Culinary Journey in Brittany, Loire Valley and Auvergne
Our gastronomic Snail Trail is an unhurried journey through some of the best Food regions of France, based in three unpretentious centres - Brittany, the Loire Valley and the Auvergne.
Our trail of discovery combines culture and gastronomy with ample free time to rest and recuperate, or make your own discoveries.
Brittany offers an outstanding setting for some wonderful walking; a rugged coastline swept by the rough Atlantic Ocean. Above the cliffs, massive granite headlands covered in heath extend back to sun-drenched forests and picturesque villages.
The spectacular coast, occasionally interrupted by long sandy beaches, rivers and hidden bays, surprises walkers time and time again. The movement of the huge tides provides a fascinating spectacle.
The fertile Loire Valley is rich, both in produce and in history and is home to some of the country's finest wines. During our time in the Loire Valley, we discover some of the area's glorious past.
We ramble through sleepy villages, towns and hamlets, often built on the sites of Gallo-Roman settlements. We walk through orchards and vineyards, past Roman remains and magnificent chateaux.
The Auvergne is one of the most remote districts in France. With its deep green valleys, tranquil streams and old grey stone houses, it has a rugged appearance and is a perfect place to absorb French rural life.
Our Hotels and Cuisine
Our hotel in Brittany is pleasantly located on a large white sandy beach just out of the little resort town of Morgat. The hotel was originally built at the turn of the 20th century by the "Peugeot" family as a diversification from their already brisk tyre manufacturing business.
In the Loire our family run hotel is located in Chenonceaux and not far from its famous castle. The hotel is made up of various buildings with gardens and a swimming pool. Our hotel restaurant takes pride in presenting a polished repertoire of traditional dishes.
Based in the medieval village of Salers, our comfortable and friendly family hotel offers guests a quiet garden to relax in, and a swimming pool. The dinners here are truly "Auvergnat".
Walking Tour Combination
Departure dates have been arranged to allow both the "A Culinary Snail Trail" and "Iceland Explorer" walks to be combined.
Wonderful way to see these three very different regions of France. Gilles was a super guide. Especially remarkable was his ability to adjust and customize the tour as needed on the spot. A really great tour! Highly recommended!" Karen from Hawaii, USA [2019]
We had a wonderful 2 weeks of walking through beautiful country. Our hotels were excellent food quite interesting and different. We must thank Gilles for looking after his Bambini. He did a wonderful job putting up with the senior citizens." Jack from Melbourne, VIC, Australia [2016]
Our Culinary Snail Trail walking holiday through Brittany, The Loire Valley and the Auvergne was one of the most rewarding holidays we have had in recent times. Walking along the scenic cliff tops in Brittany was exhilarating with views of the Atlantic on one side and green fields with distant villages and the occasional church spire on the other side of the track. Other features of these walks were the visits to small fishing villages and one lonely chapel set on a hillside and built by the local people in memory of those brave sailors who were lost at sea. The Loire Valley provided a complete contrast with its opulent chateaux were the rich and famous of a bygone era spent their holidays away from the busy cities. Each chatea had an interesting history. The Auvergne was our favourite area with its hills and valleys and lush green meadows. Walking over some of the hills and listening to the distant symphony of cow bells was magical. Our trip was made so enjoyable by our experienced and imaginative guide who planned comfortable walks to meet the needs of all members of the group and who took us on iexcursions to interesting places. We enjoyed the delicious regional cuisine and pleasant company. The Snail Trail met all our expectations and was thoroughly enjoyable and we thank Gilles for the care and attention to detail which made the journey so enjoyable. We look forward to another Walkabout Gourmet Adventures in the future." Heather and Peter from Melbourne, VIC, Australia [2016]
Very much enjoyed. A special thankyou to Gilles. Fabulous food and good accommodation. Loire valley not interesting. Had seen castles before and probably many people on your tours had also." Rena from Melbourne, VIC, Australia [2016]
A Culinary Snail Trail
