Things To Do

THINGS TO DO IN & AROUND VOUVRAY

Cave des Producteurs de Vouvray

WINE TASTING Created in 1953 by a small group of winegrowers, now, the cooperative cellar of Vouvray has about thirty enthusiasts who continue the adventure with over 988 acres of vines spread over the entire Vouvray appellation.

Domaine Huet - L'Échansonne in Vouvray

WINE TASTING Domaine Huet, founded in 1928 by Victor Huet and his son Gaston, now has over 74 acres thirty acres of Chenin. The estate was one of the forerunners of biodynamic cultivation in the French vineyard.

Les Caves Duhard in Amboise

WINE TASTING The history of the Caves Duhard dates back to the 15th century, when King Charles VIII became fascinated by the architecture in Florence and Naples, then hired Italian artists to embellish his château in Amboise. Moreover, the Caves are linked to Leonardo da Vinci, as the son of the first owner of the vineyard and of the caves, wrote his will.

La Cave

DINING €€€ - MICHELIN Guide’s Point Of View: Looking for something a little different? Then this cavernous restaurant on the banks of the Loire is the place for you! In the kitchen, the chef creates contemporary dishes which make the most of local flavours. His dishes are as lavish and tasty as they come. Estate wines; friendly atmosphere.

Le Berlot

DINING €€ - MICHELIN Guide’s Point Of View: What a pleasure to come across this couple of foodies again! Hervé and Patricia Chardonneau left their Casse-Cailloux in Tours for the heights of this wine-producing village. Hervé proposes "bistronomic" cuisine that draws its inspiration from the seasons and what the markets have to offer. Nice wine list with a focus on organic and natural wines. Separate wine bar.

Les Gueules Noires (a la Cave Martin)

DINING €€€ - €€€€ - MICHELIN Guide’s Point Of View: The troglodyte dining room, wood burning fire in winter and the terrace shaded by a wisteria in fine weather are just a few of the discreet appeals of this charming establishment. The cuisine is tasty and wholesome, based on local produce and served with Loire wines. Booking advisable.

Les Hautes Roches

DINING €€€ - MICHELIN Guide's Point Of View: On fine days, the terrace overlooking the river makes for a peerless experience. The dining room is seductively elegant all year round and the cuisine is equally refined.

La Scaleta

DINING €€ - €€€ - Italian typical specialties

Restaurant le Val Joli

DINING €€ - €€€ - traditional French and homemade cuisine, gourmet, prepared with fresh and seasonal products.

Tours & Canoë in Vouvray

ACTIVITIES Trips by canoe or kayak on the Loire River.

Bioparc de Doué-la-Fontaine

ACTIVITIES Over 1400 animals live in an exceptional natural setting dedicated to the protection of endangered species.

Château de Chambord

HISTORICAL & CULTURAL PLACES As the biggest château in France, this former home of King Louis XV is one of the most recognizable châteaux in the world. This one is bit further than the other châteaux, so we recommend visiting this one on your way in or on your way out of Vouvray. If not scheduling a tour, we suggest grabbing a meal (and some local wine, of course!), and having a picnic on the property.

Château de Chenonceau

HISTORICAL & CULTURAL PLACES Perhaps one of the most famous castles in the region and is best known for being the residence of Queen Catherine de Medici and is first mentioned in writing in the 11th century. We recommend grabbing a meal (and some local wine, of course!), and having a picnic on the property.

Château de Villandry

HISTORICAL & CULTURAL PLACES This château was the last of the great châteaux of the Loire Valley built during the Renaissance. The elegance of its architecture combined with the charm of its outstanding gardens make this one of the jewels of world heritage.

Château Royal d'Amboise

HISTORICAL & CULTURAL PLACES This château features Leonardo da Vinci's tomb, as well as royal chambers, gardens, and underground passageways, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site

Château du Clos Lucé

HISTORICAL & CULTURAL PLACES Just outside Amboise lives the spirit of Leonardo da Vinci. Leonardo's former home is where he lived until his death in 1519. It houses a small museum displaying working models of his designs.

Château de Chaumont-sur-Loire

HISTORICAL & CULTURAL PLACES This château is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that belonged to Queen Catherine de Medicis and later Diane de Poitiers, and saw the likes of the sculptor Nini, Benjamin Franklin, and writer Germaine de Staël.

Château Royal de Blois

HISTORICAL & CULTURAL PLACES This royal château was the residence of seven kings and ten queens of France and reminiscent of the power and daily life at court in the Renaissance.

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THINGS TO DO IN & AROUND PARIS

Eiffel Tower

HISTORICAL & CULTURAL PLACES The iconic Eiffel Tower is famous because it is in almost every photo taken of the Paris skyline, and in almost every film set in this city. It's also one of the most unique structures in the world. It is named after the engineer Gustave Eiffel, whose company designed and built the tower as the entrance to the 1889 World's Fair. Also, we got engaged at Place du Trocadéro with the Eiffel Tower in the background! It is a must-see (honestly you'll have a hard time NOT seeing it) for so many reasons!

Luxembourg Gardens

HISTORICAL & CULTURAL PLACES The Luxembourg Garden covers over 56 acres and is known for its lawns, tree-lined promenades, tennis courts, flowerbeds, model sailboats on its octagonal Grand Bassin, as well as picturesque Medici Fountain, built in 1620. The name "Luxembourg" comes from the Latin "Mons Lucotitius," the name of the hill where the garden is located.

Louvre Museum

HISTORICAL & CULTURAL PLACES The Louvre is the world's largest art museum and a historic monument in Paris. It is best known for being the home of the Mona Lisa: the half-length portrait painting by Leonardo da Vinci. This masterpiece has been described as "the best known, the most visited, the most written about, the most sung about, the most parodied work of art in the world."

