Despite being a lifelong traveler, it was hard for me to wrap my mind around a woman’s group trip to the Loire Valley, France. I’ve rarely traveled with anyone outside my own family. When I have it has been with a very select list of people. And I’ve certainly never traveled with people I’d never met before.
Yes, signing up for an all-women’s group trip was outside of my comfort zone. But the allure of spending a week in luxury, with chateaus, delicious foods, and French wine – how could I not?
Exploring the Loire Valley
This seven-day group trip to the Loire Valley was designed to “live your best Bougie life.” We’d live like the bourgeoisie, the upper class. Staying in châteaus, sip wine, and learn about the wine and how it helped shape the history of the Loire Valley. We’d kick off with a group dinner cruise down the Seine River on our first night together in Paris.
There were a total of eight women in the group, with a wide range of experience in both travel and in wine. Some were well-traveled and versed in wine; others were visiting Europe for the first time and had limited knowledge of wine.
As a Level 2 Wine & Spirits Education Trust (WSET) of Wine (WSET Level 2, a qualification that teaches you about the world’s major grape varieties, wine regions, and styles, while also developing your tasting and wine description skills), I was thrilled to continue my wine education journey with this trip.
The Loire is the longest river in France, spanning 625 miles from the town of Roanne to the Atlantic Ocean. The Loire Valley wine region is also the largest wine region in France, with four distinct sub-regions: Pays Nantais (Lower Loire), Anjou-Saumur (Middle Loire), Touraine (Middle Loire), and Centre-Loire (Upper Loire). More than twenty-four wine grapes are grown in the region.
We were excited to start sipping.
Time to Sleep Like a Queen
Just an hour and a half from the heart of Paris, we arrived at our first château of the trip —Château Rondon. Built in 1652 for the mayor of Orléans, the estate has passed through many hands and has had countless renovations, evolving from a humble mayoral residence into the magnificent château that would be our home for the next three nights.
As our van turned and pulled up the long driveway, a collective hush fell over the group — the kind of silence that happens when everyone’s too awestruck to speak. But I know we all were internally screaming like a pack of fangirls. Then came the sound of rapid-fire clicking of eight phones, capturing every possible angle before we rolled to a stop.
When we climbed out, our heads tilted back in unison to take in the arched windows that finish off the roofline — a choreographed moment of admiration.
We were warmly greeted and shown to our rooms. With only four suites available, the château became entirely ours — the chance to live in a private slice of French history.
Wine Jargon
With more than 2,000 years of history under the vine in the Loire Valley, it is hard to wrap your mind around that kind of history. Listening to local producers speak—sometimes through the imperfection of Google Translate—about their land, heritage, and their families’ connection to both, leaves an impression that lingers long after you leave.
It added a profound layer to our journey, as we began to feel a growing bond not just with the wine, but with the very soil and soul of the Valley itself.
Our first wine tasting was at Villa Quincy, a museum dedicated to the wines and the small family producers of Quincy and Reuilly. The two grapes that dominate this area are Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir.
One of the ladies, Linda, perked up when she heard that we were kicking off the trip with Pinot Noir. “It is my favorite! Pinot Nooooooir,” as she exaggerated the “oir” with her Midwestern accent.
Every tasting and tour scheduled during our trip helped reveal another dimension of the region’s wine culture. Vignerons taught us why soil matters to the grapes and where they are planted. Sommeliers guided us through structured tasting techniques. Sensory workshops helped us discover how powerfully our noses can unravel a wine’s story.
We wandered through cellars that have safeguarded barrels for half a millennium, and of course, we learned the art of pairing local dishes with the wines: “If it grows together, it goes together.”
But one of the biggest “aha” moments for our group? Learning how to read a French wine label. In the U.S., labels tell you everything directly—producer, region, grape. France is… not that straightforward. And that difference opens a whole new door of understanding.
The Valley of Kings
Each of our days in the Loire Valley seemed to settled into this perfect rhythm—part history lesson, part fairytale stroll, part wine discovery. The region rightfully earned the nickname The Valley of Kings because everywhere you turn it seems, a château rises in the distance.
Our first Château we visited was the legendary Château de Chambord, and honestly, if you go, clear your entire day. Chambord isn’t something you “pop into”—it’s something you explore.
The castle is enormous, filled with royal chambers, terraces with sweeping views, and an iconic double-helix staircase. Depending on the season, you might even catch a stunning equine performance on the grounds, which brings the Renaissance spirit to life in the most magical way.
And when you need a break? There are several food options right on-site—so you can refuel without cutting the day short.
