Rochecorbon and the banks of the Loire
The town forms part ofthe Loire Valley’s World Heritage Site. Climb aboard a traditional boat and enjoy both the scenery and the insightful commentary from the Rabouilleuse boatmen. Another lovely way to spend a sunny day: take a seat at the Rochecorbon open-air café or take your children to the many attractions at Lulu Parc!
Terre Exotique
Set in a beautiful 18th-century mansion, Terre Exotique welcomes you to its shop specialising in peppers and spices, or to its restaurant.
It is also the centre of the international pepper festival, held every year in June!
But let’s return to the world of wine, with no fewer than fivewine-tasting centres. Château Gaudrelle, the Grandes Caves Saint-Roch and Maison Bredif are dotted along the road from Tours to Vouvray, alongside the Le Capitaine and Bourillon Dorléans estates. As well as tasting the fine sparkling wines and still wines of the Vouvray AOC, discover the famous troglodyte cellars, which are particularly well-suited to ageing the various vintages.
Beautiful hotels and restaurants also welcome you at the foot of the hillside, as does the garden of the Manoir des Basses Rivières (which also has three guest rooms), open to visitors from time to time. This estate is centred around an elegant building, much like the neighbouring properties: the arrival of the railway in Tours in 1840 brought a wealthy Parisian clientele who had beautiful holiday homes built here.
