Archive for August 24th, 2006
As the Loire River runs west towards the Atlantic, the traveler enters a peaceable region of lush countryside, vineyards, long sandy beaches and salt marshes, dotted with many small undiscovered castles, manor houses and hunting lodges. Bucolic pleasures are mixed with fascinating cities, stunning artwork and cultural festivities.
Western Loire Highlights
Le Mans-Laval
The famous 24-hour car race and “rillettes”, a local gastronomic speciality, have, in their different ways, assured the town’s reputation. Le Mans is a shop window for progress but it is also knows how to maintain its traditions. While speed rules on the Bugatti racing track, vintage and more recent cars can be found in the Musee de L’Automobile. Enclosed within high gallo-Roman walls outside the town is the 13th century Abbaye de L’Epau and its vast Gothic Cathedral, a monument to the memory of the Plantagenet Kings of England. Not to miss: the neighboring medieval fortress of the Lude. The chateau de Lude is the only chateau in France uniting three architectural styles: medieval fortress, Italian Renaissance and French Classicism. The chateau is open to the public for guided visits. Laval, an historic art-filled town set on the banks of the Mayenne river, was the birthplace of Douanier Rousseau. Highlights of the town include the medieval castle (transformed into a fine arts museum), the churches Notre Dame des Cordeliers and Notre Dame de Pritz, and the Public School Museum.
Saumur/Fontevraud
Saumur is France’s military and equestrian center. For nearly two centuries the cavaliers of the reenactment of Cadre Noir have been the pride of this city, which is also home of the National Riding School. The town’s castle, a luxurious residence for the Dukes of Anjou in the Middle Ages and bastion of Protestantism in the 17th century, overlooks the majestic river and seems to watch over the Old Town, one of the most beautiful in the Loire Valley.
Extending over nearly 37 acres, Fontevraud is the largest group of monastic buildings anywhere in Europe. Of the five abbeys founded in the 11th century, three still exist. The English Plantagenet Kings chose as their final resting place and the recumbent figures of Henry II, Eleanor of Aquitaine, Richard the Lionhearted and Isabel of Angoulême can be admired in Abbey Church. The kitchen, built in the Romanesque style, is the best known and the most curious of the recently restored buildings.
Angers
The Maine river flows peacefully at the foot of the imposing Chateau d’Angers, which, together with the towering Cathedral, protects the Old Town and its half-timbered houses houses. Angers is a great benefactor of the arts and is at the forefront of tapestry design. The world largest liqueur, Cointreau, is produced in Angers. Moreover, Anjou boasts a great number of wine producers and chateaux owners offering wine tasting of the extremely diverse local production.
Nantes
Gateway to the Atlantic and capital of Western Loire, Nantes is the historical capital of the Dukes of Brittany. A fascinating and varied town, Nantes various quarters are steeped in history and its museums are rich in art collections. Don’t miss the Gothic Cathedral with its ducal tombs, the passage of Pommeraye or the Graslin neighbourhood and the rue Crebillon with its chic boutiques. Jules Verne, born here, has his own museum. To the south of the Loire, Gros Plant and Muscadet wines are produced.
Puy du Fou
The tragic wars in the Vendee in 1793 have left a deep mark on the inhabitants of this area of hills, pastures and woodlands. Every summer, some 800 actors and 50 horsemen stage a dramatic renactment of these events for 380,000 spectactors at the Puy du Fou. A permanent heritage center, the Eco-Museum of the Vendee, complete with period villages has been created around the Chateau of the Puy du Fou.
Travel through the centuries at the Puy du Fou Grand Parc and give free rein to your emotions. Shiver as you watch the incredible chariot race in the Gallo-Roman Stadium (Stadium Gallo-Romain), tremble before the daunting Viking attack on the Fortress from the Year 1000 (Le Fort de l’An Mil), thrill to the rhythms of the fantastic Battle of the Keep (Bataille du Donjon), and soar along with the majestic flight of the eagles in the Falconry show (Fauconnerie). At the Grand Parc at Puy du Fou, you will find an array of non-stop dazzling spectacles to amaze you!
The Islands
Although the island of Noirmoutier and the Ile d’Yeu are fairly close to each other and both are unspoiled and peaceful, they are quite different. With its Chateau and abbey, the island of Noirmoutier is linked to the continent by a bridge. Another approach to the island; at low tide only; is the “Gois”, the causeway across the sea. Further to the south and some twenty miles from the mainland, a small granite projection, the Ile d’Yeu, rises from the Atlantic. Accessible by sea and air, the island is dominated by the fortress of Pierre Levee and the 11th century church. Its coastline is rocky, its climate so mild that mimosa and laurel grow abundantly.
La Baule & the peninsula of Guerande
From La Baule, the most beautiful beach in Europe, to Le Croisic, a fishing and salt marsh region, the treasures of Cote d’Amour face the Atlantic Ocean. For centuries, Guerande, a medieval town, has hidden behind its ramparts. Near it lies the Natural Regional Park of La Briere, a preserved space of 100,000 acres with a seductive network of canals, islets, lagoons and marshes. St-Nazaire is the city where the France and the Monarch of the seas were built; today the frames of the Airbus planes are assembled here.
