| WHAT'S ON IN THE REGION IN 2010 |
| To help you plan your holiday, these are some of the highlights for this year and most of the major fëtes follow the same criteria each year. For example, the Grand Prix Retro in our village of Le Puy Notre Dame, always takes place on the last Sunday in July. This year's fete dates have just been announced and are usually published officially in April, but you can always ask us to try and confirm a date if you are interested in a particular event and tickets need to be reserved. Please note these are simply a 'selection' of what is going on, some we have chosen because they simply cannot be missed, e.g., Bastille Day Celebrations or the Grand Prix Retro in Le Puy, others because of their charm, like the country fête at Deneze and others because we personally find them interesting or simply 'quirky'. There is, of course, almost always something going on somewhere. Towns like Angers, Chinon or Saumur have almost permanent fêtes of one kind or another (Saumur also has an on-going programme of international horse events too) and, in winter, many places including Saumur and the Royal Abbey at Fontenvraud, have a cultural season of concerts which last until the Spring fêtes start to arrive. Neither have we included the more localised things that sometimes goes on in the village, e.g., the Christmas markets in the huge caves and concerts in the churches etc. We will add others to this list as we remember them!! |
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| MONTH | DATE | EVENT | COMMENTS |
| FEBRUARY | 02, 03, 04, 2010 | SALON DES VINS DE LOIRE (ANGERS)
| Over the years the Loire Valley Wine Trade Fair has become one of the most important wine events in Europe.
Devoted to a single wine-producing region, every year the Fair offers the opportunity to discover, or rediscover, the 68 Appellation d'Origine red, rosé, sweet or dry and still or sparkling white wines that make up the 3rd largest wine region in France.
Taking place over 3 days, the 600 exhibitors, including wine growers, co-operative wine cellars, wine and other traders, will be there to share their enthusiasm and, above all, help appreciate their new vintages! Complete with bars, resuarants and a special salon dedicated to the medal winners.
It is the driving force in wine growing in the Loire Valley and in the French wine economy.
For wine professionals only - but we can get you in - as guests of our winemaking friends!! |
| Each Month | 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th Sundays | Antique markets in the village. | See bottom of page for names of villages. |
| MARCH | 10.04.10 | SALON DES VINS ET TERROIRS | Wine Fair with 113 Viticulteurs at The Orangerie of the Chateau in Thouars. An interesting weekend for wine lovers! |
| APRIL | 4,5.04.10 | SPRINGTIME PORTES OUVERTES AT 'LE CAVES DE VIGNERONS SAUMUR'. | 9th Wine and gastronomy Open Day! Visitors can sample cocktails and wine sorbets, listen to commentated degustations! Entrance fee 3 Euros for your wine glass and degustations. Also you can take the little train through the rolling vineyards or promenade in the horse drawn carriage! A great family day. |
| AVRIL | Easter Sunday 11.04.10 | CHATEAU BRISSAC "CHASSE AUX OEUFS" | The stunning renaissance Chateau (tallest in the Loire) former home of the Dukes of Brissac hosts the venue for this Annual Easter Egg Hunt called Chasse aux Oeufs. A family event on Easter Sunday in which participants search for 10,000 chocolate eggs hidden around the woods and gardens of the Renaissance chateau. Entrance fee includes admission to the rooms of the chateau and kitchens. A wonderful adventurous day for families. |
