. *Lunch on your own in the Self-Serve restaurant in case of inclement weather.
Chef Walter prepared “Cooking Experience” to be announced for those interested.
Saturday
Today is a wonderful day at ‘home’. Enjoy the Château life. Sit by the pool, use the gym, use the golf driving range, play Boules/petanque, croquet/frisbee/disc golf/outdoor table tennis. There is a large trampoline, badminton, selection of bicycles & helmets for hire, nature walks and a jogging trail.
After lunch, those who are interested, are welcome to join Kim at the Martin de Candre Shop (30 min away), maker of hundreds of artisan French soaps (savonnerie artisanale), once sold in Barney’s of New York and great for gift-giving. Their home-made soaps are made according to the Marseille method. The same components as formal soaps among which the base and perfumes are elaborated from 100% vegetable oils.
Back to the Chateau to relax while awaiting a wonderful dinner prepared by Chef Walter and Artistic Gourmet Adventures.
Chef Walter prepared “Cooking Experience” to be announced for those interested.
Sunday
Breakfast at the Château. Our destination today is our hometown of Langeais which boasts another large town market as well as the impressive Langeais Château ** with 15 fully furnished rooms, amazing tapestries and a parapet walk https://chateau-de-langeais.com/en/and of course the town hosts many shops. A “Roam on Your Own” Experience. An easy 15-20 minute walk from OUR château to Langeais if you like or a 5 minute drive. Lunch at the market*
Breakfast and Gourmet Dinner provided by Le Cordon Bleu-Paris Alum chef Walter and Artistic Gourmet Adventures at the Chateau.
Chef Walter prepared “Cooking Experience” to be announced for those interested.
Monday
A filling breakfast, we will then escort you to the Tours TGV station for your return home or on to your next destination! À Bientôt-see you soon!
Itinerary is subject to change.
*Lunch on your own – not provided by Artistic Gourmet Adventures
