From September 26th to October 2nd, 2027

Loire Valley - France

------ Photography, Wine & Gastronomy Tour ------

Photography Workshop in the Loire Valley in France

Discover one of France's most elegant and culturally rich regions through a unique photography journey combining spectacular landscapes, historic castles, exceptional wines and refined gastronomy.

A different type of Photography Workshop

This Loire Valley Photography Tour has been designed for photographers looking to experience much more than iconic viewpoints. Throughout the week, we will explore some of the Loire Valley's most beautiful châteaux during the finest light of the day, while enjoying exclusive visits to local renowned wine cellars, carefully selected wine tastings and authentic gastronomic experiences.

Whether you wish to improve your landscape photography, discover the cultural heritage of the Loire Valley or simply enjoy a week dedicated to fine photography, exceptional wines and French gastronomy, this immersive photography tour offers the perfect balance between learning, discovery and relaxation.

Itinerary*

The 2027 Loire Valley Photography & Gastronomy tour is suited for anyone who wants to discover a unique region in France through his/her lens and through its culinary traditions. This tour is concentrated around Photography, Gastronomy and Wine with the discovery of one of France's richest patrimony. Between tradition, modernity and discovery, this Loire Valley Photo tour will be one of the best way to discover in depth one of France's richest region. Let your palate enjoy an incredible Saumur Champigny, your taste buds appreciate an exquisite meal and your eyes and camera capture unique and incredible architecture along the Loire Valley. Our group will move around the various places in a 9-seater van.

*Please note that the daily description of the tour can be adjusted according to weather forecasts or visits' openings.

Day 1 – Welcome to the Loire Valley

After meeting in Tours, we will drive together towards the beautiful town of Saumur, where our adventure begins. Following lunch and hotel check-in, we will enjoy a relaxed introduction to the tour, discuss the week's objectives and review everyone's photographic equipment and expectations.

As the evening light softens, we will head to our first photography location to capture the peaceful atmosphere of the Loire Valley at sunset before sharing our first dinner together in a carefully selected restaurant renowned for showcasing the region's culinary traditions.

Day 2 – Châteaux, Abbeys and Loire Valley Wines

Our first sunrise takes place overlooking the magnificent Château de Saumur, beautifully illuminated by the early morning light. After breakfast, we will enjoy an exclusive guided visit to the historic Ackerman wine cellars, learning about the production of the Loire Valley's famous sparkling wines while tasting several carefully selected cuvées.

The afternoon is dedicated to discovering the impressive Royal Abbey of Fontevraud, one of the largest monastic complexes in Europe, before photographing the elegant Château de Montsoreau as the warm evening light reflects across the Loire River. We will conclude the day with dinner in a carefully selected local restaurant.

Day 3 – The Loire River, Vineyards and Gastronomy

We begin the day photographing the peaceful banks of the Loire River at sunrise before returning for breakfast and an image review session, allowing everyone to discuss compositions and receive personalised feedback.

Later, we travel towards Blois while stopping at several remarkable locations, including the fascinating Château de la Mothe-Chandeniers (subject to access conditions) and the medieval village of Montsoreau. The day concludes with a sunset overlooking the vineyards around Chinon or the Loire Valley, depending on conditions.

This evening is one of the culinary highlights of the tour, with a refined gastronomic dinner accompanied by carefully paired Loire Valley wines, offering a memorable introduction to the region's exceptional food and wine culture.

Day 4 – Floating Above the Loire Valley

Weather permitting, the day begins with an unforgettable sunrise hot air balloon flight over the Loire Valley, offering spectacular aerial views of vineyards, castles and the winding Loire River.

After breakfast, we return to the hotel for a photography review session before exploring one of the region's historic wine cellars and enjoying another tasting of local wines. As the day draws to a close, we photograph the beautiful Château de Chenonceau, whose graceful arches span the River Cher, creating one of the Loire Valley's most iconic sunset scenes.

Day 5 – Renaissance Heritage

Following breakfast, we visit the Royal Château of Amboise, one of France's most significant Renaissance landmarks, offering both remarkable architecture and panoramic views over the Loire Valley.

During the afternoon, we continue our exploration with another visit to one of the region's renowned wine estates or enjoy a dedicated post-processing session, depending on the weather and group preferences. The day ends with sunset around the magnificent Château de Sully, another jewel of the Loire Valley.

Day 6 – The Majesty of Chambord

Our final full day is dedicated to the extraordinary Château de Chambord, the largest and most iconic castle in the Loire Valley. We will explore both its remarkable Renaissance architecture and the surrounding estate while discussing composition techniques for architectural and landscape photography.

In the evening, weather permitting, we enjoy one final unforgettable experience with a hot air balloon flight at sunset above Chambord, providing a breathtaking conclusion to our Loire Valley Photography Tour. We celebrate the week together over a final dinner in a carefully selected restaurant highlighting the finest regional gastronomy.