| AVRIL | (Easter w/end) Sunday 11.04.10 ************ | CHATEAU ROYAL DE BLOIS ° "SON & LUMIERE" ° "SWORDFIGHTING EVENT" ° UNIVERSE OF ILLUSION IN THE "MAISON DE LA MAGIC" | The Chateau was a favourite residence of the Kings of France during the Renaissance, the Chateau de Blois is an authentic Royal Palace in the Loire Valley. The furnished and recently renovated apartments are adorned with a magnificent polychrome decoration. Four wings, four periods, four styles surround the courtyard offering a dazzling panorama of French Architecture. Immerse yourself in a magical world of colour and light evoking famous episodes in the history of the chateau. A truly unforgettable Sound and Light Show which starts for the Easter weekend visitors. During the summer the courtyard of the Chateau comes to life with historical fencing combats, swordfighters and duellists clash in a revival of the age of the duel. And so to the accompaniment of Renaissance music professional swordsmen reconstruct famous comnats linked to the chateau's history. Enter into a universe of illusions in the 'Maison de la Magic', a new magic show where strange and magical occurrences happen in the apartments of a musician. (Dates weekend of Easter and after that from 05.04.08 to 21.09.08 and 25.10.08 - 06.11.08 (This Chateau is approx two hour drive from Le Puy). |
| APRIL | 01.04.10 - 31.10.10 | BIOPARK ZOO OF DOUE LA FONTAINE | Re-opens its doors for the season on 1 April. Set in a maze of rocks and luxurious, wild vegetation the Biopark Zoo of Doué houses a remarkable collection of spectacular animals with a special mandate of protecting the endangered species. The extraordinary troglodyte site of ancient sand quarry, galleries and the way the animals are kept, make the Zoo one of the most beautiful in Europe. Not to miss the five acre valley of the black rhinoceros, the leopard canyon, the vulture pit (you can sit inside with them whilst being fed if you dare)! the giraffe enclosure and the restaurant with its panoramic view of the giraffes! NEW - visit the largest bird aviary in Europe. |
| APRIL | 01.04.10 - 30.09.10 | CHATEAU DE SAUMUR | Seven years of major work to reconstruct the rampart after a disastrous flood in January 2001! The Chateau is visible for miles and set on a rocky plateau, it is straight out of a fairytale. There are magnificent panoramic views from the gardens over the city and the Loire to be seen and you can combine with a visit to the Orangerie Restaurant to continue enjoying those outstanding views. |
| APRIL | 25-26.04.10 | LE PRINTEMPS DU THOUET A MONTREUIL BELLAY | This is an open day at the winery of the Chateau at Montreuil Bellay. A chance to look around the beautiful gardens also. There is a car boot sale and a plant market on Port St Catherine. |
| APRIL | 23-24-25.04.10 | WEEKEND PORTES OUVERTES "LE DOMAINE DE LA PALEINE" IN LE PUY NOTRE DAME | Annual event held by the Domaine de la Paleine in Le Puy Notre Dame 'la plus grande productrice de vin d'appellation Saumur controlée'. It is giving an open invitation to taste their wines and view its galleries of underground tuffeau caves. A perfect chance to taste and purchase their wines and sample some local gastronomic products. |
| APRIL | 27.04.10 | CHATEAU GRATIEN & MEYER | Cocktail Party in the Boutique overlooking the Loire, sampling the new Cuvee Flamme sparkling wine! |
| MAY | 14.05.10
20.05.10 | PUBLIC PRESENTATION OF THE FAMOUS CADRE NOIR DE SAUMUR | An entertaining presentation of the highly skilled French National Riding School showing 'airs above the ground' and other technical movements with the famous horses of the Cadre Noir. |
| APRIL/MAY | 29.04.-02.05.10 | CONCOURS DE DRESSAGE INTERNATIONAL, ECOLE NATIONALE D'EQUITATION | Popular Equestrian Event. |
| MAY | Opening April/May and all year round. | 'TERRA BOTONICA'
**NEW ATTRACTION FOR 2010** | Launched and built by the Maine et Loire Local Authorities, TERRA BOTONICA is the first ever Interactive Plant Adventure Park in the Anjou region. Almost 110,000 m2 of gardens, aquatic parks and greenhouses with 40 attractions and activities for children, the park is a multidimensional showcase of flora from the six continents offering a unique experience. TERRA BOTANICA is a trip through time and space combining a vision of nature with an understanding of plant life. Flowers in bloom all year long and naturally renewed from one season to another. (Website: www.terrabotanica.fr) |
| 4 | 29-30.05.10 | CAVE DE ST CYR EN BOURG | Animation à la Cave de Saumur "Rayon de Vigne". |
