Explore the Loire Valley Region
There is so much more to the Loire Valley region of France than just wine. There are beautiful Châteaux to visit and spectacular routes to experience by bike, car or on foot.
Wine Tours and Vineyards
Wine Tours and Vineyards
Manoir de Jouralem is right at the heart of the Loire Valley wine region and we are surrounded by vines and wine producers! Here are a few recommendations of vineyards which are open for wine tastings but really, there are hundreds to choose from. If you would like to visit for a tasting outside of the peak season (July and August), we would recommend contacting the vineyard in advance (or of course we can check for you). They are all busy actually making great wine and from time to time they are closed to concentrate on the good stuff (especially at harvest time)!
Chateau de Bois Brinçon, just a few hundred meters from the Manoir.
Visit website
Xavier and Geraldine are your hosts and our neighbours here. Some of their plots of vines have been producing grapes since the 13th century – in 2019 they begin a year long celebration of 800 years of wine production at the Château. We love their biodynamic wines. Don’t leave without saying ‘salut’ to their friendly herd of highland cattle!
Bois Mozé at Coutures. Just a short drive, or a pleasant 20 minute cycle-ride away. Visit website
An organic vineyard with very friendly and knowledgable staff. They can deliver a tasting or, booked in advance, a vineyard tour with an English speaking host.
Domaine Escogriffe also at Coutures. Visit website
This is a relatively new, family run producer of some excellent and innovative wines.
Chateau du Petit Thouars at Saint Germain sur Vienne.
Visit website
Further afield, but well worth the journey, this family-run vineyard is in the Chinon region. Stop for a while and enjoy a delicious picnic after your tasting. Book ahead.
Saumur Crémant de Loire producers – too numerous to list here, but one of the best mainstream producers is Bouvay Ladubay. A visit there could be a quick tour or an exciting cycle along the vast underground cellars on vintage bicycles! Both finish off of course with a tasting. Book in advance online for tours in English, German or Spanish. Langlois-Chateau is also highly recommended. Also Dumnacus in Brissac-Quincé has wine from many producers under one roof.
(Crémant de Loire is a dry sparkling wine made in the méthode traditionnelle, the historical method used in the production of champagne, usually from Chenin Blanc grapes.)
Walking and Cycling
Cycling & Walking
We are delighted to be able to provide facilities tailored to cyclists visiting the Loire Valley. Manoir de Jouralem is accredited with France’s Accueil Vélo scheme, which is a national label awarded to establishments which are particularly suited to cycling tourism and with services adapted to cyclists. Accueil Vélo allows cyclists to benefit from appropriate hospitality and services at inspected accommodations.
Manoir de Jouralem is located directly on the Layon Aubance route, and we are less than 5km from the Loire à Vélo route which follows the river Loire for 800 kms. A section of the Loire à Vélo route between Saumur and Angers coincides with the Vélo Francette route, which links Ouistreham in Normandy with La Rochelle on the Atlantic Coast.
La Loire à Vélo website has a great interactive map of the whole cycling route along the Loire Valley.
Visit website in English Site internet en français
We are lucky to be surrounded by beautiful countryside, farmland, woods and the stunning Loire Valley at Manoir de Jouralem. There are many walks to enjoy from the front gate, for everyone from quick strollers to serious hikers. We have wellies to lend you if the weather has been unkind recently! The national long distance hiking route the Grand Randonnées 3 (GR3) is on the doorstep. The 1243 km long route follows the River Loire through Anjou from source to estuary.
Local Restaurants
Local Restaurants
Within walking or cycling distance or a short drive from Manoir de Jouralem:
Le Petit Blaison at Blaison-Gohier
Our local bistro, this cosy restaurant produces good quality dishes using local produce. There’s a very cute deli next door, which sells lovely produce and gifts.
2.4km – 30 mins on foot, 8 mins by bike.
