Things to do (all within an hour's drive)

Châteaux

With so many of the Loire's châteaux within easy reach you can visit more than one a day!

Here are just some of them:

Villandry

Brissac

Brézé

Fontevraud l'Abbaye

Château du Rivau

Ussé

Montreuil-Bellay

Chinon

Azay-le-Rideau

Langeais

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Wine

The Loire Valley has 87 appellations (regulating where the grapes are grown and how the wine is made); the area around Saumur is the third largest sparkling wine producer in France.

Le Ruault is surrounded by vineyards, growing the three main grape varieties: Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Franc. We love seeing the vines during the seasons, noting which ones have been pruned, having a chat with the vignerons (wine-growers) on our dog walks and seeing the grapes growing. But best of all is tasting the results!

Vignerons often sell direct from their properties. You can go along and do a tasting (une degustation) and buy if you like. We're happy to arrange one for you. Our nearest vigneron is only a 10-minute walk away - so you can even stagger back. There are plenty of others within a short distance and some of the bigger producers in Saumur also offer guided tours of their caves. They specialise in cremant de Loire (champagne in all but name) but let's keep that our little secret, shall we?

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Theme parks

Le Puy du Fou

La Parc de la Vallée

Terra Botanica

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Other attractions

Bioparc, Doué-la-Fontaine

Museé des Blindés

Le Cadre noir

Canoeing

Golf

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Food and flea markets

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