Incredible Sights Near Bumblebee Manor
Castles
Largest underground cave system of any castle in France. Also a renowned wine producer so be sure to stop in for a degustation (as you exit the castle turn right instead of turning left to the shop and exit).
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Шато де Брезе
20 Rue de l'Amiral Maillé BrézéLargest underground cave system of any castle in France. Also a renowned wine producer so be sure to stop in for a degustation (as you exit the castle turn right instead of turning left to the shop and exit).
Privately owned castle still being lived in by the family. They produce their own wine so be sure to have enough time for a degustation as you leave. This castle is close to Bumblebee Manor with lovely restaurants nearby, especially l'Auberge des Isles which sits directly under the castle next to the river.
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Замок Монтрёй-Белле
Place des OrmeauxPrivately owned castle still being lived in by the family. They produce their own wine so be sure to have enough time for a degustation as you leave. This castle is close to Bumblebee Manor with lovely restaurants nearby, especially l'Auberge des Isles which sits directly under the castle next to the river.
This graceful chateau bridges a river and has been continuously owned and inhabited by women. The furnishings and gardens are amazing. We love the audio guide as it is narrated by a previous owner and gives you a real feeling of what it was like to live there. It is the most visited castle in the Loire Valley, with good reason, so go early and expect crowds.
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Замок Шенонсо
This graceful chateau bridges a river and has been continuously owned and inhabited by women. The furnishings and gardens are amazing. We love the audio guide as it is narrated by a previous owner and gives you a real feeling of what it was like to live there. It is the most visited castle in the Loire Valley, with good reason, so go early and expect crowds.
This is the largest chateau in the Loire Valley, and Martin’s favourite. This castle is so spectacular that we had to include it even though it is 180km from Bumblebee Manor. Perhaps stop in on the way to or from the manor, or prepare to leave early and expect to be home late.
540 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Шато де Шамбор
This is the largest chateau in the Loire Valley, and Martin’s favourite. This castle is so spectacular that we had to include it even though it is 180km from Bumblebee Manor. Perhaps stop in on the way to or from the manor, or prepare to leave early and expect to be home late.
This graceful riverside castle was the home to French kings and final resting place of Leonardo Da Vinci. We recommend combining with a visit to Clos Luce 250 metres up the road, or a visit to Chenonceau 20 mins away. The village has lovely restaurants and bistros nestled around the base of the castle.
357 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Шато Гайяр Амбуаз
Montée de l'Emir Abd el KaderThis graceful riverside castle was the home to French kings and final resting place of Leonardo Da Vinci. We recommend combining with a visit to Clos Luce 250 metres up the road, or a visit to Chenonceau 20 mins away. The village has lovely restaurants and bistros nestled around the base of the castle.
Said clo loosay. The castle is more of a stately home and the final home of Leonardo Da Vinci. His creations have been brought to life throughout the gardens in giant size. There are nice picnic areas available in the garden so bring a picnic lunch, or go to one of the many lovely bistros nearby. Best combined with a visit to Amboise to get the full history of the friendship between Leonardo and King Francois I.
305 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Шато дю Кло Люсе
2 Rue du Clos LucéSaid clo loosay. The castle is more of a stately home and the final home of Leonardo Da Vinci. His creations have been brought to life throughout the gardens in giant size. There are nice picnic areas available in the garden so bring a picnic lunch, or go to one of the many lovely bistros nearby. Best combined with a visit to Amboise to get the full history of the friendship between Leonardo and King Francois I.
This romantic castle is set on an island in the middle of a river. They have fun animations in the rooms. We recommend a stop at nearby Chateau de la Grille for a wine tasting on your way past.
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Замок Азэ-ле-Ридо
19 Rue de PineauThis romantic castle is set on an island in the middle of a river. They have fun animations in the rooms. We recommend a stop at nearby Chateau de la Grille for a wine tasting on your way past.
An imposing position and views over the Loire and Saumur. Go on a Saturday morning to enjoy the market in Place St Pierre below. Walk around to the east side for a drink en terrace and a wonderful view of the chateau over the grapevines. There is not much to see inside the castle, BUT if the belvedere tour is operating then we highly recommend you pay for a visit to see the incredible view from the top of the castle (additional €3 on top of the entrance fee). The north wall of the chateau collapsed in 2001 so an enormous amount of money is being spent to shore up and renovate the chateau.