| MAY | 29-30.05.10 | LES CHEMINS DE LA ROSE, DOUE LA FONTAINE | Animation musicale and festive |
| MAY | Date to be confirmed for 2011 | LA GRANDE INTERNATIONAL FËTE DU CAMPING-CAR
(Le Puy Notre Dame) | More than 1,000 camping-cars and 3,000 people assemble on 19 hectares of land at the village of Cix, just outside Le Puy for a four day international festival. Entertainment, musical soirées with singers and live bands, this year GYPSY KINGS and an Orchestra on the opening night, bars, (the village restaurant closes and moves, lock, stock and menus, to Cix), wine tastings, carriage rides through the vineyards etc.,etc. On the Saturday evening there is a spectacle by Gérard Lenorman followed by a grand firework display with light and music show! Fete available to residents of Le Puy. |
| MAY | 20-30.05.10 | 19th DESCENTE DE LOIRE EN CHANSONS | Evening spectacle on the Loire |
| JUNE | 04-05-06.06.10 | LE PRINTEMPS DES ECUYERS DU CADRE NOIR DE SAUMUR | An event of pure delight in the main arena. work in obstacles, long reins, school jump. An unforgettable hour dedicated to the tradition of French horsemanship. |
| JUNE | 10.06.10
17.06.10 | PUBLIC PRESENTATION OF THE FAMOUS CADRE NOIR DE SAUMUR | An entertaining presentation of the highly skilled French National Riding School showing 'airs above the ground' and other technical movements with the famous horses of the Cadre Noir. |
| JUNE | 11.06.10 | LES ROMAN ARENA, DOUE LA FONTAINE | Evening concert of music. |
| JUNE | 20.06.10 | FETE DU VELO | The roads along both banks of the Loire between Angers and Montsoreau are closed off for bikes and rollerblades on this warm and friendly family day out. |
| JUNE | 21.06.10 | FETE DE LA MUSIQUE
| EVENT NATIONALE - gratuit! |
| JUNE | 25-26-27.06.10 | FESTIVAL INTERNATIONAL DES GEANTS ET DES MASQUES | Saumur weekend en Fête with brilliant display of international masked giants with colourful costumes on stilts walking the streets with non stop bands playing having the ambiance of carnival time in Rio! Non stop concert at the Place de la Republique! |
| JULY | 06.07.10
13.07.10
20.07.10
27.07.10 | LE PUY NOTRE DAME
Organised walk. | Organised walk and commentary around the rues of the village, including also the Collegiale Church, by our representative from the Office of Tourisme. |
| JULY | 02.07.10
09.07.10
16.07.10
23.07.10
30.07.10 | "NIGHT'N BULLES" AT CAVES OF CHATEAU GRATIEN & MEYER, SAUMUR | This is the fourth edition of "Jazzbulles" on the fabulous terraces of Chateau Gratien and Meyer in Saumur with its unique panoramic view overlooking the beautiful Loire. Orchestras play jazz, swing and blues whilst you enjoy and partake in their famous sparkling wines! There are conducted tours of the caves and degustations in the boutique. Always a 'tres grand' success and an opportunity to enjoy yourself! |
| JULY | All evenings 21.30 hrs | SONGES & LUMINIERES AU
CHATEAU D'AZAY-LE-RIDEAU | Built on the foundations of a medieval fortress in the heart of Touraine, the magnificent Chateau d'Azay-le-Rideau is the creation of a wealthy financier of Francois I, Gilles Berthelot. Standing in the centre of a romantic park, this masterpiece of 16th Century architecture has preserved with the passing years all the elegance and grace of an exceptional Renaissance chateau. You are invited to discover another world of dreams and imaginations when the chateau and parc are transformed into 'light and images' with chants and beautiful whispering music as the darkness of evening commences. €9,00 tariff. |
| JULY | 01.07.10
08.07.10
29.07.10 | PUBLIC PRESENTATION OF THE FAMOUS CADRE NOIR DE SAUMUR | An entertaining presentation of the highly skilled French National Riding School showing 'airs above the ground' and other technical movements with the famous horses of the Cadre Noir. |
| JULY | 02-03.07.10 |
FESTIVAL IN RUE ST NICOLAS
| Music and bands playing all night long! |
