Discover Clefs, Maine-et-Loire, Pays de la Loire delights

The Thouet Valley is discovered at the rate of cycling thanks to a marked route on small roads and farm tracks or bike paths. Affluent of the Loire, the Thouet is a discreet river which hides many treasures. Along its 150 km, it meanders through varied landscapes and authentic villages. This bike route is accompanied by loops that complete the discovery of Thouarsais, vineyards to the plains. More information on www.valleeduthouet.fr Le Thouet by bike is one of the sections of the Vélo Francette, a route linking Normandy to the Charente coast, via the Thouarsais. www.lavelofrancette.com So do not hesitate to ride your bike for unexpected and preserved discoveries! New: order online your picnic prepared by local restaurateurs with local products !!! All information on www.lebonpicnic.com

On the borders of Poitou and Anjou, Saix offers visitors its Poitevin hamlet, marked by the memory of Sainte-Radegonde. This path allows views on castles or wine estates, with beautiful panoramas on the North of Poitou where the vine and the tuffeau are married.

At the exit of the village of Saix, the path introduces you little by little in a forest environment. Come and live a pleasant moment in contact with these majestic trees. The views follow one another: dovecotes, vineyards or the chapel in memory of Sainte-Radegonde. Beautiful discoveries in perspective.

Beuxes, a small village with a thousand discoveries: ponds, streams and castles offer you beautiful panoramas and stories of the Nord-Poitou and Touraine regions... a trip to the country where the cultivation of truffles was invented!

This path will allow you to appreciate the remarkable troglodytic heritage of the picturesque villages where the troglos were dug in the local blacnhe stone, the tuffeau. It will lead you to the heart of the vineyards, where famous grape varieties such as Cabernet Franc or Pinot Blanc de Loire are grown.

12.5 km hike from the church square in St Martin de Sanzay, village located 12km north of Thouars and the border of Maine and Loire. Walk that will allow you to discover heritage sites and appreciate the agrarian landscape, fruit of the long work of man on his environment. Download card http://randoendeuxsevres.fr/index.php?id_product=1705&controller=product and on sale at the Tourist Office of Pays Thouarsais

A short, signposted route through the Poitou vineyards at the gateway to Anjou. Within a small area, the historic and built heritage is incomparably rich: picturesque villages, troglodytic sites, mills, dolmens, wash-houses and dovecotes form an uninterrupted string of secret nuggets.

This circuit will make you see several dolmens, a "mound" where large slabs were collected by our ancestors of the Neolithic, a hike that alternates between fields and undergrowth that crosses pretty villages.

Follow the purple arrows and discover the vineyards and villages between the Thouet and Argenton rivers!

This itinerary passes by the "Reine Blanche" bridge, named in homage to the passage of Queen Blanche of Castille in the 12th century. Cross the narrow streets dug in the tufa stone, the vineyards, discover the troglodyte dwellings, castles and chapels and finally come to admire the unique canal of the Dive in Poitou.

Ground floor: living room with kitchen area, dishwasher, dining area, sitting area with 1 x 90cm bed. First floor (access to bedroom by spiral staircase): 1 bedroom with 2 single beds - Shower room with wc. Enclosed courtyard and private garden. Green lane behind the gîte.

Near La Flèche (zoo and lake) and Baugé, close to the forest, restored gîte in a former railway station. Surface area: 150 m². Ground floor: Living room, dining room, sitting room with TV. Independent kitchen with dishwasher. wc. Upstairs: 3 bedrooms: Bedroom "Yellow" 2 beds 90, Bedroom "Green" 3 beds 90, Bedroom "White" 1 bed 120x140. A bathroom with shower. wc. Enclosed courtyard and private garden. Another 3-person gîte on site. The Voie Verte passes behind the gîtes.

In Baugé en Anjou, discover accommodation for 80 people in the château de Grésillon, the Esperanto Cultural Centre.

Lieu ouvert sur l’environnement et l’écologie, le muséum développe et expose de précieuses collections, témoins de la diversité.

Located in the heart of Angers, this popular city park is a delightvwith over 20,000 plants on display. Originally created in the 17th century and then redesigned in 1859 to be more ‘à la Française’, it is a great place for all the family and includes a fountain and bandstand for summer concerts.

