Ronsard 6 days in the Loire Valley, valley of the kings “Ronsard”, a 6-day discovery of French Loire valley where "living is an art!" and enjoy the privilege of a truly “insider’s view” of one of the most beautiful and culturally rich regions of France Discover France and Touraine in the center of the Loire Valley, known as "valley of the kings" and "garden of France". You will explore the fascinating facets of this beautiful region and enjoy an intimate glimpse into its rich history and culture. Taste incredible food and wines, wander the countryside antique markets, bike through rolling vineyards and cruise down the Vienne and Loire rivers. “Here, living is an art” is the motto of our region and the motto of your travel experience Day 1: Saturday • Arrival at the central train station of Tours • Transfer to the Chateau de Marçay (hotel) • Strolling in Chinon • Dinner at Auberge du Val de Vienne Arrival at Tours by TGV, the high-speed train from Paris or CDG Airport You are met at the station of Tours or Saint Pierre-des-Corps and transported to your chateau hotel by private coach Your hotel: le Château de Marçay This 15th century castle is built on the ruins of an 11th century fortress. The successive owners and legacies parceled out this immense domain, hence all that is left is the Château and its outbuildings, a park planted with trees, vines and land over a 15 hectares area. This domain forms an island of Ronsard – 6-day tour – 2019 version, subject to change without notice page 1 greenery in the Chinon countryside, developed into a hotel and a restaurant which opened to the public in 1973. The Château of Marçay offers 22 rooms, all different . Some have a view on the park, others on the main courtyard. The rooms of the château and its wing have been decorated in a «haute époque» style. Rooms in the Pavillon des Vignes are located on the ground and first floors of one of the dependencies of the château. They are facing the vineyards; their private and quiet environment makes them a place where families with children can play safely. You will settle into your room at our chateau accommodations. You will have time to rest after your long trip. Dinner at “Auberge du Val de Vienne” Trained at the cooking schools of Tours and Blois, Jean-Marie Gervais wanted to become a cook from the age of seven, and it was the love of Florence, his wife, who inspired him, in 1992, to launch his own restaurant. Started from scratch in an old road stop in 1992, the Auberge du Val de Vienne and "this young chef with inventive cuisine" was discovered by “Bottin Gourmand” in 1994, and then by the “guide du Routard” in 1997 and by the “Gault & Millau” guide in 2000. Fascinated by Asian cooking, Jean-Marie Gervais likes "to work simple things, to make the terroir speak", while adding a point of exoticism. His wild duck in spicy crust, his rack of lamb with thyme or his mellow chocolate cake are the pillars of a menu that changes with the seasons. “Make a gastronomic stop in this former post house (1870) in the heart of the Chinon vineyards. Warm décor blends perfectly with quality contemporary cuisine.” - MICHELIN guide inspectors Day 2: Sunday • Stroll through an outdoor antique market - la brocante • A gourmet picnic aboard a traditional river boat • Visit of the Fortress of Chinon • Gastronomic dinner in an old street of Chinon La Brocante (antique market) After enjoying a breakfast of local specialties at your chateau we embark on a favorite Loire Valley pastime, browsing a riverside Brocante. Depending on the week of your visit, you will hunt for antiques and soak in the local atmosphere of the monthly antique markets of Montsoreau or Chinon. The banks of the Loire and Vienne rivers come alive with crowds of antiques hunters hoping to uncover that rare gem among the old books, curios, furniture and more, displayed in the stalls of the antique dealers. Whether you are a serious collector or just here to look, the atmosphere is magic! Ronsard – 6-day tour – 2019 version, subject to change without notice page 2 A gourmet picnic aboard a traditional river boat* We will then raise a glass of sparkling wine to toast our market “finds” as we float down the Loire or Vienne, enjoying our on-board picnic as we cruise by riverside villages and the vineyards of the valley. Visit of the castle fortress of Chinon Enjoy the afternoon with an exclusive guided visit of the castle fortress of Chinon. Fortress of Chinon is a castle located on the bank of the Vienne river in Chinon, France. It was founded by Theobald I, Count of Blois. In the 11th century the castle became the property of the counts of Anjou. In 