Grape Picking in the Loire Valley, 2012

Spend a day at a vineyard alongside a French wine maker and French wine professional. Try your hand at grape picking during the grape harvest, and follow the grapes on their journey to become the next Loire Valley vintage wines.

The day will traditionally start with a ‘vignerons breakfast’ before heading to the vines to embark upon a morning of grape picking. Beside the wine maker and wine professional the matinée will be spent in le chai observing the evolution of the grape harvest and the reception of the different cépages, grape varieties. As the progression from grape to juice unfolds Gérald will comprehensively explain each technical process and the machinery involved.

Following the morning activities will be a three course ‘gourmand lunch’ hosted by Gérald at Bistrot Les Tontons, Gérald’s wine bar located in the historical heart of Saumur. Freshly prepared seasonal French cuisine will be accompanied by wines selected to create an exciting food and wine pairing experience, un accord mets et vins.

Returning to the vineyard the afternoon will comprise of further observations in le chai, and a private wine tour of the Domaine will further enhance an understanding of wine creation. Concluding with a technical and extensive dégustation, wine tasting with Gérald, newly acquired knowledge will enable you to note the individual identities of each wine and distinguish the subtle differences between each vintage year.

Following your grape harvest experience we will keep you updated throughout the development of the wines to the day of bottling.

Festi Vini 2011 - Le Marché des Vins de Saumur

Festi Vini 2011 : 03-11 September was eight days of festivities, culture, fun runs, concerts with the principal event Le Marché des Vins being held on Sunday 04 September in Place de la République in Saumur.



Le Marché des Vins is one of my favourite events of the seasonal calander. A fabulous day out which caters for every family member.

Gérald, representing Domaine de la Paleine for his 6th year was one of the 60 Pays de Loire vineyards to be invited.

Glorious sunshine and high temperatures aided the days festivities, enjoyment of artisans goodies and vignerons wines.

















Having timed their return stays perfectly were our wonderful & fun loving clients, Lisa & John, Susan & Paul, both of whom we had had the great pleasure of welcoming to 'La Bellevue' last year.

















United in one great shared passion, the wines from Domaine de la Paleine ! Armed with their dégustation glasses un grand tour of le marché was in order before concluding at Géralds stand to sample the Domaines latest vintages.

Festi Vini 2012 :
dates to be confirmed

Introducing Biscotte...

I thought it time to introduce the fifth member of the Beaumont household courtesy of an adorable photo taken by Susan & Paul during their return stay to 'Annie's House'.

Welcome to Biscotte, our dear European Tigré who we collected from the SPA, La Société Protectrice des Animaux in Angers.

A curious little fellow with a loud motor, a sweet, sweet nature and who is always looking for a spare lap to curl up on which comes with plenty of tickles in tow.

Needless to say Biscotte is a much treasured member of our family household, in particular with Constance who at 2 years old has made herself in charge of Biscottes welfare, mainly his food and water (under Mummys supervision).

Albeit we are presently unable to have more pets we continue to be active members of La Société Protectrice des Animaux supporting the excellent work they do.

'La Bellevue', Pouançay

Never did I anticipate running our holiday cottages 'Annie's House' & 'La Grange d'Henri' would it bring me so much joy.

Many of our guests arrive as unexpectant holiday makers to the Loire Valley and leave as friends.

And even more touching are the 'reminders' our guests have taken personal time to create giving us wonderful keep sakes to fondly reminise over.

In April, earlier this year, we welcomed Nathalie & Ross to 'La Bellevue'. Albeit we have had a vast number of keen cyclists, for sheer endurance and the vast distances covered Nathalie & Ross impressed us beyond belief and have pushed the distance boundaries of where I advise one to go just from our village, Pouançay!!

















This week I received Nathalies fabulous sketch of 'La Bellevue' capturing 'Annie's House', 'La Grange d'Henri', the main house and the entrance to our troglodyte caves... now I can't wait to get it framed for ALL to see - thank you so much and needless to say Gérald and I are looking forward to welcoming you both back to 'La Bellevue'.

Where to eat in Saumur?

To whet the appetite here is a segment of our menu and options available. Prices start at 5€ rising to 17,50€.

















Nos Viandes
Entrecôte 250gr poêlé, frites maison et salade
Large entrecote steak served with fresh homemade chips & salad

Bavette grillé à l’échalote 250 gr, frites maison et salade
Bavette steak served with fresh homemade chips & salad

Nos Salades
Salade 'Les Tontons au Sud-Ouest'
Salade, magret de canard fumé, toast de foie gras, gésier
Salad, smoked duck, gésiers & foie gras served on toast

Salade 'Les Tontons à la Pêche'
Salade, saumon fumé, crevettes, terrine d’alose sauvage à l’oseille, terrine de sandre au thym terrine d’écrevisses
Salad of smoked salmon, fresh prawns & rillettes of fish

Nos Planches
La P’tite Planche Apéro
Saucisson, jambon de porc noir de Bigorre, comté
A little plate of saucisson, cured ham from Bigorre & cheese

Le Pot de Rillettes pour 2
Rillettes de canard cornichons et croutons grillés ou rillettes de sandre aux graines de sésame, citron et croutons grillés
Choose between duck or sandre rillettes served with garnish & croutons

La Planche de Fromage
Assortiment de fromages – voir notre ardoise
A selection of cheeses – view our slate board

Le Menu du Marché

Le plat du Jour
Dish of the day

Formule Entrée+Plat
Starter + main course

Formule Plat+Dessert
Main course + pudding

Entrée+Plat+Dessert+(verre de vin offert 10cl)
Starter + main course + pudding or ice cream glass of wine offered

Our produce is sourced daily and seasonally dictated and on occasion our menu is subject to change.

Bistrot Les Tontons - wine bar in the pretty square of Place Saint Pierre, Saumur

Located in the heart of Saumur in Place Saint Pierre, close to the Château de Saumur, is our wine bar Bistrot Les Tontons where Gérald unites his two greatest passions, 'food and wine'.




















Wine is of primary importance and extraordinary wines from the Loire Valley and throughout France can be sampled, taken away or enjoyed in the stylish yet informal surround of the wine bar.

Simple eats. Lunch and dinner of 1-3 courses. Saviour traditional homecooked French cuisine served with a twist and ensure to try our frites maison, homemade and prepared by hand they will remind you of the chips your Grandmother made.

You may like to read our clients generous reviews left on TripAdvisor.

One Day Wine Tour from Paris, visit the Loire Valley

Staying in Paris? Why not consider visiting the beautiful wine producing region of the Loire Valley.

Easily accessible by TGV train enjoy a 1 Day Wine Tour from Paris in Saumur.

In the company of Gérald, a bilingual French wine professional sample some of the finest examples of wine produced in the Loire Valley while visiting a highly referenced Domaine close to Saumur.

After a full morning of wine tasting and discovering what life for a vigneron involves lunch follows as un accords mets et vins, a 3 course 'food & wine pairing' lunch hosted by Gérald at Bistrot Les Tontons, our wine bar set in the heart of Saumur in the pretty square of Place Saint Pierre.

Transport is included.

For further information about the day wine tour 'click here - 1 Day Wine Tour from Paris' or contact Sarah-Jane at: info@domainedelabellevue.com.

Awarded 'Certificate of Excellence 2011' by TripAdvisor.