Cooking Vacations in France: Biking and Cooking in the Loire Valley

Biking and Cooking in the Loire Valley
Blois, Loir-et-Cher

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About the location: The Loire is rich not only in medieval, Renaissance and classical chateux, it has an abundant production of agriculture. From the superb salmon in the Loire River to the valley’s Atlantic side, which produces grapes for wonderful wine, you will be treated to incredible food and drink. Blois is a little town with a famous château, which is piece of living history, and enjoys a scenic setting on the right bank of the Loire.

Your accommodations will be at a lovely chateau guest house, where you will be welcomed by the owner herself, and at a recently renovated 3* hotel in the heart of Blois.

About the bike riding: The Loire Valley is a very scenic and pastoral location for easy to moderate bicycle riding. This is a self-guided riding tour, and you will be equipped with all the necessary equipment, maps and itineraries.

About the lessons: Your lessons will be with two outstanding chefs. Your first class will be a fun, hands-on class with the ownder of your chateau accommodations. The second class will be with be with Chef Garanger of “Le Medicis”, who was trained in Michelin star restaurants in the Loire valley, Paris and Burgundy. Both will lead you in hands-on lessons in the cuisine of the region.

Biking and Cooking in the Loire Valley Itinerary

Day 1

  • Arrival in Blois, where you will be provided with quality bicycles, detailed maps, a flat tire set, helmets, and your entrance tickets to various chateaux and castles.
  • Your luggage will be transferred while you take the 10 mile bike ride to your accommodations, enjoying a route that follows the Loire river.
  • Check in to your accommodations, a lovely guest house, where you will be welcomed by the owner, Veronique de Caix. Your chateau accommodations include views of the pool or gardens. Have an aperitif under the linden trees or by the green house.
  • This evening your hostess has prepared a weclome dinner for you, drinks included.

Day 2

  • After breakfast, start out on your 19 mile loop of the surrounding area.
  • You will see the Chateau of Chambord during your trip today. Chambord was the very first Chateau of the Valley to be proclaimed by UNESCO as a world heritage. It was ordered in 1519 by King Francois the 1st to Leonardo Da Vinci and his architects.
  • Back at your accommodation, time to rest or freshen up.
  • This evening a cooking class with the owner of the Chateau. Your class will feature the freshest local ingredients and will focus on methods and dishes you can reproduce at home.
  • Dinner to follow based on your efforts, drinks included.

Day 3

  • Check-out after breakfast (your luggage is transferred for you). Your 10 mile trip to Blois will be at your own pace, but remember that your cooking lesson this afternoon is scheduled for 4:00 pm in Blois, so time your day accordingly.
  • In Blois, enjoy a visit of the Chateau de Blois. The Chateau is unique for its combination of four architectural styles: Gothic, Flamboyant, Renaissance and Classic. Built by the Counts of Blois, Louis XII, Francois I and Louis XIII, this chateau was the site of many well-known historical events.
  • Lunch on your own in Blois.
  • The ancient city of Blois has a rich historical past. In the sixteenth century Blois was the capital of France, under King Louis XII. Enjoy a stroll through the old town and along its charming paved streets.
  • Arrival at your hotel and check in to your room after 2:00 pm. Enjoy a jacuzzi bath to relax after your day of cycling.
  • At 4:00 pm Chef Garanger will welcome you for a private cooking demonstration. Chef Garanger trained throughout France in Michelin-star restaurants and won the French Chef competition “Madarine Imperiale” in 2000.
  • Gourmet dinner in the restaurant to follow based on the dishes prepared, drinks not included.

Day 4

  • After breakfast, depart on your longest cycling route, 24 miles. Ride to Cheverny, where you will see its famous chateau. The Cheverny Chateau was the first in the 17th century to embody the Classical style in the Loire Valley. Built by the governor of Blois, it is known for the sumptuousness of its interiors, which have been preserved by its current owners, the Hurault family. Cheverny boasts a wonderful collection of Renaissance furniture and paintings.
  • Lunch on your own in Cheverny.
  • Next, a wine tasting in Cheverny. The Cheverny appellation produces elegant red wines from pinot noir and gamay varieties, as well as fruity white wines from chardonnay and sauvignon grapes. You will be able to taste the stunning “Cour Cheverny Appellation,” a white wine made from the Romorantin grape, imported by King Francois I to the Loire Valley. Return to Blois in the late afternoon. Dinner on your own in Blois (you will be provided a list of recommended restaurants.)

Day 5

  • Breakfast and end of the tour.

(An extra day is possible during which you can cycle to Chaumont sur Loire, following a beautiful rout along the Loire River. The Chateau de Chaumont was built in the tenth century by the counts of Blois as a medieval fortress. It was completely destroyed in 1465 by Louis XI and subsequently re-constructed by different owners. Now the chateau combines medieval and Renaissance styles. From April 29 to October 17 you can tour the very popular Garden Festival instead of the castle. The Chaumont route is a 22 mile loop. The extension includes an extra night at the hotel, breakfast, bikes, and entrance to the garden festival or castle.)