Upcoming Tours
Guided Tours
At Les Jardins Haute Couture, we are devoted to creating journeys that linger long after they end — experiences shaped by beauty, culture, and the quiet magic of the Loire Valley.
Your days begin in our award-winning garden and elegant manor house, where hospitality and gastronomy set the rhythm of each moment.
We invite you to join one of our six chauffeur-driven cultural tours, crafted for small groups and designed to immerse you in the soul of the region:
Dates for our 2026 tours starting at 2900 £
– Private Gardens of the Loire Valley
– Writers, Poets & Artists Who Shaped the Loire Valley
– Hands-On Wine Tour & Immersive Wine Experience
– In the Footsteps of the Plantagenets, the Hundred Years’ War & Joan of Arc
– Gastronomic Cooking Holiday
– Winter Wonderland: Truffles & Christmas/New Year Extravaganza
Each tour weaves together culture, history, landscapes, and flavours for a profoundly enriching escape.
To explore 2026 dates and full itineraries please email us at this address . Payment plan available. A description of each tour can be found below.
Self-Guided Tours
For travellers who prefer freedom with gentle guidance, we offer thematic self-guided itineraries, complemented by our favourite restaurants, hidden gems, and off-the-beaten-path discoveries.
Stay with us on a half-board basis, or let us help you design a bespoke journey — a tailor-made exploration of the Loire crafted just for you.
Discover the Secret & Aristocratic Gardens of the Loire Valley
An Immersive Journey by Les Jardins Haute Couture
"A curated passage through France’s most exclusive gardens."
- 2026 dates : please email us to book your dates
- 2027 dates : 8 - 15 May & 29 May - 5 June
The Loire Valley — long celebrated as “The Garden of France” — is a landscape shaped by centuries of artistry and imagination. Renaissance terraces, aristocratic estates, monastic cloisters, and visionary contemporary creations flourish side by side, forming a living tapestry where nature, history, and culture intertwine with effortless grace.
On this luxury seven-day journey, you will explore twelve exceptional gardens, each chosen for its beauty, originality, and privileged access. From Renaissance potagers and terraced Italianate designs to secluded river gardens, sculptural contemporary landscapes, botanical collections, and intimate private estates, the week reveals the astonishing diversity of styles that define the Loire Valley’s horticultural soul.
You will meet the creators, curators, and guardians of these remarkable places — aristocratic owners, botanists, landscape designers, and passionate gardeners who open their gates and share their stories. On select occasions, you will also share a lunch or dinner with them, savouring moments of conversation as memorable as the gardens themselves.
Throughout the week, you will experience the Loire’s celebrated art de vivre: refined cuisine, elegant wines, and slow days shaped by beauty, discovery, and insider access. Evenings unfold at Les Jardins Haute Couture, your manor home surrounded by terraced gardens, orchard walks, wildflower meadows, and candlelit gastronomic dinners.
Your host Coral Miles — garden designer & expert, treasurer of the Regional Parcs & Garden commitee, will guide you through this world with warmth and expertise. Her deep roots in the region, and her connections with its most exceptional gardens, open doors rarely accessible to the public.
Designed for an intimate group of six to twelve guests, this curated journey offers authenticity, elegance, and privileged encounters.
More than a tour, it is an immersion into The Garden of France:
a week where landscape, heritage, gastronomy, and creativity reveal the deeper essence of one of the world’s most extraordinary horticultural regions.
Please email us to request our detailed brochure and to reserve your spot !
Discover the Loire Valley Through Art, Literature & Flavour
An Immersive Journey by Les Jardins Haute Couture
“Where the Loire becomes a muse, and every landscape tells a story.”
