Stunning Loire Valley Cultural & Cooking Tour
COOKING VACATIONS
Secret Loire Valley Culinary Adventure
$3,990.00 – $5,120.00
A LOIRE VALLEY CHEERFUL COOKING AND GOURMET ADVENTURE COMBINED TO CHATEAUX AND SCENIC VILLAGES TOURS
6 days / 5 nights
♦ Private round-trip transfer
♦ Daily tours transportation
♦ Luxury B&B accommodation
♦ Daily breakfasts, lunch and dinners
♦ 3 hands-on cooking classes
♦ Market tour and visits to local producers
♦ Cultural guided tours, chateaux entrance tickets included
BEFORE BOOKING THIS TOUR, PLEASE CONTACT US.
Welcome to the Majestic Loire Valley!
The Loire Valley is well named “the Garden of France”, offering superb fresh produce aside to river fish, fowl and cheese displayed on colorful markets. The limestone underground from which the Tuffeau white stone was extracted to build houses, manors and chateaux offer the perfect balance of temperature and humidity to cultivate mushrooms.
Loire Valley, a source of inspiration for the chefs!
The delicious upside-down caramelized apple Tatin, Cremet d’Anjou – a mix of whipped cream, cottage cheese and whisked egg whites – the famous Pithiviers, a puff pastry pie filled with almond cream… are just a few examples.
The Loire Valley is also reputed for its cheese. The mild local goat cheese such as Selles-sur-Cher, Sainte-Maure-de-Touraine, Valençay will be a part of your meals. Same for the wines. Val de Loire is one of the largest wine regions producing a delectable complement to the gastronomic credentials. Varied soil and climate give a definitive expression of popular wine grapes such as Sauvignon blanc, Chenin blanc and Cabernet Franc. The vineyards are divided into five areas including Touraine with its own wines and varietals. The Loire Valley is France’s 3rd largest region in terms of production, and the vineyards are the 4th largest one in the country with 63 appellations (AOC).
When it’s time to cook, join Corinne in La Maison de Jeanne in Loches. You will partake in hands-on cooking classes of about 3-hour each. It’s the perfect timing to improve your skills and to learn how to prepare and to cook traditional meals including appetizer, main course, and dessert celebrating the French and the Loire Valley cuisines. Aperitif and tasting lunch or dinner accompanied by wine, mineral water, coffee or herbal tea follows each class.
Sample menus can include a sautéed scallops with an orange sauce, asparagus (if you come in Spring) served with a hollandaise sauce, fish mousse on toasted bread, river fish served with a beurre blanc sauce, chicken supreme with sautéed seasonal vegetables, fruits tart, etc.
Our Secret Loire Valley Culinary program highlights the history of France through visits and cultural guided tours.
You will visit Langeais, Loches, Villandry, Montrésor and Chenonceau, in addition to picturesque villages you will admire on the way.
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- The Château of Loches – also called Le Logis Royal – first construction dates from 9th-century, built 1600 ft away from the River Indre. It’s been occupied by Henry II of England and his son, Richard the Lionheart during the 12th century. In the 15th century, Loches became the residence of King Charles VII who gave it to his mistress Agnès Sorel as her residence. Sorel was the first woman to be officially recognized as “a Favorite ». It would be converted for use as a State prison by his son, King Louis XI who had lived there as a child but preferred Amboise.
- The 15th-century Flamboyant Gothic Chateau of Langeais was rebuilt by King Louis XI (1461-1483) after being destroyed during the Hundred Years’ War. You will visit one of the best-known examples of late medieval architecture. It’s in Langeais that an important part of the history was signed through the arranged marriage of Charles VIII of France and Anne of Brittany on December 6, 1491. This marriage marked the beginning of the incorporation of the Duchy of Brittany into the French Kingdom. The contract granted the spouses mutual rights over the duchy; in addition, Anne promised to wed, if the king died without a son, the new sovereign. It is exactly what happened: the royal couple’s children died at birth or at an early age. Charles VIII died tragically in the Chateau of Amboise in 1498. Anne of Brittany then married Charles VIII’s cousin, Louis d’Orléans, who reigned under the name Louis XII.
- Chateau of Villandry and its stunning Gardens. Built at the 16th century, the chateau combines the Italian and Middle Ages architecture. It prefigures the French classical style, also known as the Henry IV style. Villandry features manicured Renaissance gardens, among the most fascinating ones you could have seen: ornamental gardens, water garden, herb garden, and kitchen garden.
- Chateau of Chenonceau sitting over the Cher river is the “Ladies Chateau” as it owes a large part of its charm to women. It was built in 1513 by Katherine Briconnet, then made even more attractive by Diane de Poitiers and Catherine De Medici, and saved from the rigors of the French Revolution by Mrs Dupin. The chateau is surrounded by very pretty formal gardens.
- Located 20 minutes away from Loches, Montresor picturesque village with its hilltop chateau sits on the banks of the Indrois River. The village retains a 11th century fortress, built on top of a rocky outcrop above the village. The walls, towers and gate are intact. Built originally for defensive purposes, the chateau was transformed into a Renaissance Mansion in the 15th century, within the original fortified walls. A wealthy Polish immigrant bought the chateau in the 19th century, and much of the interior furnishing dates from this period.
