Châteaux

Yes, we have plenty of châteaux (after all, the area is famous for them).  These days, a visit to a chateau isn't just for history and architecture; many have great interactive displays, activities or play areas to interest all ages. A few of the chateaux within easy reach of our base are Saumur, perched on the hillside overlooking the river, Chinon, where Joan of Arc persuaded the Dauphin to rise up against the English army, Rigny Ussé, inspiration for the Sleeping Beauty story,  and Montsoreau, with its excellent displays explaining the importance of the river to the area.   Other chateaux worth a look include Langeais,  Gizeux,  Villandry, Azay le Rideau, Rivau and Brézé.     

Other places of interest

There are plenty of other interesting sights besides chateaux.  These include the Abbey at Fontevraud, where Richard the Lionheart is buried, you could take a restful boat ride along the river in a traditional flat-bottomed boat, visit the fascinating miniature village at Saumur, which re-creates many local landmarks in tuffeau stone,  or learn more about rural life in the past at the Ecomusée near Chinon.  Other possible visits are the troglodyte village at Azay le Rideau, an excellent zoo at Doué La Fontaine, the tank museum in Saumur, the Abbey at Bourgueil, a wine museum in Chinon, the Maison de la Rivière in Chouzé sur Loire, the Rabelais museum just outside Chinon and the village of Villaines les Rochers, famous for its wickerwork industry.

Gastronomy

After the chateaux, probably the area's most famous "draw" is the wine.  From St Nicolas de Bourgueil, no visit is without at least part of the day spent passing through the vines.  This also means plenty of opportunities to visit local wine-producers.  We can point out our favourites  - Bourgueil,  Chinon, Saumur Champigny and sparking Saumur -  or leave you to search out your own.  If wine isn't your thing (or even if it is!) there are plenty of other opportunities to sample local specialties,  including goats cheese at La Roche Clermault,  poire tapées (oven-dried pears) near Azay le Rideau, a mushroom producer at Montsoreau, Combier liqueur production in Saumur, and fouées (a delicious flat bread filled with a variety of goodies).  

Sporting Activities

You might want to try out some sporting activities during your stay.  If so, we have plenty of choice from the relatively gentle to the most extreme.  As a few examples,  we can arrange for you to canoe along the Vienne or Indre rivers,  enjoy a horse ride through the local countryside, go swimming in a local pool, lake or river, or get the adreneline really flowing at a forest adventure park.    Other options include hiking, ice skating, crazy golf, disc golf, quad biking and microlite flights.  

Fairs, Festivals and Markets

As well as the excellent weekly markets in most towns and villages, there are plenty of annual fairs and festivals throughout the area.  If your holiday coincides with one, or more, of these, we will of course let you know and try to arrange for you to experience these as part of your holiday.  Well worth a visit are the gourmet night markets, wine fairs, special events at the chateaux and  medieval fairs.