Wine tourism: where to stay along the Loire River
Along the Loire, from Muscadet to the volcanic lands of Auvergne, a selection of wineries to stop off at.
Domaine Luneau-Papin
Among the emblematic Muscadet winemakers responsible for producing great wines, Marie and Pierre-Marie Luneau open the doors of their family vacation home. This 18th-century building was renovated in 2023 and can accommodate up to 6 people. just 40 minutes from Nantes, it overlooks the Sèvre Nantaise, perched on the granite rocks of Clisson.
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Château Soucherie
just a stone's throw from the château, four guest rooms are available, as well as a gîte for up to ten people with private pool. The program includes visits to the vineyards and winery, tastings of the estate's anjous, coteaux-du-layons, savennières and chaumes, and oenology courses.
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La Bergerie
On their family estate, sisters Anne and Marie Guégniard not only welcome guests to their childhood home in the heart of nature, but also invite them to their one-star gourmet table overlooking the vines. a tasting of their wines from the great terroirs of the Loire is a must before you leave.
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Château de Targé
Spectacular, Château de Targé clings to the hillside. A gîte for two has been created in the former apartments of the mistress of the family's ancestor, facing the Loire. Activities include swimming in the pool, cycling (bikes available) or wine tasting in the cellars dug into the cliffs.
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Domaine Catherine et Pierre Breton
Catherine and Pierre Breton, pioneers of natural wine in the Loire Valley, offer two superb gîtes. One in the Bourgueil vineyards, a converted former wine storehouse (sleeps 8). The second in the heart of the Vouvray vineyards, a 1335 manor house (sleeps 6). Jacuzzi, sauna, professional kitchen, wood-fired heating and wine tasting (booking required).
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Bourgeois family
in Chavignol, near the heart of Sancerre, this ten-generation historic estate perpetuates its sense of hospitality in its family-run hotel-restaurant. Twelve rooms with views over the village's terracotta and slate roofs, and gourmet cuisine based on products from the Berry region. https://www.hotel-restaurant-chavignol.fr/fr/famille-bourgeois-sancerre-france/
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Pouilly-Fumé
The stay takes place in a house with a garden, a five-minute walk from the banks of the Loire. The wines of Alain Pabiot and his son Jérôme are born on the limestone, caillottes and terres blanches soils emblematic of the appellation, then mature in multi-centenary underground cellars. Take a tour to taste their characteristic minerality. https://jonathanpabiot.fr/le-gite/
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Cave Nérot
less than two hours by train from Paris, a tiny house for two nestles in the vineyards of this little-known appellation. Fifth-generation winemaker Julie Nérot shows visitors around. Local breakfasts and aperitif platters around the famous crottin de Chavignol make for a pleasant stay. Saint-Père 58200
- Where to eat
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Les Vins de la Madone
This two-bedroom gîte with its large terrace overlooks the vineyards of this region at the gateway to the Livradois-Forez nature park. Upon reservation, winemaker Gilles Bonnefoy will be happy to show you around. His wines from terroirs around the Madone volcano make for a delightful immersion.
- Where? Champdieu 42600
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Should we trust the medals on the bottles?
On a supermarket shelf, similar-looking bottles of wine are lined up at slightly contrasting prices. Without a salesperson, in a time-constrained food shopping area, a sticker placed like a jewel cuts through the act of purchasing. Gold, silver or bronze medals flash more brightly than a label that's not always easy to decipher. Award-winning wine, featured wine An award-winning wine is one that has been presented by the winery at one of the 127 competitions that award these precious badges (in 2024, according to the DGCCRF). The famous Concours Général Agricole, founded in 1870, the world's best Chardonnay or Sauvignon competitions, the Brittany or Mâcon wine competitions, the Millésime Bio challenge... There's an embarrassment of riches to choose from, with no limit on participation, but not without a heavy hand in the wallet. For each cuvée entered, you'll need to pay between 10 and 150 euros, depending on the competition, not including postage and packaging costs and the purchase of macaroons in the event of victory. Attractive spin-offs A potentially interesting calculation, given the commercial visibility these awards bring. In the year following the award, sales of the vintage tend to increase by between 20% and 40%. A boon for the estate, event organizers and supermarkets alike. All the more so as the medals are pouring in. In 2025, at the Concours Général Agricole, of the 12129 wines entered, 3361 were awarded medals, almost half of them gold. French legislation prohibits the awarding of more than a third of the samples presented. A quota with which most competitions flirt. Amateur jury Who awards these accolades? A volunteer jury, at their own expense. Mostly amateurs. The great need for people leaves little room for rigor or traceability. In 2025, at the Concours Général Agricole, over 7,000 people were needed to taste charcuterie, cheeses, jams and wines. At this year's Chardonnay du Monde competition, more than 300 jurors took part, with a limit of 20 samples per person. The most famous estates, which don't need to boost their sales, tend to neglect these competitions. Artisanal wineries, on the other hand, may shy away from these competitions as a matter of distinction, since the shiny stickers are associated with supermarkets. A place where it takes the place of good professional advice. A wine merchant, for example, capable of selling the uniqueness of a cuvée he has followed over the years.
Fabrice Pouillon: his champagne method
Fabrice Pouillon is the third generation to run the family domaine at Mareuil-sur-Aÿ in the Marne region of France, and he has an intrinsic respect for the heritage he has inherited: respect for the vines and for fine work. Constantly questioning himself, curious and eager to experiment, the Champenois celebrates his 26th harvest this September.
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