120 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Шато де Сомюр
An imposing position and views over the Loire and Saumur. Go on a Saturday morning to enjoy the market in Place St Pierre below. Walk around to the east side for a drink en terrace and a wonderful view of the chateau over the grapevines. There is not much to see inside the castle, BUT if the belvedere tour is operating then we highly recommend you pay for a visit to see the incredible view from the top of the castle (additional €3 on top of the entrance fee). The north wall of the chateau collapsed in 2001 so an enormous amount of money is being spent to shore up and renovate the chateau.
The castle that inspired Disney’s sleeping beauty castle. The sleeping beauty story has been brought to life throughout the castle turrets, attics and rooms.
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Замок Уссе
338 Château d'Usse
The castle that inspired Disney’s sleeping beauty castle. The sleeping beauty story has been brought to life throughout the castle turrets, attics and rooms.
The castle is lovely, but most people visit for the gardens. 12 full time gardeners maintain nine hectares of spectacular gardens. The gardens look different depending on the season so this is a castle to visit multiple times.
267 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Шато де Вилландри
3 Rue PrincipaleThe castle is lovely, but most people visit for the gardens. 12 full time gardeners maintain nine hectares of spectacular gardens. The gardens look different depending on the season so this is a castle to visit multiple times.
Imposing medieval castle with wonderful views over the Loire. Explore dungeons where templar knights were imprisoned. Go on Thursday morning to combine with the market. Stop for a meal or beer in the quaint old town below the fortress.
136 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Королевская крепость Шинон
2 Rue du ChâteauImposing medieval castle with wonderful views over the Loire. Explore dungeons where templar knights were imprisoned. Go on Thursday morning to combine with the market. Stop for a meal or beer in the quaint old town below the fortress.
Massive medieval fortress built from 1230 and from where King Henry of England ruled France. Be sure to see the incredible 650-year-old Apocalypse tapestry measuring over 100 metres. Go on Saturday or Wednesday to enjoy the Angers market. The old town is lovely to walk around too. Use one of the park and trams (parking relais tramway) for less stress.
238 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Шато д'Анже
2 Prom. du Bout du MondeMassive medieval fortress built from 1230 and from where King Henry of England ruled France. Be sure to see the incredible 650-year-old Apocalypse tapestry measuring over 100 metres. Go on Saturday or Wednesday to enjoy the Angers market. The old town is lovely to walk around too. Use one of the park and trams (parking relais tramway) for less stress.
This island chateau is privately owned, it so interesting to see how a modern family lives in an ancient and historic building. Take a picnic to enjoy in the lovely grounds.
Make it into a day trip by combining with a visit to Azay-le-Rideau Chateau nearby.
Only open for limited weeks in the summer months so do check their website before setting off.
35 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Шато де л'Ислетт
9 Rte de LangeaisThis island chateau is privately owned, it so interesting to see how a modern family lives in an ancient and historic building. Take a picnic to enjoy in the lovely grounds.
Make it into a day trip by combining with a visit to Azay-le-Rideau Chateau nearby.
Only open for limited weeks in the summer months so do check their website before setting off.
Sightseeing
Historic distillery designed by Gustav Eiffel (yes, THAT Eiffel). We think their orange liqueur is better than Cointreau, let us know what you think. Tours in English at set times and bookings are essential.
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Distillery Combier
48 Rue BeaurepaireHistoric distillery designed by Gustav Eiffel (yes, THAT Eiffel). We think their orange liqueur is better than Cointreau, let us know what you think. Tours in English at set times and bookings are essential.
The final resting place of Eleanor of Aquitaine and Richard the Lionheart. Our guests visit the abbey for the history and spectacular architecture, but leave with a spiritual experience. A new modern art exhibition opened in 2021 and can be visited without paying to enter the abbey.
Combine with a trip to the nearby troglodyte community of Turquant.
