Visit the Loire Valley Le Manoir du Buisson Perron is ideally located for visiting the Loire Valley and the Saumur region of France. Located in the Parc Naturel de la Vallée de la Loire – a UNESCO protected heritage site encompassing 300 kilometers along the Loire River – you can visit the rich history of the Loire Valley. The center of the Parc Naturel, Montsoreau, is just 15 kilometers from the manor house. The pretty town of Saumur has many attractions. The owners can make reservations for you in the restaurants in the area and arrange for visits to local vineyards for wine tasting. You'll want to visit the Saumur castle and the Riding School (Ecole nationale d'equitation), known worldwide for its annual shows during the month of July. Within easy driving distance there are châteaux, each with their own style and charm – from the medieval period through the 19th century. Writers and painters have been inspired by the castles of the Loire, with the Château d'Ussé being one of the most famous as it was the inspiration for Charles Perrault's folk tale of Sleeping Beauty. Chinon, its castle overlooking the Vienne and the old town make for a lovely day excursion. The 12th-century Royal Abbey of Fontevraud is where Henry II, Eleanor of Acquitaine and their son, Richard the Lionhearted, are buried. Saumur has a 9-hole golf course and Fontevraud's 18-hole course is in a beautiful location. Horseriding, canoeing on the Loire, tennis, biking and more are all available close by. Bike and canoe rentals are easy to arrange. Don't miss the Vegetable Market Sunday mornings in Montsoreau for a taste of an authenic French market. Relax on the terrasse of the local cafes bordering the Loire River while reading La Dame de Montsoreau – Alexander Dumas' celebrated heroine. The elegant church built in the 12th and 13th centuries in nearby Candes-St-Martin is exquisite. Arnauld & Annick TARRADE Le Manoir du Buisson Perron La Petite Maison 108, rue Juive – Villebernier 49400 Saumur - France Email: Arnauld-tarrade@wanadoo.fr Manoir Phone: +33 (0)2.41.51.00.52 Cell Phone: +33 (0)6.08.77.49.34 Web Site: http://www.saumurfrance.com/ Manoir du Buisson Perron | Rooms | Petite Maison | Visit the Loire Valley Reservations | Photo Album | Links Listed with Gites de France.info WebFrance International Home | Paris In Sites Newsletter | Paris Insider Guides | Castles, Bed & Breakfast, Manors | Hotels & Apartments | Books & Multimedia | Education & Culture | Language Learning | Paris | Professional Services - B to B | Travel & Leisure in Paris & France | Awards for WFI Sites | List of All WFI Sites Created by WebFrance International