Solstice Foodie Retreat – Loire Valley, France at Château de Ternay

Solstice Foodie Retreat in the Loire Valley

Join Us in France

Spend six nights with Marnie and Patrick at Château de Ternay, a privately owned château set among vineyards, forests, and 111 acres of parkland. Lovingly cared for by the same French family since 1606, it’s a place to settle in and experience the warmth of a historic family home.

Our days will unfold around food, wine, and the pleasures of rural France. We’ll browse a lively farmers market, wander through villages, have dinner at a One Michelin Star restaurant, explore historic Chinon, and drink  local wines, have cocktails in the caves behind the Chateau Terney and see, experience and explore the real Loire Valley away from the crowds.

Meals & Cooking Classes

Food is at the heart of our time together. Our private chef will prepare seasonal French meals, paired with wines from across the Loire Valley. In hands-on classes, you’ll try your hand at French pastry and classic French Sauces.

Just up to 12 Guests

With only 12 guests and exclusive access to Château de Ternay, there’s room to slow down, share meals, and get to know the people and places around you. Take a look at the photo gallery below for a glimpse of where we’ll stay.

Retreat Dates
• May 17th-23rd 2027 ( Six Nights) Our only Loire Valley Retreat for 2027. 

Be sure to book soon as we will sell out.

What’s Included

• 6  nights of accommodations at Château de Ternay

• Daily breakfast

• Chef- Romain prepared lunches & dinners with wine pairings

• Evening cocktails

• Welcome  reception

• Guided excursions:

  • Farmers Market visit

  • Cooking class with market ingredients

  • Dinner at a one  Michelin star Restaurant

  • French pastry class at the château

  • Private tour of Château de Ternay

  • Visit to Fontevraud Abbey

  • Tour of Château de Chinon

  • Wine tasting at a local winery with troglodyte cave

  • Local wines included with lunches and dinners.

• Roundtrip group shuttle from Gare de Saumur

• All entry fees and local transport for scheduled activities

• Special surprises and thoughtful touches throughout

Room Options

• Tour Landry Room: 1 Queen, for 2 guests, terrace access and valley views, private bath

• Piolant Room: 1 Queen, for 2 guests, tower room with hydro-massage shower, valley views, private bath

• Arsac Room: 2 Twins, for 2 guests, park views, fireplace, private bath

• Tour Ronde: 1 Queen, for 2 guests, countryside views, fireplace, private bath

• Family Suite (Suite d'Avelon): 1 Queen + 2 Twins, for 4 guests, separate bedrooms, living room with fireplace, private bath

Sample Menu Highlights 

Starters:

• Asparagus with mousseline sauce

• Poached egg with mushrooms and forest emulsion

• Foie gras terrine with red wine shallot confit

Mains:

• Duck breast with carrot-orange purée

• Loire river fish with ratatouille

• Seven-hour lamb shoulder with Dauphinois gratin

Cheese Course:

• Sainte-Maure-de-Touraine mousse with roasted figs

Desserts:

• Vanilla millefeuille

• Choux with lemon cream

• Strawberries poached in red Chinon wine

Menus vary by season and availability.

Retreat Pricing

Early bird pricing ends October 31, 2026.

Double occupancy · Early bird
€6,500 for two guests
Approximately $7,395 USD

Double occupancy · Regular price
€7,000 for two guests
Approximately $7,964 USD

Family Suite · Four guests
€12,000 total · Approximately $13,652 USD
One queen bed and two twin beds that can be joined to make a queen. All four guests share one bathroom.

Single occupancy
€5,500 · Approximately $6250 USD

USD amounts are estimates based on the September 28, 2026 exchange rate of €1 = $1.1377. The amount charged in USD will depend on the exchange rate on your payment date.

Payment & Cancellation

A $750 nonrefundable deposit per person reserves your place. The remaining balance is due four months before the retreat begins.

We accept Zelle, checks in USD, and credit cards. Credit card payments have a 3% processing fee.

Cancellations within four months of the retreat are nonrefundable. If you cancel earlier and we fill your place from the waitlist, you’ll receive a 50% refund.

Questions or ready to book?
marnie@solsticesavorypies.com
+1-530-409-2097

Getting to Château de Ternay

By Train from Paris:

From CDG Airport:

• RER B train to Gare Montparnasse (~1 hr)

• TGV to Gare de Saumur (~2 hr 10 min)

From Orly Airport:

• Orlyval tram to Antony, then RER B to Gare Montparnasse (~45 min)

• TGV to Gare de Saumur (~2 hr 10 min)

Total travel time ~3–3.5 hrs | Cost: €45–€80
Purchase tickets at sncf-connect.com or thetrainline.com

By Car:

• From CDG: ~340 km / 3.5 hrs via A10 and D759

• From ORY: ~305 km / 3 hrs 15 min via A10 and D759

Free parking available onsite.

