Loire Wine and Boat Tour

Experience the romance of the majestic Loire River with our 1 day Wine & Boat Tour on a Traditional Loire Barque. We spend the morning wine tasting at the sparkling wine houses in St Hilaire St Florent (Ackermans, Veuve Amiot, Langlois Chateau or Bouvet Ladubay) before taking a delicious picnic along the river banks of the Loire.

In the afternoon we sail from the pretty port of Le Thoureil on an authentic Loire Wooden Boat. Enjoy an aperitif as we glide past the riverside villages spotting bird & wildlife along the way. Relax on board & watch the river flow by. You will get to see hidden corners of the Loire not usually accessible by road.

Collection from the train station in Saumur ( Angers  or Tours available as supplement please ask)

On arrival you have the chance to sample your first local wine as our welcome drink whilst we lead you through the next days itinerary and explain a little about the local region and it’s grape varieties. Once you have settled in you will have chance to go walking in the vines or even go for a bike ride before dinner.

The kitchens at La Grande Maison provide deliciously creative menus using fresh produce direct from our own organic potager. You have the opportunity to sample the local wines with the Wine Sampling Supper on your first evening at La Grande Maison.

After a delicious breakfast we head off down to the port of St Hilaire St Florent to our wine tasting and tour provided at one of the Sparkling Wine Houses listed above (still wines also included). A restaurant lunch will be provided before sailing in the afternoon.

After lunch we make our way to Le Thoureil where our wooden boat awaits to take us on a leisurely cruise of the Loire River. If conditions are right we might even get the sail up or have chance to row over the shallows. The area is so rich in history and culture that we always throw a little sight seeing in along the way too.

We return you back to La Grande Maison where you will be greeted with tea/coffee and biscuits in the stunning gardens and have time to relax before being taken to a local restaurant in the evening. A not to be missed private tour of the caves and tunnels at La Grande Maison awaits you after breakfast the next day. Then time to relax in the glorious gardens before being returned to your chosen departure point.

650 euros per person includes collection from Saumur Station. Others pick up locations please ask for a quote. Includes 2 nights stay on a Bed and Breakfast basis at La Grande Maison with a Wine Sampling Supper on the first evening of arrival. Wine tour, restaurant lunch and boat trip also included. Prices based on two persons sharing a double or twin room.

*other travel options maybe available please ask
**availability subject to weather and river conditions. In cases where we are unable to take the boat out then the tour will be taken in our wine tour vehicle. Additional days/nights available on request