Famous throughout the world for its magnificent castles where renaissance lifestyle was at its summit in France, the Loire Valley, with its elegant towns and its quiet landscapes shaped by the river itself, its temperate climate and leisurely lifestyle, and its fruity and flavourful wines, makes this area of France an important destination to discover the “douceur d’angevine” or the sweet life of Anjou.
The Loire region, with its forests rich with wild game was the coveted hunting terrain for the kings of France since the Middle Ages. During this period of intensive battles, feudal castles were built and destroyed. Jeanne d’Arc passed through most of the Loire valley, and it was in Chinon that she convinced King Charles VII to raise an army that defeated the English. During the Renaissance period, our region of Touraine and Anjou became the cradle of the French monarchy, rich in culture, arts and especially architecture. Leonardo da Vinci spent his last years near Amboise, in the court of Francois I. Some well-known examples of this fine historical architecture are to be found in Angers, Azay-le-Rideau, Chenonceau, Montgeoffroy, Giseux, Saumur, Montsoreau, (from the novels of Balzac) and Villandry (known for its gardens) chateaux, as well as the Abbey of Fontevraud from the Plantagenets dynasty and many other beautiful roman and gothic churches.
Hospitality, along with the pleasures of food and wine, are renowned in the region. Most of the early vegetables and fruits that supply the tables of Paris are grown here, as well as the mushrooms and white asparagus. The red and white Loire wines are a staple to the french table: the reds of Chinon, Bourgueil, St. Nicolas, and Saumur Champigny, the white wines of Muscadet, Saumur, Vouvray, and the sweet wines of Layon and Bonnezeaux are becoming more and more known outside of France. A champagne method sparkling wine made in Saumur is the classic aperitif offered before meals. Visits in the vast limestone caverns where the wine is matured and the troglodyte cave dwellings are a local curiosity. Excellent golf courses are available, and the region is well-known for its horsemanship, so there are many equestrian clubs and abundant forests to ride in. Saumur is internationally known for its “Cadre Noir” military equestrian school.

A local sport is the “boule de fort”.

This unusual game is found only in parts of Anjou, introduced by the English during the War of the Roses, and modelled after english lawn bowling, but with the particularity of a cylindrical weighted “boule” played on a curved compacted sandy ground.

Fairs and sound and light shows and typical town markets are to be found throughout the year. This clement region is also known for its flowers, particularly roses.