Les Chateaux de Loire

One could not talk about Anjou or the Loire region without mentioning the  chateaux.  A byword for sophistication and culture, nowhere else in the world could you find so many exquisite examples of medieval castles along the valley of one river.  It is as if all the castles in the UK were scattered alongside the Thames.  From awe-inspiring  fortresses to  love palaces. Built by the ancient French nobility to impress; firstly the conquered, then their fellow rulers and lastly their lovers.  They are, of course, of great historical interest and we have many visitors who delight in the details of every architectural nuance. For me, however, they are, together with the great Loire, the particular light, the caves and vineyards, just the things which give the Loire its unique identity, its feeling of timelessness and stability.  The chateau are a gift to this and to future generations and to watch the chateau at Saumur glowing red in the waters of the Loire as the sun sets or to pass Montsoreau shrouded in the morning mist one wonders just how many  generations have done the same thing , pausing for a moments reflection before continuing on their way.

A brief description of Le Clos des Guyons

Our two gites are situated in the heart of Anjou, in the middle of the largest wine producing commune in the Saumur vineyards, (follow the links at the top of the page to see comprehensive information and picture galleries on the interior of each of our gites, Le Sauvignon and Le Chenin), They are situated within the ancient stone walls of Le Clos des Guyons on the edge of the pretty wine making village of Le Puy Notre Dame.  Both our gites open onto an extensive courtyard with ample, secure parking.  Off the courtyard is a garden area where the pool is situated. This is surrounded by a wooden decked area with BBQ and garden furniture.
Turn right out of the impressive XVIIIth centaury courtyard gateway and you are in the midst of extensive vineyards which stretch, almost without a break, to the market town of Doué la Fontaine.  Turn left and you are in the village, recently awarded both a new wine appellation in acknowledgement of the quality of its red wine and the coveted tourist classification of "Petit Cité de Caractère"  The village has a bar, two restaurants, a supermarket and pharmacy.  The bakery is only 2 mins. stroll from your holiday accommodation.  Le Puy is well situated to explore the famous Loire Valley, particularly the châteaux and wine of this warm and welcoming region. The cultural importance of this part of the Loire has been recognised by UNESCO who have declared it a World Heritage Site, one of only a few worldwide.
The lovely old chateau town of Saumur, nestling alongside the Loire and famous for its wine and horses is about  15mins. away..  The rose-growing town of Doué la Fontaine, famous for its fascinating zoo, which now houses the largest aviary in Europe is only 5mins. away as is Montreuil-Bellay, another historic chateau town which is the last, remaining walled town in Anjou.  Chinon, with its formidable fortress chateau and connections with Joan of Arc is 45mins as is Angers the major city in the region with its bustling student population, shops and restaurants and of course, its chateau which houses the stunning "acapolictic  tapestries".  Fontenvraud, when Richard the Lionheart is buried , is just a few minutes drive.  Opened last year and just outside Angers is the french equivalent of the British Eden Project "Terra Botanica" which has acres of glass showing plants from all over the world in natural environments.   Thouars with the largest market in the region and famous for its Chateau and Orangery is 15 mins away and Tours, the historical capital of the Touraine is approximately 1hr.
Any true wine lover must surely dream of the Loire with more than 60 different wine appellation across its length.  It provides a cornucopia of wine styles be they red, white, rosé sweet or sparkling.  Le Puy Notre Dame is at the centre of around thirty appellations in Anjou-Saumur including, of course, its very own. The region stretches from the Nantais, (home of Muscadet), in the west to Chinon, famous for its reds, in the East. After many years of involvement in the wine trade in the UK we are more than happy to provide any help you may need whether it is just to point you in the right direction or to construct more formal tours and courses, just follow the wine link at the top of the page.