Anjou France

Travelled: 131km

Visited: Chateau Gontier, Baugé en Anjou, Cunault

Stay: Cunault with family Regine and Fred

As we made our way towards the Loire River, we decided to stop and visit Chateau Gontier. It is classified as one of the most beautiful detours of France and has also a 4 Flower star rating. We parked at the Port situated on the Mayenne River, which was dominated by the impressive looking 11thC St.Jean le Baptiste church on the top of the hill. 

On the other side of the bridge was another beautiful building, ‘Hotel de Dieu’ which is still a hospital. 

We strolled to the top of the hill through the old town centre before heading off once again.

Baugé is also in the Michline 2018 Most beautiful Detours of France. The towns’ most renown building is it’s Chateau built in 1454 by King René de Anjou as a hunting lodge. We spent the next hour following the historical heritage trail finishing at the Hotel de Dieu, a hospital built for the poor in 1675. 

In the book it mentioned the cake ‘Baugeois d’Anjou’ which of course we had to taste! 

Then it was time to cross the Loire River just north of Saumur and stop in Cunault.

 We spent a lovely afternoon and evening with my cousin Regine and Fred. This is where Fred grew up so he knows the area well. 

We had a stroll to the nearby lake with their dogs.

Fred introduced us to a very unique regional game of Boule de Fort. Although once played on a 22m rammed earth alley, now they are usually made of resin and indoors. 

Firstly we have to put in slippers to protect the surface. 

Then the boules need to smoothed with a piece of sandpaper. 

There is even a special machine to help. 

We then tried our luck to get close to the ‘cochonnet’ (jack) but the boules rolled fast. They are also have a bias a bit like lawn bowls.

 At the end of the game it is tradition to partake in a glass of local wine, today it was Rosé d’Anjou.

We finished the day with a lovely meal.