InTouch Travel

OLIVIER & CAROLE BOUCHEREAU

So what are the treasures that the Bouchereau family wants to share? The Atlantic Coast, first of all, with its fishing villages, seafood, salt marshes and seaside resorts. The more intimate chateaux of the Loire. The vibrant cities of Nantes, Angers and Le Mans.

Olivier enjoys cooking for his family and guests, rooting for the Nantes soccer team, and cycling on the offshore islands of Noirmoutier and Yeu.

LOIRE VALLEY … IN DEPTH WITH OLIVIER & CAROLE BOUCHEREAU

Nantes and the Muscadet Vineyards

Nantes is a city rich in history. The town center is full of stately 18th-century buildings, and the Palace of the Dukes of Brittany is a vivid reminder of the glories of French history. After lunch downtown, perhaps at the gorgeous Belle Époque brasserie, La Cigale, we'll head out into the wine country and visit the Chateau de Goulaine. Its owner, the Marquis, has established a handsome museum of posters and an intriguing collection of butterflies. His family has owned the property for 1,000 years. But he's far from the only wine-grower in the region! And before we return to Nantes we'll stop and sample some additional samples of Muscadet.

The Guérande Peninsula

Guérande itself a fortified medieval town of 12,000 people, nicknamed "Little Carcassonne," known today primarily because of its fine salt. The "Sel de Guérande" is famous throughout the culinary world for its intense flavor, produced by raking the topmost layer of fine salt crystals from the evaporating seawater. We'll also sample some savory galettes and sweet crêpes on our way along the Côte Sauvage. La Baule is one of the most fashionable resorts on the Atlantic Coast, with large hotels on a vast beachfront, and the venue for summertime concerts.

Loire Valley Chateaux and Cellars

There are dozens upon dozens of castles along the Loire. The Chateau de Serrant, near Angers, is one of the loveliest and yet least visited. This particular stretch of the river is lined with sandstone caves and prehistoric, "troglodyte" houses. A few of them have been turned into restaurants; we'll stop at one for a sample of fouaces, a local bun-shaped loaf. At another, the caves have become a mushroom farm! And at a more traditional wine cellar near Saumur, we'll learn about the process of making sparkling wine and aging the bottles in the cool, dark caverns.

The preceding excursions can be combined however the guests might enjoy, to make a couple of fascinating day-trips. Some additional suggestions: the Apocalypse tapestry at the Chateau in Angers; the Royal Abbey of Fontevraud, the Cointreau distillery; the shipyards at Saint Nazaire; the charming town of Clisson, with remarkable Italianate architecture…

"What a wonderful visit we had with you and your family. Lunch was certainly fit for a king. I am still telling everyone about the best oysters in the whole world that you served that day. When can we have some more? Being with you was such fun and thanks for your gracious hospitality."

— Margaret Bolyn, Columbia, S. Car.

"It was such a pleasure to meet you and to get to know you the few days we were in the Western Loire last week. What a wonderful introduction to the area! You should be commended for a job well done with all the planning that was involved in making our stay so memorable! The scenic bike rides were great; tasting of the grapes from the vine delicious; the guided visits informative; the food outstanding! Many, many thanks for your generous hospitality."

— Olivia Townsend, Lake Bluff, Ill.

"I enjoyed bicycling with you, Olivier. The view of the Atlantic from Noirmoutier was unforgettable."

— Mike Peterson, Port Angeles, Wash.

"As much as anything, I enjoyed the shellfish at that elegant brasserie in downtown Nantes!"

— Jean Marion, New Orleans, La.