August 24th, 2006
One of France’s most rugged regions, Brittany is a fascinating mix of spectacular coastline, ancient towns, magical islands and inland woods. A Celtic duchy for more than one thousand years before its annexation to France in 1532, it is a land rich in culture, tradition and history. When your journey through this Western peninsula, you’ll discover a people whose language, customs and dress remain a vivid homage to their past.
Cote D’emeraude Saint Malo
Built in granite rock in the English Channel, the bathing resort of Saint Malo is known for its castle, the cathedral of Saint Vincent, and its 14th century ramparts which overlook the sea. Saint Malo is the birthplace of famous French writer and statesman, Chateaubriand.
Pink Granite Coast
Sunset is the best time to explore the headland of Arcouest and the island of Brehat and admire the expanses of sandy beaches and the rusty rock formations in splendid hues of pink which give this coast its name.
The Parish Closes
The parish closes of St. Thegonnec, Guimiliau and Lampaul-Guimiliau, which were built as early as 1532, are symbols of Brittany’s Catholic and Celtic heritage. These granite religious structures are an intricate mesh of skilled of craftsmanship and imagery. Churches, altarpieces and crosses are adorned with elves, gods and fairies carved in wood.
Quimper/Pont-Aven
Located in the heart of traditional Brittany and flanked by the Odet and Steir rivers, Quimper is famous for its faience ceramics which have been produced by skilled craftsmen since the 17th century. The Gothic Cathedral of Saint Corentin has exceptional 15th century stained glass windows. Pont-Aven, Home to artist colony known as the “School of Pont-Aven” led by the painter Paul Gauguin, is a pretty market village of white houses and sloping riverbanks.
Carnac, Gulf of Morbihan
One of the foremost prehistoric centers, the seaside resort of Carnac is famed for its megalithic remains from the Neolithic period. In addition to 2792 menhirs, massive stones erected by tribes who inhabited the region before the arrival of the Gauls, the area is studded with burial places, semicircles, and tumuli.
Located ten miles off the southern coast of Brittany, Belle Ile (”Beautiful Island”) is Brittany’s largest. Buffeted by storms and fringed by rocky cliffs, it is an isolated natural paradise whose inhabitants are known for their hospitality. The medieval city of Vannes, at the head of the Gulf of Morbihan, is a perfect base from which to explore this magical inland sea and its many islands.
Source : www.westernfrancetouristboard.com
August 24th, 2006
The Normandy region of France combines a 360-mile dramatic coastline, including the dramatically evocative World War II landing beaches, with a verdant interior of lush farmland, bustling market towns, and historic landmarks such as the cities of Caen, Bayeux and Rouen. Gastronomic delights abound, from fine cheeses to cider and Calvados.
Landing Beaches
The largest military landing in history took place in Normandy on June 6, 1944. Monuments, museums, bunkers and cemeteries are a living commemoration to the Battle of Normandy. A perfect base from which to tour the beaches, the tiny town of Bayeux is built around the magnificent Cathedral of Notre-Dame and is home to the 200-foot long Bayeux Tapestry, a world famous masterpiece whose cartoon like scenes depict the epic tale of William the Conqueror’s expedition to England in the 11th century.
Caen War Memorial
The Caen Memorial continues its historic journey through the 20th century, from the Second World War to the world at the time of the Cold War. It also proposes a debate on the future of the planet. Exemplary with the wealth of the collection exhibited and the innovation of its presentation, a unique place. It is the quintessential starting place for an understanding of the events that took place leading to D-Day.
Giverny
A pilgrimage for art lovers, this picturesque village on the banks of the Seine was the home of French impressionist painter Claude Monet. Visitors can wander through Monet’s cheery spacious house and the exuberant gardens which were the inspiration of his famous waterlily series.
Rouen
A thriving industrial and commercial center and the third largest port in France, Rouen is steeped in history. Both William the Conqueror and Joan of Arc died in the town Victor Hugo called “the city of a hundred spires”. Rouen is home to many museums as well as the Gothic Cathedral of Notre-Dame, immortalized by French Impressionist Claude Monet.
Dieppe/Fecamp/Etretat
As the oldest seaside resort in France, Dieppe has something for everyone. Its history is retold in the castle museum. The Benedictine Palace & Museum, home of the famous Benedictine liqueur, is Fécamp’s main claim to fame. Also, don’t miss its picturesque marina. A short drive down the coast lies the village of Etretat, nestled between striking white cliffs.
Deauville/Trouville
Driving along the “Flowered Coast”, three picture perfect towns stand out, The glamorous resort town of Deauville, home to the rich and famous, is a thriving vacation spot of luxury hotels, casinos, race tracks, golf courses and polo grounds. Its twin city, Trouville, separated from Deauville by the Touques river, is a more sedate fishing village. Both towns boast wide sandy beaches. Another town named Honfleur is the birthplace of impressionist painting. Honfleur is a charming harbor villagewith narrow timbered houses. Monet and Baudelaire are but two of the many artists who spend time in this 11TH century town.
