Loire Valley 9 days
Our French Wine Tour will be to the Loire Valley where it all began more than 40 years with Wessex Continental. Same place but some changes! In those days very few rooms had private facilities, no charge for visits/tastings, very few lengthy lunches- less bureaucracy!!! Things are different now-however there are still lots of reasons to visit, a scenic and diverse region, not too far away, less driving around and a wide variety of wines to sample.
For many of our clients it will be like a return to home ground.
Wednesday We’ll pick up as shown below and travel to Portsmouth where we catch the 2015 ferry to St Malo, a cabin will be provided.
On arrival in France at 0815 on Thursday we drive southwards into the Loire Valley and our first stop will be at Caves Ackerman in Saumur. From here we will check into the Mercure Bord de Loire for 6 nights. Dinner near the hotel tonight.
Our Friday starts with a short drive after breakfast to Langeais and a visit to the Maison de Vins de Loire. After browsing around their amazing array of Loire wines we resume our drive and travel westwards to St Nicolas de Bourgeuil and a visit and tasting at Domaine Frederic Mabileau.
Afterwards we will have lunch at Odettes which is nearby. After a little stroll around the village we visit Domaine Damien Bruneau before returning to Saumur for a free evening.
Saturday Today we drive into the centre of Chinon for a little sightseeing. Henry II of England built his castle at Chinon, the centre of his French Empire and died here in 1189. Ten years later his son, Richard the Lionheart died in the old town at Hotel des États-Généraux on Rue Voltaire.
Our first visit and tasting will be at Domaine Charles Joguet where we will have a “vignerons” lunch. Afterwards we visit Chateau de la Grille in mid-afternoon for a tasting. On the drive back to the hotel, if we have time, we will stop at Fontevraud Abbey, the final resting place of the Plantagenet Kings and Queens of England.
Sunday This morning we head westwards and visit the Chateau des Vaults with its Domaine du Closel. Following the visit we continue to the reiverside for lunch at the Monkey Bar (looks better than it sounds!) at Bouchemain.
Returning back to Saumur we make a final stop at Domaine de Guichoux in St Georges du Layon. Free evening.
Monday Our final day will be devoted to Saumur and district. First visit will be to Domaine de la Perruche. The vineyard is situated along the Loire in Montsoreau, a famous village known for its 15th century castle that inspired Alexandre Dumas when he wrote his novel, “La Dame de Montsoreau”. We return to Saumur for lunchtime and sightseeing and shopping at leisure then in the afternoon we will visit a top Champigny vineyard then dinner near the hotel.
Our final call will be at Gratien & Meyer for a last view of the River Loire .
Tuesday We leave Saumur and travel northwards to the coast. As we near St Malo we will make a stop at one of the Breton Cider makers for a tasting. We then continue to St Malo where we catch the 2030 sailing to Portsmouth. Once on board we will have dinner together for the last time.
We reach Portsmouth on Wednesday at 0745 and the coach returns to the original pick up points.
The cost includes: Ferry crossings with cabin each way; six nights at 4* hotel; dinners or lunches as detailed; vineyard visits as detailed; coach travel throughout; expert Guide throughout.
Pick up points: Plymouth-Newton Abbot- Exeter-Bristol- Bath-Salisbury-Portsmouth
Departure Date : October 6th 2026
Cost: £1395
Single Supplement: £285
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