142 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Королевская аббатство Фонтевро
The final resting place of Eleanor of Aquitaine and Richard the Lionheart. Our guests visit the abbey for the history and spectacular architecture, but leave with a spiritual experience. A new modern art exhibition opened in 2021 and can be visited without paying to enter the abbey.
Combine with a trip to the nearby troglodyte community of Turquant.
These man made caves are enormous and so beautiful. Add to that an artistic sound and light display and they are simply spectacular. Book online and the visit is only 6 euro. Take a picnic to enjoy at the outdoor picnic tables or stay underground and try local specialties at the nearby Cathedrales de Saulaies cave restaurant.
29 (рекомендации местных жителей)
ТАЙНА ФАЛУНА
7 Rue d'AnjouThese man made caves are enormous and so beautiful. Add to that an artistic sound and light display and they are simply spectacular. Book online and the visit is only 6 euro. Take a picnic to enjoy at the outdoor picnic tables or stay underground and try local specialties at the nearby Cathedrales de Saulaies cave restaurant.
Family Fun
This is a spectacular theme park of Disney proportions and quality. Numerous grand scale shows are put on by hundreds of actors, fireworks and special effects, plus historic villages, activities and dozens of restaurants. TripAdvisor says it all, listing it in the top 5 theme parks in the world scoring 4.9 out of 5 from over 39,000 reviews!
767 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Пюи дю Фу
This is a spectacular theme park of Disney proportions and quality. Numerous grand scale shows are put on by hundreds of actors, fireworks and special effects, plus historic villages, activities and dozens of restaurants. TripAdvisor says it all, listing it in the top 5 theme parks in the world scoring 4.9 out of 5 from over 39,000 reviews!
The world-renowned French Riding School offers tours of their facilities and public performances. If you are lucky enough to be here for one of the rare galas we highly recommend going.
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Cadre Noir De Saumur - National School D'equitation
170 Avenue de l'Ecole Nationale d'EquitationThe world-renowned French Riding School offers tours of their facilities and public performances. If you are lucky enough to be here for one of the rare galas we highly recommend going.
This is a world class conservation zoo in a spectacular setting and we highly recommend it. Many unusual animals that you will view from above and below ground, and even in an amphitheatre. Go early for the best animal viewing. The underground viewing points are a life saver on a hot day. The buffet restaurant is open for lunch and dinner (July-August only) and very unique.
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Биопарк Дуэ-ла-Фонтен
103 Rue de CholetThis is a world class conservation zoo in a spectacular setting and we highly recommend it. Many unusual animals that you will view from above and below ground, and even in an amphitheatre. Go early for the best animal viewing. The underground viewing points are a life saver on a hot day. The buffet restaurant is open for lunch and dinner (July-August only) and very unique.
Рекомендации для путешественников
Не пропустите
Make the most of being in wine country
You are in wine country here and have a unique chance to try and buy wine direct from the vigneron at cellar door prices. Martin runs an excellent all-day wine tour that starts in our wine room with a primer on the Loire wine region, how to taste wines and do food pairings. Then it’s off to 3 local winemakers for generous tastings and insider tours of facilities that others don’t get to see. A delicious lunch is included. Cost is €90 per person for guests at the manor, €120 for non-guests. If you want to explore on your own we are happy to provide you with some ideas and discount vouchers
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Get out on the Loire River
The Loire has many rental companies and excellent guided tours out of Saumur. For private rentals in a more tranquil setting try the very affordable canoe and kayak rental at Montreuil Bellay.
Or how about a trip on a traditional sail boat? Leaves Le Thoureil at 10.30am, 20€ adult for 1.5 hours. Lunch at La Route du Sel over the road (Tues-Sun only). Park in the designated parking lot in the village, not on the roadside as this is permit parking only and you will be ticketed. Call 07 86 18 52 10 to book the cruise, 02 41 45 75 31 for the restaurant.
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Fabulous Gardens
There are many beautiful gardens to visit in the Loire Valley.
The Parc Oriental de Maulévrier (44 km) is the largest Japanese garden in Europe and at €7.50 very affordable to visit.
Terra Botanica in Angers (60 km) is the world’s first garden amusement park and fun with children, entrance €20.
Villandry and Chenonceau castles have incredible gardens.