Mont Saint Michel
The Abbey of Mont-St-Michel is perched precariously on a 264-foot high rocky islet connected to the mainland by a causeway. Surrounded by over half a mile of massive walls and reached by a steep climb up winding streets, it remains one of the greatest sightseeing attractions in Europe and the second most visited place in France after the Eiffel Tower. The Mont-St.Michel is also known for its tides, the highest on the continent, which race towards the isle at the speed of “galloping horses”. Book a tour of Mont St. Michel.
Alencon/Haras du Pin/Bagnole de L’Orne
A discovery of Normandy would be incomplete without a mention of this region’s passion for horses, Tourists are welcome to attend any of the numerous horse shows and competitions and visit the many horse breeding estates, of which the Haras du Pin, or the “Versailles of horses”, is the most exceptional. Alencon’s Fine Arts and Lace Museum presents a major collection of French and European lace from the 17TH to the 20TH century. Bagnoles de l’Orne, a premier spa center, is also worth a visit.
American Art museum of Giverny
The American art museum of Giverny will give you a global understanding of the work of the american artists that came to france at the end of 19th century to study and work on painting.
Source : www.westernfrancetouristboard.com
August 24th, 2006
Loire Valley
Often called the “Garden of France”. the Loire Valley is an enchanted land of vineyards, flowers and rolling green hills dotted with more than a thousand chateaux. It is perhaps the charm of its gentle pace life that has, for centuries, made it a sought-after location for poets and writers. It is a step back through the history of some of France’s finest works of art.
Chartres
The world-famous Cathedral of Chartres which Rodin called the Acropolis of France, is a remarkable testament to medieval architecture. Must sees include the sculpture, the 12′ and 13′ century stained glass and the amazing collection of ancient musical instruments. The Old Town of medieval cobbled streets, gabled houses and charming footbridges lies at the foot of the cathedral. Places of interest to visit nearby: the castles of Anet and Maintenon.
Orleans
Once France’s second largest city and now the vinegar capital of France, Orleans was liberated from the British by Joan of Arc in 1429. Each year in May a celebration commemorating her exploits is held; the house in which she stayed during the ten-day siege of Orleans can be visited. The city also features the Hotel Groslot, a brick and stone Renaissance mansion which served as the Town Hall, and the Gothic Cathedral of St-Croix. Places of interest to visit in the surrounding area: the castles of Chamerolles and Sully-sur-Loire.
Bourges
Located at the geographical heart of France, Bourges is a rich historical town of paved stone streets, medieval and Renaissance architecture, ancient ramparts and the remarkable Gothic Cathedral of St-Etienne which dominates the hilltop. Places of interest to visit in the surrounding area: the château o’ Meillant, George Sand’s House in Nohant, and Noirlac Abbey. And of course, Sancerre and its famous white wines.In the summer be sure to stay in Bourges for the Iluminated Nights. certain monuments and buildings in the town are brought to life with music and light.
Blois
Its famous castle has been linked throughout the centuries to the history of the Kings of France. Every Wednesday at the castel, there is night spectacle for english speaking visitors. Places of interest to visit in the surrounding area: the châteaux of Beauregard and Chaumont-sur Loire, which holds a famous International Festival of Parks and Gardens from mid-June through mid-October.
Chambord
The largest of all the Loire Valley castles, this magnificent Renaissance edifice, built by François I, is surrounded by an immense park and hunting preserve which can be visited by horsedrawn carriage. Not far from it, the beautifully furnished Château of Cheverny can be admired from the ground or from the air in one of the captive balloons available on site.
Tours
At the junction of the Loire and Cher Rivers, Tours is a busy university town and the traditional point of departure for exploring the Loire Valley. During the Middle Ages, it was one of the great pilgrimage sites of Europe. Today, the city boasts wonderful Renaissance and neo-classical mansions, which are clustered around the famous Plumereau square, fine museums including a collection of craftsmen’s masterpieces and the Cathedral of St-Gatien. Famous wine region, especially Vouvray, Chinon, Bourgueil… The most interesting sites in the Surrounding area are the châteaux of Azay-IeRideau, which reflects on the river, Villandry, surrounded by Renaissance gardens, Ussé, said to be the original Sleeping Beauty’s castle, Langeais and Loches, as well as the splendid medieval city of Chinon.
Amboise/Chenonceaux
Huddled under the shadow of its impressive royal castle, Amboise is a pretty town with white stone houses dating from the 15th century. Also of interest is the Cbs Lucé, the former residence of Leonardo da Vinci. A few miles away, the Château of Chenonceau, also called the Ladies Castle, has a famous viewing gallery, built by one of France’s great Queens, from which to admire an impressive view of the Cher River.
Source : www.westernfrancetouristboard.com
August 24th, 2006