2026 dates : please call us or email us to book your stay
The Loire Valley has long kindled the imagination of the world’s great creators — from Rabelais, whose exuberant tales unfolded across the gentle hills near Chinon, to Balzac, who set his human comedies along the quiet banks of the Indre. Here, Ronsard and Du Bellay shaped the French language, Leonardo da Vinci spent his final years in contemplative brilliance, and modern masters such as Calder, Max Ernst, and Dorothea Tanning found in this soft, golden landscape a place of freedom and renewal. Even the clandestine romance of Rodin and Camille Claudel left whispers in its châteaux and gardens.
On this luxury seven-day journey, you will wander through vineyards, secluded valleys, and storied villages to discover the homes, studios, and landscapes that nurtured centuries of artistic genius. You will explore how art, literature, gardens, wine, and gastronomy intertwine — and meet the artists and artisans who continue to carry this creative flame.
Your days unfold in comfort and elegance, with gourmet meals in hand-picked restaurants and evenings at Les Jardins Haute Couture — a manor of charm and character, surrounded by award-winning gardens and warmed by the kind of atmosphere that makes guests feel instantly at home.
Designed for small groups of six to twelve, every moment is curated for privacy, authenticity, and privileged access far from the usual paths.
Your host, Coral, has called the Loire Valley home for over twenty years. Art historian, garden specialist, guide, and storyteller, she knows its hidden corners, its secret addresses, and its most memorable tables. She shares the region not as a destination — but as a way of life.
More than a tour, this is an immersion into the creative soul of the Loire Valley:
a journey where art, literature, wine, and flavour reveal the deeper essence of this remarkable place.
Please email us to request our detailed brochure and to reserve your spot !
Hands-On Wine Journey Along the Loire
A 7-Day Immersion into France’s Most Diverse Wine Region
by Les Jardins Haute Couture
Where the river guides the journey — and each bend reveals a new terroir.
2026 dates : 19 - 26 September
The Loire Valley — France’s longest and most diverse wine region — is a mosaic of landscapes shaped by the slow, ancient movement of the river itself. As the Loire flows from the volcanic soils of Anjou to the tuffeau cliffs of Touraine and the chalky plateaus of Vouvray and Montlouis, it creates an immense tapestry of terroirs unlike anywhere else in the world. Here, Cabernet Franc and Chenin Blanc express themselves with extraordinary nuance: still, sparkling, dry, sweet, late-harvest, mineral, floral, earthy, complex.
On this intimate seven-day wine journey, you will follow the Loire downstream, tracing the river’s path through its great appellations and discovering how water, soil, climate, and history have shaped this remarkable viticultural heritage.
But more than tasting, you will participate in the art of winemaking.
Depending on the season, you may take part in pruning, de-budding, canopy management, harvesting, or sorting grapes in our own AOC Bourgueil vineyard. Under the guidance of an experienced vigneron and oenologist, you will learn to read a vine, recognise its needs, and understand how vineyard decisions echo in the glass months later.
Inside the cellar, you will explore key steps of vinification: maceration, fermentation, élévage, and ageing. You will blend your own cuvée, bottle and cork a small batch, and deepen your appreciation of the meticulous craft behind every bottle.
Along the river, you will visit the iconic appellations of Chinon, Bourgueil, Saumur, Savennières, Anjou, Vouvray, and the sweet-late harvest vineyards of Coteaux du Layon. Across chalk caves, schist terraces, and riverside hillsides, you will meet passionate winemakers who craft wines of precision, elegance, and identity. Taste traditional-method sparkling wines, luminous dry whites, perfumed rosés, structured reds, and the golden sweetness of noble-rot Chenin — all in the landscapes where they were born.
Your host, Coral Miles, brings a deep understanding of terroir — its geology, its climate, its living plant ecosystem — insights that enrich every tasting and vineyard walk.
At the estate, you will explore the property’s AOC Bourgueil vineyard and taste the spirits from Maison Miles, the London based family distillery, discovering the Loire’s world of orchard-based spirits. A private cocktail masterclass showcases eaux-de-vie made from pear, plum, quince, berry, and other local fruits — a refined counterpart to the region’s celebrated wines.
