Guided walks through the vineyards, tasting delicious wines, discovering charming little villages, visiting majestic Châteaux, gourmet dinners, a night in the heart of the vines... We've curated a programme just for you. On foot, by bike, by van or by boat, embrace the gentle way of life in Anjou!
Day 1: tasty walks in the vineyards of Savennières
To get your weekend in the heart of the vineyards off to the perfect start, slip on your hiking boots for a guided walk through Val's vineyards. With your nose to the wind, under morning mists, up close to the vineyards and their intoxicating fragrance, you can admire the vineyards stretching as far as the eye can see! Along the signposted trails winding through the hillsides of Savennières, Valérie takes you on a passionate and educational tour of winegrowing and the history of the vineyards of Anjou, a wine-growing region par excellence. Punctuated by stops and wine tastings*, this 7.5 km loop is a great introduction to the rest of your epicurean weekend!
Have you already worked up an appetite? Take a trip to the Saveurs cooperative grocery shop in the village of Savennières. There you'll find quality organic and local produce for a gourmet picnic!
We now invite you to visit some of our wine estates! In Anjou, more and more winegrowers are throwing their doors open to show what goes on behind the scenes of their production. Domaine d'Epiré is one of the oldest and most famous vineyards in the Savennières appellation. From April to the end of August, you can visit the winery and vineyards, followed by a wine tasting*. Let yourself be carried away by the history of the family estate! At the summit of the Roche aux Moines hills lies the Domaine aux Moines. By appointment, the owner of the estate will welcome you for a tour followed by a tasting of her feminine and refined wines! Another iconic Angevin estate is Domaine du Closel - Château des Vaults. Discover the château, its farmland and vineyards all year round. Of course, before you leave, treat your taste buds to a tasting* of a delicious Loire white wine produced by the estate, with aromas of citrus fruit, white flowers and honey.
Are you an Angers City Pass holder? This pass will give you free access to the Domaine du Closel (as well as to a whole selection of must-see sites in Anjou).
Now head for the Petite Cité de caractère® of Béhuard, which is also one of the only inhabited islands on the Loire! Take time out for a romantic stroll through the streets of this charming little village. End your first day in style with a delicious dinner at the L'Audacieuse restaurant, featuring refined cuisine and seasonal produce.
Day 2: take a trip for two on the trails...between the Loire, Layon and Aubance!
After a peaceful night's sleep, what could be more original and authentic than waking up in an old renovated mill? How about breakfast on a terrace in the heart of nature, with a sea of vines on the horizon in the brilliant colours of the sunrise? Chambre du Moulin offers an idyllic and relaxing setting for a romantic weekend in the heart of the vineyards.
Roulez jeunesse! Today's programme: get in the saddle for a ride through the heart of the Coteaux-du-Layon and Aubance vineyards. From Savennières or Chalonnes-sur-Loire, join the signposted "Loire Layon Aubance" cycle route. You'll follow an old railway line and discover a variety of landscapes. Between vineyards, windmills, picturesque villages and charming residences, this cycle loop is a real delight! Don't miss the Château de Brissac on your way! Have you got an Angers City Pass 48h or 72h? Perfect, you've already got the key to the area! Situated in the heart of the Aubance vineyards, France's tallest château opens its doors to you for a guided or self-guided tour. Don't leave without tasting the Anjou-Villages Brissac or rosé d'Anjou wines*. Before getting back in the saddle, take advantage of an incredible 70 hectares of English-style parkland, offering an incomparable view of the castle's façades!
Heading for the banks of the Loire, plan a break in the small village of Bouchemaine. A few more pedal strokes will take you to La Pointe, a former village of Loire bargemen, situated at the confluence of the Maine and Loire rivers. Take the time to stroll along its banks hand in hand; this last stop of the day is well worth a visit!
Day 3: Enjoy the gentle pace of Anjou
For this final day, you'll have to leave your romantic accommodation at first light, but I promise you won't regret it. Get ready to take to the skies in a hot-air balloon! From Brissac with Montgolfière d'Anjou, or from the Domaine de Gagnebert, you can admire the beauty of the vineyards and the Loire River at sunrise - a magical, grandiose moment for lovers!
Head for Angers, just a few kilometres away. You'd be mad to end this romantic weekend without a visit to the capital of Anjou! Stroll hand in hand through the historic centre, discovering its magnificent cobbled streets and timber-framed houses! To make sure you don't miss out on any of the must-see corners of the city centre, follow the blue line. You'll be able to admire some of Anjou's most beautiful sites, including the Château d'Angers, Saint-Maurice Cathedral, the Grand Théâtre and Place du Ralliement, the gardens of the Musée des Beaux-Arts...
Gourmet moment: stop off at the Benoit Chocolats shop on rue des Lices to sample some delicious Angevine specialities called Les Caramandes. These crunchy triangles of salted butter caramelised almonds covered in dark chocolate are sure to melt your heart!
Has this tasting whetted your appetite? Treat yourself to a top-quality meal in a romantic setting for your last romantic lunch of the weekend! For gourmet cuisine, head to Les Petits Prés restaurant. Do you prefer bistro cuisine? Meet at the Le Mail restaurant or the 10N9 restaurant. Angers is full of top quality restaurants, so you'll be spoilt for choice!
After taking to the skies this morning, get ready to take to the water this afternoon! Hop aboard a traditional Loire boat with Vogue en Maine. You'll discover the wealth of Anjou's heritage and the beauty of its flora and fauna. Prefer something a bit more fun? Choose the mirage paddle and glide across the water for a ride for two on the Maine! After a weekend rich in emotions and flavours, it's already time to head back. Every landscape, every sip of wine*, every pedal stroke - all memories and moments of togetherness! A romantic getaway in a destination of unrivalled charm!
Our top tips:
Tip No. 1
Every summer, Destination Angers organises tasting evenings* featuring winegrowers from Anjou-Saumur. A treat for the taste buds! All year round, there are plenty of wine bars where you can discover quality wines in a warm and friendly atmosphere!
Tip No. 2
Why not become a winemaker for a day? A number of Anjou-Saumur wineries are offering a chance to immerse yourself in the harvest in September and October. It's a unique experience that allows you to better understand and admire the know-how of the winegrowers!
Tip No. 3
If you love gravel bikes, roaming and vineyards, we've got the perfect route for you! 107 km of incredible scenery awaits you between the Loire and the vineyards of Savennières, Aubance and Layon (a 2 to 3-day itinerary).
