Loire Roman Trail
The Loire Valley was Roman Gaul's garden, supplying wine to legions across the empire.
Chapter 2 of Roman Wine Odyssey · France
The stops
- Tour · Price: moderate Tours - Roman Caesarodunum & Loire Wine Hub Roman Caesarodunum was the Loire Valley's wine capital. The amphitheater ruins lie beneath medieval streets. Today Tours is still the gateway to Loire wines - Vouvray, Chinon, Bourgueil. Romans planted the first vines on these limestone slopes 2,000 years ago.
- Tasting · Price: moderate Vouvray Chenin Blanc in Roman Caves Vouvray's limestone cliffs are honeycombed with Roman-carved caves (tuffeau). Chenin Blanc has grown here since at least the 4th century. Taste bone-dry to lusciously sweet wines in candlelit cellars where Romans quarried stone 2,000 years ago.
- Adventure · Price: moderate Chinon - Fortress & Cabernet Franc Medieval fortress towers over the Vienne River and Cabernet Franc vines Romans first planted. Chinon was where Joan of Arc met the Dauphin, but wine culture here predates the Middle Ages by 1,000 years. Taste peppery reds in tuffeau caves.
- Tasting · Price: moderate Bourgueil & Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil North bank of the Loire produces Cabernet Franc with distinct character from Chinon. Gravel terraces (like Bordeaux) versus limestone slopes create two styles. Romans recognized both terroirs. Taste at small family estates in medieval villages.
- Tour · Price: moderate Saumur Underground Tuffeau City Beneath Saumur lies a second city carved from tuffeau limestone - Roman quarries expanded over 2,000 years. Some galleries extend 40 meters underground. Now these caves age sparkling wine (Saumur Mousseux) and host wine museums.
- Adventure · Price: moderate Angers - Black Slate & Roman Walls Angers' imposing fortress has 17 towers and was built on Roman foundations. The city guards the entrance to Savennières and Coteaux du Layon - white wines from slate and schist soils the Romans mined. End your Loire adventure where Romans began their conquest of the valley.
The story
This trail follows the river through Tours (Caesarodunum), exploring Roman remains and the diverse wines from Vouvray to Sancerre.
Plan the trip
Insider tip Stay in a troglodyte cave dwelling — carved into the same tufa stone Romans quarried for their buildings.
Getting there and around
- Car required
- Yes
- Parking
- Easy parking at wineries
- Nearest airport
- Paris (CDG or ORY) - 2 hr drive or train
- Drinking and driving
- Loire wines are food-friendly — taste with lunch
Where to stay
- Base yourself in
- Tours or château B&B
- Nightly range
- €80-250/night
What it costs
- Includes
- 3-4 nights, tastings, château visits, meals
- Per person
- €500-900