Throughout the week, you will experience a curated blend of vineyard experiences, oenological masterclasses, fine dining, river-view picnics, troglodyte cellar visits, and thoughtful food-and-wine pairing sessions that reveal the harmony between Loire flavours and Loire wines.
More than a wine tour, this is a journey into the living heart of Loire viticulture —
an immersion where river, terroir, craft, and culture come together in one of the world’s most enchanting wine regions.
Please email us to request our detailed brochure and to reserve your spot !
In the Footsteps of Kings, Queens, Warriors & Saints
The Loire Valley Through the Ages — A Journey by Les Jardins Haute Couture
“Where every château holds a story, and every river bends through centuries of legend.”
2026 dates : upon request
The Loire Valley is more than a land of gentle rivers and golden stone — it is a living chronicle of Europe’s past, shaped by the ambition of kings, the courage of warriors, and the devotion of saints. Here, dynasties rose, legends were born, and spiritual traditions took root that continue to echo across its landscapes today.
Our journey begins with the Plantagenets, whose vast empire once stretched from the Pyrenees to the Irish Sea. From their Angevin origins and the formidable Counts of Anjou — including the legendary Fulk Nerra — we explore the mighty fortresses of Saumur, Langeais, and Loches, where strategy, power, and ambition were etched into stone. We continue to Le Mans, birthplace of Henry II, before returning to the strategic stronghold of Chinon, once the heart of their empire.
At the centre of this extraordinary lineage stands Eleanor of Aquitaine — Duchess of Aquitaine, Queen of France, Queen of England, mother of kings. In her court, poetry, music, diplomacy, and intellect shaped the destiny of Europe. Our path follows her from the cultural ferment of Poitou to her serene resting place at the Abbey of Fontevraud, alongside Henry II and Richard the Lionheart.
From these royal courts, we move into the fire and turmoil of the Hundred Years’ War, tracing the path of Joan of Arc, the young peasant girl who forever altered France’s fate. In Chinon, we relive her moment of destiny: meeting the hesitant Dauphin and receiving the divine mission that led her to triumph and sainthood.
Yet the Loire Valley’s story begins even earlier, in the quiet radiance of a saint.
Saint Martin of Tours — soldier, monk, bishop, miracle-worker — left a spiritual imprint that resonates to this day. We follow a gentle pilgrimage through his life:
Tours, where he served as bishop and where one of Christianity’s most revered shrines preserves his relics.
Candes-Saint-Martin, the idyllic village at the confluence of the Loire and Vienne where he passed in 397.
The legendary Miracle of the Translation, when, tradition holds, the Loire Valley burst into spring bloom as his body was carried upriver to Tours.
This sacred thread weaves through a landscape equally shaped by devotion and power.
Guided by Coral, Loire heritage expert and storyteller, you will uncover not only the grand narratives of kings, queens, warriors, and saints, but also the quieter tales, hidden corners, and timeless rhythms that make the Loire Valley one of France’s most enchanted regions.
More than a tour, this is an immersion into the living soul of medieval France — a journey through courage, devotion, power, and the enduring stones that continue to whisper their stories.
Please email us to request our detailed brochure and to reserve your spot !
Gastronomic Journey Through the Loire Valley
A 7-Day Culinary & Cultural Immersion by Les Jardins Haute Couture
Where every flavour tells a story — and every landscape shapes a cuisine.
The Loire Valley is often called the Garden of France, a land where fertile riverbanks, vineyards, ancient orchards, forests rich with game, and thriving potagers have inspired centuries of culinary tradition. Here, the legacies of the Plantagenets, Renaissance kings, medieval herbalists, and even Rabelais himself linger in the markets, kitchens, and ingredients that define this region’s distinctive art de vivre.
