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Sustainable Short Break in France

At La Grande Maison, Sue and Micaela have created a very special space to relax, unwind and savour the excellent produce that their region has to offer. As well as being a superbly beautiful and well designed guesthouse, La Grande Maison also brings together all the things we love most about travelling sustainably.

**Please note that availability must be confirmed with the hosts before your trip is guaranteed.

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Trip Overview & Highlights

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3 nights in Saumur including return trains, transfers, luxury accommodation, breakfast, two home-cooked dinners, private tasting day with lunch & more

Rail Travel

Getting to the Loire by train is just as easy as flying, with the bonus of being able to take wine back with you at no extra charge.

The journey from London to La Grande Maison takes approximately 6-7 hours, with 2 changes. You’ll be transferred from the station by private taxi, included in the price.

Accommodation & Catering

La Grande Maison provides comfortable, environmentally friendly accommodation in an idyllic setting.

Rooms are stylish and comfortable, with en-suite bathrooms, local soaps to enjoy and generous breakfast (complete with view) each morning.  

Catering from Micaela and Sue compliments the natural landscape, with dishes focussing on local, seasonal produce. Most meals will be vegetarian, with the meat dishes and vegan options available on request. 

On your first night, you’ll enjoy a Loire Wine Tasting Dinner, a freshly home-cooked 3 course dinner which includes three types of delicious Loire AOC wine to try, an aperitif and coffee/tea. All produce is locally sourced and seasonal, sourced from the hosts’ own organic potager. 

Enjoying dinner served outside, with plentiful wine and a sunset view over the neighbouring vineyards and sunflower fields is a truly memorable experience.

Wine Tasting & Local Produce

Micaela and Sue specialise in selecting organic, biodynamic and natural wines of the Loire Appellations for you to try, and wine-tasting with La Grande Maison takes you to local, small-batch producers who respect the huge contribution that their environment plays in their success.

On day 2, you’ll enjoy a full day’s private wine tasting experience by E-Bike, E-Car or on foot.

You’ll be guided through the experience by Sue, a trained sommelier who provides excellent tasting notes suitable for wine lovers of any level. 

Cycling, walking or driving through the vineyards you’ll learn how organic, bio-dynamic viticulture differs from mass production, understand how this impacts the characteristics of the wine, and meet the producers. You’ll also have the opportunity to buy top quality wine at vineyard prices, and have it transported back to your accommodation while you continue your tour.

Free time to unwind

Day 3 is yours to enjoy as you wish.

Outside of wine-tasting, the area around the house is agricultural and traditionally French. Acres of sunflowers grace the skyline in summer, and wildflowers spring up from every hedgerow. On balmy summer evenings the surrounding countryside is perfect for a stroll. Alternatively spend your day exploring by bike (available to use free of charge). You can visit the historic village of Montreuil-Bellay or, further afield, the Medieval towns of Saumur, Tours or Angers (by train from Saumur).

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