Beautiful villages ( Loire and Vienne Regions) France

Travelled:169km

Visited: Fontevraud l’Abbaye, Le Coudray Macouard, Montreuil Bellay, Angles sur l’Anglin

Stay: Angles sur l’Anglin - free dedicated parking, no services N46.69430 E0.88724

We once again had to say ‘adieu’ and thank Regine and Fred for our wonderful visit. We felt privileged to be part of their lives for a couple of days and appreciate their efforts in showing us around.

We began today with a drive to Saumur in search of gas but due to it being closed Sunday, we were unable to fill up. 

As we drove over the Loire River we saw one of the few well known mushroom caves that can be visited in the region.

We stopped to visit the village of Fontevraud l’Abbaye.

We then strolled around the old fortified village of Coudray Macouard.

The next village was Montreuil Bellay which has a beautiful Chateau with 13 towers. We parked in the new aire at the base of the village and then walked up to the Chateau.

It was a few kilometres to our next destination, Angles sur l’Anglin, classified as one of the most beautiful villages of France. 

From our dedicated MH parking spot, we ventured into the old quarter and followed the walking tour from the tourist office through the upper and lower town.

The main site to see is the old 11thC fortress ruins set on top of the rock.

The sirens are seen in most villages.

The Roc aux Sorciers where famous relief carvings of bison, horses, wild goats and man where discovered. 

Around Saumur France

Visited: Cadre Noir Saumur, Pierre et Lumière, Turquant, Montsoreau

Stay: Canault with family

Today we spent an amazing day with Fred as he showed us lots of things near where he lives in Canault. We started the day going to his work place at the French National Riding School and Cadre Noir In Saumur. (Click on the link to find out more). The mission of the school is to develop horse training, to teach riding for sport and to teach the equestrian professions. The Cadre Noir is well known for its public presentations. Fred trained well known riders and horses who won many medals including the Olympics. At the moment there are 250 personnel looking after about 350 horses. Occasionally there can be up to 1500 horses here when there are special competitions and judging taking place. 

We stopped by the river Loire and looked in a pretty chapel.

We had a walk around Montsoreau.

We looked at the traditional style boats that would have been used to carry salt up the river.

We went to Pierre and Lumière where you can walk through an underground cave and discover the jewels of the Loire Valley in miniature, sculptured from a 100 tonnes of limestone. Along the way and during the day we had stopped to visit some of the churches and villages shown here - Trèves, Cunault, Saumur, Montsoreau.

The detail in the Tours Cathedral was amazing.

Trêves is here that Fred’s family lay to rest. Below is the Notre Dame of Cunault where Fred was baptised.

After lunch back at home with Regine we went to a wine cellar in Turquant and bought some wine from an old childhood friend of Fred’s. 

We then tried a specialty of the region, Pommes Tapées, which are apples that have been dried in the oven over a few days and during that time are flattened by being hit with a hammer. These can then be stored for 10 years and then cooked up in various ways. We tasted one that had been cooked in the local wine with lots of spices...very tasty. 

We ended the day with a delicious BBQ dinner and drinking regional wines.

This is a traditional plum pie...yum.