Timeless Terroir of Loire and Bordeaux: Châteaux, Vines, History, and Landscape
Overview
French Wine Country Photo Workshop, May 11-24, 2026
“The family of a dear childhood friend of mine owns a beautiful historic château in the Loire Valley – Château du Pin – that is particularly famous for its incredible gardens. It’s a long story best shared over a glass of good wine, but my friend’s grandfather left the estate to his several children from two different marriages, some of whom ended up in the USA and some of whom ended up in France. Anyway, for nearly four decades I had been hearing stories of “Le Pin,” as they often call it, from my friend and his family. When we started Visionary Wild in 2011, they suggested the château as a perfect photo workshop location, and I had to agree, but it never quite fit the schedule. While considering possible Visionary Wild trips for May 2026, it seemed to be a perfect fit, particularly adding a week based at another incredible chateau a little farther south in the Bordeaux region near Saint-Émilion. Both châteaux offer very comfortable en suite accommodations, modern amenities, and excellent catering. They will make fittingly splendid bases of operations for this photographic exploration of two of France’s finest wine regions.” -Justin Black, Visionary Wild
Itinerary
May 11: ARRIVAL DAY
Fly into Paris’s Charles de Gaulle airport, where you will be met by a chauffeur and transferred to Hotel Bel Ami. We will meet in the mid-afternoon for an introduction and orientation session, and go out for our first photo walk in the late afternoon before enjoying our first dinner together at a favorite local restaurant. (D)
May 12: HIGH-SPEED RAIL TO LOIRE VALLEY
After a leisurely breakfast at our hotel, we will be transferred to Montparnasse train station to settle into our first-class seats on the TGV high-speed train to Angers. There, we will meet our driver, who will drive us in our spacious 15-seat private Mercedes Sprinter van about a half an hour to Château de Pin, the first of two historic châteaux that will serve as our bases of operations. After checking in and enjoying lunch, we will familiarize ourselves with the chateau itself, the surrounding vineyards and gardens, and the adjacent private chapel, before making our first of many photographic excursions in the surrounding countryside overlooking the Loire River, followed by a fully catered dinner back at “Le Pin.” (B,L,D)
May 13-16: EXPLORING THE LOIRE VALLEY
Each morning we will meet for a continental breakfast, coffee, tea, etc., followed by our morning photo excursion, to take advantage of a wide away of photogenic subject matter in the region. We will have lunch at a local restaurant or bistro during our excursion. On days when we wake in time to photograph sunrise, we will generally return to the château for some downtime in the afternoon, but on days when we get a more leisurely start we will likely stay out all day, returning to the château for dinner. We will keep the schedule flexible to adapt to weather and other local conditions and opportunities. Activities other than photography itself will include a visits to local wine estates, medieval castles and quaint towns, colorful markets, and perhaps a boat excursion on the river. etc. A few days in, we will hold a group image review and critique review session at the château. There will also be some personal time for you to enjoy the property on your own, or visit town to do some shopping. (B,L,D)
MAY 17: DRIVE TO BORDEAUX
After our final breakfast at Le Pin, we say goodbye to my friends’ estate and drive south, about 4.5 hours from Loire Valley to Bordeaux. We will select a two or three worthwhile locations to visit along the way, and of course we will stop for a proper lunch en route. We will arrive in late afternoon at Château Le Petit Verdus, one of the most highly sought after accommodations in all of Bordeaux. Dinner will be served at Le Petit Verdus.
MAY 18-23: EXPLORING BORDEAUX. Each morning we will meet for breakfast in the château’s dining room, or outside if the weather is nice, followed by our morning photo excursion, to take advantage of a wide away of photogenic subject matter in the region. We will have lunch at a local restaurant, bistro, or wine estate during our excursion. On days when we wake in time to photograph sunrise, we will generally return to the château for some downtime in the afternoon, but on days when we get a more leisurely start we will likely stay out all day, returning to the château for dinner. We will keep the schedule flexible to adapt to weather and other local conditions and opportunities. Activities other than photography itself will include a visits to local wine estates, medieval castles and quaint towns, colorful markets, etc. We will hold a group image review and critique session at the château, as well as a final group show summing up our experiences and creative output during the trip. There will also be some personal time for you to enjoy the property on your own, or visit town to do some shopping. (B,L,D)
MAY 24: DEPARTURE DAY
We will enjoy a final breakfast at Le Petit Verdus, before being dropped off at the train station in Bordeaux to take the TGV to Charles De Gaulle Airport to say our good-byes and catch flights home.
Instructors
Justin Black
- JUSTIN BLACK is a photographer, writer, editor, expedition leader, photo workshops instructor, a Fellow of the International League of Conservation Writers (ILCW), a former executive director of the International ...
Julia Keil
- Born in Germany, raised internationally and currently based in Paris, France, Julia’s love for photography started with her curiosity and desire to connect to people, cultures and environments ...
Gallery
Pricing
Single-Occupancy En Suite
Double-Occupancy En Suite
PRICING AND OCCUPANCY
All prices are per person.
Please note that the rooms at Hotel Bel Ami have only one queen-sized bed. At Chateau du Pin, the Balcony Room, and Red Room both have queen beds and are particularly suitable for couples. For two individual travelers wishing to share accommodation at the double-occupancy rate, the Balcony Room and Tower Room can be booked as a shared suite (sharing bathroom). The Blue Room (queen bed) and the Louis XV Room (full bed) and are both en suite reserved for single-occupancy guests only.
PAYMENTS, CANCELLATIONS, AND REFUNDS
- 30% deposit due to confirm registration
- 30% payment due October 1, 2025
- 40% payment due January 2, 2026
Standard terms and conditions, including cancellation and refund policies apply.
Please review our terms and conditions even if you have participated in previous Visionary Wild trips so that you are aware of current policies.
