Day 1

Meet and depart from Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris. En route to Amboise, stop at the Alain Ducasse restaurant, Ore, in the Palace of Versailles for lunch with wine pairings. Afterwards, the restaurant staff give us access to the Palace from a back door, skipping the hours-long entry lines.

Drive to Amboise and check-in at our hotel, Pavillon des Lys.

Walk to dinner at Chez Bruno.

Day 2

Free time to explore Amboise before enjoying a wine tasting and picnic lunch at Chateau de Montdomaine.

ACTIVE OPTION:
2-hour morning hike along the Loire River

Day 3

Visit Chateau Chenonceau before lunch at La Boulaye, a countryside bistro frequented by the locals.

Drive to Sancerre, our home for two nights.

Day 4

Meet my dear friends and wine producers, Lynne and Philippe Raimbault, while touring their winery and tasting through the 10 wines they produce annually. Then sip Domaine Raimbault Sancerre blanc with your locally-sourced Crottin de Chavignol (local goat’s cheese) at Cafe des Arts in the village. Stroll the village shops, then we’re off to another winery tour and tasting before heading to dinner at the Raimbault home.

ACTIVE OPTION: Enjoy an afternoon kayak trip down the Loire River.

Day 5

Depart for the stunning hilltop village of Vezelay. Arrive in time to hear the hauntingly beautiful sounds of the monks and nuns singing in the Abbey’s noon mass.

Enjoy lunch at Sy La Terrasse, then spend time exploring the village shops, before heading to the Burgundian town of Chablis.

Check-in at the Hostellerie des Clos.

Day 6 

We’ll drive up so you can get your own shot of my favorite spot on the planet: overlooking Chablis from the Grand Cru “Les Clos” vineyards. Then we’re off to visit my friends and wine producers at Domaine Daniel Sequinot et Filles. After our morning tasting, prepare for the meal of a lifetime at my friend Fabien’s famed Au Fil du Zinc.

ACTIVE OPTION: Enjoy a 2-hour cycling ride through the
villages of Chichee and Courgis after lunch.

Day 7

We’ll enjoy one more quick wine tasting before hitting the road for Paris, stopping for a picnic lunch along the way, and spending time at Chateau Chantilly. Then, overnight at the Novotel Charles de Gaulle before morning flights out the next day.

ACTIVE OPTION: Morning walk through town and up to the top of the Les Clos Grand Cru vineyards.