On this intimate seven-day gastronomic escape, you will explore the Loire through its flavours, stories, and landscapes. From fishermen on traditional flat-bottomed boats to award-winning chefs who reinvent river fish with contemporary finesse; from colourful markets bustling with fresh produce to local AOC cheese makers, from medieval bread ovens and monastic culinary traditions to the sparkling wines of Saumur and the iconic potager of Villandry — each day reveals a new facet of the region’s extraordinary culinary heritage.
Your host, Coral Miles, shares the stories behind the dishes: medieval preservation techniques, medicinal plants, Renaissance flavours, and forgotten recipes shaped by centuries of innovation.
The estate also boasts an extensive potager, where seasonal produce is grown with care and harvested daily for your table. This is complemented by close partnerships with local organic producers, artisans, and farmers who share the same commitment to integrity and flavour. Together, they provide the freshest ingredients that shape the week’s culinary experiences.
In addition, the property is home to its own AOC Bourgueil vineyard and a long-established family distillery Maison Miles. During your stay, you will enjoy a private visit of the winery and take part in an elegant cocktail masterclass, created from the estate’s botanicals and eaux-de-vie — a rare opportunity to experience Loire craftsmanship from vine to glass.
Throughout the journey, you will taste, learn, wander, forage, meet artisans, visit châteaux, and savour the Loire’s generous table — whether through Michelin-level creativity or humble, time-honoured traditions still lovingly preserved today.
More than a culinary tour, this is an immersion into the soul of Loire gastronomy:
a journey where history, landscape, and flavour come together in one of France’s most remarkable regions.
Please email us to request our detailed brochure and to reserve your spot !
Winter wonderland, a Christmas, New Year and truffle extravaganza :
A 7-Day Culinary & festive immersion by Les Jardins Haute Couture
2026 dates : 30 November to 5 December & 28 December to 4 January
Indulge in festive cheer and wonder as the Loire's chateaux shimmer with Christmas magic
Step into a world of winter enchantment as the Loire Valley’s greatest Renaissance châteaux transform themselves for Christmas. Every December, these historic masterpieces — Chenonceau, Azay-le-Rideau, Villandry, Langeais, Chinon, and more — are adorned with thousands of lights, floral displays, festive tableaux, and breathtaking Christmas décor. Halls become magical forests, galleries glow with candlelight, and grand salons are dressed for royal feasts.
This bespoke journey invites you to experience the Loire at its most atmospheric: sparkling Christmas markets, frozen romantic landscapes, intimate candlelit evening concerts, gourmet experiences, and the timeless beauty of France’s château country in its winter finery.
Your seven-day, seven-night stay is based at Les Jardins Haute Couture, a luxurious, elegant house celebrated for its warm hospitality and award-winning gardens, crackling fires, and cosy seasonal atmosphere. Each morning begins with a generous breakfast, and each day unfolds into a curated discovery of the region’s finest treasures. Lunches will be enjoyed in hand-picked local restaurants, while dinners at home bring convivial evenings, fine wines, and the comfort of returning to your wonderful winter retreat.
Along the way, you’ll indulge in gastronomic delights unique to the season:
• A truffle-hunting adventure in the Chinon woodlands
• A hands-on cooking session with a chef, exploring the secrets of cooking with black truffles
• A festive wreath-making atelier using seasonal foliage and Loire Valley greenery
• Visits to exceptional wineries and Christmas-themed tastings
• A Christmas cocktail party or a New Year Banquet in an exclusive private venue
Guided throughout by Coral Miles, an art historian, garden specialist, and passionate local who has lived in the Loire Valley for over 20 years, you’ll enjoy privileged access, secret addresses, hidden gems, and the quiet charm of authentic village life. Coral’s deep knowledge of the region’s history, culture, and seasonal traditions transforms each visit into a story — and each day into a memory.
This exclusive Christmas tour offers the rare opportunity to experience the Loire Valley as few ever do: festive, intimate, luminous, and wrapped in centuries of heritage.
A magical winter journey through history, beauty, gastronomy, and the true spirit of Noël.
Please email us to request our detailed brochure and to reserve your spot !