Experience France Like a Local in Bumblebee Manor
An immersive French experience for the curious traveller.
Visit fairy tale castles. Explore the world-famous spectacular castles of the Loire Valley.
Taste dozens of Loire Valley wines. Join our wine expert Martin for a wine experience like no other, with privileged access to vineyards, wineries and winemakers.
Oo la la the food! Enjoy garden-to-table food at Bumblebee Manor, picnic hampers full of fabulous French food, and dine at iconic French restaurants.
Lazy afternoons included so you can relax into the slower pace of French life.
Join Sue and Martin at their manor house for an all-inclusive eight days, seven nights in the Loire Valley France. More than a vacation, this is a chance to experience the sights, food, wine and characters of rural France.
ItineraryDay 1: Welcome and formal dinner at Bumblebee ManorStop At: Saint-Macaire-du-Bois, Saint-Macaire-du-Bois, Maine et Loire, Pays de la Loire
After your 200 mph train journey we will pick you up from Saumur train station and bring you to your home for the week at Bumblebee Manor. Time to settle in and relax
Duration: 8 hours
Meals included:
• Dinner: This evening enjoy a five-course gourmet meal in the formal manoir dining room with the family china and crystal
Accommodation included: Twin accommodation in one of 3 in the recently converted cottages in the 200 year old coach house at Bumblebee Manor.
Day 2: Cave ExplorationStop At: Bumblebee Manor, 2 Rte du Puy, 49260 Saint-Macaire-du-Bois, France
Breakfast will be served in your cottage ready for when you wake up, giving you a chance to recover from your big trip yesterday. Lunch will be served back at Bumblebee Manor before heading out in the afternoon for more sightseeing.
Duration: 4 hours
Stop At: Le Mystere des Faluns - Les Perrieres, 7 rue d Anjou Doué-la-Fontaine, 49700, Doue-la-Fontaine France
The Loire Valley is famed for its caves created when the rock was quarried to build the incredible castles in the region. Visit a mesmerizing sound and light art installation in one of these quarries.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Bioparc - Zoo de Doue la Fontaine, 103 rue de Cholet, 49700, Doue-la-Fontaine France
The Bio Parc is the only cave zoo in the world, and voted number 2 zoo in all of Europe. This is a large conservation zoo with strong animal welfare values, and is a truly unique experience.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Le Caveau, 4 Pl. du Champ de Foire, 49700 DOUE LA FONTAINE, France
Our dinner will be in a unique underground restaurant serving local specialties like Foue, Galipettes and Rillettes.
Duration: 2 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast: French style breakfast in your cottage and a relaxing morning by the pool to give you a chance to unwind
• Lunch: After a light lunch with a glass of wine, we will head underground to explore the region's caves
• Dinner: Tonight you will dine in a cave restaurant serving traditional food from our region.
Accommodation included: No need to pack your suitcases each day, you will return home to your cottage at Bumblebee Manor.
Day 3: Wine TourStop At: Le Puy-Notre-Dame, Le Puy-Notre-Dame, Maine et Loire, Pays de la Loire
After breakfast we meet in the wine room with Martin for a primer on the wines of the Loire Valley, how to taste wine and unravel the mystique of food pairings. Your all-day wine tour gives you privileged access at several local vineyards and a chance to taste a variety of 15+ wines using your new-found skills.
Duration: 6 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast: French style breakfast in your cottage
• Lunch: Lunch is provided at a local restaurant with wine of course!
• Dinner: After a busy day out you will enjoy a 3-course dinner in your cottage, or the garden
Accommodation included: Cottage at Bumblebee Manor
Day 4: Medieval Town and FortressStop At: Bumblebee Manor, 2 Rte du Puy, 49260 Saint-Macaire-du-Bois, France
A chance to relax by the pool, then brunch on the manor house terrace.
Duration: 4 hours
Stop At: Forteresse Royale de Chinon, 2 Rue du Château, 37500 Chinon, France
The historical fortress of Chinon sits high above the town on Chinon below. This is where Joan of Arc petitioned the king, and went on to end the 100-year war leading the king's army.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Chinon, Chinon, Indre-et-Loire, Centre-Val de Loire
Wander the medieval town of Chinon, enjoy a drink in the main plaza or maybe a pastry from a local bakery
Duration: 1 hour
Meals included:
• Lunch: A bit of a sleep in then enjoy a hearty brunch on the manor house terrace
• Dinner: Dinner is at a local restaurant that serves local organic produce in a typical French style. Wine included.
Accommodation included: Cottages at Bumblebee Manor
Day 5: Market DayStop At: Angers, Angers, Maine et Loire, Pays de la Loire
In the city of Angers we will experience market day and buy some fabulous French food for dinner. We will enjoy a stroll through the streets, and stop for lunch at a local restaurant.