| JULY | 10-14.07.10 | 51ST ANNIVERSARY EVENT OF THE "INTERNATIONAL FÊTE DE LA ROSE" AT DOUE-LA-FONTAINE (ROSE GARDEN OF FRANCE). | Over 40,000 visitors attend this magnificent weekend display of rose exhibitions and international floral art sculpture competitions held in the underground caves of the Roman Arena. Enjoy the variety of aromas, harmony of colours and multitudes of intoxicating perfumes. YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED! |
| JULY | 13.07.10 | LOIRE EN FËTE PRELUDE TO BASTILLE DAY! IN SAUMUR ALL DAY. EVENING IN MONTREUIL BELLAY EVENING IN MONTSOREAU | River events, concerts, exhibitions of traditional boats, traditional exhibitions; car boot sale. Celebrations in the evening with music and dancing - a superb prelude to Bastille Night! |
| JULY | 14.07.10 | NATIONAL FETE "BASTILLE DAY" CELEBRATIONS" | The lovely Loire is 'En Fëte' all day long. Late into the evening there is a grand firework display over the Loire followed by music by live bands and dancing into the early hours! We always go to Saumur but there are similar activities in every town and many villages. |
| JULY | Throughout the month. | ANIMATIONS AND SOIREES MUSICAL IN SAUMUR | Be entertained on the terraces of the cafes and the restaurants all night long. |
| JULY | 16-18.07.10
23-25.07.10 | "FONTEVRAUD ON RACONTE" | Actors, story-tellers and musicians take their turn to share the life and spirit of the special Abbey with you. The show-visit is an original way to discover, understand and feel actually part of the Abbey in bygone times (a night time event). |
| JULY | 17-18.07.10 | LE CADRE NOIR DE SAUMUR "CARROUSEL" | Two-day event of skilled horsemanship displayed by the famous French Cavalry School of Saumur, Le Cadre Noir, in conjunction with displays of armoured tanks by the Arme Blindée Cavalerie! With 8,000 visitors, 30 vehicles, 80 horses, and demonstrations of grand quality in the heart of Saumur - you will have a brilliant time! |
| JULY | July and August at 20.30 hours | CHATEAU ET A L'EGLISE MONTSOREAU | Fabulous setting for five concerts. |
| JULY | 25.07.10 | LE PUY NOTRE DAME VILLAGE "Le Grand Prix Retro du Vignoble" | A chance to view the Pre-1935 Classic Cars:- Bugatti, Lotus, Vauxhall and also Tricyclecars, to name but a few. Thousands of spectators and enthusiasts crowd into Le Puy Notre Dame to watch the races between all the narrow roads in this small commune. Fascinating! The machines, before the war, are discussed and viewed all day long accompanied by a glass of local wine or two, fouée bread and galipettes d'Anjou. |
| AUGUST |
03.08.10
10.08.10
17.08.10
24.08.10
31.08.10 | LE PUY NOTRE DAME
Organised walk. | Organised walk and commentary around the rues of the village, including also the Collegiale Church, by our representative from the Office of Tourisme. |
| AUGUST | Throughout the month. | ANIMATIONS AND SOIREES MUSICAL IN SAUMUR | Be entertained on the terraces of the cafes and the restaurants all night long with many musicians! |
| AUGUST | All evenings 21.30 hrs | SONGES & LUMINIERES AU CHATEAU D'AZAY-LE-RIDEAU | Built on the foundations of a medieval fortress in the heart of Touraine, the Chateau d'Azay-le-Rideau is the creation of a wealthy financier of Francois I, Gilles Berthelot. Standing in the centre of a romantic park, this masterpiece of 16th Century architecture has preserved with the passing years all the elegance and grace of an exceptional Renaissance chateau. You are invited to discover another world of dreams and imaginations when the chateau and parc are transformed into light and images with chants and whispering music.€9,00 tariff. |
| AUGUST | 04-05.08.10 | DEGUSTATIONS DE SAUMUR-CHAMPIGNY (This link contains both pictures and video) (On the site click on "Les Grandes Tablées" and then on the camera icon for the video) | in the heart of Saumur. This is billed as the night of the biggest restaurant in Europe with 5,000 meals, 10,000 visitors, 2 kms of tables, 1 km of baguettes, 6 tonnes of mushrooms, around 4,500 meals, 3,500 bottles of Saumur Champigny of many vintages, and 7,500 glasses of wine, all accompanied by marquees of music groups, jazz, rock, blues, etc., that will rattle the windows around the Place St Pierre. Something to think about!! |
