Sarah & Rémy
Places to See / A Visiter
Cholet
Cholet is where we currently live. It is a small city, between our two jobs (with Sarah commuting to Angers and Rémy to Le Pin). Cholet is not the most beautiful city in France. But, there are still some charming areas and things to do/see. We like enjoying a drink at our favorite bar (Le P’tit Café). There are some cute shops on small streets around the main square (Place Travot). And, we like running or going hiking around the lakes (Lac de Ribou & Lac du Verdon) or in the forest by our house (near Étang des Noues). Things to do: https://www.thecrazytourist.com/15-best-things-cholet-france/
Angers
Angers is my favorite city in France! The city center is old, beautiful, and charming. You can visit the castle, the cathedral, and museums. Enjoy wandering the paved streets, visiting different shops and walking through the parks or along the river. There are lots of good restaurants, bars, and plenty of things to do. When I first came to France back in 2013, I studied abroad for 2 months in Angers. Then, I moved to France in 2014, and lived in Angers for 5 years. In 2019, Rémy and I moved to Cholet but I still commute to work in Angers. Website: https://www.tourisme.destination-angers.com/en Castle: https://www.chateau-angers.fr/en Cathedral: https://www.tourisme.destination-angers.com/en/plan-your-stay/your-activities/all-activities-in-angers/cathedral-of-saint-maurice-1617156 Half-Timbered House: https://www.maison-artisans.com/gb/content/10-the-history-of-adam-s-house-in-angers-france Cointreau Distillery: https://www.cointreau.com/us/en/discover-cointreau/distillery
Puy du Fou
Puy du Fou has been voted the world's best theme park, with more than 2 million visitors every year. However, there are no rides and no roller coasters. Spread across 50-hectares are venues that are home to the most epic, period-specific shows you'll ever experience. These shows depict true stories in French history from Ancient Rome through the Viking invasions, from the Middle Ages all the way to the belle-epoque and the World Wars. And everything in between. That is Puy du Fou described in a nutshell. It is not to miss, especially for the kids! We strongly suggest booking tickets in advance! You can go for the day only and watch the many different shows, or also book a ticket for the massive "Cinéscénie" performance at night. Download the app to use the Live Translation with headphones! Website: https://www.puydufou.com/france/en/must-see-france Watch the trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q8vZNr3LmO0 More information: https://inthevendee.com/what-is-le-puy-du-fou/
Clisson
Clisson is a very charming town with an incredible castle that you can visit and a picturesque estate with a beautiful park. We suggest going for a day trip. You can visit the castle in the morning, enjoy lunch at one of several nice restaurants (we like La Villa Toto), then take an afternoon stroll through the park along the river to explore the estate with Italian-inspired architecture and sculptures. Castle: https://www.chateau-clisson.fr/44/home/j_6 Estate: https://www.domaine-garenne-lemot.fr/44/home/j_6
Château de Brissac
Château de Brissac is an 11th-century castle not far south of Angers. You can visit the castle and the surrounding park. It is one of our favorites in the area.
Château de Serrant
Château de Serrant is a 16th-century Renaissance castle, famous for its library. It is south of Angers, in the direction of Cholet.
Saumur
Saumur is a very charming town on the Loire River. We suggest going for a day trip. You can visit the castle, which towers over the small town. Enjoy lunch and some shopping in the quaint center. Then, do a tour and tasting at one of the local wineries. What is unique about the wineries in this area is that they keep their wine bottles in limestone caves which were dug out (many years ago) to build the castle. My favorite is Langlois-Chateau, one of the oldest and smallest wineries (https://www.langlois-chateau.fr/en/). Or, Bouvet Ladubay, where they offer a cycling visit of the cellars! (https://www.bouvetladubay.com/en/visit-receptions/visit-our-cellars/visite-of-cellars-by-bike/).
Château de Chenonceau
During your trip, you could take several days to visit the many famous castles and towns in the Loire Valley. (The Loire isn't the only place in France with castles but it does have the densest collection. There are some 300 in the 175-mile stretch of the river in the Loire Valley.) One that you should not miss is Chateau de Chenonceau. A castle which was built across a river. It has an interesting history, impressive park, and beautiful rooms as well - really, it has it all. If you can only visit one castle, this one will give you the full experience. It is one of my favorites!
Château de Chambord
Château de Chambord is another famous castle in the Loire Valley, with an impressive exterior.
Château de Villandry
Château de Villandry is a beautiful castle in the Loire Valley, famous for its gardens.
Tours
Tour is a charming city in the Loire Valley. A nice stop while you are visiting the castles in the area. You could even organize a bike trip to visit the different sites in the Loire Valley. The Loire by Bike trail is famous "Loire à vélo" : https://www.touraineloirevalley.co.uk/plan-your-holidays/touring-around/biking/cycling-loire-valley-loire-by-bike/
Château de Tiffauges
Château de Tiffauges is a 12th-century medieval castle which is mostly in ruins today. But, it is a wonderful place to visit with kids as the large park offers many shows and immersive entertainment for the whole family. You'll discover the largest collection of working medieval war machines in Europe and watch shows including: Knights jousting, Weaponry skills displays, a medieval training camp, 16 siege engines in action (including the largest trebuchet in France, and Roman catapults), 2D and 3D immersive films (with English subtitles).
Chemin de Fer de la Vendée
For a unique experience, book a ride on an old steam train through the French countryside (great for kids). Or, for a real treat book a ride and a luxurious meal in one of the dining cars of the Orient Express (train from 1883).
Parc Oriental de Maulévrier
The Oriental Park in Maulévrier (near Cholet) is the largest Japanese garden in Europe. You can walk through the garden, take in the exotic setting, and see hundreds of plants which celebrate nature in every season. There is also a tearoom, where you can stop for some food and a drink after your walk.
Le Mont-Saint-Michel
Mont-Saint-Michel is one of the most visited sites in France. It is a rocky tidal island topped by a 10th-century abbey. It has been one of Europe’s major pilgrimage destinations for centuries and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as is its breathtaking bay. We suggest that you take a day trip to visit. You will park in a parking lot off site, then walk down the road (during low tide!) to get to the island. You'll walk up the small cobblestone street that winds its way up to the majestic abbey. Walk through the abbey and enjoy the incredible views of the surrounding bay. Pop into one of the shops to buy the local butter biscuits (cookies) or enjoy a meal at one of the restaurants (although, it can be very expensive). You can also find other places to eat nearby, off the island.
Saint-Malo
Saint-Malo is a beautiful port city in Brittany (near Mont-Saint-Michel). Tall granite walls surround the old town, which was once a stronghold for privateers (pirates approved by the king). The Saint-Malo Cathedral, in the center of the old town, is built in Romanesque and Gothic styles and features stained-glass windows depicting city history. You can wander around the old city streets. Walk around on top of the high walls for great views. And, go outside the walls to enjoy a stroll on the beach.
Dinan
If you go to visit Mont-Saint-Michel and Saint-Malo, don't miss the small town of Dinan! You'll step into the atmosphere of the Middle Ages in this a charming medieval city. Enclosed by ramparts, the town of Dinan and its 14th-century castle proudly overlook the Rance river. Below, the small marina is the starting point for some lovely walks along the estuary. Half-timbered houses and houses with pointed gables are a reminder of the town’s wealthy past. From the 14th to 18th centuries, it was busy with weavers and tanners. Today, you’ll love strolling around in front of the workshop-boutiques of glass-blowers or wood gilders.