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Motorhoming in Maine et Loire
Motorhoming in Maine et Loire
Maine et Loire is home to the beautiful city of Angers, the wine making region of Anjou, magnificent châteaux and also benefits from a very agreeable, mild climate.
The historic site of Angers has been exploited since 4500 years BC and saw its most heady days when it was the centre of the powerful dynasty of the Counts of Anjou who extended their influence by way of marriage and diplomacy as far as Palestine. The House of the Dukes of Anjou became a political centre and a university was established. The château of Angers is unmissable if only because of the sheer size of it. With its 17 towers and circumference of 1km, it is a symbol of the power of the Anjou dynasty and is open for a visit all year round. The Château is an obvious starting point when visiting Angers, but equally you can just look up to admire the turreted house fronts of the beautiful 15th and 16th century villas and the half-timbered houses while wandering through the old quarter and the winding streets where you will discover other treasures.
Using the free Aires de Service while travelling around the department will allow you to visit the vineyards of Anjou where you can visit, learn about and taste the great wines of the region. The hot summers and mild winters in Maine et Loire combined with the ideal soil conditions in Anjou produce well known and much appreciated wines such as Coteaux du Layon and Saumur-Champigny.
As is often the case, wine making was developed by the local monks in the town of Saumur. The particularity in the history of Saumur is that during the reign of the Dukes of Anjou, Saint Louis of the reformist church established a protestant university (remembering that France is Catholic) which forged the reputation of the town. He also established a riding academy which became in 1763 the School of Cavalry, and it’s not unusual today to encounter mounted cavalry in what became known as the ‘horse town’. While wandering through the old quarter, the streets lead inevitably to the château. In the summer months it is plunged back into medieval times with jousting ‘chevaliers’ and other animations. Local craftspeople exhibit and sell their produce and street artists put on a show for the delight of all.
The local speciality is the Fouée, a delicious savoury bread stuffed with little bits of meat, usually pork and eaten warm straight from the oven. This old recipe had been a little forgotten but has been revived thanks to the tourist industry which has developed in the area. Join the tourists in Maine et Loire and profit to go on to the neighbouring departments. Go motorhoming in Mayenne, motorhoming in Sarthe or motorhoming in Poitou-Charentes.
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