Half-day excursions

We will start by visiting the Chateau of Azay-le-Rideau, its elegant facades are like a jewel trapped between sky and river. You will discover its 500 years old framework, as well as furniture and tapestries from different periods, in the living rooms. We will conclude our afternoon with the visit of the French Gardens of the Chateau of Villandry, that makes it one of the most beautiful gardens in France. It is divided in 3 patios: the 1st one is a mix of vegetables, fruit trees and vines, the 2nd one is made of sculpted bushes, and the last one is a water garden.

Explore the Loire Valley wine route and its vineyards, full of tradition and passion! Visit 2 superb estates of the Vouvray Appellation, admire the wonderful vineyard landscapes and learn how to taste these elegant wines produced from one of the most well-known terroir of the Val de Loire area!   Program:  2.30 pm: Start at the Tourist Office in Tours and get into our minivan, off to Vouvray! Discover this beautiful wine area full of passion-driven winegrowers!   Meet a genuine French winemaker in a charming family-run estate! Visit the traditional vat room where hundreds of barrels are lined up (bring your coat, it is cold in the vat room).   During this visit, you will improve your knowledge regarding wine-making and of course wine-tasting! The terroir of this wine area and its main grape variety of Chenin blanc, allows the production of elegant white wines, dry, sweet or sparkling!   After this, your guide will drive you to a grand wine house situated just along the Loire River. Stroll inside it's impressive troglodyte galleries. Dug in the hills, these undergound tunnels are part of Loire Valley's historical heritage. Needless to say that these long galleries are ideal to store wine today... Discover all the secrets of elaboration of the wines from this ancient historical house, still using the "méthode traditionnelle".   All along the afternoon, your will get to know and understand better the diversity of Loire Valley wines. « Intense color, fruity aromas, palate full of minerals… » Oops!! What is this all about?! Your guide will help you to learn the different steps of wine-tasting and train your nose to identify many wine aromas. Benefit from our tips and tricks and taste like a pro!    6.30pm: Back to the Tourist Office in Tours

We will start with Acco Dispo by visiting the Chateau of Langeais, the oldest forteress of the Loire Valley with its 10th century donjon (keep). Its main facade still has medieval characteristics yet, its opposite part has been renovated in the 16th century, which gives it a Renaissance charm. In 1491, Charles the 7th and Anne of Brittany’s marriage signed the annexation of the Duchy to French kingdom. A collection of tapestry, furniture and objects from the 15th century awaits you there. We will finish our afternoon with the visit of the Chateau of Azay-le-Rideau, its elegant facades are like a jewel trapped between sky and river. You will discover its 500 years old framework, as well as furniture and tapestries from different periods, in the living rooms.

VinoLoire has been offering wine tours in the Loire Valley since 2016. Your professional guide will share their wine knowledge, take you on personal tours of vineyards, caves and wineries, and answer your questions. This wine tour is a great introduction to the Loire Valley’s Touraine region wines with a visit in the Vouvray vineyards and an extensive tasting of a variety of the areas wines (Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Gamay, Grolleau …) Program Visit a Touraine Wine Estate Visit of a organic vineyard with insights into the "Terroir" Explanations about the wine making process Tasting of classic wines of the central Loire using a variety of methods Pairing with local charcuteries (rillettes, rillons, …) Visit a Family Winery Visit of the rock-hewn cellar belonging to the family for several generations Wide range tasting of organic wines Wine and food pairing with local cheeses Around 6:00 pm: Drop off at the tourist office.