Loire Valley Cooking Classes - Food Tours
- Three-day/two-night trip:
We’ll take an morning train from the Gare d’Austerlitz to the city of Blois in the Loire Valley (a two-hour-trip),
drive to Pontlevoy near the Cher River (a half-hour drive) and one of two the 16th-century farmhouses we’ll
be staying in. We'll drive to Cravant les Coteaux, near Chinon, in the early afternoon to taste the wonderful Cabernet Franc wines of the region, (if it’s berry season, meander down among the vines to pick a basketful of blackberries.)
On our way back to Pontlevoy we'll visit a small family-owned and run goat farm, whose goat cheese is just short
of sublime, for a home-cooked dinner at their auberge and, if you’re interested, watch the goats be milked before
dinner. The meal will end with a tasting of of their marvelous goat cheeses. The following morning we’ll get up early
and go shopping at a local open-air market (Amboise, Loches, Montrichard...), return to the farmhouse to cook up
a three-course lunch, and sit around the table with a bottle or two of wine from the region to chat and savor the dishes
we've created. The following morning we can visit a chateau (Chenonceau or Amboise) or another of the great wine
regions: Vouvray, with its succulent still and sparkling chenin blancs. We'll have lunch in the area then catch an early
evening train back to Paris.
Each person will receive an apron and printed out recipes and other "food for thought."

- Four-day/three-night trip:
We'll follow the same schedule as the three day/two night trip, adding another jaunt to a different morning open-air market
and an evening cooking class.
Some of the other chateaux in the region are Loches, Chambord, Ambroise, Azay-le-Rideau, Montrésor...

I can plan these trips upon request, with a minimum advance notice of 6 weeks.
When you know your dates and the number of participants (a maximum of 6) please email me to inquire about rates and availability.