Day 7 – Back to Reality

This will be the last day of this Tenerife guided photography tour. Depending on the participants' flying time, and the level of tiredness that day, we will either head for sunrise or drive directly towards The Airport in Tenerife from our hotel. As for the way in, I will be driving you to either the North or South Airport. No matter where I drop you, it will be time to leave each other after a warm goodbye and hopefully some great memories.

Breakfast: at our hotel after our morning session

Additional Information

Itinerary*

*Please note that the daily description of the tour can be adjusted according to weather forecasts or visits' openings.

Day 1 – Welcome to the Loire Valley

Day 2 – Châteaux, Abbeys and Loire Valley Wines

Day 3 – The Loire River, Vineyards and Gastronomy

Day 4 – Floating Above the Loire Valley

Weather permitting, the day begins with an unforgettable sunrise hot air balloon flight over the Loire Valley, offering spectacular aerial views of vineyards, castles and the winding Loire River.

loire valley castles photography workshop 2027

Day 5 – Renaissance Heritage

Following breakfast, we visit the Royal Château of Amboise, one of France's most significant Renaissance landmarks, offering both remarkable architecture and panoramic views over the Loire Valley.

Day 6 – The Majesty of Chambord

Day 7 – Back to Reality

Breakfast: at our hotel after our morning session

Accommodations

On this France Photography Tour in the beautiful Loire Valley, we will be enjoying peaceful lord-like accommodations. These exclusive locations will not only provide a lavish stay but also transport you to dreamy destinations that embody the essence of French tradition. Imagine waking up facing the Loire River or facing a French Garden, where every corner whispers tales of history and elegance. As you explore these captivating settings, you'll truly immerse yourself in the rich culture and timeless beauty that "à la française" has to offer.

What to expect - Daily Organization

As a wine and food enthusiast, coming from a country known for its great gastronomy and wine, I always wanted to combine three of my favorite interests: Photography, Wine and Gastronomy. This tour represents that and is a signature tour for me as it is happening in my birth region, the Loire Valley.

This tour is not your usual photography tour, it is a one-week immersive journey through photography, wine and French gastronomy in the Loire Valley. In addition to Photography, you will have the opportunity to enjoy activities such as winery visits, wine tastings and oenology sessions and fine dining.

So what does it mean concretely?

Our days will be paced as any regular landscape photography tours with sunrises and sunsets photography sessions.
We will have photography review and post-processing sessions.
Most days will end with high-quality restaurants, including a welcome gastronomic dining experience.
One evening will include a wine tasting and gastro-pairing to taste the true gems and tastes of the Loire Valley region.
We will visit during the day two carefully chosen wineries, including one in Saumur and another one in Tours. These are picturesque and will allow for some great photographs. And obviously, they will involve some wine tasting.
We will have the opportunity to visit several castles, including the Chateau de Chambord and the Chateau de Chenonceau. We will also visit churches and an abbey, known for their beautiful architecture and history-rich past.
Last but not least, a sunrise hot air balloon flight above the Loire River and Saumur is included.

Each day will be dedicated to one, possibly two, visits in some cases. In September, the days are still long enough so that we can fit in enough rest time during the day.

Additional Information

Participating in this Tenerife photography workshop does not stop to your guide organizing your stay around the place, but also includes teaching of various photography techniques and knowledge.

Among these, the following techniques will be included either onsite or on your computer:

Planning and scouting
Gear choice
Focusing
Composition
Long exposure
Nightscape and Astrophotography
Exposure management
Focus stacking
Masking
and so much more.

Currency: the national currency of France is the Euro.
Means of payment: Paying by card in France is possible in nearly all locations. Contactless payments are usually allowed up to 40€. Having an international credit card such as Revolut can be helpful to limit fees and enjoy a decent exchange rate.
Electricity: Norway uses the Europlug (types C & E). An adaptor will be needed depending on which region your coming from in the world.
Internet: 4G and 5G are widely available in France, and our accommodation includes free wifi. If travelling from Europe, France is likely to be included in your data roaming. For people outside Europe, looking for a package with your operator can be handy if you truly need internet. In any case, the use of the smartphone during our photography sessions will be limited, as I will ensure to keep you busy taking pictures.
Tipping: tipping is not mandatory in France. It is obviously always appreciated, but it's mandatory.

As shown above, the accommodation for the 6 nights will be in 4* exclusive locations.
Every participant will have a single room with a double bed.
A partner or wife can join for a supplement of 1'990€, and will be able to participate to all activities and dinners but does not benefit from any of the photography-related tuitions. For that reason, sunrise sessions are excluded unless mandatory for logistics reasons (e.g. visit of the Chambord Castle or hot air balloon sunrise). Partners should be willing to join sunset sessions, as they often follow an afternoon visit and are followed by dinner straight from that session. The presence of partners does not include any photography-related tuitions.
If your partner or wife is also a photographer and wishes to join, please reach out to me to discuss the sleeping arrangement and cost for the additional photographer.
The three first nights will be spent in a castle close to Saumur and the three last nights in a castle close to Amboise.
There will be a gastronomic dinner during the week.
All other dinners will be fine dining or traditional upper-range dining restaurants in carefully selected restaurants.
Breakfasts will be eaten at our accommodation on most days.
Lunches are not included in the tour. We will avoid long sittings at lunchtime and rather enjoy some rest or photography-related discussions/sessions A maximum of about 25€ per person should be expected in case lunch is required. Since we will have breakfast/brunch post our sunrise session, an afternoon snack shall suffice until the evening.
During the whole trip, we will be transported in a 9 seaters van. Driving time each day will vary, but will rarely be more than one hour for one way. These drives will also include various stops.

