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The Chateaux of the Loire Valley To name but a few within easy reach: Chenonceau, Chambord, Azay le Rideau, Cheverney, Villandray, Valencay, Blois and Bouges. Les Chateaux de la Loire Pour ne citer que les plus proches: Chenonceau, Chambord, Azay le Rideau, Cheverny, Villandry, Valencay, Blois et Bouges. Gites Loire Valley France |
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Valencay - Chateau and Car Museum The closest of the Loire's Chateaux is Valencay. Construction began in 1540 and it is now thought to be an excellent example of renaissance architecture. The Orangerie, located in the landscaped grounds is a good place for a glass of the local wine. The town of Valencay has a selection of little boutiques and cafes. The car museum is also well worth a visit. Gites Loire Valley France |
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The Royal City of Loches An ancient Royal citadel, stunning Loches has a great deal to offer. There is a walled city with Royal residence and sinister dungeons, a bustling medieval town with many shops, cafes, restaurants, boutiques and museums, and of course the famous Troglodyte cave dwellings. There are also two big street markets every week on Wednesday and Saturday. Loches makes a good day trip when combined with Valencay. Its just a 40 minute drive from Valencay through incredible scenery. Cite Royale de Loches |
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Lake Eguzon South of Massay and away from the usual tourist routes is Lake Eguzon. The lake is surrounded by thick old oak woodlands, alive with ruined castles, secret bridges and little villages full of pretty stone cottages, cafes and restaurants. The lake has something for everyone: water-sports, swimming and walks with breath-taking views. For a great boat tour of the lake and for canoe hire visit the village of Crozant on the south side of the lake. For water skiing, sailing and swimming, visit Chantome on the west side. Gites Loire Valley France |
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The City of Bourges A small but perfectly formed city full of cobbled streets and half timbered houses, all dominated by its huge and splendid Cathedral, St Etienne, classified by UNESCO as a World Heritage Monument. St Etienne is famous, not only for its gothic architecture but also for its collection of 13th century stained glass windows and astronomical clock. For breath-taking views across Bourges and far beyond, don't miss the 360 step walk up the cathedral tower. La ville de Bourges Une ville de taille moyenne mais parfaitment agencee autour de rues pavees et de maisons a colombages, le tout domine par la magnifique et impressionnante Cathedrale de St Etienne, site classe au patrimone mondial de l'UNESCO. St Etienne doit sa renommee a la fois a son architecture de style gothique et a sa collection de vitraux datant du 13e siecle ainsi qu'a son horloge astronomique datant du moyen-age. |
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Wine The Sancerre, Pouilly-Fume, Quincy, Touraine and Reuilly wine regions are all very close by. Local growers and producers are always happy to give wine tasting tours. Le Vin Les regions du Sancerrois, Pouilly-Fume, Quincy, la Tourraine et Reuilly sont toutes a portee de main, et les viticulteurs et producers locaux se feront un plaisir de vous proposer des degustations. Gites Loire Valley France |
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La Parc Naturel de la Brenne "The land of a thousand lakes." The natural environment is a haven for wildlife. One of the best spots is the beautiful Bellebouche swimming and boating lake. "Le pays aux mille etangs" est un espace reste a l'etat naturel qui regorge d'animaux sauvages. L'un des coins que nous vous conseillons plus particulierement est le magnifique etange de Bellebouche ou l'on peut se baigner et faire du bateau. |
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Photographs show Romorantin Lanthenay and arguably the world's finest cake shop! |
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La Sologne The gites are five minutes drive from the edge of the Sologne with its thick woodlands, copious lakes, flora and fauna and of course La Chasse. The Parisians' playground with its lively villages and towns. Try visiting Romorantin Lanthenay, a lovely, lively Sologne town with many good shops, restaurants and a car museum. Damian bought the best cake he has ever eaten in Romorantin. Nos gites sont a cinq minutes en voiture de la Sologne, avec ses forets denses, ses nombreux lacs, sa flore et sa faune et bien evidemment La Chasse. L'aire de jeux du Parisien avec ses villages et ses villes chaleureuses. |
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Chateau de Meillant A flambouyant, gothic castle with a wonderfully eccentric interior, dating from 1473. Entry to the castle is with a tour guide only as this is still a private house. In the grounds you will find stables full of vintage cars and carriages, tack and harness rooms, an ice house, a childrens summer house a witches house and more. The village is well worth exploring. We stop at our favourite cafe, L'Heure des Thes, opposite the entrance to the Chateau for delicious coffee and cakes, or lunch. Gites Loire Valley France |
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Hot air ballooning The perfect way to see the Loire Valley and its chateaux. See www.franceballoons.com for further details. Please note, any bookings with this company are at your own risk. Un tour en montgolfiere? Parfait pour une visite aerienne de la vallee de la Loire et de ses Chateaux! Pour plus informations, allex sur www.franceballoons.com Attention, les reservations faites sur ce site sont a vos risques et perils. |
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Paris just one and a half hours by train With everything that Paris has to offer. Take a day trip by direct train right into the heart of the French capital Paris est a une heure et demie de train Gites Loire Valley France |
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Nancay This small village in the Sologne is home to many artists, an impressive art gallery, a great Adventure Park for the kids, one of Europe's most modern observatories and a planetarium as well as numerous shops, antiques and cafes. Nancay Ce petit village solognot est la demeure de nombreux artistes. Vous y trouverez une galerie d'art impressionnante, L'Adventure Parc, l'un des observatoires les plus modernes de toute l'Europe ainsi qu'un planetarium et de nombreuses boutiques.... ou encore des antiquaires et des cafes. |
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Zoos, Adventure Parks, Pony Trekking, Walking, Fishing, Golf, beautiful countryside, wide rivers, meandering canals etc etc.... And this only describes a small part of this relatively unknown part of France. There is much more to discover; vibrant markets, fetes, brocantes, cafes, restaurants, galleries, boutiques, beautiful medival towns and villages, museums.............. Des zoos, des parcs d'attraction, des randonnees a pied ou equestres, de la peche, du golf, des paysages envoutants, de grandes rivieres, de petit canaux etc.... Pour ne citer qu'une partie de ce que vous pourrez faire dans ce coin hors du temps de la France. Une fois ici, vous decouvrirez bien d'autres choses: des marches animes, des fetes, des brocantes, des cafes, des restaurants, des galeries, des boutiques, de magnifiques villes et villages datant de l'epoque medievale, des musees en tous genres.... |
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