DAY 1 – 

• The group meets at Paris Marriott Charles de Gaulle  10:00 am.  5 Alle du Verger, Zone Hoteliere, Roissy en France 95700
• First stop, Amboise. Nestled along the banks of the Loire this scenic village offers something for everyone.  With 2 hours to explore you have a few options… a self guided tour of the Chateau d’ Amboise (which offers one of the most remarkable panoramas of the Loire valley), a leisurely lunch in one of the numerous cafes,  or opt for a quick sandwich and peruse the shops. The main street is pedestrian only and is flanked by boutiques, small butcher shops, wine shops, patisseries, chocolatiers and restaurants. The bus will wait for you at a central location and depart 3:30pm for our home base.
• Arrive and check in to our chateau in the late-afternoon.
• Welcome Cocktail and Chateau Tour
• Settle In
• Casual Crepe Dinner
• After Dinner Drinks and Itinerary Briefing

DAY 2 – 

• Breakfast at the Chateau
•  Market Day in Saumur Your day will begin provisioning with chef Michael at a local market in one of our favorite little villages. The market is a bustle of activity and it’s always exciting to see what’s in season.  You will enjoy the people watching and an extensive variety of local produce, baked goods, flowers, baskets, fine porcelain, clothing and kitchen utensils.  For lunch a picnic near the river would be fun with some of our favorite specialities from the market: seafood paella, spit-roasted chicken, endless varieties of local cheeses, pastries galore and chocolates (just to name a few).  If you choose something more formal there are dozens of terrific cafe’s. The town of Saumur is rich in architectural heritage with 64 historical monuments and a stunning Chateau.  Your guide will provide a town overview and after lunch you’ll head to the house of Bouvet-Ladubay for a tour / tasting.  Established in 1851 the label became the worlds largest producer of sparkling wine in the 19th century. You’re sure to enjoy their beautiful caves, sunken cathedral and lovely collection of artwork & antique horse drawn carriages.
• Cooking Class at the Chateau with chef Michael. Assist Michael in preparing the four-course dinner menu of the evening.
• Four Course Dinner at the Chateau, see menu in chart below
• After Dinner Drinks and Itinerary Briefing

DAY 3 – 

• Breakfast at the Chateau 
• Free Day to take a dip in the pool, walk thru the Street Art Parc, set aside some reading time, book a massage, explore the village of Candes – Saint Martin or a walk along the river to the village of Montsoreau.   
• Cooking Class at the Chateau with chef Michael. Assist Michael in preparing the four-course dinner menu of the evening.
• Four Course Dinner at the Chateau, see menu in chart below
• After Dinner Drinks and Itinerary Briefing

DAY 4 –

• Breakfast at the Chateau
• Visit and guided tour to the spectacular Villandry gardens. Recognized as a world heritage site, the renaissance gardens feature formal boxwood hedging layed out in intricate geometric patterns. 
• Afternoon lunch on your own with free time to explore the quaint village of Azay Le Rideau. 
• Guided historic tour of the Azay French Renaissance Castle and grounds.
• Cooking Class at the Chateau with chef Michael. Assist Michael in preparing the four-course dinner menu of the evening.
• Four Course Dinner at the Chateau, see menu in chart below
• After Dinner Drinks and Itinerary Briefing

DAY 5 –

• Breakfast at the Chateau
•  Morning guided visit to the nearby Mushroom “Troglodyte” caves. We will be cooking with various varieties of mushrooms from these caves during the week including shiitake, yellow and pink oyster mushrooms.
• Lunch on your own in the beautiful village of Chinon with some free time for a walk along the river, a visit to the delicious Chocolate shop on the square or some shopping in the quaint boutiques.
• Afternoon historical tour of Chinon and Chateau de Chinon.  Built in the 12th century to secure the region of Anjou, the castle preserves many of it’s medieval characteristics. Chateau de Chinon has seen many historic events from the death of Lionheart in 1199, a history with the Knights Templar in the 1300’s and a the historic meeting with Charles VII and Joan of Arc. The history continues into the later centuries, a tour you will definitely enjoy.  
• Cooking Class at the Chateau with chef Michael. Assist Michael in preparing the four-course dinner menu of the evening.
• Four Course Dinner at the Chateau, see menu in chart below
• After Dinner Drinks and Itinerary Briefing

DAY 6 –

• Breakfast at the Chateau
• Off to Angers, the gateway to Loire Valley and listed as a UNESCO site, rich in culture and history. Located on the banks of the Maine and the Loire Rives, the old town is known for its half timbered houses.  The massive Chateau d’Angers dates from 11th – 13th centuries with a gothic plantagenet style featuring  17 unique towers and the impressive 14th century Apocalypse tapestry, which is the largest tapestry in the world.  The tour continues on to Saint-Maurice cathedral dated to the 12th & 13th centuries.  Lunch on your own in historic Angers.
• Cooking Class at the Chateau with chef Michael. Assist Michael in preparing the four-course dinner menu of the evening.
• Four Course Dinner at the Chateau, see menu in chart below
• After Dinner Drinks and Itinerary Briefing 

DAY 7 –

• Breakfast at the Chateau
• Morning tour and tasting at Distillerie Combier (in the village of Saumur) founded in 1834. The tasting will feature numerous liqueurs and syrups created on property. 
•  Excursion to Chateau de Chenonceau, one of our favorite Chateaus in the Loire Valley. Michael especially loves the kitchen here, where they still have a massive antique copper pot collection on display. The Chateau is situated on a small river and was once home to Henry II’s mistress, Diane de Poitiers and then Catherine de’ Medici, so it is rich in interesting history. The gardens surrounding the Chateau are beautiful, and the vegetable section is just as beautiful as the floral display. Lunch on your own at the Chateau.
• Dinner off property

DAY 8 –

• Breakfast at the Chateau
• Depart Chateau at 7:00 a.m. for Paris (book flights after 1pm)