The Loire Valley has long been the heartland of French aristocratic life — a sweeping corridor of river, vineyard, and stone that stretches from the Atlantic coast toward the very heart of the country. For centuries its châteaux served as the summer retreats of French royalty, and today the finest of them remain available exclusively to those who know where to look.
Through our private relationships with estate managers, heritage foundations, and discrete ownership families, Élite Voyage is able to offer access to residences that never appear on the open market. These are not hotels wearing the costume of grandeur — these are living estates with centuries of provenance, staffed by teams who understand precisely what extraordinary hospitality means.
Château de la Bourdaisière
Set among the rolling hills between Amboise and Tours, La Bourdaisière was once home to two queens of France. The estate spans over 200 hectares of parkland, formal gardens, and working kitchen gardens that supply the château kitchens with an extraordinary range of heritage tomato varieties — over 650 at last count. Private guests enjoy exclusive use of the principal rooms, a dedicated butler, and access to the private wine cellar stocked with Loire Valley vintages rarely seen outside the region.
Château du Rivau
One of the most beautifully restored medieval fortresses in France, Rivau occupies a position of quiet drama on the edge of the Chinon forest. The interiors are a remarkable marriage of 15th-century architecture and contemporary art — the owners have commissioned site-specific works that respond to the castle's storied past without diminishing its authenticity. For those who wish to experience Loire Valley history at its most visceral, Rivau is without equal.
Arranging Your Stay
Access to these properties is arranged exclusively through Élite Voyage. We handle every detail — from private transfers from Paris or direct from the airport, to bespoke dining experiences with the estate's own sommelier. Each stay is composed around your particular interests, whether that is viticulture, equestrian pursuits, art, or simply the profound pleasure of doing nothing at all in surroundings of incomparable beauty.
We invite you to speak with your dedicated travel specialist about availability and arrangements.