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 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.
Chateau Soucherie at Beaulieu sur Layon.
Visit website
This vineyard and chateau enjoy a beautiful setting.
Saumur Crémant de Loire producers – too numerous to list here, but Langlois-Chateau is recommended. Also Vinovalley 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.
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 from Manoir de Jouralem:
Le Petit Blaison at Blaison-Gohier www.lepetitblaison.com
Our local bistro, this cosy restaurant produces good quality dishes using local produce. They are open 7 days a week (May – Sept) for lunch and dinner. There’s a very cute deli next door, which sells lovely produce and gifts.
2.4km – 30 mins on foot, 8 mins by bike.
Bistrot de Sat at St Saturnin-sur-Loire https://www.facebook.com/bistrotdestsat/
Another local bistro, this has a bar too and a pleasant patio area.
4km – 12 mins by bike, 5 mins in the car.
La Caillotte at St Saturnin-sur-Loire www.restaurantlacaillotte.fr
More than meets the eye here; it’s a restaurant, tea room, interiors shop and they do brunch too! Open Tue – Sun from spring to autumn.
4km – 12 mins by bike, 5 mins in the car.
L’Ardoise at Brissac-Quincé http://lardoise-brissac-loire-aubance.business.site/
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. Nicholas makes the best hot chocolate in the Loire Valley! Open 7 days a week July to September and Tuesday to Saturday the rest of the year.
7km – 9 mins in the car, 22 mins by bike.
Aux Deux Terraces www.facebook.com/aux2terrasses?ref=bookmarks
One of several options for eating in Brissac, this is our favourite. Hosts Arnaud and Maria are keen to serve fresh, locally sourced ingredients and they produce inventive dishes. French cuisine with a fresh, modern twist.
7km – 9 mins in the car, 22 mins by bike.
Le Haut Tertre at Brissac-Quincé
This is our local créperie and serves a good selection of sweet and savoury pancakes.
7km – 9 mins by car, 22 mins by bike.
L’Auberge du Moulin at St Jean des Mauvrets www.laubergedumoulin.com
This restaurant is located in the grounds of the Angers Golf Club.
5km – 9 mins in the car, 16 mins by bike.
Le Port de Vallée by the river near Blaison www.guinguetteleportdevallee.com
This laid-back river-side restaurant is what the French call a guinguette – it’s a very old term for a music venue and restaurant which would open on high days and holidays for craftsmen. This one welcomes all, but is only open in the summer months. Being right by the Loire, of course they serve local fish as a speciality.
Open weekends only from end Apr to end Jun, Tue eve to Sun eve from end Jun until beginning Sep. In high season, Friday night is mussels night!
3.1km – 38 mins on foot, 10 mins by bike.
Chez JoJo by the river at St Saturnin-sur-Loire http://www.guinguette-chez-jojo.fr/
This is another guinguette, right on the Loire. Open weekends only.
5.5km – 10 mins in the car, 12 min cycle.
Guinguette La Riviera at St Rémy la Varenne
We’re not so sure about the food here, but the bar is open in the afternoons and they serve ice-cream!
La Route du Sel at Le Thoureil http://www.authoureil.fr/en/
One of our favourites, this quality restaurant is located in a very pretty village right by the Loire. They serve fresh local produce and of course fish and they home make their own pasta. 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.
Aux Délices du Terroir at St Rémy la Varenne https://www.facebook.com/audeliceduterroir49250/
8.5km – 9 mins by car, 22 mins by bike.
Loire et Sens Au Fief de la Thioire at Juigné sur Loire
http://www.loireetsens.com/en/restaurant/gourmet-restaurant
Fine dining restaurant at a hotel complex.
7km – 22 mins by bike or 11 mins in the car
La Promenade at St Mathurin sur Loire http://www.restaurant-saintmathurinsurloire.fr/
This place has great reviews. They have a great spot on the north side of the Loire.
10km – 11 mins by car, 30 mins by bike
The Michelin Stars
Le Favre d’Anne in Angers
Une Île in Angers
Le Gambetta in Saumur
La Table de la Bergerie in Champs-sur-Layon
Restaurant Fontevraud near Saumur
Auberge de la Diligence in Loiré
Other noteworthy restaurants In Angers
Chez Rémi
Autour d’un Cep
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. 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 Gennes 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.
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