1156 Henry II of England, a member of the House of Anjou, took the castle from his brother Geoffrey after he had rebelled for a second time. Henry favored the Château de Chinon as a residence: most of the standing structure can be attributed to his reign and he died there in 1189. Early in the 13th century, King Philip II of France fought the English for the lands in France and in 1205 he captured Chinon after a siege that lasted several months, after which the castle remained under French control. When King Philip accused the Knights Templar of heresy during the first decade of the 14th century, several leading members of the order were imprisoned there. Used by Charles VII in the 15th century, the Château de Chinon became a prison in the second half of the 16th century, but then fell out of use and was left to decay. It has been recognized as a "monument historique " by the French Ministry of Culture since 1840. The castle, which contains a museum, is now owned and managed by the Indre-et-Loire General Council and is a major tourist attraction. In the early 21st century it was restored at a cost of 14.5 million euros. The historic town of Chinon is on the banks of the Vienne river about 10 kilometers (6 mi) from where it joins the Loire. Settlement in Chinon dates from prehistoric times with a pronounced importance for both French and English histories in the Middle Ages. At this period rivers were the main trade routes, and the Vienne River joins both the fertile regions of the Poitou and the city of Limoges, and is a tributary of the Loire, which acted as a traffic thoroughfare. The site was fortified early on, and by the 5th century a Gallo-Roman castrum had been established there. Gastronomic dinner in one of the very old streets of Chinon Located in one of the oldest streets of the city of Chinon, at the bottom of the royal fortress, our restaurant welcomes you warmly to make you discover a gastronomic cooking based on fresh and local products. "Trinkets, little paintings and photos from the 1930s contribute to the charm of this restaurant in Chinon's old town. Contemporary cuisine made with fresh ingredients. -© MICHELIN guide inspectors" Ronsard – 6-day tour – 2019 version, subject to change without notice page 3 Day 3: Monday • Visit of the gardens of "Château de Villandry" • Lunch Time in Villandry • Visit of "Château de Langeais" • Wine tasting in Panzoult • Gastronomic dinner at “l’Auberge de l’Ile” Visit of the gardens of "Château de Villandry" The acquisition of Villandry by Joachim Carvallo i1 1906 marked a return to their roots for the gardens. Already known for their beauty in the Renaissance, different owners successively transformed them, now into a formal garden, now a romantic garden. With a scientist’s meticulousness, Carvallo recreated gardens that were worthy of the restored chateau. Ever since the construction of the Chateau of Villandry in 1532, outstanding gardens have embellished the building. The passage of time and changing fashions meant they underwent drastic changes in appearance. Archeological findings tell us how, in the Renaissance, there was a decorative kitchen garden at close proximity to the chateau. As a man of science, he used a scientific approach to assemble a series of archeological and literary clues. By comparing the remains of walls and pipes against old plans, such as those of the Marquis de Castellane and the Napoleonic land register, Carvallo was able to recreate the decorative kitchen garden, while works like “Les Plus Excellents bâtiments de France ” or the Monasticon Gallicanum gave him an idea of Renaissance landscaping. Far from being a mere replica of gardens reproduced in architectural treatises, the gardens of Villandry are a reinvention. From their layout to the choice of vegetables, everything was conceived in terms of a return to the origins of the Renaissance formal garden. True to Joachim Carvallo, his descendants have undertaken to preserve and develop the Villandry estate with the rigor and selflessness that are the making of outstanding gardens. Lunch in Villandry A sweet interlude for food lovers… A delicious moment to share… A restaurant at immediate proximity to the chateau, but which manages to avoid being a tourist trap… Allow yourself to be seduced by a delicate, choice menu which is also quick! Visit of "Château de Langeais" The Château de Langeais is a medieval castle in Indre-et-Loire, France, built on a promontory created by the small valley of the Roumer River at the opening to the Loire Valley. Founded in 992 by Fulk Nerra, Count of Anjou, the castle was soon attacked by Odo I, Count of Blois.