Festival weekend planner
Salon des Vins de Loire — a 3-day weekend in Loire Valley
9–11 February 2026. Angers, France. 60 min from the airport.
The weekend, day by day
- Day 1
Arrive in Angers
Land at Nantes Atlantique Airport (NTE), settle in and walk the old town in the afternoon. Light dinner near your accommodation — save your appetite for the festival day.
- Day 2
Salon des Vins de Loire
Festival day — arrive early to avoid the lunchtime crowd. Insider tip: Attend on the public final day but arrive 30 minutes before opening to secure tastings with top producers like Domaine Huet and Dagueneau before they run out. Bring a small backpack—many Loire producers will fill bottles directly if you ask, bypassing retail markup.
- Day 3
Wine country day in Loire Valley
Use the third day for a single winery visit (booked ahead) and a long lunch at one of the regional addresses below before heading home.
Where to stay
Three angles for the festival window. Festival hotels book out 6+ months in advance — apartments are the contingency when the main shortlist is sold out.
- Hotels in Angers
Live inventory around the festival window — 2 adults, all star ratings.
- 4–5 star options near Angers
Higher-end shortlist when you want the milestone weekend treatment.
- Apartments in Angers
Self-catering option — useful when festival hotels sell out 6+ months ahead.
Booking.com links — we may earn a commission. We never recommend hotels we wouldn't use ourselves.
One winery worth a detour
Domaine Huet
WTG pickWorld-class Chenin Blanc with no queues, no hype, just pure Loire magic in a village setting.
- Address
- 11 Rue de la Croix Buisée, 37210 Vouvray, France
- Appointment
- by-arrangement
- Tasting price
- EUR 10 · Tasting of 5 wines
- Website
- Visit
Where to eat
Les Caves de la Geille
€€Troglodyte cave restaurant serving fouées (Loire flatbreads) with rillettes and local cheese
Must try: Rillettes de Tours
More dining picks in Loire Valley →Practical
- Nearest airport
- Nantes Atlantique Airport (NTE)
- Mid-range daily budget
- ~€180/day for two
- Festival site
- Visit official site
Insider tip
Attend on the public final day but arrive 30 minutes before opening to secure tastings with top producers like Domaine Huet and Dagueneau before they run out. Bring a small backpack—many Loire producers will fill bottles directly if you ask, bypassing retail markup.
Want a longer trip than the festival weekend?
The milestone-trip planner builds a 3–10 day Loire Valley itinerary with accommodation, tours, and pacing options.
Plan a Loire Valley trip →