The meeting point is Château du Petit Thouars in Saint-Germain-sur-Vienne; arrive a few minutes early to gather at the château entrance.

How long is the experience?

The activity runs about 3.5 hours, including a market visit, the cooking session, wine tasting, and lunch.

Can dietary restrictions be accommodated?

Yes—vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options are possible if you note them on your booking form.

Is wine tasting included?

Estate wine tasting is included during the cooking experience; guests must be 18+ for tastings.

Is this suitable for beginners?

Absolutely—sessions are hands-on and paced for curious beginners as well as more confident cooks.

How do I get there from nearby towns?

Public transport is limited; the most reliable options are car or taxi from nearby towns like Chinon or Saumur.

Market-to-Table with the Count at Château du Petit Thouars

Adventure Brief

Spend a half-day with Count Sébastien du Petit Thouars: shop a local French market, cook in a family château kitchen, sip estate wines, and share a homemade lunch. This intimate market-to-table experience pairs hands-on learning with Loire Valley hospitality.

3–4 hours

easy

From €278.25

At Château du Petit Thouars in Saint-Germain-sur-Vienne, Centre-Val de Loire, a single afternoon links market stalls, cellar barrels, and a family kitchen. French Market & Cooking with the Count invites travelers to follow Sébastien du Petit Thouars—known locally as Count Sébastien—through a lively regional market to select seasonal produce, herbs, and charcuterie, then return to the château to cook, taste estate wines, and share a homemade lunch in the château’s dining room. The experience takes roughly 3.5 hours and begins with a guided walk through the market where vendors display Loire Valley produce and cheeses. The Château itself sits amid vineyards and gardens carved from the pale tuffeau limestone typical of the region; its kitchen preserves traditional wood-fired and copper-pot techniques. Key features include the market stalls, the château kitchen, the estate wine tasting, and the convivial dining room. For landscape lovers, the surrounding vineyards and the Loire Valley’s soft slopes frame the visit. Participants prepare a market-to-table meal under the Count’s guidance, gaining hands-on cooking tips appropriate for curious beginners and experienced cooks alike. Wine tasting happens throughout—estate bottles are matched to dishes—so visitors learn pairing basics and regional grape profiles. The activity blends culinary skill-building with cultural context: the Loire Valley’s château culture, small-scale farming, and hospitality traditions. The Loire Valley between Sully-sur-Loire and Chalonnes holds UNESCO World Heritage designation, and this experience connects that heritage to daily life at a family château. Practical details: dietary accommodations (vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free) are possible if noted during booking; tasting is limited to guests aged 18+. Plan for a casual, interactive session—bring curiosity, comfortable shoes for the market, and an appetite. The Count’s kitchen is intimate; groups remain small for a personal experience. Why book it? This isn’t a staged cooking class but a lived cultural exchange: you choose ingredients at a real market, work in a historic château kitchen, and eat at the family table with someone who lives the region’s culinary rhythms. For visitors staying in nearby Chinon or Saumur, it’s an accessible half-day immersion that pairs food, wine, and place. Whether you want practical recipes to recreate at home, tasting notes on Loire wines, or a memorable meal in an authentic château, French Market & Cooking with the Count delivers a direct, sensory connection to Centre-Val de Loire life. The meeting point is Château du Petit Thouars; plan to arrive a few minutes early to meet the Count and gather at the château entrance. Expect hands-on stations that accommodate beginners; the pace is relaxed and conversational. Bring any dietary notes on the booking form, and plan onward travel with local buses limited—car or taxi from nearby towns is the most reliable option. Photographers will find warm interior light.

About Château du Petit Thouars

Château du Petit Thouars is a family-owned historic château and working estate located in Saint-Germain-sur-Vienne in the Centre-Val de Loire. The property produces estate wines and offers guided vineyard and cellar experiences that introduce visitors to Loire Valley winemaking traditions. Tours include walks through lush vineyards, visits to a troglodyte cellar, and full tastings of château wines in period rooms and outdoor settings on the estate grounds.

Visits are led by members of the family, including Count Sébastien on select experiences, who share hands-on insights into grape growing, cellar techniques, and local culinary traditions. Château du Petit Thouars presents a range of public and private formats suited to couples, small groups, and larger parties, with tailored options such as picnic lunches among the vines, market-to-table cooking sessions, and multi-wine tastings.

The château emphasizes authentic, approachable hospitality: experiences focus on terroir-driven wines, seasonal local produce, and slow-paced exploration of vineyard landscapes. Accessibility considerations and group-size limits maintain an intimate atmosphere on small-group tours, while larger-group picnic editions accommodate ten or more guests.

Visitors can expect factual, experience-based interpretation, guided tastings of estate wines, and opportunities to sample Loire Valley flavors in historically significant spaces. Château du Petit Thouars combines tangible wine education with leisurely enjoyment of the French countryside, making it a trustworthy choice for travelers seeking genuine Loire Valley wine experiences. Booking options include private guided tours, small-group schedules, and larger picnic editions; advance reservations are recommended to secure specific dates and tailored menus for groups, events, and culinary workshops.