The Loire Valley
“Soft and sensual” – that’s how a famous 19th century French historian described the Loire Valley – this sums it up perfectly. When you stop along the Loire, watch its blue waters glide lazily between tree-lined banks and around snug little islands the perfect area for its peacefulness and sweetness of living. No wonder so many kings, favourites, ministers and courtiers should have made this corner of France the most sumptuous residential area of all time. With some 120 major chateaux, each more grandiose than the next, the Loire Valley can claim the highest concentration of them per square mile anywhere on earth.

The blue of the Loire, of its sky and its characteristic slate roofs, to the greenness of its orchards and pastures for as well as a major wine growing area it is also famous or its fruit growing. Its deep forests and silent clearings, its ponds and marshes, flowers grown in profusion and in Autumn there is a radiant palette of gold, red and brown hues.

Saumur
Host to the Cadre Noir, a crack cavalry regiment whose presence in the town punctuates the year with its processions. This roomy town with predominantly white stone buildings is set on the banks of the Loire and boasts pleasant shops. Why not take a boat trip down the Loire, a ride in the horse drawn carriage or visit the stunning chateau perched up high with pencil tip turrets. Visit the famous caves and enjoy a tour of the cellars, taste the local wines and purchase them direct.

Angers
This is a particular favourite of ours with its most formidable of chateaux Angers with its beautiful sculptured gardens fills modern visitors with awe and houses the famous Apocalypse Tapestry. Why not take a ride on Le Petit Train d’Angers or explore the ancient streets, visit the cathedral, museums or browse round the shopping centre with its numerous shops selling clothes, shoes, handbags etc., or visit the modern out of town shopping centre or a guided tour Cointreau - Angers has it all!

Tours
Grand, rather dignified, Capital of Touraine with pleasant right–angled streets, broad tree-lined boulevards with tourists well catered for with a variety of restaurants, snack-bars, good shopping. The land train takes you on a journey around the old town where you can see some fascinating medieval and Renaissance dwellings and why not enjoy a leisurely lunch with a bottle of local wine at one of the many restaurants. Religious buildings in profusion remind us that this was St. Martin’s city, once a great centre of monastic learning. No visit to Tours would be complete without a visit to the towering Cathedrale Saint-Gatien with its superb 13 th-century stained glass.>

Chinon
Steeped in history the ruins of the chateau’s ramparts viewed from the opposite bank of the Vienne leave you with an illusion of completeness. Perched on a high rocky crag it conjures up evocative memories of times past. In the 12 th century it had passed into Plantagenet hands and served as a well-nigh permanent home for King Henry II of England it was here that Henry died of rage in 1189 on learning that his sons Richard (the Lion-Heart) and John had turned against him. From the ramparts of the castle you can enjoy a spectacular view over the town and the Vienne. In 1418 the Dauphin (future Charles VII) was hounded out of Paris whence he sought refuse in Chinon until a teenage country girl arrived some 11 years later to change the face of history – Joan of Arc. August sees gargantuan celebrations as its streets and markets “go medieval” with everything from troubadours and peddlers to tumblers and fire-eaters.

Gizeux and Lathan both only a few kilometers away from La Chucherie within an easy cycle ride and well worth the visit.

Azey-le-Rideau
This chateau ranks among the Loire Valley’s most famous and graceful chateaux. Built on a loop of the river Indre, it was erected, Venetian style on a foundation of wood piles close-driven into the mud. Marvel at its delicate turrets, decorative windows and doorways carrying tell-tale Renaissance pilasters and decorations, stroll in the peaceful gardens. Every evening in July and August, Fridays, Saturdays and public holidays in May June and September at nightfall, the curtain rises on a night-time show which uses music and images to bring alive the dreams of the Renaissance. Guided by the play of images and light with evocative sounds and music.

Ussé
Chateau de La Belle au Bois dormant. The majestic white outline of Usse, castle of Sleeping Beauty, is situated at the edge of the dark and mysterious forest of Chinon and stands impressively over the Indre Valley. This is all a fairy-tale castle should be and is said to have inspired the author of The Sleeping Beauty and is a firm favourite as it possesses distinguished paintings and furniture. Beautiful gardens and a Renaissance chapel are not to be missed.

Villandry
Villandry’s French Renaissance gardens and unlike anywhere in the world, they’re unique, historically and botanically accurate reconstruction of what the chateau’s gardens would have looked like when it was built in 1532. The geometric perfection and harmony of these gardens is breathtaking being built on three separate levels, affording superb panoramic views. The chateau itself is a pure Renaissance building with a massive 14 th century keep - no visit to the Loire Valley would be complete without seeing the magnificent Villandry.

Le Lude
Rebuilt in the 15 th and 16 th centuries Le Lude was once a medieval fortress guarding the River Loire and today provides a dramatic setting with its riverside walks, sporting activities, shops and weekly market.

Great Grapes
A land of rolling gentleness, Anjou not only produces a huge array of wines but also produces internationally acclaimed liqueurs. Cointreau for instance has been distilled in Angers since 1849 using both sweet and bitter orange oil. Saumur has given its name to a whole region of wines: whites, reds and sparkling, a diverse production. The appellations of St. Nicholas de Bourgeil and Bourgeil together with Chinon also produce a comprehensive range of wines.

Why not take a tour of the vineyards, visit the many “degustations” and meet the local viticulturist who will tell you about their wines, let you taste them and purchase them at a reasonable price.

An invitation is extended to you to visit the famous Gratien & Meyer at Saumur with an exceptional panoramic view, caves and of course the obligatory wine tasting. www.gratienmeyer.com or visites@gratienmeyer.com on the route de Monsoreau - Chinon.

There are many local villages and towns who have weekly street markets selling local produce, fresh fish, meat, cheese. Many shops are closed between the hours of 12 noon and 2 pm to give a long leisurely lunch but the majority stay open until 7 pm. There are several large Hypermarkets in Saumur and the choice of products is amazing. Check out the prices of the wines!

Noyant
7km) hosts a market on Friday mornings and had a post office, banks, chemists, hairdressers, florists, boulangerie which sells excellent bread and cakes, a butchers and a local Intermarche supermarket with petrol station. There are also hotels and restaurants.

Gizeux
has a boulangerie, butcher, pharmacy, hairdresser, post office, two bars and a restaurant.

Vernoil
has a very good Super U supermarket and petrol station.

Saumur
has a market Saturday mornings selling everything from locally grown vegetables, fish, prawns, cheese as well as shoes, very reasonably priced handbags and other interesting stalls. There are shops selling chic clothes, newsagents and numerous restaurants. Whether you want a sandwich, light lunch or an evening meal the choice in Saumur is excellent.