Gourmet weekend between Tours and Amboise

In the morning, start with a stroll through the Halles (covered market) to awaken your senses and stimulate your taste buds. Built 150 years ago, the Halles host the covered food market.

Every day, 38 professionals propose fruit and vegetables, meat and fish, special breads and pastries, wines and deli products.

Next, go to the historic medieval district of Tours and wander along the pedestrianised streets.

You may want to have lunch in one of the restaurants in the Halles / Grand Marché / Victoire district, or in the Plumereau district. The “Morceaux Choisis” (Choice Cuts) guide by Goût de Tours lists a selection of restaurants.

In the afternoon, pick up your bike and cycle to “Tours à table”, 45 Rue Bernard Palissy, for a cooking and/or oenology workshop for 4 to 10 people. Duration: from 1hr 30min to 3hrs.

Examples of workshops: oenology, food and wine pairing, cheese from here/wine from elsewhere, chef’s specialities, etc.

In the evening, go to the banks of the Loire to board a traditional Loire Gabare boat with Compagnie Boutavant for a one-hour river cruise with aperitif drinks and nibbles! The trip includes a basket of fresh local produce.

If you don’t have sea legs and you prefer dry land, go to Guinguette de Tours sur Loire, a convivial open-air café and a popular venue where you can enjoy a pleasant moment over a drink or food.

Afterwards, join the Loire à Vélo via Rue Nationale and stop at the People Hostel for the night (atmosphere and decoration on a cycling theme).

In the morning, cycle along the “Loire à Vélo” section between Tours and Montlouis-sur-Loire.

When you arrive in Montlouis-sur-Loire, leave the beaten track to have brunch at Relais Loir à Vélo with Alice, the White Rabbit and the Mad Hatter. There’s everything you need to enjoy “A Very Merry Unbirthday” in the garden!

Imagination and fantastical journeys will follow you as you continue towards the Château of La Bourdaisière. Make sure you pass through the middle of the vineyards, even if just briefly!

When you arrive at the château, you will meet the Petit Prince in the “Draw me your planet” exhibition. Don’t miss out on stroll through the gardens and discover the National Tomato Conservatory housing over 700 varieties of tomatoes.

At the end of your adventure at the château, return to your bikes and cycle through Montlouis-sur-Loire towards the banks of the Loire and Maison Laudacius for wine tasting and a cellar visit.

In the early evening, head to Lise & Bertrand Jousset’s wine bar. Between wine, spirits and elaborate homemade specialities, you will enjoy a unique moment over drinks and nibbles in the heart of the Montlouis-sur-Loire vineyard!

Next, leave for Amboise to discover its exceptional architectural heritage (of course!) but also its culinary heritage with its fine, varied gastronomy.

Arrive in Amboise in the evening via the Loire à Vélo cycle route and enjoy a breathtaking view of the General de Gaulle bridge and the Royal Château of Amboise. The sunset there is magnificent.

Leave the cycle path and head towards the town centre and you will arrive directly at the “Chez Oscar & Suzette” open-air cafe. Located in a natural setting on the banks of the Loire, this venue is the perfect place for relaxing in a convivial atmosphere where you can even dine with your feet in the sand!

Spend the night at the Hotel Chaptal, a charming 3-star hotel in a quiet street not far from the cafe in the heart of the historic city centre of Amboise.

Start the day with a hearty breakfast of fresh, local and homemade produce to get your strength up.

To plan your first activity, go to the nearby Val d’Amboise Tourist Office where you will find information about the local “gourmet rally”. Thanks to this digital treasure hunt, you can discover the diversity of Touraine gastronomy during an unaccompanied, fun and interactive tour.

If, by chance or by good fortune, you happen to stay in Amboise on a Friday or Sunday during your gourmet weekend, a trip to the market is an absolute must! (Voted France’s favourite market in 2015.)

After this appetising immersion in Touraine gastronomy, go to Caveau des Vignerons at the foot of the Royal Château of Amboise to discover Touraine-Amboise wines.  

Having awakened your taste buds, head to the banks of the Loire and cycle just 3km to a typical local restaurant.

La Cave aux Fouées is a troglodyte restaurant with a unique and convivial atmosphere in which to enjoy authentic fouée bread rolls, prepared in front of you and baked in a wood-fired oven.

After lunch, return to the city centre. You now have several options in Amboise:

• Caves Ambacia 

A unique sensory experience with the Odyssey tour.

• A sweet treat at Maison Bigot

The patisserie and chocolate maker’s Maison Bigot has been located at the foot of the Royal Château of Amboise since 1913. Its internationally renowned tea room is the ideal place for a sugary break before returning to your bikes

• Conservatoire de la Confiserie  

A fun, mouthwatering visit to the Conservatoire de la Confiserie. During your visit, you will discover the museum with its unique collection of traditional machines (unrivalled in France!) and watch the sweet maker himself making sweets.

To end your day of discover, return to your bikes and cycle back to the town centre for the last stop of the day.

• Local beer tasting with “Art is An Ale Brewing”

On request, you can visit the local brewery where beer is produced. Afterwards, we recommend ordering a tasting selection of four of their signature beers.