| AUGUST | 01.08.10 | PASSAVANT-SUR-LAYON MEDIEVAL MUSICAL CONCERT | In the pretty Eglise at Passavant sur Layon, there is a musical concert. Afterward the evening continues with everyone walking across the road to Chateau Passavant and partaking in a glass of their wine. It is a highly reputable Domaine, mentioned in the Hachett Guide! |
| AUGUST | 01.08.10 | PAINTINGS DANS LA VILLE OF MONTREUIL BELLAY | A fine display of artists actually working on their canvasses dotted all around the village and down by the river, anywhere and everywhere, using the painting theme of the ville de Montreuil-Bellay, one of the prettiest towns in the region! Open to amateurs and professionals alike. |
| AUGUST | 01.08.10 | GRAND COUNTRY FËTE, DENEZE-SOUS-DOUE | Grand country fair with many displays of crafts, folklore, wood sculptures. Food, wine, entertainment and dancing into the early hours! |
| AUGUST | 06.08.10
13.08.10
20.08.10
27.08.10 | "NIGHT'N BULLES" AT CAVES OF CHATEAU GRATIEN & MEYER, SAUMUR | This is the fourth edition of "Jazzbulles" on the fabulous terraces of Chateau Gratien and Meyer in Saumur with its unique panoramic view overlooking the beautiful Loire. Orchestras play jazz, swing and blues whilst you enjoy and partake in their famous sparkling wines! There are conducted tours of the caves and degustations in the boutique. Always a 'tres grand' success and an opportunity to enjoy yourself! |
| AUGUST | 29.08.09 | AUBIGNE SUR LAYON VILLAGE 11th Fête du Patrimoine of music, vin and art. | The Village of Charm 'Aubigne sur Layon' opens up its many houses and gardens to thousands of visitors who flock in to enjoy a cocktail of music bands situated in the courtyards of houses, domaines of viticultueurs and around and about its narrow streets. There are jazz bands, rock bands, blues bands and classical guitar artists, along with art, paintings and residents pretty gardens all open to the public but not forgetting the spectacle of the 'Coteaux du Layon' wine fountain being switched on in the morning by the Mayor and the Village Committee prior to the opening. Plenty of glasses of wine and food all day long! A unique day! |
| SEPTEMBER | Mondays 20h.30 | FESTIVAL CHAMPIGNONS AT MONTSOREAU | Grand Festival of Mushrooms of the Autumn. |
| SEPTEMBER | 04-12.09.10 | FESTI VINI 2010
| Saumur - Place Saint-Pierre - Place de la Republique - Rue de la Tonnelle. A good chance for a degustation or two - go treat your taste buds!! Discover, taste, enjoy and purchase if you wish! How this wine market operates is simple and fun on the way in you buy a wine glass for 3 Euros you can then taste all the wines and meet the producers of the different appellations, Red, White Saumur, Saumur Champigny, Cabernet de Saumur, Coteaux de Saumur, Crémant de Loire and Saumur Brut. To the accompaniment of music this is a new approach which gives one a chance to discover the subtleties of the different wines with the help of the wine producers - 6,000 visitors are expected at the market between the Loire and historical Saumur. |
| SEPTEMBER | 04.05.09.10 | CHATEAU - SAUMUR | Spectacle in the grounds of the chateau |
| SEPTEMBER | Friday and Saturday evenings | SONGES & LUMINIERES AU CHATEAU D'AZAY-LE-RIDEAU | Built on the foundations of a medieval fortress in the heart of Touraine, the Chateau d'Azay-le-Rideau is the creation of a wealthy financier of Francois I, Gilles Berthelot. Standing in the centre of a romantic park, this masterpiece of 16th Century architecture has preserved with the passing years all the elegance and grace of an exceptional Renaissance chateau. You are invited to discover another world of dreams and imaginations when the chateau and parc are transformed into light and images with chants and whispering music.€9,00 tariff. |
| SEPTEMBER | 01-30.09.10 | LE MOIS DES PARCS
