Going Underground in Saumur Champigny

Micaela Frow • 10 April 2018
loire wine tours


On the surface you will find 'demeures de caractère et de maisons de vignerons' beautiful houses of characters and winemakers houses but this weekend we were more interested in going underground with our wine tour group.

wine break from paris to loire
loire bud burst

We witnessed the first signs of bud burst today whilst out and about in the Saumur Champigny vineyards. Now we have our fingers crossed that there is no frost or hail during this delicate stage of the vines growth. The last 2 years have been difficult in certain parts of the Loire Valley due to frost damaged vines and hail. The buds start with a wooly bud of 'coton' and now the buds or 'bourgeons' as they are called in French are starting to open. The vines are coming out of their dormancy period and the new years growth is about to start for 2018.

Loire Valley Markets

Brocante Weekends in the Loire Valley

by Micaela Frow • 24 May 2021
Passionate about antiques and vintage items then a few days break away in the Loire Valley is the perfect escape for you? La Grande Maison d’Arthenay is your home for the weekend. It is charmingly decorated in a rustic chic style with items of brocante and antiques. Surrounded by vineyards with it’s own private walled gardens the house offers comfortably appointed bedrooms. Brocantes each Sunday in Montreuil Bellay, Montsoreau, Chinon or Saumur on a monthly cycle
Museum of Modern Art in Fontevraud

Le Musée d'Art Moderne - Fontevraud

by Micaela Frow • 20 May 2021
The new modern art museum and gallery in Fontevraud - Pays de la Loire
Wine Art

Winocuts - Wine Art for Christmas

by Micaela Frow • 1 November 2020
Christmas Cards in Packs of Six Hand Printed and Signed by the Artist
Ebike Wine Tour

Wine Touring by Ebike in times of COVID19

by Micaela Frow • 21 July 2020
Loire Wine Tour by Electric Bike
WIne art

Winocuts, Holiday Postponements & COVID19

by Micaela Frow • 3 April 2020
Life under lockdown at La Grande Maison.
Mon Voyage Sur la Loire

Mon Voyage Sur La Loire

by Catherine Taralon • 15 February 2020
Loire Valley Magazine Guide to the Loire Valley around Saumur from Montsoreau to Le Thoureil via La Grande Maison d'Arthenay
Cycling wine tours

Loire Wine Tour by Electric Bike from La Grande Maison

by La Grande Maison d'Arthenay • 7 February 2020
Looking for an eco friendly holiday that is fun and adventurous. Jump on our Radrunner Cargo EBike and we'll take you through the vineyards to taste wine in the local organic vineyards around Saumur Le Puy Notre Dame. As featured in The Guardian and The Observer
Organic vineeyards

Herbicide Ban in the Vines of Anjou Saumur!

by Micaela Frow • 1 November 2019
One step closer to total organic production in the Anjou Saumur vineyards
Loire Valley Magazine

Loire Vallée Magazine

by Micaela Frow • 11 May 2018
The release of an annual magazine celebrating all that is special about the Loire Valley. Places to stay, eat, wine taste and visit including Bouvet Ladubay, Villandry, Chaumont and Fontevraud Abbey
Meet Micaela and Sue

Meet the Owners of La Grande Maison

by Micaela A Frow • 30 April 2018
David Matthews of the travel website Further Afield talks to Micaela and Sue of La Grande Maison and La Petite Maison and asks "how did you end up living in France?"