Bucket list experience:
The Loire Valley is a remarkable and vast wine region, including several wine regions situated along the Loire River.
It encompasses a mind-boggling 63 appellations (47 in the core Tours, Saumur, Anjou area) and more than 7,000 wine growers, producing all types of wine from sweet white Coteaux de Layon, dry white Savennières and sparkling Vouvray, to hearty red Borgueil, Saumur and Chinon. Loire wines tend to exhibit a characteristic fruitiness with fresh, crisp flavours.
Vineyards dominate the landscape, troglodyte wine cellars are dug into the soft tufa rock, and there are signposted routes and welcome signs to help you, making this a fascinating – and easy – wine region to explore.
Vignes, Vins et Randos, on the first weekend in September, is a convivial way to discover vineyards on a weekend of walks in the company of winemakers and enthusiasts. Or time your visit for Vitiloire’, an annual wine fair in Tours, held at the start of June, that celebrates local wines.
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Destination Guide >With countless individual producers and vineyards, organised wine tours and tastings are recommended to discover the best vineyards and actually meet winemakers. Otherwise, crisscrossing the valley are waymarked self-drive wine routes for tasting and/or buying as you go. This one is gorgeous because it takes you through the valley of chateaux as you taste red, whites and sparkling wines that rival champagne.
Or take the casual approach and simply drive along the River Loire; you’ll pass numerous wine producers and caves (cellars). Look for the sign Cave Touristique for those that welcome visitors.
Vineyards are open all year round, but small vineyards often don’t welcome visitors at harvest time (generally late September-early October).
Saumur, Pays de la Loire, France
These sculpted troglodyte caves offer an interesting blend of wine tasting, culture and history. The cellars here, open daily for tastings, are part of a historic 5-mile-long complex of underground galleries, which include an unusual ‘underground cathedral’.
Best for ages: 18+ | £5 | 2 hours
Saumur, Pays de la Loire, France
This winery and vineyard offers a complete immersion into the world of wine, starting with a short introduction to the principles of oenologie (wine-making), followed by a tour of the production facility, a visit to the cellars, and ending with a wine tasting.
Best for ages: -218+ | Free | 1-2 hours
Centre-Val de Loire, France
Usually held on the first weekend in September, this convivial weekend of walks allows you to discover vineyards in the company of winemakers and enthusiasts. At last count, there were 18 different walks on offer throughout the Loire Valley over the two days.
Best for ages: 18+ | Free | One weekend
Tours, Centre-Val de Loire, France
This annual wine fair in Tours, held at the start of June, celebrates local wines with wine workshops, music, fireworks and countless opportunities to taste and buy direct from producers.
Best for ages: 18+ | Free | One weekend
Our selection of the best Viator tours of this attraction or activity
Tours
€50 | Rating 5 / 5 [64 ratings]
Tour supplied by:
Chinon
€62 | Rating 4.81 / 5 [97 ratings]
Tour supplied by:
Tours
€92 | Rating 4.81 / 5 [32 ratings]
Tour supplied by:
Chinon
€115 | Rating 5 / 5 [7 ratings]
Tour supplied by:
Our writer’s picks of the best places to stay near this experience, closest first
Veuzain-sur-Loire, Centre-Val de Loire, France[56.3 miles]
Uber-romantic hotel in a former hunting lodge, with a spa, outdoor pool & Michelin-starred restaurant.
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Amboise, Centre-Val de Loire, France[67.5 miles]
An attractive family-friendly hotel, with great staff and a perfect small-town location for exploring the Loire.
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Saint-Etienne-de-Chigny, Centre-Val de Loire, France[80.6 miles]
Stately chateau hotel in a magical woodland setting where Louis XIII once came hunting.
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Veigne, Centre-Val de Loire, France[83.5 miles]
Relaxed, stylish family-run chateau hotel, well located in the heart of the Loire Valley.
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Destination guides including or relevant to this experience
Loire Valley, France
Extraordinary historic chateaux, authentic village life, and superb wine blend in this beautiful UNESCO-listed valley.
Round-ups that include this experience
Multiple countries
The world’s greatest wine regions – where you can sip the world’s greatest wines at source, and tour the vineyards to learn how they’re made.
