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OUT AND ABOUT If
you fancy a day away from the house, there is plenty to see and
do for the whole family.
The surrounding area would have plenty to offer and do for all ages, so we looked for a house (la maison) which is close to Castles (Chateau). All thirty + of them! Also places to visit for [Les Enfants] the children like trogoladyte caves, zoos, parks, waterparks and FUTUROSCOPE which is only 40 minutes away from the home. The villages in South Touraine are very beautiful indeed, a striking balance of medieval and the grandeur of fine renaissance, all of which are near to the former capital of France Tours. With outstanding architecture both modern and old. One minute drive from Tours you can be sitting on a river bank drinking Saumur and eating cherries which in season grow wild in this area. One particular evening in August we set off by car from Maison Calme to visit a village called Angles-sur-l'Anglin. I had read somewhere about this village in a French magazine and was taken back by the photographs of the castle perched high on the cliffs of rock. Little did we think that forty minutes from maison calme we would be there, and just what I had seen in the magazine would now be a reality. A beautiful castle perched on what seemed to be a mix of granite and tuffeau stone after exploration of the outside of the castle and small church. We returned to our car and drove down the narrow streets to the bridge over the river and driving back we were greeted with the gastronomic delights of people eating and drinking in small restaurants and bars. A fine way to spend an evening. Not surprising that Angles-sur-l'Anglin is said to be Frances most beautiful village. TOURS Good museums, of course all the named shops for shoppaholics and very good restaurants. French, Portuguese, Indian, Chinese, Thai Greek etc can all be found here. Very fine examples of medieval and renaissance can also be found. Plenty to do and see for all ages. LOCAL AIRPORT [ST SYMPHORIEN] click here for more information on Tours CHINNON Yes wine, need we say more. Tour the vineyards for that special vintage. Taste before you buy? Some very nice wines indeed, Lovely town for a day out and shopping, very nice market on Sundays, but get there early for that a great bargain? Good picnic area's on banks of river Loire north of Chinnon to Rigny Usse' THE SLEEPING BEAUTY CASTLE. Click here for information on Chinnon RICHELIEU Lovely small town lots of interest. Very good steam railway which in season runs to Chinnon. Great for the kids. POITIERS Futuroscope, Sci-Fi playground for all ages. Large town for shopping + airport. CHATELLRAULT Ultra modern town with excellent shops and restaurants, Perfect for that special lunch? Chatellrault is beautifully paved with fountains and parks. ST AIGNAN (BEAUVAL ZOO) Excellent zoo with elephants , manaties etc. They also have some really good rare breeds these include, Eagles and buzzard flight displays. A MUST SEE! LOCHES Large town, part old and part new. Nice shops, Very interesting castle which is reputed to house the deepest dungeon in France. Take the kids? Loches also has some fine antique shops. DESCARTES Medium sized town with small supermarket, banks, restaurants and nice bars. You can also find a boulangerie et patisserie specializing in cakes and bread Descartoise style. Descartes also has a fine museum, parc de loisirs and a very good produce market on Sundays, yes really red sweet tomatoes!!. DESCARTES IS THE BIRTHPLACE OF THE FAMOUS PHILOSOPHER RE'NE DESCARTES |
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