In the 19th century, during the industrial revolution, bricks and mortar were replaced by concrete as the premier building material. Against this potentially bland construction form, the artist Isidore Odorico sought to bring a decorative style that on the ‘Maison Bleu’ included elaborate mosaics… characteristic of art deco!

You cannot help but smile at the carvings of the young women that adorn the façade of 38 rue St. Laud. Dating back to 1892, when it was a café and concert hall called the 'Alcazar', it is one of the oldest examples of art nouveau in Angers.

This Carolingian monument is one of the best-preserved medieval Renaissance buildings in France. Today, it houses a year-round programme of exhibitions, guided tours and kid’s workshops all linked to history, heritage and contemporary art.

A listed building dating from the 16th century. Distinctive wooden carvings decorate its frontage…the best known is ‘Le Tricouillard’, who displays no modesty by revealing himself for all to see!

The old bell tower of the abbey dates back to the 12th century. Built from sandstone, it stands 54 metres high and rises from the site now occupied by the Préfecture. It houses a number of exhibitions throughout the year.

The first recorded example of Plantagenet gothic architecture. The cathedral is full of stunning features including its elaborate facade and stone carvings (grimacing faces, monsters and acrobats), and the stained glass window - the oldest of which dates back to 1165 AD.

Built in the 15th century by Olivier Barrault, the king’s secretary and treasurer of Britain, this magnificent site now houses the Museum of Fine Arts with collections displaying the history and heritage of Angers. There is more than 3,000m² of permanent exhibition space with further space put aside for temporary exhibits that alternate between the historical and the contemporary. Among the masterpieces on show are works from Lippi, Jordaens, Champaigne, Fragonard, Chardin, Watteau, Ingres, or Morellet.

La Clef D'Or hotel-restaurant offers traditional cuisine for individuals and groups, located in Clefs.

Patrice BERNARD is a master artisan baker and confectioner who offers you crusty breads, organic breads, delicious viennoiseries, unique desserts and a wide range of snacks all year round.

The Ô PRESTIGE restaurant in Baugé in Anjou offers gourmet cuisine. Who would have thought that Baugé, a town of 4,000 inhabitants, would be home to a young chef with a wealth of talent coming out of the big Parisian restaurants, all in a newly refurbished dining room and an old patio, where the activity is in full swing.

Le Commerce restaurant, in the centre of Baugé, invites you to discover traditional French cuisine.

La Pizza à Emporter offers pizzas-sandwiches-paninis in Baugé.

Le Charleston restaurant offers bar and brasserie service, in Baugé near the Château du Roi René.

Enjoy a pleasant, gourmet lunch break in an 18th-century farmhouse. The chef will delight your taste buds with seasonal dishes.

Welcome to the Hotel-Restaurant Le Clefs d'Or in Clefs Val d'Anjou.

Ground floor: living room with kitchen area, dishwasher, dining area, sitting area with 1 x 90cm bed. First floor (access to bedroom by spiral staircase): 1 bedroom with 2 single beds - Shower room with wc. Enclosed courtyard and private garden. Green lane behind the gîte.

Near La Flèche (zoo and lake) and Baugé, close to the forest, restored gîte in a former railway station. Surface area: 150 m². Ground floor: Living room, dining room, sitting room with TV. Independent kitchen with dishwasher. wc. Upstairs: 3 bedrooms: Bedroom "Yellow" 2 beds 90, Bedroom "Green" 3 beds 90, Bedroom "White" 1 bed 120x140. A bathroom with shower. wc. Enclosed courtyard and private garden. Another 3-person gîte on site. The Voie Verte passes behind the gîtes.

Christine and Emmanuel D'AILLIERES welcome you to the former outbuilding of a Master's house from the beginning of the 19th century.

This small gite is located 7 km from La Flèche Zoo, 35 km from Angers and 40 from Saumur. Come and relax and discover the Loire Valley. Many activities are at your disposal in the region: castles, vineyards... The cottage is ideal for a couple, possibly with a child. The surrounding nature is very beautiful and there are many walks; on foot, by bike... you can fish in the pond, relax, picnic etc...

Enjoy a 220 m² gite in the coutryside. 4 bedroom upstairs. Kitchen,living room, fireplace, TV, WIFI, 4 toilets, 2 bathrooms See-saw, barbecue,swimming pool, SPA, ping pong table, baybyfoot, barbecue. Next to the voie verte ( bicycle and pedestrian way)