Agnes Sorel chic Guest House**** Accommodation

Welcome to Agnès Sorel’s chic Guest House, a 17th-century beautifully restored coach house located beneath the walls of the Cité Royale of Loches, a  lovely Loire Valley little town. It’s an elegant oasis amid designers and souvenirs shops, restaurants and cafés, and historic attractions of downtown Loches. It offers 3 beautifully decorated and spacious guest rooms furnished with queen size beds and stylish antiques; each one has its en-suite private bathroom with a walk-in shower.
You will find all comfort and amenities including hairdryer, toiletry products, complimentary tea or coffee making facilities, mineral water, free WiFi internet connection.

Delicious home-made continental breakfasts are served in the dining room or on the sunny terrace in spring and summer. Breakfasts include tea, coffee or hot chocolate, freshly baked cakes, homemade jam, muesli, yogurts, cheese, juice and fresh fruits, and of course French baguette, and croissants.

Loches is a pocket-sized town that invites visitors to stroll through its cobbled streets and beneath its historic gateways, to browse its independent shops and relax over coffee or a meal. The Guest House is only 5 minutes by walking to Corinne’s home and Cooking School.

CULTURAL TOURS

Corinne’s itinerary includes visits to historic sites,  chateaux and quaint villages such as Loches, Amboise, Chenonceau, Blois, Montrésor, Chedigny “the Village of Roses”…

Chenonceau whose unique architecture reflects in the water… Sits over the river Cher, this chateau is my favorite. Also called the “Chateau des Dames”, it owes a large part of its charm to women. It was built in 1513 by Katherine Briçonnet, then made even more attractive by Diane de Poitiers and Catherine de Medici, and saved from the rigors of the French Revolution by Mrs Dupin. The chateau is surrounded by very pretty formal gardens and to reach the chateau and gardens you walk up a long wooded road. A must!

Chateau of Amboise is a jewel of the Loire Valley, overlooking the river. Built at the 11th century, expanded and modernized over the centuries, it was seized by Charles VII and became the favorite residence of the French Kings. Charles VIII rebuilt it extensively at the end of the 15th century. Henri II and his wife Catherine de Medici raised their children in Amboise along with Mary Stuart, the child Queen of Scotland who had been promised in marriage to the future Francis II. Amboise gained its international recognition by Leonardo da Vinci, invited by King Francis I in 1515. The master lived and worked in the nearby Clos Lucé manor. He is buried in the royal chapel of Amboise.

Chateau of Blois is one of the most interesting chateau for its architecture and history. It was the main residence of many French Kings and Quens, starting by Louix XII and Anne of Brittany, Francis I and Claude of France, Henri II and Catherine de Medici. The chateau was the scene of the murder of the Duke of Guise by the guards of King Henri III and the death place of Queen Catherine de Medici. Also, Joan of Arc came to Blois in 1429, asking the Archbishop of Reims to bless her before departing with her army to drive the English from Orleans.

COOKING CLASSES & GOURMET EXPERIENCES

The Loire Valley also called “the Garden of France”, offers superb fresh produce aside to river fish, fowl and cheese displayed on colorful markets. The limestone underground from which the Tuffeau white stone was extracted to build houses, manors and chateaux is used today to cultivate mushrooms and to age the wine. On both sides of the Loire river, you will find farms and vineyards. The Loire Valley is France’s 3rd largest region in terms of production, and the vineyards are the 4th largest one in the country with 63 appellations (AOC), producing a delectable complement to the gastronomic credentials. Varied soil and climate give a definitive expression of popular wine grapes such as Sauvignon blanc, Chenin blanc and Cabernet Franc. The vineyards are divided into five areas including Touraine with its own wines and varietals.

