There are so many interesting castles and historical placesin the Loire valley, too many even to mention and visit them all. However, when it comes to choosing we will gladly be of help.

Angers (city): 33 km            Brézé: 39 km      

Montgeoffroy: 10 km           Chambord: 150 km

Chenonceau: 119 km          Saumur (town): 26 km

Fontevraud: 38 km              Baugé (town): 14 km

Brissac: 29 km

City and château Angers

Angers is a beautiful, cultural and historical town with a lot of shops and good places to have dinner. The castle is also one of the biggest castles of France: châtaeu Angers. Enter the vast fortress in the heart of Angers, a town of art and history. Marvel at the elegant buildings and gardens of the château where the Dukes of Anjou held court and admire the largest known medieval tapestry: the Apocalypse tapestry (103 meter, 14e century).

Château Brézé

A visit to Château de Breze is different in the sense that to look at the castle itself will probably be interesting enough. The outside part of the castle you see was in fact built around a complex 'second castle' which was initially carved out of the rock foundations underneath. All the excavations and underground work was apparently meant to provide a safe haven for all those living there. However, ironically, the castle was never attacked! 

City and château Saumur

In the bright summer sun the pretty town of Saumur on the banks of the Loire river, gives off a yellow glow as its buildings of white tufa stone reflect the light. Whatever way you choose to enter the town it is the graceful Château Saumurr you will appreciate first because of its dominant position overlooking the Loire. By the way, it is easy to park(and free!) along the riverside and every Saterday morning there is a big market with local products.

Château de Chenonceau

This is the most visited and photographed château of the Loire Valley in France. It is often described as ‘the ladies chateau’ as throughout its history it is they who have most influenced its design and its destiny. King Henri II gave it to his mistress Diane de Poitier. It was she who added the bridge over the Cher as well as the gardens. When king Henri died, the Queen, Catherine de Medici, forced Diane out of Chenonceau.

Abbaye de Fontevraud

The  Abbaye Royale de Fontevraud is one of the most beautiful abbeys in France. The abbey was founded in 1100 and became a double monastery, with both monks and nuns on the same site. An interna-tional success, the order established several "Fontevrist" abbeys set up in England. The abbey was originally the site of the graves of King Henry II of England, his wife Eleanor of Aquitaine and their son King Richard I of England. The restoration of the abbey was finished about 2006.

City and châtau Baugé

A small but 1001 year old town with a histori-cal centre function for the region. There is an interesting 15th century château to visit. This castle at Baugé originally served as a hunting lodge.

Nowadays, part of the chateau houses the Baugé Museum of Art and History. Whilst a short distance from the chateau can be found the Apothicairerie de Baugé, one of the finest old chemist’s (apothecary’s) shops in France.

Château Chambord

Perhaps the most famous of the Loire Valley chateaux, after Chenonceau, is Chambord.

The chateau is a vast Renaissance extravagance started by Francois I in the early 16th century as a hunting lodge. It contains over 400 rooms, 365 fireplaces and 84 staircases. All this for a residence only used for about 2 months during Francois’s reign! You can visit the chateau and cycle or walk the grounds via the marked out paths.

Château de Montgeoffroy

Very close to us (<10 km) is this impressive château de Montgeoffroy . It is one of the last chateau in the Loire Valley that has keeped it's origional furnitures of Louis the XVth XVIth styles. In 1772, the Marshal de Contades decided to rebuild the château as a retirement home. The building miraculously survived the French Revolution and the Revolt in the Vendée conserving its common buildings, agricultural structures, chapel and park.

Château Brisac

Its construction made it the highest château in France, its façade reflecting the influen-ces of that century’s Baroque architecture.

Today it is a sumptuous hotel and a popular venue for weddings and conferences. The Château de Brissac has also had its own vineyard for almost 600 years and as well as taking a tour of the chateau at Brissac and its gardens, visitors van also enjoy wine tastings in the wine-cellars of the chateau.

Château La Mothaye

Castle La Mothaye is an excellent place to stay and from where you can discover the Loire Valley.

Welcome at Château La Mothaye.