His best-known novel, Gargantua, recounts the life of a giant with Rabelais’ childhood home, La Devinière, used as Gargantua’s birthplace. His book, The Lily of the Valley, is set here.Ĭontinue onto Chinon, where another Renaissance writer, François Rabelais, grew up. From here, drive through the valley’s vast flat plains until they suddenly give way to woodland near Saché to visit Château de Saché, a small castle-turned-museum that celebrates the novelist Honoré de Balzac, who would write here when not in Paris. Starting at La Riche, near Tours, this road trip follows in the footsteps of a number of French authors and poets. Begin at Prieuré Saint Cosme, the final home of Renaissance poet Pierre de Ronsard, whose poems were imbued with region’s nature and landscape. The property also holds its own vineyard and produces fine rosé wines.įor centuries, the Loire Valley has provided inspiration for writers. Finish in Bouchemaine, an old fishermen’s village, and enjoy a quiet evening on the banks of the river.ĭetour: Aubance Valley is home to the seven-story Château de Brissac, France’s tallest castle. Lunch at Le Chenin, a red-front restaurant facing the church, where the chef’s cuisine celebrates local produce and its cellar illustrates the variety of the terroir. Then head to Savennières which is home to its namesake renowned white wine. Appreciate the river's proximity to sail on a toue (a traditional wooden boat) in La Possonnière. On day three, head to the hills between Chalonnes and Bouchemaine. As the sun sets, head towards Chalonnes to drive through vineyards during the golden hour. The residents here have dubbed this a 'village of artists'with permanent artisan boutiques and rotating exhibitions. However, the contemporary arts and crafts gallery says otherwise. With its half-timbered houses and stone mansions, the village appears frozen in time. Here, another dessert wine is produced, the coteaux-du-layon. In the afternoon, go deeper into the countryside to reach Rablay-sur-Layon village. Taste a little at The Domaine de la Petite Croix. From here connect with the sun-warmed hillsides of the Aubance valley, whose grapes produce sweet, liquor-like white wines like Bonnezeau. After 45 km, you'll arrive in Les Ponts-de-Cé, a southern suburb of Angers. Beige sandbanks contrast with the grey-blue water and in good weather, the river reflects the sky and the trail of clouds, with only a green line of trees to separate them. The road offers a panorama no one gets tired of. The next morning, cross the Pont du Cadre Noir and take the D952 along the banks of the Loire. The troglodyte cellars of Bouvet-Ladubay and Ackerman both serve excellent Crémant (a sparkling white wine). Stop en route at Abbaye Royale de Fontevraud, once Europe’s biggest monastic city, before staying overnight in Saumur and enjoying some winetasting. The red grape vines that fill the surrounding landscape are used to produce Chinon wine. Start in Chinon, a medieval city with half-timbered houses and dominating royal fortress, before heading for Saumur. 145km (90 miles) 2-3 daysĬombining emblematic wines with picturesque landscapes, this road trip passes white tufa (limestone) villages overhanging the Loire and vineyards rolling out as far as the eye can see. The Vineyard Road Best road trip for wine and scenic landscapesĬhinon-Bouchemaine approx. This gorgeous route weaves through the Loire Valley to towns like Angers © nicolamargaret / Getty Images 1.
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