Loire Valley - July/August
Discussion
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...
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
We're NE of Tours, but have dipped that way occasionally.
The Chateaux at Villandry, Azay-le-Rideau and Langeais are all worth a trip, Villandry in particular. The other 2 are smaller but fun. Langeais has an amazing tree house.
The zoo at La Fleche is pricey, but one of the best I've ever seen.
Tours centre is good for a short wonder, the old houses are amazing but there really isn't much of it.
The Chateaux at Villandry, Azay-le-Rideau and Langeais are all worth a trip, Villandry in particular. The other 2 are smaller but fun. Langeais has an amazing tree house.
The zoo at La Fleche is pricey, but one of the best I've ever seen.
Tours centre is good for a short wonder, the old houses are amazing but there really isn't much of it.
If you want something truly magnificent and unforgettable, how about a helicopter tour down the Loire? Not cheap at €500 pp but I just love doing heli tours
http://www.riverloire.com/en/Loire-Valley-tours/he...
http://www.riverloire.com/en/Loire-Valley-tours/he...
I stayed in Tours a few years back prior to Le Mans. Its a lovely place, and if you get the chance you should visit the Irish Bar called The Pale. The landlord is very good and takes real pride in serving a perfect pint. Really enjoyed it in Tours and will have to go back.
We headed east on the south bank of the river to some wine producers who stored the wine in some caves, near La Barre. You could walk freely round the caves where the wine was being storred and sample (and buy) some of the wine at the end. Further back towards Tours from there at Saint Brice there is wine tasting venue set back into some caves.
We headed east on the south bank of the river to some wine producers who stored the wine in some caves, near La Barre. You could walk freely round the caves where the wine was being storred and sample (and buy) some of the wine at the end. Further back towards Tours from there at Saint Brice there is wine tasting venue set back into some caves.
Saumur is a nice town, we often stop there overnight when travelling to the South. If you interested in ironmongery there's a tank museum if you like that sort of thing (one of my mates does) http://www.museedesblindes.fr/ The Black Squadron, a cavalry regiment, are based in the town as well, they put on some good shows throughout the year http://www.cadrenoir.fr/ There's also the Puy Du Fou if you don't mind a bit of a drive, about 60 miles, an amazing place http://www.puydufou.com/en The Cinescenie show in the evening is worth a trip but your little ones may be a bit on young side for that.
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.
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.
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.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.
http://www.robertetmarcel.com/
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!
Fontevraud Abbey is near Saumur and is one of my favourite places to visit. http://www.fontevraud.fr/en/Visit-Fontevraud/Welco...
My parents used to have a house in Doue La Fontaine near Saumur, so visited a fair bit over 10 years (they sold it in 2012), but am going back this year to stay in a Gite since it is a lovely area to visit.
The Doue zoo as already mentioned is one of the best we have ever been too, well worth a visit.
Since this is Pistonheads, if you are there at the right time, do go to this- it is entertaining to see vintage cars barelling around the streets of the town.
http://www.grandprixretro-puynotredame.com/.
Saint-Hilaire-Saint-Florent on the Saumur side of the river and downstream has many sparkling wine producers on the road through and we have visited many. Ackerman and Veuve Amiot have some nice wines at good prices. The visits to their caves are interesting and can be a nice cool break on a warm day.
The village of Rochmenier with its Troglodyte museum is good - http://www.troglodyte.fr/pagesfr/musee.html
If you visit the museum in the late afternoon then you can run the trip into a meal at one of my favourite restaurants and eat underground. http://www.caves-genevraie.fr/en/.
Has a walk through the caves between the main and cheese courses while they re-lay your table, and you see the oven built into the rock where a baker is making all the fresh fouace bread that comes round during your meal. I eat many of these.
Of nearby Chateau, Breze is interesting. http://www.chateaudebreze.com/.
Tank museum, as mentioned previously is good if you like that sort of thing, I believe it is the 2nd largest in the world.
If you are keen, you can do canoe trips down the river from Montserau to the Saumur Island. There is a canoe place at the downstream end of the island where we have sorted this out in the past. http://www.polenautiquedesaumur.com/
Loads more to do, those are just some favourites.
The Doue zoo as already mentioned is one of the best we have ever been too, well worth a visit.
Since this is Pistonheads, if you are there at the right time, do go to this- it is entertaining to see vintage cars barelling around the streets of the town.
http://www.grandprixretro-puynotredame.com/.
Saint-Hilaire-Saint-Florent on the Saumur side of the river and downstream has many sparkling wine producers on the road through and we have visited many. Ackerman and Veuve Amiot have some nice wines at good prices. The visits to their caves are interesting and can be a nice cool break on a warm day.
The village of Rochmenier with its Troglodyte museum is good - http://www.troglodyte.fr/pagesfr/musee.html
If you visit the museum in the late afternoon then you can run the trip into a meal at one of my favourite restaurants and eat underground. http://www.caves-genevraie.fr/en/.
Has a walk through the caves between the main and cheese courses while they re-lay your table, and you see the oven built into the rock where a baker is making all the fresh fouace bread that comes round during your meal. I eat many of these.
Of nearby Chateau, Breze is interesting. http://www.chateaudebreze.com/.
Tank museum, as mentioned previously is good if you like that sort of thing, I believe it is the 2nd largest in the world.
If you are keen, you can do canoe trips down the river from Montserau to the Saumur Island. There is a canoe place at the downstream end of the island where we have sorted this out in the past. http://www.polenautiquedesaumur.com/
Loads more to do, those are just some favourites.
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.
Thanks for this; some great ideas.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.
FYI you have a broken link:
From: http://www.loire-holiday-rentals.com/where_to_visi...
>>If you click "home" it goes to:
http://www.loire-holiday-rentals.com/index2.htm
rather than:
http://www.loire-holiday-rentals.com/index.htm
Having spent a week near saumur, I'd suggest getting a taxi to visit the wine caves, as it was a bit of a bugger when I couldn't enjoy the sampling session afterwards, as much as I would have if I hadn't been driving.
Also. the mushroom caves. If it's VERY hot, it's worth it to get out of the sun.
Also. the mushroom caves. If it's VERY hot, it's worth it to get out of the sun.
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