Uncover Boce, Maine-et-Loire: hidden gems

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.

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

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!

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.

This cottage for 6 people is in a forest near Baugé. Enjoy 3 bedrooms, a living room, kitchen, and the swimming pool next to the cottage. A lot of farm animals live in the forest.

The mill site offers three restored furnished accommodation options in heart of a charming village.

In le Guédeniau, between Saumur, Angers and la Flèche, discover a gîte in a watermill in the heart of the national forest of Chandelais.

Between Saumur, Angers and la Flèche, gîte next to a watermill in the heart of a national forest.

Situated nearby the city center of Baugé and its shops, near the river Le Couasnon, the municipal campsite of le Pont des fées welcomes you in a quiet place. 3 stars, this campsite has 44 locations and 4 accomodations with one for disabled people.

Heir of a prestigious military history, the Cadre noir has a mission of training and outreaching equitation in the French tradition. Visits through the great indoor arena, the stables and the tack room will take you on a voyage of discovery of the history of the Cadre Noir since its creation in 1815. You will discover a place where the relationship between man and horse becomes magical. The public performances allow you to watch the ecuyers of the Cadre Noir at work in the Grand Manège. The commentary provided by an ecuyer will give you an appreciation of the work involved in training the horse, jumping, in long reins, the airs above the ground, and classical riding.

René I of Anjou’s "Château of Love " on its "emerald rock", the Château de Saumur played host to kings and prisoners and is one of the greatest and last untouched remnants of princely architecture from the Valois dynasty in the Middle Ages. The château appeared in all its glory in the Très Riches Heures du duc de Berry illumination and has had a turbulent past, narrowly avoiding demolition. The 11th century Romanesque tower was surrounded by four round towers before it was levelled off. Louis I of Anjou decided to transform the château into a palace. In the 15 century, his son, Louis II, made it look how you see it now. King René’s spirit may linger but, for a century after his death, it was left empty until the protestant Duplessis-Mornay moved in in 1589. Dark times came after the governor was forced into exile following Henri IV’s assassination. The château was pillaged by Louis XIII’s soldiers and saved from demolition by Napoleon I who turned it into a state prison. Saumur Council bought it in 1906 to restore it to house the municipal museum, approved by Musée de France, displaying notably Count Charles Lair’s collection. The first floor of the castle houses an exceptional collection of decorative arts including furniture, tapestries and ceramics from the 14th to the 18th century. As an international horse riding capital, Saumur collects harness equipment from Antiquity to the early 20th century. A selection from the Horse collection (saddles, bits, stirrups) is on display in the former abbey.

An original collection devoted to combustion engines of all types, you will observe real works of industrial art, restored by enthusiasts. This museum traces the evolution of the engine since its creation. The exhibits allow a historical, technical and educational approach to the development of mechanical energy. Automotive, airplane and even rocket engines will no longer hold any secrets for you! Be sure to observe the Baltard-style architecture of the building.

A unique site where hundreds of sculptures were carved on tuffeau stone, between the 15th and the 17th century. Still today, the cave remains a historical enigma. La Cave aux sculptures is a Historical Monument, inscribed in the national heritage of France by André Malraux in 1969.

Installed in a Chateau of the Loire, a museum of contemporary art with an exceptional collection. The 30 meter high terraces of the castle offer exceptional views of the Loire, the confluence of the Vienne and the Loire and the village of Montsoreau. Since 2016, the Château de Montsoreau has been home to Philippe Méaille’s collection of contemporary art. Displayed over three floors (2500m2 of exhibition area), this collection is the world's largest art fund of works by the Art & Language movement, a collective of artists who created Conceptual Art. Throughout the year, concerts, conferences, performances and temporary exhibitions put the spotlight on important international artists.

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!

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.

Le Brocard restaurant in Le Guédeniau serves traditional family cooking.

Traditionnal french food

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

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

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

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.

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 Logis de la Chouette is a fully restored 18th century farmhouse located in the countryside near the pretty little town of Bocé

Enjoy a 80m² renovated cottage with garden and view of the countryside. Kitchen on living room with fireplace, three bedrooms bathroom and separate toilet. Access to the swimming pool from 10am to 6pm. Pets allowed. The cottage is 30 mn from Saumur and Angers, 5 mn from the Golf of Baugé and 2 mn from the forest of Chandelais.

Enjoy 2 cottages with 5 bedrooms and a 4500m² garden. Warmed and secure swimming pool.

This cottage for 6 people is in a forest near Baugé. Enjoy 3 bedrooms, a living room, kitchen, and the swimming pool next to the cottage. A lot of farm animals live in the forest.

The mill site offers three restored furnished accommodation options in heart of a charming village.

In le Guédeniau, between Saumur, Angers and la Flèche, discover a gîte in a watermill in the heart of the national forest of Chandelais.

Between Saumur, Angers and la Flèche, gîte next to a watermill in the heart of a national forest.