Musique and wine program

Musique and Wine Program
Spring, Summer and Fall

Discover this little-known wine region while experiencing a summer opera festival modeled after the world famous Glydenbourne Festival in England. You will see two professional productions with English singers and orchestra. A replica of a Renaissance travelling theater is erected for the summer performances of the Baugé Opera. You will also be treated to a daytime concert in the fully restored Abbey where Eleanor of Aquitaine lived and was buried.

You will visit wine cellars in the vast limestone caves along the Loire River as well as small local vintners. The wine appreciation classes will refine your palate, teaching you how to taste and recognize the flavors and perfumes in wine.

Saturday Afternoon – Arrival and Meet the Count and Countess
Arrive in Angers train station and transfer to Chateau
Unpack, settle in and refresh yourself
Champagne cocktail in the Grand Salon
Welcome Dinner in the Salle à Manger with the Count and Countess – Semiformal dress
Your first night sleeping at the chateau in the beautiful, still countryside in a private forest in Anjou

Sunday – First Evening Opera Performance
French continental breakfast in the country kitchen (local breads, homemade jams, local fruits and juices, strong coffee with demi-cream milk, juice)
Mass in 11th century village church and walk in the churchyard or optional golf game on the spectacular course in nearby Baugé (18 holes)
Lunch in the Salle à Manger
Presentation by the Count in the Grand Salon of the chateau and its furniture and paintings, decorative styles.
Opera de Baugé, dinner during the intermission – Semiformal dress

Monday – Historic Angers
French continental breakfast
Walk around the property to see a working chateau; open forestry, hunting posts, pheasant rearing, duck pond, hunting farm, and animal observation on the property.
Excursion to Angers – Basilica (organ concert ),
Lunch in historic Angers
Visit to the Apocalypse Tapestries (14th century) in the 13th century Castle of Angers, (a UNESCO site) plus shopping
Dinner in Salle à Manger– Semiformal dress
After dinner drinks and games in the Scottish Bar

Tuesday – Fontevraud Abbey (12th century)
French continental breakfast
Lecture demonstration of odors and perfumes found in wine accompanied by Wine Tasting overview (“Nez du Vin”)
Lunch in the Salle à Manger
Excursion to the Abbey of Fontevraud (afternoon concert there) followed by a visit to a local soap factory plus winery La Perruche on the way home
Dinner outside at Sunset in the courtyard looking towards the river – Casual dress
After dinner dancing in the Library

Wednesday –White Wines of the Region
French continental breakfast
Optional bike ride to local goat cheese farm (easy 16kms ride)
White wine tasting class (Côteaux de Saumur, Loire white wines, champagne method wines)
Lunch in the Salle à Manger or weather permitting, picnic by the river
Visit caves of champagne method of wines of Saumur at the Bouvet winery, the mushroom caves and Cave of Côteaux de Layon followed by
Dinner in a troglodyte cave restaurant in Saumur – Casual dress

Thursday –Red Wines of the Region of Anjou
French continental breakfast
Optional biking or local horseback riding
Tour of the chateau’s 2200 bottle wine cave, wine tasting in the cave of the Loire red wines
Lunch in the chateau’s forest
Excursion to a small local wine maker in St Nicolas de Bourgueil and walking visit in the ancient city of Chinon, tasting of the Chinon red wines;
Grand Dinner in the Salle à Manger- Formal dress
Private concert after dinner in the Salon Doré

Friday – Second Evening Opera Performance
French continental breakfast in the country kitchen
Morning free or optional swimming in a nearby private lake “Les Belles”
Lunch outside
Afternoon optional visit to local bowling game “boules de fort”
Opera with dinner

Saturday – Departure, but keep the Vie de Chateau in your heart!
French continental breakfast in the country kitchen
Transfer back to Angers