Holiday Season in the Loire Valley!
Christmas Markets, Winery Open Houses, Christmas in the Land of the Châteaux
‘Tis the Season to visit the Loire Valley!
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I have lived in the Loire Valley for nearly 20 years and counting (after 5 years of living in Paris)! People often ask me what is the best time to visit the Loire Valley. Here is my recommendation: To take full advantage of The Garden of France, consider staying in May (although be prepared for rain this month!), and above all, in June, July, and August when the weather is warm, the gardens are in full bloom, and the days are long, staying light outside until almost 11 pm (yes, there are more crowds, but it is so fun & festive! I can give you great tips of how to avoid the crowds!). The high season starts even earlier, from April, with Easter weekend kicking off the tourist season, and goes until mid to late October. September, October & November are also beautiful, the glorious fall foliage becoming an explosion of colors in the many forests here and in the vineyards. PRO TIP: If you love wine and plan on visiting the many wineries to enjoy tours and tastings, do be careful about coming during the wine harvest period - which can be from late August through September - as many wineries limit or close for visits and wine tastings during this time.
In high season April to October, the Loire Valley becomes a veritable playground with bikers enjoying the Loire à Vélo (Loire By Bike), canoe enthusiasts, and kayakers enjoying the lovely nature and the Loire river and its tributaries, with hot air balloons afloat in the sky. The castles have spring and summer festivals, sound and light shows, evening candlelit visits, music concerts, picnics, open-air cinemas, and more. I always recommend checking the calendar before you come so you can enjoy the many events in the summer season!
Christmas season is now upon us, and it’s also a lovely time to visit, albeit much colder and damper, so do bundle up and grab yourself a vin chaud (hot mulled wine) or chocolat chaud (hot chocolate) before heading out to explore!
The holidays herald festive events including local Christmas markets in large towns like The Christmas Markets of Tours with their sparkling illuminations, and in smaller villages where artisans display their wares, the perfect opportunity to shop for unique Christmas gifts. In the run-up to Christmas, enjoy Open Houses at wineries where you can stock up on local bubbly, white, rosé and red wines to accompany your holiday meal or offer as gifts. Loire Valley wines are delicious and shockingly reasonable!
A highlight is also “Christmas in the Land of the Châteaux” which runs until Sunday 5 January 2025. Celebrate the festive season with the whole family with magical visits and activities at seven participating Châteaux: Amboise, Azay-le-Rideau, Chenonceau, Chinon, Langeais, Loches, and Villandry! The Tours Tourist Office, and participating Tourist Offices in Touraine, offer special passes to visit 3, 5 or 7-castles giving you discounted rates to visit several of the participating châteaux. You can also purchase on line here. The castles available to visit with the pass are all located in the area known as Touraine (the département or county 37 known as Indre-et-Loire).
Of course, many châteaux in and outside of Touraine in the Loire Valley also offer lovely Christmas decorations and events. Check out the Christmas magic at the Château de Chambord, the largest castle in France. A castle I look forward to visiting for the first time (yes, there are still some I have yet to discover!), is the Château de Beaugency, an 11th-century castle that is also a digital art center offering contemporary digital art and light shows with activities for the whole family December 21st, 22nd and 23rd.
Here are some of my favorite places, near me in Touraine, that are hosting Christmas fairs & events … many scheduled this weekend!
Until 5 Janvier: The Christmas Markets of Tours! Explore the little chalets on Place de la Résistance, Boulevard Heurteloup and Place Anatole France, taste delicious holiday goodies and shop for artisanal gifts!
This Sat/Sun: 7-8 December, 10:30 am to 6:30 pm - Château Gaudrelle winery Open House, Visits & Wine Tasting! Organic winery in AOC Vouvray (sparkling, dry, semi-dry, and sweet white wine made from 100% Chenin Blanc Grapes)!
This Sat: Sat 7th December from 2 pm onwards - Wine tasting at La Cave Amboise wine shop in Amboise (the wine shop I managed for 3 years!). They’re welcoming the Domaine St Vincent from Monnières located in the heart of Muscadet Sèvre-et-Maine for tastings of their sparkling, white & red wines!
This Sat/Sun: 7-8 December, 11 am to 7 pm - Château du Petit Thouars castle & winery (close to Chinon) Open House, Wine Tasting, Artisanal Market & Food from “Au Feu du Truffier” and local artists’ exhibition and market!
This Sun: 8th December from 10 am to 6 pm - La Cabane à Plantes: Christmas market featuring 22 artisans and food available from 12 pm to 2 pm (hot mulled wine and teas!). Located near Loches!
Weekend of 14-15 Dec - Domaine Bonnigal-Bodet winery in Limeray (near Amboise) Open House. Taste their phenomenal Chenin Blanc white wines & their Côts (Malbec) red wines!
14th December at 3 pm: Christmas caroling! Bring along your singing voice to celebrate Christmas. English and French service of Nine Lessons and Carols at the St Louans Priory, Chinon. All are welcome. Drinks and snacks are available afterward. This is organized by a lovely English couple living in the Loire Valley met through Loire ConneXion, our international community connecting English-speaking immigrants and expats (like myself!) living in the Loire Valley with French locals.
This is by no means an exhaustive list of all the activities on the calendar for the holiday season in the Loire Valley. Do you have events you’d like to add to the list? Please let me know in the comments below!
If you’re looking to plan a holiday in the Loire Valley, do contact me, the Loire Valley Concierge! I look forward to welcoming you here and can assist in other areas of France thanks to my network of French partners!
Wishing you all a festive holiday season and New Year 2025! Joyeuses Fêtes!
Yours, Summer
Loire Valley Concierge
That was a good route through the BM, wasn’t it!