Château du Petit Thouars
1 Château du Petit Thouars, Saint-Germain-sur-Vienne, Centre-Val de Loire, 37500
With its 17th-century French Renaissance architecture, wine-making legacy, and idyllic setting within the UNESCO-listed Loire Valley, Château du Petit Thouars is the perfect addition to a Loire chateaux itinerary. The family-run winery offers food and wine-tasting tours, along with a traditional French château and vineyard setting.
The basics
The Château du Petit Thouars specializes in food and wine-tasting experiences. Visitors can enjoy guided walks through the vineyards and the château’s historic wine cellar, followed by an expert-led wine tasting or food and wine tasting. You can also enjoy a memorable wine-tasting picnic amid the vines, a scenic flat-bottomed boat cruise along the Vienne and Loire Rivers, or a special château tour and wine-tasting experience hosted by the Count or Countess of Petit Thouars.
Things to know before you go
Food and wine tours at Château du Petit Thouars provide vegetarian and gluten-free options on request, and children are welcome.
The Château du Petit Thouars is available as a wedding venue and rents out its 4-bedroom farmhouse gite amid the vineyards.
Advanced bookings are essential: Wine tastings are not generally offered without a reservation.
Tours are accessible for wheelchairs and strollers, although some areas of the château and vineyards may be off-limits.
How to get there
The Château du Petit Thouars is located in the small town of Saint-Germain-sur-Vienne along the Vienne River. It’s about a 20-minute drive from Saumur or a 10-minute drive from Chinon along the D751. You’ll need a vehicle or hire a driver to reach the château as there is no public transportation available.
When to get there
The château’s vineyards and wine cellar are open for wine tastings and tours from Monday through Saturday year-round. Specific tours may only be available on certain days, so make sure to reserve in advance. Advanced bookings are highly recommended for wine tastings.
Wine tasting in the Loire Valley
The mighty Loire River stretches for more than 600 miles (965 kilometers) through the heart of central France. With vineyards blanketing almost the entire length, it’s a prime destination for wine-tasting tours. Famous Loire wines to sample include Anjou rosés, sauvignon blancs from the Loire Valley–Sancerre region, and the gamay wines of the Upper Loire. For something more unique, try the muscadet wines produced around Nantes or the sparkling wines of Saumur.
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