Charming 18th-century cottage with plenty of space for two

We are surrounded by vineyards and a trip to a wine-tasting is a very popular pastime for many of our visitors. There are excellent wines at excellent prices.

You may want to visit a chateau or two and there is plenty of choice.
Brissac Quincé, Saumur, Angers and Montreuil-Bellay are all well within an hour from us. Le Lude, Ussé, Chinon, Azay-le Rideau are about an hour and a half. Chenonceau, Amboise, Chaumont and others are a bit further again.

Saumur offers magnificent panoramic views over the town and river from the gardens. A rare example of 14th century architecture amongst Loire chateaux it marks the end of the middle ages and the beginning of the Renaissance. As well as the Musée d'Arts décoratifs, the castle houses, the Musée du Cheval. There is the famous Cadre Noir if you love horses. There is also a large tank museum, Le Musé des Blindés.

There are plenty of local gardens to visit.

The Japanese Garden at Maulévrier
Planned around a peaceful lake to represent the changing seasons and the progression of living things, exotic maples, magnolias, flowering cherries, azaleas. Good Bonsai collection. Raku earthenware workshop.
www.parc-oriental.comPGJyPgPGJyPg
Rose Gardens of Doué la Fontaine
Le Chemin de la Rose is a super rose garden and well worth a visit. There are many wonderful roses to see, lakes, pleasant sitting areas. Easy parking. Every year Doué La Fontaine hosts the annual Days of the Rose festival. A marvellous spectacle of over a hundred thousand rose buds is displayed in the magnificent troglodyte caves.
www.cheminsdelarose.com

Garden of Medicinal Plants at Chemillé
Known as the capital of medicinal plants Chemillée's herb garden has a collection of about 300 species of medicinal and aromatic herbs. Open all year round.