In the Maine-et-Loire department of western France, Château Cendrillon is less than an hour from Nantes Airport and only 212km from St Malo’s ferry port.
There is a small rural village around 1.5km away whilst the nearest amenities can be found in Villedieu-la-Blouère (3km) with its bakery, small supermarket, café and bar. Saint-Macaire-en-Mauges (6km) is larger with a small handful of restaurants, tennis courts and other useful facilities whilst Cholet (20km) is a small town with everything else you may need including a hypermarket and leisure centre with swimming pools and an ice-rink.
Clisson (25km) is a medieval town which has a popular food market on Fridays and is a picturesque place to wander around. It has a ruined château open to the public.
Shoppers will be thrilled to discover La Séguiniere (18km), an enormous factory outlet village, home to 80 major brands, from fashion and sports to kitchenware, as well as a chocolate shop which offers free samples.
The Japanese Gardens (Parc Oriental) at Maulévrier (33km) are a wonderful place to visit for all ages. Originally built in 1899 but then left to decay, a restoration programme started in the 1980's has resulted in stunning garden filled with Japanese architecture, bridges, water features and traditional Japanese trees. The gardens are the largest of their kind in Europe.
One of France's major tourist attractions, Le Puy du Fou (43km), is less than an hour away. Its medieval themed ‘park’ includes an impressively large Roman amphitheatre with chariots, fighting gladiators, jousting knights on horseback, falconry and much more. In the summer they have evening sound and light shows.
This is also great base for exploring further afield across the Loire valley with its beautiful river and grand châteaux. It goes without saying that there are many vineyards in the Loire region which you can visit for wine tastings, and they range from large commercial wineries to small farms.
Try the sparkling white wine in the vineyards surrounding Saumur (92km) and visit the historic town’s château and Cadre Noir equestrian school. Not far from here is the Rochemeiner troglodyte dwellings and the impressive Zoo de Doué, home to 500 animals and located in an old quarry.
Cyclists can take advantage of the ‘Loire á vélo’ and there are many bike rental places along the route for those who haven’t brought their own bicycles with them. The trails are easy to follow, and it is a carefree way to pass the day through the unspoiled rural towns and villages of the Loire Valley.
The Region
A region doesn’t get to be called “The Garden of France” without being pretty special, and the Loire Valley is just as luscious and beautiful as its nickname would suggest. There’s countless acres of beautiful woods, vineyards and farmland that produce some of France’s revered ingredients and delicacies, and a wealth of history and beautiful architecture that demands and rewards exploration. Whether you’re heading off with the family, friends, or both, our fantastic portfolio of Loire Valley villas and chateaux means you’ll find fantastic, comfortable and quirky accommodation no matter your preferences.