Sauvage at St Saturnin sur Loire
This new establishment is a welcome addition to our list of lovely places to dine. The short menu is innovative and ‘locavore’, the wine list is very interesting. Take a table outside on the shady terrace for a people-watching spot with a view.
2.4km – 30 mins on foot, 8 mins by bike.
Guinguette à JoJo by the river at St Saturnin-sur-Loire
This is another guinguette, in a lovely spot right on the Loire which has been a glorious place to to eat drink and relax by the water for 65 years. They serve a good selection of steaks, fish, salads, desserts and good local wines. They often have live music with talented local musicians. Generally open from May to mid-September, check their website and reserve to avoid disappointment!
5.5km – 10 mins in the car, 12 min cycle.
Guinguette La Riviera on the south side, by the bridge over the Loire between St Rémy la Varenne and St Mathurin sur Loire. Another lovely spot by the river, this place has recently changed owners. The food is modern French style with Loire specialities usually on the menu, such as Sander (white fish) or Rillettes (potted pork). Call to book +33 6 99 21 29 19 and you’ll find them on Instagram @guinguettelariviera
Another local bistro, this has a bar too and a pleasant patio area.
4km – 12 mins by bike, 5 mins in the car.
Créperie Le Cosy at St Mathurin sur Loire
If the weather is good, ask for a table on the tiny balcony overlooking the majestic Loire – this créperie serves excellent burgers and salads too and of course, great local wines.
9.5km – 30 mins by bike, 12 mins in the car.
La Luciole at St Mathurin sur Loire
This small restaurant is tucked out of the way by the railway station and is very popular with locals – the chef is very creative and serves excellent French fusion dishes. The menu at lunchtime is generally simpler. The wines are great!
6km – 30 mins by bike, 13 mins in the car.
L’Ardoise at Brissac-Quincé
Nicholas is your very welcoming host at this deli wine bar. He has a great range of wines and produce on offer to buy and he also serves drinks and light snacks and restaurant service lunchtime and in the evenings Wednesday to Saturday. Nicholas makes the best hot chocolate in the Loire Valley!
7km – 9 mins in the car, 22 mins by bike.
Le Carahutta at Chenehutte
Dine at a great spot on a deck on the banks of the Loire – great French cuisine and a nice atmosphere.
23km – 25 mins in the car.
La Route du Sel at Le Thoureil
One of our favourites, this quality restaurant is located in a very pretty village right by the Loire. They serve fresh local produce fresh fish and grilled meats. They call themselves a guinguette, but I’d say they are more refined – check out the website and see for yourself….
11.4km – 38 mins on the bike or 14 mins in the car.
A cosy pub-style restaurant with a lovely courtyard garden. It’s particularly good for families and serves good grilled meats, burgers, salads, traditional dishes and great local beer and wine.
15km – 14 mins in the car
The Michelin Stars
La Table de la Bergerie in Champs-sur-Layon – well worth the scenic drive through the vineyards of the Coteaux de Layon. Sublime! Visit website
Restaurant Fontevraud near Saumur – an amazing setting at Fontevraud Abbey! Visit website
Lait Thyme Sel in Angers – A superb Michelin *, recently moved into downtown Angers from the Northside due to phenomenal success! Follow them in Instagram to find out when the tables are open for reservations (usually a month in advance) and for cancellations – @laitthymsel
Other noteworthy restaurants In Angers
Biltoki Foodhall
L’Ardoise (Michelin Green *)
Les Petits Prés
Autour d’un Cep
L’Envol
And in or around Saumur
L’Essentiel
Boeuf Noisette
Ververt
Places to Visit
Places to Visit
Spoiled for choice, it all depends on what your interests are. The ‘must-sees’ though are:
Terra Botanica – A botanical theme park and beautiful gardens rolled into one! http://www.terrabotanica.fr/en/
Drive along the Loire to visit Saumur town centre
Fontevraud Abbey – Europe’s largest abbey and the final resting place of Eleanor of Aquitaine and Richard the Lionheart. And home to a Michelin starred restaurant! http://www.fontevraud.fr/en/Visit-Fontevraud/Welcome
Chinon Royal Fortress – Henry II’s favourite residence. If you are that way inclined, they have and Escape game here. http://www.forteressechinon.fr/en/
Cointreau distillery visit – https://www.cointreau.com/fr/fr/carre-cointreau/visites
Angers Cathedral – roman catholic cathedral consecrated in 1096.