Tuileries Garden & Place de la Concorde

HISTORICAL & CULTURAL PLACES Created by Catherine de' Medici in 1564, the Tuileries Garden is a 55 acre, public garden located between the Louvre and the Place de la Concorde. A fun, although gruesome fact regarding Place de la Concorde: the infamous Marie Antoinette was executed here during the French Revolution.

Avenue des Champs-Élysées

SHOPPING Located in between the Place de la Concorde and the Arc de Triomphe, the Avenue des Champs-Élysées is often described as "the world’s most beautiful avenue" and is a Paris must-see. Tourists and Parisians can be spotted strolling at any time of day or night and at any time of year along this iconic street.

Arc de Triomphe

HISTORICAL & CULTURAL PLACES Triumphal Arch of the Star is one of the most famous monuments in Paris, standing at the western end of the Champs-Élysées at the center of Place Charles de Gaulle, formerly named Place de l'Étoile—the étoile or "star" of the juncture formed by its twelve radiating avenues.

Musée d'Orsay

HISTORICAL & CULTURAL PLACES This museum holds mainly French art dating from 1848 to 1914, including paintings, sculptures, furniture, and photography. It houses the largest collection of Impressionist and post-Impressionist masterpieces in the world by painters including Monet, Manet, Degas, Renoir, Gauguin, and Van Gogh.

Château de Versailles

HISTORICAL & CULTURAL PLACES The palace is a historical monument and a UNESCO World Heritage site, notable especially for the ceremonial Hall of Mirrors, the jewel-like Royal Opera, the royal apartments, the small rustic Hameau (Hamlet) created for Marie Antoinette, and the vast Gardens of Versailles with fountains, canals, and geometric flower beds. Please note that Versailles is located outside the City of Paris.

Palais Garnier

HISTORICAL & CULTURAL PLACES The Palais Garnier has been called "probably the most famous opera house in the world, a symbol of Paris..." It was built by the architect Charles Garnier from 1861 to 1875 at the behest of Emperor Napoleon III.

Galeries Lafayette

SHOPPING This flagship store is located near Palais Garnier. A wide range of brands are available at the store to suit all budgets, from ready to wear to haute couture. The architecture of the store is art nouveau, with a remarkable dome and a panoramic view of Paris. It hosts a popular weekly fashion show for visitors.

La Samaritaine

SHOPPING It is the landmark Paris department store that dates to 1870 that recently reopened following a 16-year closure. The architecture of the store is art nouveau and art deco style and the main store is listed as a historical monument.

Seine River Cruise

ENTERTAINMENT If you’re looking to gain a unique insight into Paris and observe its historic monuments from a different vantage point, go for a Seine River Cruise.

Moulin Rouge

ENTERTAINMENT Moulin Rouge is a famous tourist spot offering musical dance entertainment for visitors from around the world. The club's decor still contains much of the romance of fin de siècle (meaning "end of century"), France.

Disneyland Paris

ENTERTAINMENT Disneyland Paris is an entertainment resort in Chessy, a town located about 20 miles east of the center of Paris. It encompasses two theme parks, many resort hotels, Disney Nature Resorts, shopping, dining, and entertainment, and a golf course, in addition to several additional recreational and entertainment venues.

Notre-Dame de Paris

HISTORICAL & CULTURAL PLACES Notre-Dame de Paris, meaning "Our Lady of Paris," or simply referred to as Notre-Dame, is a medieval Catholic cathedral on the Île de la Cité (an island in the river Seine in the center of Paris). The cathedral was consecrated to the Virgin Mary and considered to be one of the finest examples of French Gothic architecture. Please note that Notre-Dame is currently closed and under renovation after the 2019 fire.

Montmartre & Sacré-Cœur Basilica

HISTORICAL & CULTURAL PLACES Montmartre is a located on a large hill in Paris and is primarily known for the artistic history, vibrant nightclub, and the white-domed Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Paris at the summit. Commonly known as Sacré-Cœur Basilica, and often simply Sacré-Cœur, it is a Roman Catholic church and is dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

La Maison Rose

DINING €€ - fresh seasonal products, inspired by French farm to table cuisine and Italian cucina povera. This is another favorite for us! It's a great place to have dinner after a day of exploring Montmartre & Sacré-Cœur Basilica.

Kong

DINING €€ - Asian fusion restaurant and bar. One of our favorite dining experiences to date!

French Bistros

DINING It is very easy to eat, drink, and have good time in Paris for a reasonable price. Do what Parisians do the most: stroll! Look at what is on the "ardoise" and find your next terrace for a good time. Great bistros can be found everywhere but it is worth mentioning le Bouillon Pigalle for its exceptional eggs, or l'Entrecote, a one-meal restaurant that will serve you the best meats in France.

Rooftop Bars

DINING From the Arc de Triomphe and Sacré Coeur, Paris has undoubtedly one of the most beautiful and iconic skylines in the world. Where better to survey Paris’s architectural marvels than ten floors up with a cocktail in hand? You will enjoy many rooftops--our favorites being: La Perruche, Terrass Hotel, Mama Shelter, and Le Perchoir Menilmontant.

Mont Saint-Michel

Please note the tidal island of Mont-Saint-Michel is located in Normandy and it quite far from Paris and Vouvray, but we are just so obsessed with it that we HAD to include it! Check the tide schedule prior to your visit: while the tides are constantly fluctuating, this will at least give you an idea of what to expect. Because of the surrounding shallow bay, Mont Sant Michel actually only becomes an island at a very high tide. Don't forget a jacket as it gets very cold up there!

Bastille Day in Paris

If you plan on extending your trip, we recommend staying for Bastille Day, which is the national day of France that is celebrated on July 14 each year. Please let us know if you plan on being in Paris at this time so we can meet up and watch the fireworks together!