The
Loire Valley
The Loire Valley is one of the most magnificent places to rest relax and explore. A short drive will take you to one of the many Chateaux that are part of the Loire. There are lovely Chateaux at Saumur Angers Montreuil-Bellay Brissac and Montgeoffroy to name just a few.
The Loire Valley has much to offer everyone it is ideal for walking enthusiasts as there are miles of riverbanks many forests and hillsides laced with vines. It is also a cyclists paradise with 375 miles of riverbank to pedal!
Loire cruises are a lovely way to see and enjoy France at a leisurely pace. If you feel more energetic, France also has some excellent golf courses fairly close by.
There are museums, markets, chateaux, cathedrals, and much more to entertain you...
Click here to see a map of the Loire
SAUMUR
Saumur is known for its Chateau and well restored buildings such as the Hotel de Ville ( Town Hall ) in which the façade holds an original ‘ Pierre de la Bastille - a stone taken from the Parisian prison which when stormed in 1789 started the French Revolution.
There are also many chic shops that sell stylish clothes and accessories as well as those that have a huge selection of wines and cheeses.
Saumur is quite simply horse crazy and is home to the Ecole Nationale d’ Equitation and the Cadre Noir, an exclusive team of riders whose horsemanship is renowned. Their displays are a spectacular combination of rider and horse achieving near perfection. Click here for a map of riding centres.
In central Saumur the Place de Bilange is a good place to have coffee in one of the many cafes before going on to shop and see the sights.
Tourist Office: Office de Tourisme de Saumur,
Place de la Bilange
Market Day: Saturday ( also a flower market
)
GENNES
Gennes is a lovely town that has retained a friendly feel. It has amenities such as Post Office café / bar small shops and tourist office with very helpful staff.
Gennes also has a few relics of Gallo Roman civilisation there is an amphitheatre hidden in the wood just south of the town which was officially rediscovered in 1847 but remained unexcavted until 1985.
Angers is considered to be a true Loire city and gateway to the Loire Valley and is the historic capital of Anjou. The huge Chateau constructed as a military fortification is where one of the finest tapestries ever woven, the Apocalypse Tapestry, is housed. Angers is a nice place to walk around and has many attractions there is interesting architecture museums gardens and plenty of places to eat and drink. Just outside Angers is the Cointreau factory and museum.
Tourist Office: Office du Tourisme, Place
Kennedy, Angers
Market Days: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday,
Friday
Doue
le Fontaine
Doue la Fontaine has a number of attractions of interest. The troglodyte sites of La Fosse de Forges, Maison Troglodytes, and Village Troglodytique de Rochmeinier are both worth visiting.
Doue is also famous for its Rose Festival which takes place each year. Les Chemins de la Rose is a huge expanse planted with a vast variety of rare and botanical blooms.
Tourist office: 30 Place du Champ Foire, Doue
la Fontaine
Market Day: Monday
Climate
France is on the western edge of Europe and has a varied but mainly temperate climate that can be divided into 3 climatic zones Atlantic Continental and Mediterranean.
Due to the climate the Loire valley is well known for its fine produce which include a variety of fruit vegetables and grapes so essential for winemaking.
