EPICUREAN GETAWAY TO SANCERRE
AND THE LOIRE VALLEY

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The Loire Valley and Berry region is linked to Paris within only two hours by car, famous for its rich history dating back to the 14th century. Nature lovers will enjoy the Sologne, starting south to Orleans, famous for its wild forests, ponds, streams, river and hills. Gourmet will be delighted to cook the regional asparagus, vegetables and fruits of all kind, fish from the ponds, and to taste the goat cheese “Crottin de Chavignol” paired with the French best dry whites Sancerre, Menetou-Salon, and Quincy.

Our 3-day weekend break includes : excursion to the Loire Valley, the Sologne and the Berry regions, visits to local producers (goat cheese farm, wine makers), market visit, cooking class, visit to vineyards and wine properties cellars and wine tastings, cultural visits of Orleans, Aubigny sur Nère, Souvigny en Sologne, Bourges.

Welcome to the Sancerre Villa & the Stuart Cooking School

The Sancerre Villa is a charming 19th century privately-owned mansion, home to Maria and Etienne K. After several years of important renovation works, the Sancerre Villa now offers five elegant and beautifully decorated rooms and suites furnished with stylish antiques, and with private en-suite bathrooms.

As a part of the Sancerre Villa, the Stuart Cooking School offers hands-on intimate classes taught in both French and English, limited to 10 participants. Classes are scheduled on Saturdays only, starting at 4:30pm. Within three hours, under chef Etienne K.’s directions, participants learn how to cook a three-course meal including an appetizer, a main course and a dessert. Menus follow the seasonal produces from the market, and celebrate the delightful Sologne, Loire Valley, and French countryside cuisine. Food & wine pairing tasting dinners are served in the elegant dining room of the Villa, and follow each class.

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DETAILED ITINERARY

> DAY 1 (Friday) : Excursion to the Loire Valley / Orleans & Sologne
Welcome at CDG’s airport early in the morning
Private transfer in a comfortable minibus to the Loire Valley region.
Visit of Orleans in your minibus and by walking in the historic district if time allows. Lunch break at Lamotte Beuvron before arriving in Aubigny. Afternoon check-in at the Sancerre Villa. Relaxation. Welcome aperitif served at 7:00 pm. We will review the weekly program.
Dinner and night at the property.

> DAY 2 (Saturday) – Aubigny Food Market Visit, Excursion to Sancerre and Chavignol, Evening cooking class followed by food & wine pairing dinner
After the breakfast, we will visit the Aubigny food market by walking. Corinne will guide you and provide interesting information about her personal recipes that use vegetables and fruits of all kind, as well as steamed-process fish cooking. Tour lasts one hour, starting at 9:00am. Back to the property, have a tea or coffee, before driving to Sancerre, to visit a wine property. Meeting with the wine maker, walk in the vineyard, visit to the wine cellar and enjoy the wines tasting. Lunch in Sancerre at restaurant La Tour. Back to Aubigny around 3:00pm, having a relaxing time, before attending the cooking class, scheduled at 4:30pm. Food & wine pairing dinner follows the class. Overnight at Villa Sancerre.

>DAY 3 (Sunday April 5th) : Excursion to Menetou Salon (vineyards) and the historic city of Bourges before driving back to Paris
After your breakfast and say a reluctant “adieu” to Maria and Etienne, we will link Bourges through the wines route and Menetou Salon. At 10:30am : one-hour private visit to Domaine de Chatenoy vineyard and wines cellar. Tasting follows the visit. We continue on the way to Bourges. Lunch at gourmet restaurant “Le Jardin Gourmand” owned by Executive chef Christian Chauveau (a member of the renowned Maîtres Cuisinier de France Association). Afternoon guided tour of Bourges including the visit of its beautiful gothic cathedral. Back to Paris late afternoon.

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PRICES PER PERSON

$ 1465 per person, based on double occupancy. All taxes and VAT included
Single supplement : $ 110
Rates are subject to change based on currency exchange. Call for updated rates.

Our price includes : private transfers from/to Paris, ground transportation for the visits and excursions, 2 nights accommodation, 2 home-made breakfasts, lunch on Friday in Orleans, welcome dinner on Friday at the property, lunch on Saturday in Sancerre, lunch on Sunday in Bourges, wine excursions to Sancerre and Mennetou-Salon including wine tastings, visit to a goat cheese farm on Saturday, guided tour of Bourges on Sunday afternoon, hands-on cooking class on Saturday with the food & wine tasting dinner to follow.

Are not included : airfare, drinks at the restaurants, personal insurance and personal expenses.

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TOUR DATES

Program available year-round any Friday – Sunday, for a minimum of 4 participants.
Single travelers, please contact us.

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