INCLUDED:
- Accommodation for 13 nights
- All meals and beverages (including wine or beer with dinners), from dinner on May 11 to breakfast on May 24
- All in-tour photographic instruction, and at least two classroom/critique sessions
- Airport transfers on arrival and departure days and all group ground transportation throughout the workshop
- All group museum / historic site entrance, and VIP private tour/tasting fees
EXCLUDED:
- All international air travel and domestic transportation within your home country, any other travel services required to arrive at the tour commencement location along with all associated taxes, levies and insurances
- Immigration, duty, passport and visa fees where applicable
- Personal items including gifts or other purchases, any paid communications, hotel room service or minibar charges, etc.
- Travel insurance
- Optional activities not explicitly listed as included in the itinerary
Highlights
- Two of the world’s great wine regions, based out of classic, historic, and romantic French chateaux.
- Generous guiding and photographic instruction throughout by Justin Black and Julia Keil, focused on advancing participants’ photography, and making the most of the photographic raw material of these beautiful regions, connecting nostalgic history with the present day.
- Daily photo excursions to locations specifically selected with excellent photographic opportunities in mind.
- Using our private group Mercedes Sprinter van and chauffeur, we’ll have the flexibility to explore the Loire Valley and the Bordeaux region at an easy pace following routes that offer excellent opportunities.
- Privately guided tours of key sites, such as top-notch wine estates, medieval castles, etc.
- Emphasis on composition, creative vision, alternative techniques, and capturing the decisive moment
- Learn to work the scene through changing conditions and light
- Essentials of digital image development
- Two projected group critique sessions
- Limited to only six participants for maximum camaraderie and an easily manageable group size.
- Excellent accommodations and logistical support at Hotel Bel Ami (Paris), Chateau Du Pin (Loire), and Chateau Le Petit Verdus (Bordeaux).
- Amazing French cuisine, from classic to modern. All meals included, at our chateaux and local restaurants.
- Executive chauffeur airport greeting and transfer, Charles De Gaulle Airport (CDG) – Hotel Bel Ami (pickup from Orly airport or the train stations can be arranged as required).
Accommodations
Hotel Bel Ami – Paris: A modern 5-Star boutique hotel located in the Left Bank’s Saint-Germain-des-Prés district, within close walking distance of the river Seine, the Louvre, Île de la Cité, Luxembourg Gardens, the Musée de Orsay, the oldest standing church in Paris, a dizzying array of art galleries, and many other city center locations.
Chateau du Pin – Loire Valley: The architectural history spans many centuries, with the main wing built in the late 15th century, during the reign of King François Premier. The chapel and other additions were constructed in the 18th and 19th centuries. It is believed that the foundation of the central square tower dates back to the 12th century. In 1922, Gerard and Claudine Gignoux acquired the chateau and raised their family there. Gerard created the extraordinary topiary gardens and oversaw Le Pin’s farms and vineyards. Claudine, a skilled landscape painter, produced the fine murals for the chateau inspired by the local countryside. Le Pin consists of approximately 300 acres of farmland, woodlands with walking trails, vineyards, formal gardens, topiary, and a chapel. Le Pin is classified as a “Monument Historique” and the gardens have earned the “Des Jardins Remarquables” designation by the Ministère de la Culture et de la Communication.
Today, the children and grandchildren jointly own and manage the chateau, ensuring that others are able to enjoy the romance and magic of Le Pin, the Loire Valley, and the surrounding countryside.
Chateau du Pin makes a superb base for travelers visiting the Anjou region of the Loire Valley. Le Pin’s main wing can accommodate up to 16 guests. Visitors will enjoy spacious, light filled rooms with high ceilings. The house is furnished mixing eclectic antiques with modern comforts. It is the perfect setting for truly memorable special events.
The ground floor has a large entry hall, two living rooms, a large dining room, a kitchen and pantry, a secret library tower, and a playroom with a varied selection of books, jigsaw puzzles and games.
The first floor has seven bedrooms that vary in personality and size. Dream sweet dreams from the petite Tower or take in the romantic country charms of the antique toile adorning the walls of the Red and Blue Rooms. Visitors will enjoy spectacular views of the award-winning gardens and grounds. The four bedrooms available to guests booking this itinerary all offer en suite bathrooms, though other bedrooms have shared bathrooms.
Chateau Le Petit Verdus – Bordeaux: From the award-winning Mclean Meyer team comes a new opportunity for old-world romance. Breathtaking architecture and interiors await guests at Le Petit Verdu’s private château nestled among its own vines in one of the world’s most notable wine regions. From sunbathing at the pool or savoring a French picnic on the 52-acre grounds, to enjoying a private tennis or billiards match, each space offers a moment to find calm and escape distraction. The most centrally located château in Bordeaux, Le Petit Verdus is only 25 minutes from the culture of Bordeaux City, 25 minutes from the history of medieval hilltop town Saint-Émilion, and moments from world-leading wineries. The remastered estate boasts eight intimate suites for 16 guests, offering the most idyllic setting and favorable location to experience the best that France has to offer. The estate was recently named to National Geographic Traveller Magazine’s 2022 Luxury Collection.
AMENITIES
-
On-Site Pool, Tennis Court, Game Room, & Workout Room
-
Library, Reading Room & Wood-Burning Fireplaces
-
52-Acres of Vines, Lawn & Forest for Nature Walks & Jogs
-
Complimentary Daily Housekeeping, WiFi & Toiletries
-
On-Site Gourmet Food & Beverage Options
-
On-Site Sauna, Massage & Yoga Services (Extra)
-
Private Airport & Train Transfers
-
25 Minutes from Bordeaux City & Saint-Émilion
-
25 Minutes from Bordeaux Airport & Train Station
Travel
