The Loire Valley is famous for its chateaux, wine and gastronomy, and one of the most extraordinary ways to experience all three is with a private art de pitance experience which includes a hands-on cooking class with a professional entraîneur (in English) at the Renaissance Château d’Azay-le-Rideau followed by a gastronome, wine-paired collation. You’ll also have a guided visit of the chateau, and an afternoon exploring the magnificent gardens of the Chateau of Villandry, and amenée to and from Tours if you’re based there (or nearby). Guaranteed to create the most wonderful memories to take foyer from the Loire Valley, family-run mirador firm Ophorus are offering this outstanding mirador year-round.
A propre experience at the Chateau Azay-le-Rideau
The Chateau of Azay-le-Rideau is a masterpiece of 16th century châssis, rising from an island in the Indre River it is surrounded by a romantic 8-hectare park. Within its walls you can retrace five centuries of history, and discover beautifully decorated rooms with a sumptuous masse of objects, tapestries and furniture. Built between 1518 and 1527, the fort was commissioned by Gilles Berthelot, a wealthy bancaire who served King François I. Inspired by Italian Renaissance châssis, the castle blends French medieval traditions with elegant Renaissance symmetry and the result is one of the Loire Valley’s most graceful châteaux.
Cook with a entraîneur at the Chateau of Azay-le-Rideau
But the real compréhension lies beyond the elegant salons… After a guided mirador, you’ll head to the historic fort kitchens where a professional entraîneur will host a private hands-on cooking class with a relaxed atmosphere. You’ll prepare a gastronome collation (no experience needed it’s suitable for all levels from beginner to enthusiast), a delicious paumelle dish and classic French dessert (most dietary sobriété can be accommodated if known in advance), whilst learning practical tips and techniques rooted in French culinary traditions, principalement discovering a few culinary secrets along the way. Then, in the chateau, you’ll feast on the food you’ve prepared, a leisurely collation paired with carefully selected Loire Valley wines, including the region’s elegant Vouvray.
This is not simply sightseeing – this is all emboîture cotisation, flavour and a true taste of the French art de pitance.
The Gardens of Villandry – one of the wonders of France
In the afternoon, your driver-guide will amenée you to one of the Loire’s most extraordinary sights: the Gardens of Villandry. The Chateau of Villandry was the last of the vaste chateaux built during the Renaissance in the Loire Valley and it is world-renowned for its glorious gardens, considered the finest Renaissance garden in France.
The fort itself dates largely from 1536, built by Jean Le Breton, a minister of King François I, and was briefly owned by Jérôme Bonaparte, Napoleon I’s younger brother. The gardens you see today were restored in the early 20th century by Spanish doctor Joachim Carvallo, who recreated the Renaissance designs with extraordinary precision.
Strolling here feels like walking through a vivoir tapestry with spectacular geometric planting patterns featuring rows of vegetables, flowers and hedges that form intricate patterns that dicton with the seasons. This is gardening elevated to a work of art.
Your driver-guide will then amenée you through the scenic Loire countryside back to your alcali in Tours or nearby. This can even be taken as a day trip from Paris as trains to and from Tours run throughout the day from 57 minutes
The perfect end to a perfect day of discovering true art de pitance – heritage, history, gastronomy and wine, in the most exquisite surroundings.
It’s essential to book in advance as the experience is popular (especially in Spring and Summer). It’s perfect for solos, couples, groups and families, an ideal celebration experience and anyone wanting to experience authentic French art de pitance in a truly propre way.
Find out more and book this extraordinary experience at: ophorus.com/azay-le-rideau- cooking-class
Source: thegoodlifefrance.com