Our House at Niollet 4 Bedroom Cottage (VI002420)

Eating Out

'Déjeuner Lunch Time.'
"The local bars and restaurants have excellent set menu lunches. Try the bar at Champigny-sur-Veude where a 4 course meal with wine will cost 11 Euros. "

'Evening Meal'
"You might not need one if you went out to lunch. Restaurants cluster round the tree lined squares at Chinon and Richelieu and have menus to suit all tastes and pockets. "

Local Area and Activities

'Champigny-sur-Veude'
"Our closest village,1km away. You can shop here or sit outside the cafés in the sun. There are attractive 16th and 17th century stone houses and the remains of the chateau have a chapel with superb Renaissance stained glass windows. "

'Chateaux'
"Where else in France would you find so many beautiful chateaux? Chenonceau, Azay-le-Rideau, Chinon, Ussé, Loches, Chateau du Riveau, Saumur the list is almost endless. "

'Futuroscope'
"Forty five minutes away by car this is a fascinating day out for all the family. "

'Golf'
"There are several courses near Tours an hour away. The nearest, Golf de Loudun, is only 30 minutes away. "

'History'
"Every town and village has been shaped by people like Rabelais, Balzac, Joan of Arc, Richard the Lionheart, Henry ll and Cardinal Richelieu. A weeks holiday is not long enough. "

'Horse Riding'
"There is a riding centre close by and Saumur is home to the famous Cadre Noir Cavalry Academy."

'Just Sit By the Pool.'
"For those needing a less active holiday, enjoy the sunshine, the calmness and the crested larks which sing from the rooftops. "

'Local Towns'
"Chinon and Richelieu are close by and the towns of Tours, Poitiers, Saumur and Fontevraud are all within an hour by car. "

'Natural History'
"The bird life is remarkable so bring your binoculars. Wild boar, deer and barn martins are easy to see and the butterflies are something special. "

'Niollet Neighbourhood'
"Quiet country lanes, farm tracks and woodland rides make cycling or walking a pleasure from the house. "

'Rivers'
"The Loire, the largest river in Europe, is still untamed by man. Walk the banks on a summers day and visit the viewpoint at Candes-St-Martin where it is joined by the River Vienne. Take a canoe on the Vienne or a boat trip on the Loire. Fishing permits can be obtained for the rivers and the lakes. "

'Son et Lumière'
"Many of the chateaux hold stunning light shows during the summer evenings and only the French can organise firework displays in their towns like the one at Chinon which ends with the fortress burning. "

'Traffic Lights'
"Chinon is the largest town in France without traffic lights!"

Markets and Shopping

'Brocantes'
"Look for bargains at the regular monthly "antique sales" held on the banks of the Vienne at Montsoreau and Chinon. During the summer, visit the occasional sales in the villages and make sure you join the locals, seated at trestle tables for coq au vin. "

'Markets'
"The incredible market hall at Richelieu with its old wooden beams hosts a regular Friday market and on Thursdays you can mingle with the townsfolk of Chinon. In fact there is a local market somewhere most days. "

'Shopping - Serious Stuff'
"Go to Tours, Poitiers or Saumur. Tours has large department stores, treelined avenues and an important air of a city that has twice been the capital of France. For those who hate shopping look at the flower market or just sit at a restaurant table and watch. "

'Shopping for Food'
"The nearest large supermarket is only 4km from the house but Champigny-sur-Veude, 1km away, has a small supermarket, 2 boulangeries and a charcuterie. "

'Wine'
"This is the region of the Chinon red but equally the local rosé and white wines are superb. The sparkling wines of Saumur, the Saumur-Champigny, Vouvray and Touraine wines must all be sampled. Tasting and buying wine is fun. We have our list of favourite, friendly victuallers. "