Sunday

 

Your adventure begins!

 

Welcome to Manoir du Grand Echeneau, our home for the week. Enjoy a glass of sparkling Vouvray on the patio, and a walk through the cellars of the Manoir, as you settle in for the week of adventure!

 

Dinner this evening will be at Restaurant L’Épicerie in Amboise. Situated in the heart of Amboise, this Renaissance style 14th century building, sits under the impressive walls of the Château d’Amboise, and is one of the oldest buildings in the village. It is the perfect place to enjoy your introduction to the cuisine of Touraine!   

 

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Monday

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After breakfast at the Manoir, we will take a 45-minute drive east, toward the city of Blois.  Constructed between the 13th and 17th centuries, Blois was home to many Kings of France, including Louis XII, Francois I, Henry III, and Henry IV.  The architecture of Château de Blois is an impressive blend of Classic, Gothic, and Renaissance styles. We will tour the chateau, which houses exceptional Renaissance furniture, and boasts panoramic views of the surrounding city and Loire River. 

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We will enjoy a traditional café lunch on the streets below the chateau.

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On our way back to the Manoir, we will stop in Noizay, for a visit with my friend Florent Cosme. Florent comes from a long line of wine-makers. His brother, Mathieu, currently runs his family’s ancestral vineyards, while Flaurent farms his own four hectares. A graduate of the Oenology school in Amboise, Florent produces excellent, certified organic, chenin blanc wine.      

 

In the evening, we will enjoy a fabulous meal at one of my favourite local restaurants, Le Val Joli. It is located just a short walk from the Manoir. The owner, Stéphanie Bouland, will welcome us, and introduce us to her menu that includes many of her grandmother’s recipes, long held in the family.

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Tuesday

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After breakfast, we will drive 45 minutes east, along the north bank of the Loire River, heading toward Château Cherverny. We will pass through the villages of Noizay and Nazelles-Négron, before crossing the river at Chaumont. We will have a striking view of Château de Chaumont high on the cliff-side as we cross the river heading to our ultimate destination of Cheverny. Château de Cherverny, built in the early part of the 17th century, has been home to only one family, and has been open to visitors since 1922. Cheverny is considered to be the most classic example of a chateaux in the Loire Valley.

 

We will then depart for the city of Montrichard, as we head back toward Vouvray. We will enjoy lunch and a walk through the village below the 11th century dungeon that prominently overlooks the Cher River. 

 

We will then head to Vernou-sur-Brenne, a little village in the appellation of Vouvray. Here, we will meet Vincent Carême at Domaine de la Haute Borne. Vincent, a fifth generation wine-maker in Vouvray, is an expert wine taster, and has taught at the Wine Production Secondary School in Amboise. Vincent is considered among the best producers in the region, creating excellent chenin blanc in all styles of wine. He is always happy to share a glass with guests!

 

Dinner this evening will take place at L’Embarcadère in Rochecorbon. Nathalie and Chef Christophe will welcome us to their rustic and charming riverside Bistro. We will leave the dinner selections to our Chef, and just sit back and enjoy!

 

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Wednesday

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Today is your day off!  I suggest you spend the day sightseeing in the nearby city of Tours. Tours has a population of approximately 200, 000. Enjoy the beautiful cathedrals, museums and the old city square of Place Plumereau, which dates back hundreds of years. As a university city, Tours is bustling with youthful activity, and offers an abundance of great restaurants, shopping, and fascinating architecture. I am happy to discuss the countless options with you! Transportation to and from your destination will be provided.         

 

If you prefer to have a quieter day, you are more than welcome to relax at the Manoir and enjoy the pool and beautiful grounds.

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Thursday

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After breakfast, we will head toward Crissay-sur-Manse, the ancestral seigneurial home of the Turpin family, who were courtiers of the French Kings in residence at the Château de Chinon, 25 km away. Crissay is considered to be among the 100 most beautiful villages in France.

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From Crissay, we will depart for Chinon. Chinon is a picturesque city on the bank of the Vienne River, nestled at the foot of an 11th century fortress. The Royal Fortress of Chinon has been home to many Kings of France and England over the centuries. It is perhaps most well known for being the setting where Joan of Arc met the future King Charles VII.

 

We will then enter the appellation of Chinon, passing by Cravant-les-Côteaux before arriving at Domaine Grosbois in Panzoult. Here, we will meet my friend, Nicolas Grosbois, at his family domain, where we will try a selection of cabernet franc. Nicolas is the eighth generation to work his family vineyard. Nowhere in the world of wine can you find cabernet franc like that which is produced in the Loire. The Chinon reds of this appellation are perhaps the finest the Loire Valley has to offer!

 

This evening we will dine at L’Etape Gourmande in Villandry. Situated outside the walls of Château de Villandry, this 17th century seigneurie has been transformed into a working farm and restaurant, producing its very own St. Maure style goats' cheese. The restaurant is owned by mother-daughter team, Béatrice and Alexandra de Montferrier. I am sure you will enjoy the elegance and warmth of this fabulous restaurant!

 

 

Friday

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After breakfast, we will head west along the north bank of the Loire River, toward Azay-Le-Rideau. We will cross the river at Langeais, on our way to Château d'Ussé. Ussé was once owned by Didier’s family, and is where Charles Perrault lived in residence when he was inspired to pen the famous fairy-tale, Sleeping Beauty.

 

From there, we will head to the 16th century Château d'Azay-Le-Rideau, which sits just outside the village square. This chateau was the creation of a wealthy financier of King Francois I, Gilles Berthelot. Built on the foundation of a medieval fortress, it stands in the centre of a romantic park, and is truly a masterpiece of 16th century architecture. 

 

We will then take a short drive to Villandry, where we will stroll among the 16th century renaissance gardens of the last great chateau to be built in the Loire, Chateau de Villandry. 

 

We will return to the Manoir for the late afternoon. Feel free to remain at the Manoir for some relaxation, or go for a walk in the village of Vouvray.

 

Our farewell meal will be at L’Épicurien in Monnaie, where Chef Didier Frébout will create a gourmet experience for us!

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Saturday

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We will enjoy breakfast together at the Manoir, followed by your departure. Transportation will be provided to the train station at Saint-Pierre-des-Corps.

 

It has been my pleasure introducing you to a few of my favourite places in Touraine! I hope to see you again on another Select Wine Journey!