Saumur et sa region. | Doors are opened and you are invited to view many privately owned chateaux and manoirs in the region. Many churches have guided tours and you are allowed to enter into areas that are normally out of bounds including our own church in Le Puy where you can climb up through the winding staircase to the very top and take in the breathtaking panoramic view of the Anjou and Touraine Regional Park. Also the Mushroom caves at St. Maur are open to everyone for a special guided tour by the owner! |
| SEPTEMBER | 23-26.09.10 | CONCOURS DE DRESSAGE INTERNATIONAL GRANDE SEMAINE DE SAUMUR | Saumur Ecole Nationale d'Equitation Presentations. |
| SEPTEMBER | 26.09.10 | VENDAGES AU CHATEAU DE SAUMUR | (Castle Harvest Festival) in the panoramic grounds of the chateau the residents and visitors will be able to harvest grapes and press and then taste the grape juice. There will be a 'Vin d'Honneur' for the visitors by the Ville de Saumur. Afterwards this is followed on by music, events and degustations of the sparkling Saumur Brut and Crémant de Loire offered by the "Maison des Vins" de Saumur. |
| OCTOBER | Mondays 20h30 | FESTIVAL CHAMPIGNONS AT MONTSOREAU | Grand Festival of Mushrooms of the Autumn. |
| OCTOBER | Various evenings | CULTURAL SEASON OF CLASSICAL MUSIC AT FONTEVRAUD | Classical Concert - programme to be confirmed. |
| OCTOBER | 03.10.10 | LE PUY NOTRE DAME
Marché Gourmand du Vendangeur | Take a stroll up to the Salles des Fetes in the village and sample delicious regional products and sample some of the local wines - a lovely relaxing afternoon. |
| OCTOBER | 03.10.10 | LES VENDANGES BELLE EPOQUE | A really good day out in the chateau village of Martigné-Briand. It celebrates a medieval vendage with music, street markets and lots of the new wines!! |
| OCTOBER | 15-17.10.10 | LES MUSICALS DU CADRE NOIR DE SAUMUR | Prestigious annual event. Original concept linking the equestrian skills of the Cadre Noir to classical music. 1.5 hours of academic equestrian presentations, school jumps and commentated movements to delights of music lovers! Tickets for this need to be reserved well in advance! |
| OCTOBER | 09-10.10.10 | RANDONNEE VINS ET CHAMPIGNONS A SAUMUR | Discover the Saumur area on these circuits adapted for bikes and walkers. |
| OCTOBER | 16-17.10.10 | FOIRE AUX POMMES, MOULIHERNE | A great weekend of fun and market stalls to discover. |
| OCTOBER | 31.10.09 | HALLOWEEN NIGHT CHATEAU BREZE | In the afternoon the children are smartly dressed up and enjoying the afternoon fun. |
| NOVEMBER | TBC | GRAND CHRISTMAS MARKET | Chateau Brissac| 'A Christmas Dream' |  | The Chateau is transformed into 'A Christmas Dream': Father Christmas collects the children's letters and costumed characters mingle with the craftsmen selling their goods in the decorated Château. Greatly enjoyed by everyone. |
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| NOVEMBER | Various evenings | CLASSICAL MUSIC CONCERT AT FONTEVRAUD | Classical Concert programme to be confirmed. |
| DECEMBER | 04-05.12.10 | CHRISTMAS MARKET | Underground Caves at the Roman Arena at Doué la Fontaine |
| DECEMBER | 04.12.09 | CHRISTMAS MARKET | Rue Saint-Nicolas, Saumur |
| DECEMBER | 11.12.10 | DISTILLERIE COMBIER - SAUMUR | Market 'Gourmand and visit of Distillerie in the heart of Saumur in unique setting, unchanged since its founding in 1834. Opportunity to taste and appreciate the authentic flavours of their liqueurs, cream liqueurs and exotic nature of cocktails! |
| DECEMBER | TBC | CLASSICAL MUSIC AT FONTEVRAUD | Concerts for Noel! |
| DECEMBER | 18.12.10 | CHRISTMAS MARKET | Thouars Town Centre |
| Brocantes and Vide-Greniers (Antique markets and car boot sales). | All year round. Strollers can rag books and furniture, etc). | First Sunday of each month. 9h-18h Second Sunday of each month. 9h-18h Third Sunday of each month. 9h-18h Fourth Sunday of each month. 9h-12h | Brocante in main square in Chateau town of Montreuil Bellay. Brocante on the Quays of the Loire at Monsoreau. Brocante at Place Jeanne d'Arc in Chinon. Avenue du Général de Gaulle Saumur. 'Les Puces Ligériennes'. |
