Loire Valley - July/August

[Rosscow]

Morning travellers!

We are taking the caravan to the Loire Valley this year, staying here:

http://www.camping-castels.co.uk/camping-domaine-d...

It's our first time to the Loire so any tips on places to visit, things to see etc. would be greatly received. We'll be taking the kids as well (5 and nearly 3).

The campsite is between Angers and Tours, close to Saumur.

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/Saumur,+France...

Edited by Rosscow on Wednesday 4th March 10:04

[Rosscow]

Thanks boys, keep them coming!

Chambord and Chenonceau look fantastic, as does the zoo which the girls will love.

Helicopter tour would be amazing - slightly over our budget though!!!

[Rosscow]

rdjohn said:

I live close to Saumur, I have written this guide for our guests

http://www.loire-holiday-rentals.com/where_to_visi...

With kids, I would definitely recommend the Zoo at Doue la Fontaine. It is a WWF breeding zoo and set in a disused quarry so the animals don't looked caged. We have never had negative feedback from clients.

That's brilliant, thank you! That zoo looks amazing, I notice that the wine co-operative has changed it's name:

http://www.robertetmarcel.com/

[Rosscow]

gemini said:

The Chateau at Saumur does a great horseback show for the kids.
Sword fighting and all that!

The bubbles are extremely good too!

Sounds great! Thanks!

[Rosscow]

blueST said:

For a pher, Le Mans! Maybe not top of the list for kids but the old town and cathedral are beautiful and then there's the car museum at the circuit. In fact, visit on the way down and you can try max out the caravan on the Mulsanne!

Not sure swinging this round the Mulsanne at the end of the straight would end well!

[Rosscow]

I can't wait! I can see this holiday being the start of a long relationship with the Loire....

Edited by Rosscow on Tuesday 10th March 10:32

[Rosscow]

Vaud said:

Loire is nice. I know France pretty well, speak (average) French and travel a lot. The region has nice food, nice wine, the accent is very "correct" French and so understandable (unlike say, the impenetrable south west accent); they are quite friendly to the Brits and there is a nice place of life. The locals are the politest French people I know, aside from Savoie. As ever, if you speak a bit of French, or try, they suddenly remember that they speak some English. ;-)

Plus it is only 5-6 hrs from the tunnel, so it isn't a whole day gone. Nice old towns, etc. Gets nicely warm without being too hot. It isn't "petit Angleterre" like large chunks of Normandy, Brittany, etc. What's not to like?

I can speak a bit of French (poorly!) but I always try to speak some of the language, wherever in the world I am. One of those things that I wish I had tried harder at when at school.

[Rosscow]

FrankAbagnale said:

I'm afraid I can't offer much advice on what to do in the local area but I have stayed at that campsite about 10 times.

My parents used to take me there on holiday. EVERY. YEAR. Im 28 now, so thinking back probably haven't been in over 10 years.

As a kid I loved it, and it was always very busy with the same faces year after year.

Brings back a lot of memories.

Well, that's a good thing (I think!). We were recommended it by someone else who has taken their caravan there for the last 3 years. It's obviously doing something right!

[Rosscow]

Well, we enjoyed last year so much that we're going again! In 72 days, to be precise.

Can't wait!