Saumur wine tasting tour: Three estates and troglodyte caves

Three wineries, a traditional lunch, and the cellars carved into stone

A full-day wine experience departing from Saumur that takes you through three carefully selected estates in the Loire Valley, each with its own character and tasting style. The day includes tastings of sparkling, white, rosé and red wines; a traditional French lunch with a glass of wine; and a guided tour of troglodyte caves and rock-hewn cellars. A bilingual driver-guide leads the group in a climate-controlled minivan for the entire 7.5 hours.

Step-by-step itinerary

Full day wine and heritage tour

• Discover first winery and wine tasting
• Lunch in winery or local restaurant
• Winery visit and sparkling wine tasting
• Walk in Troglodyte village (weather permitting)
• Visit old rock-hewn cellar at chateau

The experience

The day starts in Saumur and moves through the region's wine estates on a route shaped around what each vineyard does best. You'll taste at three different wineries, moving from one to the next in a modern Mercedes minivan with air conditioning and a local bilingual guide who stays with the group all day. The tastings progress through sparkling wine, white, rosé and red, each paired with light bites that let you taste without heaviness before lunch.

Lunch lands in a local restaurant or winery in the Saumur or Turquant area, where you choose between two main courses, then dessert and a glass of wine included. After eating, the day opens into something different: a small walk through a troglodyte village (weather permitting) and a visit to an old rock-hewn cellar at a château in the Parnay or Turquant area. These aren't museum pieces. They're working cellars carved directly into the stone, the kind that reveal how Loire Valley winemakers have worked the land for centuries.

The whole experience runs 7.5 hours from departure. You'll need to be at least 18 to join. Public transportation options are available nearby if you're staying in Saumur without a rental car.

What’s included

• Bilingual driver-guide for the entire day.
• transport in a modern air-conditioned Mercedes minivan.
• tastings of sparkling, white, rosé and red wines with light bites.
• traditional French lunch with a choice of two main courses, dessert and a glass of wine.
• guided visit to a troglodyte village.
• access to a rock-hewn cellar at a château.

Before you book

Days and timesTuesday to SaturdayDeparts at 09:30

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Under 18: can't be booked

GroupUp to 8

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 72 h before the start.Between 1 and 3 days before the start, 50% refund.After that, no refund.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearby

Operated by Loire Anjou Explorer

Is this one for you?Departing from Saumur in a minivan with a bilingual guide means you don't need a rental car or worry about navigating between estates. The route and the driving are handled, so anyone staying in town or without their own transport can spend the day tasting and exploring without logistics getting in the way.

Top questions

What exactly do I taste at each of the three wineries?

The three estates each offer their own character and tasting style. Across the day you'll taste sparkling wine, white, rosé and red wines in generous pours, with light bites served alongside to complement each wine.

Is lunch included, and do I get to choose what I eat?

Lunch is included in a local restaurant or winery, and you choose between two main course options, then dessert and a glass of wine come with it.

What are the troglodyte caves like, and how much walking is involved?

A small walk takes you through a troglodyte village carved into the rock (weather permitting), then you visit an old rock-hewn cellar at a château, both revealing how the region's winemakers have used the stone landscape for centuries. The walk is described as small, so it suits most fitness levels.

Do I need my own transportation, or is pickup included?

Transport is included for the whole day in a climate-controlled Mercedes minivan with your bilingual guide. The tour departs from Saumur, so you'll need to be in the town to start. Public transportation options are available nearby if you're staying in the area without a car.

How long does the full day last?

The experience runs 7.5 hours from start to finish, covering three wineries, lunch, and the troglodyte and cellar visits.