Our group of ladies went to explore Maison des Vins before lunch. Maison des Vins houses 50 wines from around the wine region of Cheverny and Cour Cheverny, and you purchase a card to taste either three or six wines through the automatic wine dispenser system throughout the tasting room. We arrived just 20 minutes before closing for lunch, so we were told, “Ladies, challenge accepted. Six wines to taste, 20 minutes. Annnnnd GO!”
We hurried around the tasting room, rushing to the sections we wanted to try first. The room was arranged like a tasting flight, the wines ranged from whites to rosés to reds.
It was fascinating to see how each of us chose different directions for wines. Heather, Jean, Christy, Linda, and I started with the white wines; Kendra and Katherine wandered over to the rosé section, and Allie, our resident red wine lover, stayed in the reds section.
We all managed to try six wines within the 20-minute limit.
Châteaus Worth Visiting
Visiting châteaus in the Loire Valley is a must as the region has the highest concentration of castles in the country.
Château de Sancerre
Perched high above the rolling vineyards of Sancerre, this château is the beating heart of the region’s winemaking history. There are breathtaking views and crisp breezes scented with Sauvignon Blanc grapes, which the region is famous for, and a perfect mix of elegance and rural charm. Here, wine and history come together. The guided tours led us through the estate’s long history, its connection to the land, and its impact on the local area. Tastings on the terrace are a highlight; there’s something unforgettable about sipping Sancerre in the very landscape where it was created.
Château Royal d’Amboise
Amboise is where French royalty quite literally left their mark. This hilltop château was once the residence of kings, and wandering its ramparts offers panoramic views of the Loire River and the town below. The most moving stop here is the small chapel where Leonardo da Vinci is buried—a surprisingly intimate experience. The château provides a glimpse into medieval and Renaissance court life, with beautifully curated rooms and gardens that tell stories as you explore.
Château du Clos Lucé
Just a short walk from Château Royal d’Amboise is Clos Lucé, which was Leonardo da Vinci’s final home—and it’s like stepping into his mind. The château is charming, smaller, and warmer than the grand royal estates, but full of inspiration. We wandered through da Vinci’s studios. Filled with models of his inventions, and then out into the large gardens where you can see his inventions come to life through full-scale interactive displays. It’s fun, educational, and presents an entirely different kind of history—one that combines creativity, science, and art. I loved hearing Christy, a passionate history enthusiast, exclaim when she realized how many inventions da Vinci had created.
Château de Chenonceau
If Chambord dazzles and Amboise intrigues, Chenonceau truly enchants. Known as The Ladies’ Château because of its history shaped and ruled by influential women, Chenonceau is gracefully built over the River Cher. The long gallery spanning the water is unlike anything else in France. Its gardens—especially those inspired by Catherine de’ Medici and Diane de Poitiers—are among the most beautiful and peaceful we’ve seen on this trip. Allow several hours here; it’s one of those places you won’t want to leave.
From Strangers to Girlfriends
Booking this trip was a leap for many of the women joining. Not knowing the other participants, being in a new country where you don’t know the language, and feeling nervous about the wines can be frightening.
As we spent days together on winding roads, walking through towns and villages, tasting our way through appellations, and even rooming with someone new, you could feel how the group’s dynamic changed. It didn’t take long for us to bond, cracking jokes and turning from strangers into friends.
The amount of laughter I experienced and heard on this trip was food for the soul. I watched our group grow both as individuals and as friends. We celebrated when one lady bought her first bottle of red wine (she had only enjoyed sweet wines before). Letting out roars of laughter as we shared our stories from the trip on the last night, including times we’d struggled. We each grew in our knowledge of wine as we listened to vignerons and tasting attendants explain the importance of terroir and shared inside jokes about tasting rocks (a reference to the tours that taught us about soil).
I never imagined how this trip with women and wine would turn out. But I never thought it would be what it became: life-changing.
If You Go
This trip was curated by a creator on WeTravel who offers limited tours through wine regions around the world.
You can create a similar trip for your own group or solo adventures. The easiest way is to fly into Paris, then rent a car or book a train ticket to Tours, Orleans, or Blois.
Lodging
If you’d like to stay at Chateau Rondon, you’ll need to book directly on their site. But Chateau Noizay can be booked through major booking sites like Booking.com
Wine Tasting Recommendations:
Caves Ambacia | 1463 (Amboise)
Caves du Père Auguste (Touraine)
Guillaume and Mathieu PLOU (Chargé)
Château de Sancerre (Sancerre)
Brédif Marc (Rochecorbon)
You May Also Enjoy Reading:
- Love Knows No Bounds: Exploring France on an LGBTQ+ Cruise
- A Sense of Place: A Master Class in Wines of France’s Gigondas Region
Read more from Phylicia: www.thebackpackermom.com
