Where to go in France prior to Le Mans?

[DMN]

This year Le Mans is forming part of my honeymoon. We're heading to France on the Saturday before the race and are looking to head round France a bit before heading trackside on the Thursday to meet up with my Dad. The missus has done Le Mans twice before, so she knows what to expect.

Does anyone know a decent Hotel with pool, sauna etc in the Brittany area? After a decent relaxing few days before moving on somewhere else. Can anyone recomend a decent base to see the local sites from?

[nawarne]

This place hasn't got a pool or sauna....
But the food is AMAZING along with the service and 'madame' is a real petrolhead.

http://reservation-hotel.logishotels.com/jreservit...

We went there 2 years ago, and when I pulled up in the Tuscan, she insisted I park on the front drive. The rooms had all just been refurbished and were charming, the beds were very comfortable.

I'd recommend any "Logis de France" for small, family run hotels where the rooms are not a mirror image of the last hotel you stayed in - but decorated with taste and panache.

Nick

[DMN]

Thanks, that might be ideal as a Saturday night stop-over.

[Blockf01]

I know its not Brittany, but try having a few days in the Loire Valley. The scenary is wonderful, the chateaux amazing, lots to do and see. Me and the wife have been there twice, would love to go back again someday.

Also only 100 miles or so from Le Mans (depending where you stay). 2 years ago we combined our holiday around the Le mans weekend and travelled down on the Friday did a reccy around Le Mans (Our 1st year) then drove onto the campsite we were staying at, dumped our bags etc (had a mobile home) then returned Saturday morning, slept in the car and drove back after the race. All very easy.

Hope all goes well with your wedding

[//j17]

Unless you're both non-drinkers I'd either drop west of Le Mans to the Loire valley or east to Burgundy. Spot of chilling and wine tasting before heading to Le Mans.

[fatboy18]

Give Pete a ring, or drop him an email, He should be able to point you in the right direction

Tell him I sent you

http://www.petrolheadnirvana.com/driving-tours/bri...

[rlw]

Loire Valley - Villandry, Chinon, Cande St Martin - it doesn't get any better but hotels will be hard to find.

[DMN]

Loire Vally and some serious redwine tasting is looking very good right now.

[hyper jay]

Vimy ridge i found amazing

[nawarne]

DMN said:

Loire Vally and some serious redwine tasting is looking very good right now.

OK.

Same year we had a gite just South of Richelieu (edited to add "both the vinyard and the gite were east of the D749). Between the gite and the town there was a lovely small vineyard...cant remember the name just now, but one of the 'gastronomique' restaurants stocked its produce (Cinderella rings a bell as one of their brands). Youngish couple ran the winery, all organic - no pesticides used on the vines, and were very welcoming when we bowled up requesting 'degustation'. Brought loads of Loire red, rose and Chinon white back with us.

This is the Logis in Richelieu:
http://reservation-hotel.logishotels.com/jreservit...

Enjoy. Richelieu is about 40 mins south of Tours...so perhaps 1.5 to 2 hrs south of Le Mans.
Nick

Edited by nawarne on Thursday 28th February 18:06

[artherdaily]

we are heading to Tyne-Cot in Belgium , to visit the largest of the war graves cemeteries
overnighting near Rouen
before heading south of Le Mans for another night of comfort in a good hotel
then heading to Le Mans town for scrutineer on sunday
and eventually heading to the campsite late sunday to set up

[DMN]

nawarne said:

both the vinyard and the gite were east of the D749 Richelieu is about 40 mins south of Tours...so perhaps 1.5 to 2 hrs south of Le Mans.

Is it this place perhaps?

http://www.chateaudecharge.com/en/home.html

[nawarne]

DMN...
No, the chateau looks lovely for a romantic break though.

I posted the link to the "Logis" in Richelieu. Depends what you want, the chateau for calm, quality time together or a small French town, that usually has a market in the (historic) square..bit more hustle & bustle!

I've found the website to the vineyard - and can't praise them enough. Very small production...you'll never find it on Tesco or Sainsbury's wine shelves, and a really smooth red (Remembered name: "Sans Tra-la-la").

Wine producer - Plouzeau François EARL more infoý
La Garrelière
37120 Razines, France

Nick






02 47 95 62 84

[DMN]

Ah found it, thanks for your help.

[rlw]

Chinon is a great place to stay and you are not far from all the Chinon and Bourgeil producers, all of whom have facilities for tasting and buying on site as well as in the town.

http://travel.michelin.com/web/destination/France-...

Edited by rlw on Saturday 2nd March 19:23

[billy no brakes]

artherdaily said:

we are heading to Tyne-Cot in Belgium , to visit the largest of the war graves cemeteries
overnighting near Rouen
before heading south of Le Mans for another night of comfort in a good hotel
then heading to Le Mans town for scrutineer on sunday
and eventually heading to the campsite late sunday to set up

If you are going to Tyne-cot you must visit Thiepval on the way to Le Mans I worked on the memorial and since thne I can,t stop going back, it is amazing

http://www.cwgc.org/find-a-cemetery/cemetery/80800...