Duration: 4 hours
Stop At: Chateau d'Angers, 2 Promenade du Bout du Monde Rue du Château, 49100, Angers France
After lunch at a local restaurant we will visit the massive Angers medieval fortress with its mind blowing tapestry
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Galerie David d'Angers, 33 B rue Toussaint, 49100, Angers France
A visit to the incredible sculpture museum of the most prolific sculptor France has ever seen.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Bumblebee Manor, 2 Rte du Puy, 49260 Saint-Macaire-du-Bois, France
Join Sue in the kitchen to prepare dinner using produce from the garden and the wonderful fresh ingredients we bought together at the market. Enjoy dinner together out in the garden.
Duration: 3 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast: Continental breakfast delivered to your cottage
• Lunch: Lunch at a traditional French restaurant, with wine.
• Dinner: Return to Bumblebee Manor to prepare a relaxed dinner together using our fresh market produce.
Accommodation included: Cottages at Bumblebee Manor
Day 6: Big Castle DayStop At: Chateau de Villandry, 3 rue Principale, 37510 Villandry France
The Villandry castle is beautiful, but it is the incredible gardens that steal the show
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Chateau de Chenonceau, 37150 Chenonceaux France
The most visited castle in the Loire Valley, Chateau de Chenonceau is magnificent. We will get there early so that we beat the crowds arriving on tour buses from Paris.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Le bar à thym, 4 Pl. du Vicomte de Maupéou, 49700 Doué-en-Anjou, France
Enjoy French style wood fired pizzas, and a drink at our friend's bar. A warm welcome is guaranteed. We can either bike to the bar, or go in the van, depending on how everyone is feeling after our big castle adventure.
Duration: 3 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast: Early continental breakfast delivered to your cottage
• Lunch: Picnic hamper full of French delicacies, tartes, cheeses, deli meats and sweet treats. Wine too of course!
• Dinner: For dinner we will take a bike ride to our local bar and enjoy a drink and some wood-fired pizza with the locals.
Accommodation included: Cottages at Bumblebee Manor
Day 7: Saumur and Chateau Dining ExperienceStop At: Saumur, Saumur, Maine et Loire, Pays de la Loire
Today we will visit Saumur for a look around the town and the castle.
Duration: 4 hours
Stop At: Château Colbert, Pl. du Château de Colbert, 49360 Maulevrier, France
Enjoy a sumptuous chateau dining experience. It is super fancy but not at all sniffy, so bring something nice to wear, but nothing too formal.
Duration: 4 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast: Continental breakfast in your cottage
• Lunch: Enjoy a picnic hamper lunch in your cottage, or ride our Bumblebee cruiser bikes for a picnic in the countryside.
• Dinner: This evening we will get dressed up for a super fancy-schmancy chateau dinner.
Accommodation included: Cottages at Bumblebee Manor
Day 8: Champagne FarewellStop At: Bumblebee Manor, 2 Rte du Puy, 49260 Saint-Macaire-du-Bois, France
We will enjoy a champagne breakfast and take time to reminisce about our week spent together in the Loire Valley.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Saumur - Gare SNCF, 49400 Saumur, France
We will take you back to the train station to board your TGV home. We won’t say “goodbye” but “au-revoir”, until we see you again.
Duration: 1 hour
Meals included:
• Breakfast: Enjoy a champagne breakfast in the Manor dining room and a chance to reminisce about our week together in France.
No accommodation included on this day.
Informacion Adicional
"Not wheelchair accessible"
"Near public transportation"
"Most travelers can participate"
"This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund"
"This tour/activity will have a maximum of 7 travelers"
"Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability"
Horário de Início:
Confirm time with the local provider in advance of your experience.
Experience France Like a Local in Bumblebee Manor
5/8/2024 - 5/8/2024| Saturday : | 08:00 AM - 06:00 PM |
6/8/2024 - 6/8/2024| Saturday : | 08:00 AM - 06:00 PM |
7/13/2024 - 7/13/2024| Saturday : | 08:00 AM - 06:00 PM |
8/10/2024 - 8/10/2024| Sunday : | 08:00 AM - 06:00 PM |
9/7/2024 - 9/7/2024| Saturday : | 08:00 AM - 06:00 PM |
Duração: 8 Days
Ponto de partida: Traveler pickup is offered
After your 200 mph TGV train journey from Paris to the Loire valle, we will pick you up from the Saumur train station and bring you to your home for the week at Bumblebee Manor.
Cancelamentos e reembolsos:
If you cancel at least 7 day(s) in advance of the scheduled departure, there is no cancellation fee.
If you cancel between 3 and 6 day(s) in advance of the scheduled departure, there is a 50 percent cancellation fee.
If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, there is a 100 percent cancellation fee.
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