This itinerary includes 2 cooking classes followed by gourmet food and wine pairing  lunches and dinner. Menus follow the seasons and it can include sautéed scallops with an orange sauce, fish mousse on toasted bread, white fish fillet with a delicious sauce beurre blanc, chicken supreme with sautéed seasonal vegetables, fruits tarts, etc.
Cooking classes are set in Corinne’s house in Loches. Each class lasts about 3 hours, the perfect time to prepare and to cook a traditional French and Loire Valley menu including a starter, a main course, and a dessert.
You will experience the market tour and shopping with Corinne where you will have connections with local producers.
You will visit a goat cheese farm at the milking time, located on the outskirts of Loches.
You will enjoy gourmet experiences in traditional and Michelin starred restaurants, and at Corinne’s home too!

ITINERARY

Day 1 (Sunday): Welcome to the Loire Valley!
Private transfer by van from Tours TGV station (direct connection from Paris CDG airport terminal 2 station) to Loches. It takes about 45mn to get there.
Welcome drink and snack at Corinne’s house before you check-in at the guest house (only 5 minutes distance by walking in between)
5pm: Check-in at Agnès Sorel’s guest house. Relaxing time.
6pm: Aperitif followed by an early dinner at Corinne’s house.
Overnight

Day 2 (Monday): Morning guided tour in Loches and visit to the Royal Chateau – Afternoon Cooking Class.
After breakfast, meet Corinne at the guest house.
Morning walking tour in Loches and visit to the royal chateau.
Lunch break in town.
Time free at your leisure.
Afternoon Cooking class starting at 4pm for 3 hours, followed by the food & wine pairing dinner.
Overnight.

Day 3 (Tuesday): Full-day excursion to Chenonceau and Amboise
After breakfast, transfer to Chenonceau.
10am: Guided visit to the royal chateau and gardens for about 2 hours
Transfer to Amboise.
Lunch at a gourmet bistro in Amboise.
Afternoon visit to the Royal Chateau of Amboise overlooking the Loire river and to the Clos Lucé nearby, paying tribute to Leonardo da Vinci.
Transfer to Loches.
Dinner at Corinne’s house.
Overnight.

Day 4 (Wednesday): Market Cooking Class in Loches – Afternoon Tour to Montrésor beautiful village and Visit to a Goat Cheese Farm
After breakfast, meet Corinne at your guest house at 9am.
By walking we’ll go to the open-air market place. The market tour and shopping is the opportunity to meet and discuss with the merchants, and to choose the best products in considering the season, the price, the freshness, etc. The menu is created at the market, where you and Corinne will craft the perfect gourmet lunch. Back to the Corinne’s kitchen, you will prepare and cook a 3-course meal including a starter, a main course and a dessert that you will enjoy afterward, accompanied by wine, tea or coffee.
After lunch, transfer to Montrésor to visit the chateau and this beautiful village. On the way back, we will stop at a goat cheese farm at the milking time (normally around 5pm).
Dinner at a restaurant in Loches,
Overnight.

Day 5 (Thursday): Full-day excursion to Chedigny and Blois
After breakfast, transfer to Chedigny, the village of roses. Walking tour through this quaint village well known for its rose bushes.
Transfer to Blois. Lunch break in a restaurant overlooking the Loire river.
Afternoon guided visit to the chateau, and walking tour through Blois historic quarter.
6:30pm: Aperitif and dinner in Fleur de Loire Michelin-star restaurant.
Transfer to Loches after dinner
Overnight.

Day 6 (Friday): After breakfast, check-out.
Transfer to Tours TGV train station
End of the tour.

PROGRAM PRICE

US$ 3,490 per person (DBL occupancy)
Single occupancy supplement: US$ 430
All taxes and VAT includes.

Price includes :
– Tours round-trip transfer and transportation by private van,
– 5-night luxury guest house accommodation in Loches,
– Daily continental breakfasts, lunches and dinners as detailed in the itinerary,
– 2 hands-on cooking classes celebrating the French and the Loire Valley cuisine,
– Recipes in English,
– Cultural guided tours to the chateaux, and historic towns as detailed in the itinerary,
– Entrance tickets to the chateaux and sites.

Not included : airfare to/from your country, train tickets, drinks in restaurants, personal insurance, and personal expenses.

2022 TOUR DATE

May 29 – June 3
Tour is confirmed with 4 people, and it’s limited to 6 participants.