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The Region

Things to Do and See

Local Events

To appreciate the best the region has to offer visit the Tourist Office at the end of the Cadre Noir Bridge. Join in with all of the local events and festivities including:

14th JulyA Fabulous firework display over the river on Bastille day

Late July /
Early AugustThe "Grand Table" with over-generous quantities of food & wine DON’T MISS THIS EVENT! BOOK EARLY!

Events
All YearThe world-famous Carousel (Cadre Noir)

The Loire region, also called the "Garden of France", provides 75% of the mushrooms eaten in Paris, and local seasonal fruit & vegetables that have to be tasted to be believed!


Dusk Falls upon the Loire River

The Loire Region is renowned for its many attractions including troglodyte caves, fine wine (as well as mushrooms!), fabulous historic buildings such as Fontevraud Abbey where Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine lie in state as well as its breathtaking châteaux, Saumur, Montsoreau, Chinon, Angers, Breze, Villandry and many others which are all within an hours drive of the gite. La Rochelle on the west coast & Futuroscope to the south are also within a few hours drive away.

Saumur, the home of the National Riding School and the French Cavalry, Cadre Noir, is about 20 minutes drive away and spans the Loire with its two spectacular bridges and offers river views, a magnificent château and a wide variety of shops including a fabulous butcher, cheese shop, restaurants, theatres, bars and historic buildings, as well as a superb market on Saturdays. There is also a cinema, boating lake & a number of municipal swimming pools.


Other "Must See" Attractions

Travelling

La Colline is situated within a one-hour drive from:

  • Angers
  • Bressuire
  • Thouars
  • Loudon
  • Chinon
  • Tours
  • Richelieu

Reach La Colline by:

  • Driving from Roscoff, La Rochelle, Cherbourg or Caen Ferry Ports
  • Flying into Nantes, Tours, Poitiers, Angers or Rennes


The Castle and Gardens at Villandry

If you enjoy walking in beautiful gardens, visit Villandry or the expansive gardens of Parc Maupassant De Bois Savary within the small village of Allonnes, just north of the Loire river.

For a really special day out there is a fabulous Zoo at Doué La Fontaine, a short drive away.





Fine Dining

Must Eat!

LE RICORDEAU, 6 PLACE BOEUFFETERIE, Loudun, 86200, France. Phone:+33 (5) 49226727 & is haut cuisine without the matching price! (15 minute drive, beside the church on the hill in Loudun)

Wine tasting is a must! We recommend that you visit our local producer Francois Hupon (10 minute walk from the house), Montbrillais, 86120 Saint-Léger-de-Montbrillais 05 49 22 97 73, however there are so many that we recommend that you walk! The closest are in St Leger, Berrie, Saix, Pouncay, Ternay (see links).

There is dining for all tastes and pockets from 5 star dining at The Prieure in Chênehutte (30 minute drive , direction Saumur/ Gennes) to local auberges where a 4 course meal with a carafe of wine costs as little as €11.55!

Visit: L'AUBERGE DE LA DIVE 12 rue du Moulin 86120; POUANCAY, LA MOTTE BOURBON (4 minute drive, direction Saumur); or try Star dining locally! The 'Tresor Belge' , Gastronomique cuisine (4 minute drive, direction Pouncay or 20 minute walk!)



Outdoor Pursuits


Saumur Market on Saturday

Take to the outdoors and make the most of numerous walking and cycle paths, equestrian schools and riding trails.

At least six first-class golf courses nearby will satisfy the most keen of golfers.

Saumur market on a Saturday is a sensory feast, offering a vast array of fine local produce.

Enjoy boating, swimming and angling in one of Saumur's beautiful lakes.