Montlouis-sur-Loire

Like Vouvray—its sister town on the north side of the Loire—Montlouis is noted for its white wines. On Place Courtemanche the Cave Touristique will help you learn all about the fine vintages produced by the wine growers of Montlouis. On the eastern side of town is one of the most alluring châteaux of the region, La Bourdaisière. Although open to day-trippers for guided tours, this once-royal retreat and birthplace of noted 17th-century courtesan Gabrielle d'Estrées is today the enchanted hotel-domain of the Princes de Broglie.