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Some useful information to help you plan your stay...

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Local Villages

Within 15 mins drive or 1 hour walk

La Girarderie is between two coummunes of Noyant-Villages: Courleon  (3 mins drive, 30 mins walk) and Parcay-les-Pins (5 mins drive, 45 mins walk). There is a library, small shop, restaurant/bar - Cafe le Musee - and art museum in Parcay-les-Pins, and both villages have events on throughout the year. You can call in at the local Mairie or Super U or check out the posters around the villages which will let you know what is going on.

Vernante and Verniol-le-Fourrier are also not too far, by car which offer more restaurants and bars as well as a large Super U supermarket.

Walking/Rambling

For the dedicated walker, there are many websites offering route maps within easy reach of La Girarderie. Click here for a detailed list from the Saumur Tourist Office, including maps.

Cycling

The "Loire a Velo" website is a great resource for information on cycling in the region. Click here for their site.

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Cycle hire and more cycling information here.

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Fishing

Rivers and Lakes in the region are well stocked. There's trout streams and larger rivers with pike. And over 50 species of fish can be found nearby - there are migratory species such as mullet, shad, lamprey and eels as well as sedentary fish such as carp, pike, perch and bream.

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You'll need a permit - advice on where to get them can be found here in English and here in French.

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Just 10 minutes drive to the north east, you can find the Lac du Rille. As well as a super fishing lake where Carp up to 40lb are often caught, the banks of the lake offer walks, cycling and peaceful picnic areas. There's also an active steam train - more details here.

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Walking, Cycling, Fishing

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Sports and Activities

Sports and Activities Nearby

At the house we have Table Tennis, Petanque, outdoor games and enough space to play safely within our gardens. 

We also have a shared above ground pool measuring approximately 4mx5m.

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Sports facilities near to the house include;

  • Tennis Courts in Vernantes

  • Parcay les Pins Football club

  • Golf - including a top quality course within half an hour at Bauge.

  • Pony Trekking / Horse Riding - just 7 Km in Vernoil (Centre Equestre Et Poney Club De Vernoil, Vaux, 49390 Vernoil-le-Fourrier)
    More equestrian centres around Saumur can be found here.

  • Water sports - canoeing, water-skiing, yachting, rowing.

  • At the Aeroclub de Saumur, found at St Hilaire just to the south of the town, you can also find thrills including parachuting (tandem or solo if qualified), gliding, flying or Air Balloon trips.

  • Karting at Karting de Loudun is half an hour's drive to the south east. If you enjoy a bit of track racing, it's a super track open all year round.

  • On the banks of the Lac de Rille just 10 Km from the house, you can enjoy a picnic by the lake at Le Baud Rille - or take their climbing experience for all ages.

  • There's also a steam train line by the lake - mainly running at weekends.

  • The Saumur Tourist information site offers lots of links to various activities.

Chateaux and Grand Maisons de la Loire

Home to many beautiful chateaux, the Loire Valley offers amazing visits of these former residences of French Royalty in the "Garden of France". Many of the chateaux are privately owned, while some, such as the incredible masterpiece at Chambord, are major tourist sites, managed by the government.

Many websites offer information on the chateaux - a useful map of most of the larger chateaux can be found on the Experience Loire site.

 

Some smaller chateaux found within easy reach of the house are in neighbouring villages at Gizeux, Bauge, Breil (Chateau Lathan) and Saint Martin de la Place (Chateau de Boumois)

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Chateaux

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Wines, Tours and Vinyards

Wines of the Loire

For information on the wines of the Loire, tours, visits and tasting, visit "La Maison des Vins de Loire", next door to the Tourist Information office beside the river in Saumur, near the bridge.

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"The Loire Valley (Val de Loire) is France’s third most important winemaking region and is included in UNESCO’s World Heritage List (from Chalonnes-sur-Loire to Sully-sur-Loire). It is a land of balance between North and South, smooth and crisp freshness, art and literature, tradition and modernity.

These harmonious blends, enhanced by a mild climate and rich terroirs, help to produce a vibrant, diversity of wines."

 

Saumur offers several major vineyards and distributors, all of which offer tours, tasting and sales....

 

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Many many local vineyards welcome visitors, with the vineyards of Bourgueil perhaps the closest.

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Saumur's Distillery Combier offers a tour around their Liqueur distillery, along with a shop to buy some of their famed orange liqueur.

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If you're willing to travel a little farther, we'd also recommend the Cointreau distillery and tour. It smells amazing and the tasting room and shop afterwards are worth it!

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For a wealth of information on wines of the Loire and lots of tours, courses and trips see "Le Tasting Room".

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If you purchase any wines during your visit, you are welcome to store these in our 'cave' which is temperature controlled, until you leave.

Zoos, Parks and Theme Parks

There are many excellent attractions for the whole family in the region.

 

Our recommendations are:

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Family Attractions

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