In the Loire Valley, the historic chateaux and the cities change their programs each year to offer an exiting and ever changing array of entertainment. This is only a sample of the festivals and events typical in this region.

• April-October: International Garden festival - Chaumont-sur-Loire

• May: Annual Antique Fair held on the grounds of the Chateau de Chambord with over 4,000 stalls.

• May-September: Le Cheval Roi Horse Show held on the grounds of the Chateau de Chambord

• April-September: Many of the chateaux hold light and fireworks displays during the summer holidays. There is an English luminary version held every Wednesday in the summer at the Chateau de Blois. There is also a large choice of concerts, operas and art exhibitions to attend. Your resident manager can help you plan those events.

• June: Le Mans 24 Hour Race

• June: Tour de France

• July: Vintage car show- Chateau de Villandry

• July 14- French Revolution-Bastille Day- Fireworks
  July: Jazz Festival- St. Aignan

• July- August: Classical Music Festival - Lunay

• July- Music Festival- Blois

• July- August: Medieval Show- Montrichard

• August: World Folklore Festival- Montoir-sur-le-Loire

• October- Hot Air Balloon Rally - Grounds of the Chateaux de Chambord

• October- Sologne Gastronomy Days- Romartin

• October to February: Hunting season (on Sunday Mornings)

• December- Vendome Film Festival- Vendome
  

Golf

If golf is your passion, combine your love of the game with an unforgettable stay at our Chateau. Only in the Loire Valley can you play golf alongside some 40 chateaux and historical sites. It is truly breathtaking. Our on site residence manager can book you tee-times at:

• Golf du Chateau de Cheverny
  
  Situated in 400 acres of forest, meadows and ponds in the renowned Chateau de Cheverny built in the 17 century, the course meanders around the 100 acres lake "La Rousseliere" in perfect harmony with nature.
  Holes: 18
  Par: 71
  Type: Forest
  Length: 6867 yards
  Slope: 120
  Architect: Olivier Vand der Vinck: 1989
  Handicap: A minimum handicap if 35 is required for both men and women
  Green Fees: From 35 Euros
  Facilities: Driving Range, Pro-Shop, Club Rentals, Carts, Golf Lessons. 
  
  

• Chateau des Sept Tours
  
  Set by the striking 15th century Chateaux, the excellent parkland course runs though the ancient grounds and has a reputation for high quality greens. There are many exceptional holes, but the 16th has to be the signature with a 165 yard carry over water to a well protected green.
  Holes: 18
  Par: 72
  Type: Forrest and Links
  Length: 6901 yards
  Slope 120
  Green fees: From 45 Euros 
  Facilities: Driving Range, Compact, Club Rentals, Carts, Golf Lessons
  
  

• Golf d'Ardree- Tour Golf Club
  
  Situated 10 kilometers north of Tours, Ardree Golf is laid out in 350 acres of woodland where fairways thread their way through trees and water hazards leading to well protected greens. A beautiful chateau clubhouse and a fine course to match.
  Holes: 18
  Length: 6297 yards
  Par: 70
  Green fees: from 40 Euros
  Facilities: Practice, Pro-Shop, Restaurant, Bar, Terrace
  
  

• Golf de Tourraine Ballan - Mire Golf Club
  
  "Golf de Tourraine" is a well respected and professionally managed club. Not far away from the Chateaux de Villandry, the course is well known for its technical aspect, small greens, streams and excellent fairways.
  Hole: 18
  Length: 5985 yards
  Par: 72
  Green fees: from 35 Euros
  Facilities: Bar, Restaurant, Pro-Shop, Practice
  

Wine

Loire wine production is divided into four districts running from west to east: Nantais, Anjour-Saumur, Touraine, Central Vineyards, a span of some 400 kilometers. Our on site residence manager can help organize and book your vineyard tours as well as organizing private wine testing's at the chateaux.


Touraine Region

From east to west, the vineyards cover the hillsides overlooking the Loire River winding through the great chateaux: Amboise, Azay-le-Rideau, Chenonceau and Villandry. Aromatic and pleasurable AOC wines are the: Chinon, Bourgueil, Vouvray, Montlouis-sur-Loire and others conjure up the magic of the region.

In Touraine the most famous appellation is Vouvray and it comes in almost all styles: dry, medium, sweet and sparkling. There are three more red wine only appellation: Chinon, Bourgueil and Saint Nicholas de Bourgeuil based on the Cabernet Franc grape.


Central Region

In the Central Vineyards of the Loire, the dry white wines of AC Sancerre and AC Pouilly-Fume have a massive following. There are three other less well known appellations within the Central Vineyards producing decent dry white wines made from Sauvignon Blanc: Quincy, Reuilly, Menetou Salon.


Nantais Region

The Nantais is the western most outpost of the Loire, lying just inside the border of Brittany. This cool, wet district produces Muscadet, one of France's most dry white wines, named after the grapes used. As well as being dry, Muscadet tends to be high in acidity and only moderate in alcohol. The fruit character is often tart and green.

Anjou-Saumur Region

Anjou-Saumur is most famous for its rose wines. The AC Rose d'Anjou covers faily simple, inexpensive medium dry rose. The star local white grape is the Chenin Blanc. Anjou Blanc is the basic white wine appellation and as the rose appears as a medium dry wine. Reaching right to the border with Touraine is the appellation Saumur-Champigny, producing red wines. Their charm is based on elegance and freshness rather than richness or structure. In the Loire Valley red wines, the Cabernet Franc black grape takes a solo part and is not accompanied by Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot as in the Bordeaux.