Loire Valley, the garden of France
Experience the wines and wineries of the central Loire Valley, France.
Along with food, culture, history and fairytale castles.
An unforgettable weeklong trip led by Tyler Colman, Ph.D., organized exclusively for members of CWC and their guests.
7 days/6 nights
Limited to 12-14 guests.
PLEASE NOTE: there are now two departures, April 27 and May 4 with essentially the same itinerary.
April 27-May 3, 2025 &
May 4 - 10, 2025
$5,250 per traveler
$900 single supplement
$500 reserves your spot
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Meet winemakers
Talk with some of the leaders in the industry
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Dive into cellars
Go into stunning caves carved out of limestone
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Taste the terroir
Sharpen the palate with comparative wine tastings
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Explore cuisine
Fine dining as well as bistros and “bistronomie”
Take a deep dive into Loire Valley wines
The central Loire is a UNESCO World Heritage site renowned for its architecture and culture. Beneath the vines, there are incredible wine cellars carved out of the soft limestone as well as troglodyte caves.
Where will we stay?
3 nights in Amboise
In a 4-star hotel full of old-world charm in the town center (we will have the whole hotel).
3 nights in Saumur
In a centrally located, 4-star hotel in this walkable town on the Loire river (we will have the whole hotel).
3 reasons to travel with Tyler
Tyler got into wine writing the way so many people do: by writing his Ph.D. dissertation on the political economy of wine in France and the US.
He knows wine
Tyler has written two wine books, contributed numerous articles to places like Food & Wine and the New York Times, and his writing has been nominated for a James Beard award. Tyler taught wine classes at NYU for ten years and at the University of Chicago for five. He has led numerous corporate and private events and organized over 200 wine tastings on Zoom, many with winemakers.
He knows wine people
His deep knowledge of the wine industry means this tour will go to significant wineries and meet the people who are telling the important stories of Loire Valley wine today. Some of these do not usually receive visitors. He lived in France for two years and speaks fluent French.
It’s a snob-free zone
Two words that go together frequently are “wine” and “snob.” Fortunately, the tone of this trip is fun and informative. It will be an amazing, immersive opportunity to expand your wine knowledge no matter what level you bring to the start.
Our itinerary
This tour begins in Amboise—please plan on arriving around noon since our program starts that afternoon. It ends in Saumur (transportation options discussed below).
Sunday April 27: We will meet in the early afternoon in Amboise for a guided tour of the castle. Leonardo da Vinci spent his final working years in Amboise and we will also visit his former home. We will have a welcome to the Loire dinner, possibly with a winemaker joining us.
Monday April 28: The theme of today is: castles! We will be accompanied by a local guide as we visit two of the most iconic castles in France, Chenonceau and Chambord. In between the castle visits, we will stop for a lunch.
Tuesday April 29: The theme of the day is: wineries! We will visit two family-owned wineries that specialize in the exciting chenin blanc grape, one in Montlouis and one in Vouvray. Group dinner in Amboise.
Wednesday April 30: We will check out of the hotel in Amboise and head to the castle Azay-le-Rideau followed by a stop Chinon (free for lunch). We will then head to a leading winery for a guided visit, then check in to our hotel in Saumur. We will have a group gastronomic dinner a short walk from the hotel.
Thursday May 1: We will visit a castle with an awesome dry moat and caves as well as a leading family wine producer. Time to explore Saumur in the afternoon. We are signed up for a sunset cruise on the Loire River with a simple dinner and wines.
Friday May 2: We will visit the spectacular Abbey of Fontevraud, have a group lunch at a Michelin-recommended restaurant with a deep selection of wines. We’ll also visit a leading producer of Saumur wines.
Saturday May 3: trip ends after breakfast. There is one TGV per day to Paris from Saumur. Angers is a fascinating city 45 minutes from Saumur that is worth spending a day and it has many TGVs every day to Paris.
***These are placeholders; exact details to follow shortly.
***This trip is popular! Unfortunately, due to scheduling, this is the only week we can do it so we anticipate it will sell out.
The picturesque town of Saumur
Chateau de Chambord has 365 rooms
“Tyler set an outstanding tone for the group - knowledgeable, relaxed, humorous and engaging. The group dynamic made every activity superb.”
-Gale
“I would give it 10 stars if I could!”
-Tracy
“It was truly a fantastic two weeks. The accommodations were A+. The size of the group was ideal.”
-Norma
“Thank you for a wonderful experience. Looking forward to the next tour!”
- Frank
Book the Loire Valley wine tour today!
Reserve your spot now for $500 per traveler, fully refundable for 30 days.
Half the remaining balance is due October 30, 2024. The balance is due January 30, 2025.
The CWC requests a separate $250 donation per traveler.
Got a question? Don’t hesitate to ask.
Terms & Conditions are here.
Questions. And answers.
What’s included?
This tour includes six nights at hotels, breakfast at the hotel each morning, one group meal a day (three lunches and three dinners), transportation to events on the itinerary, and all winery and cultural visits. A reasonable amount of wine with group meals is included. There is also no need to tip anyone on this tour.
What’s not included?
Not included: airfare, airport transfers, travel insurance, meals not on the itinerary, wine beyond the set wines with dinner, and personal incidentals such as room service, other hotel charges or laundry.
Should I get travel insurance?
We recommend travel insurance. Some credit cards offer insurance included or for purchase. Please note that some “cancel for any reason” policies must be purchased within two weeks of the initial deposit.
Who’s going?
This trip is offered exclusively to Chautauqua Women’s Club members and guests.
Can solo travelers go?
Absolutely! It is a great way to meet people. There is a supplement for single occupancy.
What documents are needed?
Just a valid US passport.
What’s the cancelation policy?
Your initial deposit is fully refundable for 30 days. After that, it is non-refundable. A second payment is due on October 30. That is also refundable for 30 days. The final payment is due January 30 and the trip will be non-refundable after that.
When is Easter next year?
April 20, so this is after Easter.
How do we get there?
The tour starts in Amboise. TGVs from both central Paris as well as some from Charles de Gaulle airport stop at the station at Tours TGV. (About a one hour TGV ride from central Paris Montparnasse and two hours from CDG airport.) You can then transfer there for the 10 minute ride on a local train to Amboise. At the end of the tour, there is one TGV per day from Saumur to Paris but it is also possible to go to Angers, a very fun city to spend a day that has several TGVs per day to Paris.
How much walking is there?
Travelers should be able to walk two miles a day (5,000 steps), some of it on paths, cobbled streets or in vineyards. Travelers should be comfortable with a few flights of stairs.
I don’t know that much about wine. Should I go?
Yes! If you want to learn more about wine, this is an unparalleled way to do it. No advance knowledge is required. Also, there cultural stops and excellent meals.
