In Indre-et-Loire, on the route to the Loire castles, the brunch trend is well established. This meal, halfway between breakfast and lunch, is now a must on Sundays. At Château de Rochecotte, a restaurant in Indre-et-Loire, between Tours and Saumur, brunch has become the gourmet event that attracts Tourangeaux and tourists in search of authenticity.
Where does brunch come from?
Although the word“brunch” is now part of our everyday vocabulary, few people know its true origins. This contraction of “breakfast” and “lunch” originated in Great Britain at the end of the 19th century. At the time, it was the meal of British hunters who, after a long morning in the wilderness, gathered around a generous table: eggs, smoked brisket, roast beef, cheese and bread.
After the Second World War, the phenomenon exploded: churches emptied on Sundays, restaurants and hotels filled up. Brunch became a veritable social phenomenon. It wasn’t until the 1980s that brunch arrived in France, where it gradually established itself as the Sunday ritual par excellence.
Why is brunch so popular?
Today, brunch is much more than just a meal. It’s become a social moment, a break from the hectic pace of the week. Brunch is the perfect answer: it’s
In today’s fast-paced world, where meals are often rushed, brunch offers a welcome interlude. You meet up with friends or family, chat, munch and come back for more. This flexibility is particularly appealing: sweet and savoury coexist on the same table, and each person composes his or her plate according to the mood of the moment.
The extended opening hours (generally between 11am and 3pm) mean that late risers don’t have to miss their meal. We often start with pastries and a hot drink, pause for a chat, then come back for the savoury. It’s an act of resistance against the rush, a way of reconnecting with the simple pleasures of eating well.
Bruncher in Indre-et-Loire for a gourmet end to the weekend
Every Sunday, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Château de Rochecotte, near Tours and Saumur , opens its doors for an upscale brunch now renowned throughout Touraine. In the elegant setting of our 18th-century château, surrounded by verdant parkland, the meal takes on the air of an event. There’s no standard buffet here: chefs Emmanuelle Pasquier and Franck Joly have designed an experience that combines a generous buffet with high gastronomic standards.
Between Tours and Saumur, the art of brunch on the châteaux route
At Château de Rochecotte, this philosophy finds its most accomplished expression. A blend of historical heritage, gastronomic excellence and the art of entertaining, brunch becomes more than a meal: it’s an experience to be lived, a memory to be created. For Tourangeaux in search of a great escape, or for visitors passing through on their way to the châteaux of the Loire, brunch is the Sunday rendezvous not to be missed. A relaxed, gourmet way to round off the weekend.
Homemade sweet and savoury buffet: a chef’s brunch
The secret of a successful French brunch? It lies in the subtle balance between generosity and refinement, in products that tell a story, in the art of taking one’s time. At Rochecotte, we’ve found the recipe.
On the sweet side, you’ll find the brunch staples: fluffy pancakes, fresh seasonal fruit, creamy yoghurts and crunchy granola. But also the more daring creations of the chef, who revisits the classics with creativity. Each dessert is designed to offer a perfect balance of flavors, in carefully crafted presentations that will delight photo enthusiasts.
For savory dishes, Emmanuelle Pasquier orchestrates the menu. Among the musts are eggs in all their forms: scrambled, poached, soft-boiled, accompanied by crispy bacon or smoked salmon. A fine selection of local cheeses, fine charcuterie and fresh salads complete the picture.
As for beverages, the offer is generous and carefully selected: full-bodied coffees with intense aromas, fine teas with delicate notes, freshly squeezed fruit juices bursting with vitamins and thirst-quenching homemade lemonades . The perfect accompaniment to any brunch moment.
The spirit of the place makes the difference
What sets the Château de Rochecotte brunch apart is first and foremost its setting. Brunch in a château steeped in history, the former home of the Duchesse de Dino and the Prince de Talleyrand, is no ordinary experience. But it’s also the welcome offered by the Pasquier family, owners of the château since 1984, who perpetuate a sincere family hospitality.
Emmanuelle Pasquier joined the kitchens in 1988 after studying at a hotel management school. Working alongside Franck Joly, she has developed a refined cuisine that respects the terroir while daring to make daring combinations. “At the château, we want brunch to be a moment of sharing and pleasure,” she explains. “Each plate must tell something: the story of the products, the know-how of local artisans, and our passion for gastronomy.”
This philosophy can be felt in every detail: the quality of the products, the meticulous presentation, the attention paid to guests. Here, we take our time. Time to savor, time to chat, time to enjoy the surroundings. Brunch becomes what it should always be: a moment out of time.
A Sunday at Rochecotte, a royal brunch in a Touraine château
Have you tasted the magic of winter in Touraine, the season when everything slows down, when you need warmth and comfort? That time of year when a generous table, new flavors and the atmosphere of a château become exactly what you need on the road to the Loire Châteaux,
Your Sunday brunch awaits you, renewed throughout the season. Different. Comforting. A gourmet stopover in Indre-et-Loire to warm your heart and taste buds.
Practical info
Brunch at Château de Rochecotte in Indre-et-Loire: Sundays, 11am to 3pm.
Available dates: November 2025 | December 2025 | January 2026 | February 2026 | March 2026. Other dates will be proposed soon.
Price: €65 per person (buffet access, hot beverage and soft drink included)
Reservations by telephone on 02 47 96 16 16 or directly online.
Extend the weekend by booking a room at the château for a complete getaway in a 4-star hotel in Indre-et-Loire.
Getting there
Nestled in the heart of the Loire Valley, Château de Rochecotte is just 35 minutes from both Tours and Saumur. Twenty minutes from Azay-le-Rideau and Villandry. Our princely home is the ideal base from which to explore the finest jewels of the French Renaissance.
Chinon, Ussé, Amboise and many other UNESCO World Heritage treasures are waiting to be discovered. At the gateway to the Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil wine route, Rochecotte is the ideal starting point for a day out combining heritage and vineyards.
Free private parking is available for château guests and restaurant guests only.
From Paris or Bordeaux
Take the A10 towards Tours, then the A85 towards Saumur. Take exit 7 at Langeais, and let us guide you to us.
The restaurantin a few words…
- A wonderful location overlooking the Loire Valley.
- Located at the beginning of the vineyards of Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil.
- A place full of history, a chapel built in memory of Prince Talleyrand.
- Enjoy tea time on sunny days on the huge Italian terrace overlooking the valley and French garden.
- Outdoor heated pool open in summer.
- A 25-hectare park with walking streets and French gardens.
- A gastronomic restaurant with both classic and modern decor.
- An authentic gourmet restaurant, two chefs and their teams will satisfy your taste buds.
- We respect our products and focus on local, seasonal products.
- There are a number of salons available for hosting professional and private events.
- Certification of “Maître Restaurateurs“.
- Quality Tourism Certification.
- Reception PRM (persons with reduced mobility).