If you have a little more time, Puy de Fou is magical (it’s France’s most popular theme park after Disneyland Paris) – just 1 hour away. http://www.puydufou.com/en?language_content_entity=en
Châteaux
Châteaux
No stay in the Loire Valley would be complete without a visit to one of majestic château and from Manoir de Jouralem you have many to choose from within a stone’s throw.
Château de Brissac – France’s tallest château is very impressive and just 6km from MdeJ, at Brissac-Quincé.
Also worth a visit:
Château d’Angers
Château de Serrant
Château de Montgeoffroy
Château de Montsoreau
Château de Brézé
Château de Saumur
Château de Montreuil de Bellay
A little further afield, Villandry is just over an hour away and Château d’Azay-le-Rideau is 1 hour 10 mins. Both are stunning.
Equestrian
Equestrian
Saumur is home to the French National Military Riding School, the Cadre Noir. They are open to the public for guided visits, experiences with the school’s horses and their magnificent performances held regularly throughout the year. http://www.ifce.fr/en/cadre-noir/visits-galas/
The Loire Valley is very much horse country and we have many riding stables in the area, not just around Saumur.
Take a ride on the trails around our local vineyards and by the Loire ~ Western style riding with Maison Guiseau. www.maisonguiseau.com
The region also hosts several international equestrian events in carriage riding, dressage and 3-day eventing.
Festivals
Festivals
Here in the Anjou region we have the opportunity to enjoy a huge range of cultural and gastronomic events for all tastes and ages. Many of the places to visit hold their own festivals and fetes and almost every village loves to celebrate it’s highlights throughout the year – everything from vintage car and bicycle rallies to artichoke and pumpkin festivals, and of course great food and wine fêtes
Hot Air Ballooning
Hot Air Ballooning
The European championships take place in Brissac-Quincé every August – a stunning spectator sport in itself, as it is held in the grounds of the château. Or why not take in the Loire from a peaceful ride in a balloon yourselves? https://montgolfieres.fr/
Golf
Golf
Angers’ 18-hole golf course is right on the doorstep, in a stunning location, just 6.5km down the road in Juigné sur Loire. http://www.golfangers.com/
On The Water
On the water
The Loire is just 2km from Manoir de Jouralem and there are plenty of ways of messing about on the water here, including canoe, kayak or stand-up paddle board hire, to a more sedate traditional boat trip.
Croisières run a boat shuttle between Gennes and Saumur, and as far as Montsoreau and dinner cruises. http://www.croisieressaumurloire.fr/
https://loireetlouetpassion.fr/en
https://www.ot-saumur.fr/DESCENTE-DE-LOIRE-EN-CANOE-CANOES-D-ANJOU_a5488.html
Motorsports
Motorsports
Le Mans – home of the 24 hour and classic races – is 1 hr 15 mins north east of Manoir de Jouralem https://www.lemans.org/en/24-hours-of-le-mans
Within the region, several motoring events take place throughout the year, including the Retro Grand Prix at Puy-Notre-Dame in July.
Well-Being
Reiki
We are delighted to announce that we have teamed up with Carole Lidouren, a Reiki practitioner from the local village and we are now able to offer relaxation and rebalancing Reiki sessions at the Manoir. Reiki is a traditional Japanese spiritual technique for stress reduction and relaxation, using gentle hand positions to activate natural healing. A Reiki treatment in your room at the Manoir can be booked by contacting us or speak to us during your stay.
Find out more about Carole here.
