A backroad tour is a window into the local culture and culinary scene of France. Your tour guides Monique and Anthony Dupre have lived and traveled extensively in France.  They have discovered quaint bistros, private family vineyards, medieval hilltop villages, and hidden castles not usually found by the typical tourist.  They have chosen to highlight their best discoveries in an exclusive 10 trip through the Loire Valley, May 18th-27th, 2009.

Your France Backroad Tour guides will introduce you to the romance, beauty and culinary delights of the Loire Valley and then give you ample time to explore the sites on your own.  France Backroad Tours are designed to accomodate your interests and leave you with the local flavor of the Loire Valley.

They invite you to experience a part of France that is usually only discovered by the local resident.

This 10 day tour through the magnificent Loire Valley will feature:

• Six private cooking classes with Chef  Jon Grumbles.  Learn to cook the French way and amaze your friends when you come home!  Meals will feature local organic food found at the abundant nearby outdoor farmers markets which we will be frequenting.
• A bike ride through the Loire Valley.  This ride will take you along winding back roads through the countryside, along the Loire River, passing hillsides dotted with lush vineyards and stately castles.
• Visit to an underground village.  The Anjou region was once filled with underground villages and farms. We will visit one of them and experience first hand how people carved their lives in rock centuries ago.
•  Enjoy romantic vineyards.  Tucked way in a tiny hilltop community we will visit a family friend of Anthony’s whose passion is fermenting grapes into wine.  At this vineyard the owner is as memorable as the wine!  (We will also be visiting other vineyards in the region.)
• Experience an French organic farm.  We will be visiting organic farms that have been practicing organic agricultre throughout the generations.  You will get a behind the scenes look at what goes into making French food so unforgettable.
• Indulge your senses with the tastes and smells of the Anjou regions finest produce, meat, breads and dairy products and their many outdoor farmers markets.  The incredible local flavors will linger on your mind long after they pass your lips.
• Castles, museums and more. Visit the tallest caslte in France, see the longest tapestry in the world, a midieval fortress, an 11centuryAbbey, museums thatwill trasport you in time and SO MUCH MORE!

Our Mission

France Backroad Tours believes in treading lightly on the planet.  This means that we make it a priority to support sustainable practices.  This tour will include: staying at an eco friendly 11 century castle, patronizing local businesses and always using only the best organic food.

Prices:

Double Occupancy:  $3500

Single Occupancy: $4300

This includes lodging at an 11century castle for 9 nights.  All ground transportation once in the Loire Valley, all meals except two lunches, all monument and museum entrance fees, six private cooking classes with personal Chef Jon Grumbles, bike rental and full time translator and guide availability.  This tour will take a maximum of 10 people.

If you have any questions email Monique at:

moniquedupre@gmail.com

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