Château Address:
9 Rue du Château, 86120 Ternay, France

Located in Nouvelle-Aquitaine, near Saumur, Chinon, and Thouars—right in the heart of Loire Valley wine country.

Please Note:
Guests must be 16+ years. Some rooms require stair access. This is an active retreat with walking and uneven terrain. If you have mobility limitations, this may not be the best fit.

Use of Photography

Photos and video may be taken during the retreat and used for promotional purposes by Solstice Savory Pies and Solstice Foodie Retreats. By attending, you consent to being photographed unless otherwise requested in writing.

See the photo gallery below of Château de Ternay and the surrounding areas we'll explore during our time in the Loire Valley:

The Entrance of Chateau de Terney

The Great Kitchen at Chateau de Terney where we will have cooking classes.

The 111 acres of grounds surrounding Chateau De Terney ( your playground for the week)

The Inner Courtyard within the castle. We'll enjoy a dinner or two under the stars here.

The limestone caves at the base of Château de Ternay, originally quarried to build the château itself. You can explore some of the caves that still hold wine barrels from ages ago.

Peaceful views from the front of the property—perfect for unwinding with a glass of wine beneath the trees.

Exploring the château’s 111-acre grounds feels like stepping back in time—where King Henry IV once walked and truffles are still hunted today.

The Family Room is a two-bedroom suite that accommodates up to four guests. With its charming interiors and sunset views, it feels like stepping into a period film. perfect for 4 friends sharing two rooms!

Part of the Family Room Suite, this separate room has these two twin beds can be combined to create a spacious bed for a couple—flexible comfort for any stay.

The Room Tour Landry offers sweeping views of the valley, making it a serene and scenic retreat.

The Room d'Arsac features two double beds and overlooks the peaceful park and historic stables.

The Tour Ronde Room offers sweeping views of the château’s 111-acre park, blending comfort with timeless beauty.

Located on the first floor of one of the Château's towers, Room Piolant features a king-size bed and antique furnishings—inviting you to rediscover the charm of a bygone era.

Settle in with a good book or enjoy a game of cards in the cozy living room.

Take a refreshing swim, then wander through the limestone caves nestled beside the pool.

Entrance to the Family Room Suite

Enjoy Breakfast and dinner in one of the two dining rooms.

Birdseye views of the Chateau de Terney Estate and its woods.

Fresh spring flowers bloom beneath the castle walls and near the limestone caves, adding bursts of color to the historic landscape.

Limestone caves of the Loire Valley are now a part of people’s homes, wine storage, or even artisan workshops—blending history with everyday life.

Chateau de Terney seen from the front entrance of the estate.

Spring flowers from one of the many wineries in the Loire Valley.

Dining al fresco in Chinon a town we will visit during your stay, savoring local pâté and asparagus gazpacho, perfectly paired with crisp Chinon blanc

Wander through charming villages, sipping local wines and discovering hidden gems in art galleries along the way.

We’ll visit a local farmers market—because French farmers markets are truly among the best in the world, bursting with seasonal produce, artisan cheeses, and vibrant culture.

We’ll explore the limestone caves of the Loire Valley—once used as homes and still used today for storing wine. We’ll walk through a local vineyard to see how the grapes are grown and learn about Chinon Blanc and Cabernet Franc, the signature varietals of this historic wine region.

We’ll visit the medieval town of Chinon and its iconic château perched high above the village, offering sweeping views of the Vienne River. A private guide will lead us through its rich history, followed by a leisurely traditional lunch with local wine at a charming café in town.

We’ll take a guided tour of Château de Montreuil-Bellay, a magnificent medieval fortress with 15 towers and centuries of history—then enjoy a peaceful picnic on the château’s scenic grounds.

We’ll enjoy relaxed midday picnics with local wine throughout the retreat—perfect moments to slow down, savor the flavors of the region, and take in the beautiful surroundings.

We’re so excited to welcome you to the Loire Valley and can’t wait to share this unforgettable experience with you.

This retreat has been thoughtfully curated by Marnie Coots, founder of Solstice Savory Pies and the curator and guide behind Solstice Foodie Retreats. With a passion for food, storytelling, and meaningful travel, Marnie creates immersive, one-of-a-kind experiences that connect people to place through flavor, history, and beauty.

If you have any questions or want help deciding if this retreat is right for you, feel free to reach out directly:
marnie@solsticesavorypies.com | 530-409-2097