1. Is this a typical photography tour?

No it isn't. This tour is designed for people who enjoy photography but also want to have an immersive experience in a country's culture and traditions. In this particular case, this translates into premium castle-like 4* accommodations, fine dining, wine cellar visits and wine tasting, castles and mediaeval cities visits and hot air balloon flight (yes the first one happened in Annonay in June 17th, 1783).

2. What weather should I expect in September in France?

Weather in September in France is generally still enjoyable, around 20°C (68°F). Their might be some rainy days and depending on the summer, the fall season can be more or less advanced with some trees and wineyeard already turning orange. Light conditions can be quite spectacular.

3. Do I need a visa to enter France?

No visa are required for citizens from the Schengen area, Switzerland and the UK. If Coming from outside Europe, you will need to go through the EES system (https://travel-europe.europa.eu/ees).

4. Can drones be used in the Loire Valley?

Yes, they can be, but above cities and in some areas they are either forbidden or restricted. Registering your drone upon entry if heavier than 250gr might be necessary. Feel free to take a look at the current and official law in place (https://www.service-public.gouv.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F34630?lang=en)

5. I am a novice or enthusiast photographer, will I get some support?

Don't worry, this tour is suited for all levels. My goal as photographer is making sure that you can bring amazing pictures to show your friends/family and of course decorate your home. You will therefore get support and advices based on my experience.

Your Guide

Hi there, I am Rémi Bergougnoux, a French landscape photographer with extensive knowledge over various topics in landscape photography.
A few years back, I let behind my 9 to 5 corporate job to fully dedicate myself to photography. This journey started with a year in Latin America, and while being back in Europe, I decided to bring my photography to the next level, and take the chance to share my knowledge with other passionate photographer. That's when I started offering workshops backed by my knowledge of travelling, photography and desire to share my passion.
Besides workshops, I am also writing articles for magazines, writing photography guides, and creating YouTube video tutorials about landscape photography across Europe.
So, why the Loire Valley? Quite simply, because I was born in Saumur, right in the heart of it, surrounded by its castles and vineyards. For a long time, they were simply part of the landscape I grew up with. It was only later that I came to realise how remarkable this region truly is.
Growing up in one of France’s great wine regions also shaped my love for good wine, traditional food and the simple pleasure of sharing both around a table. Bringing all of this together — photography, landscapes, wine and gastronomy — felt like a natural experience to create and share with people who enjoy these things as much as I do.

Physical Level

Easy

Experience

All levels are welcome

Duration

7 days / 6 nights

Group Size

Up to 6 people for an individual experience

Minimum 3 participants.

Price

4'190 €

+200€ for a small group of 4 people

Each room is single with a double bed and can accommodate up to two people. During this tour, up to two additional people, a partner or wife, for example, could join as non-photographers for a supplement of 1'990€.

If your partner is a photographer and you wish to share a room, please reach out to me to discuss the sleeping arrangement and cost for the second participant.
More details in the Additional information --> Accommodation section above

Included

Photography and tour guide including coaching session on site
Private transportation in a van during the whole tour starting in the city of Tours
Small group of up to 6 photography participants for a personalized experience
Photography reviews and Post-processing teaching
Castle-like 4* Hotels with single-occupancy rooms
Sunrise Hot air balloon flight above the Loire River
1 Gastronomic diner
1 wine tasting diner
Fine dining every evening in a carefully selected restaurant (excluding wine)
All entry tickets to castles, churches, abbey
Wine cellar visits including wine tastings
Buffet breakfasts at our accommodation or local breakfasts at bakeries or cafés

Excluded

International flights and transportation to the city of Tours or Saumur
Travel & cancellation insurance (highly recommended)
Lunches
Soft and Alcoholic beverages besides water, unless specified
Snacks between meals
Photography and clothing equipment

Workshop price and payment conditions

In case the group is small, with only 4 participants, there will be a supplement of 300€. the following supplement will be necessary to guarantee departure:
Upon registration to the workshop, a full list of recommended gear and clothing will be provided to ease the participant's organization.
Payment conditions:
- 30% deposit at time of booking
- Final payment up to 60 days before the start of the tour
- Payment in full also possible at time of booking
Cancellation policy and cost:
- >90 days prior to departure: full refund of deposit
- 90 to 60 days prior to departure: 30% of the tour price
- 60 to 30 days prior to departure: 50% of the tour price
- < 30 days prior to departure: 100% of the tour price
Payment methods
- Payment links from Stripe will be received alongside the registration documents
Terms and Conditions apply (received alongside the registration form).