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Loire Attractions  When we started preparing this section we had in mind all the fantastic chateaux that the Loire is famous for, but as we started thinking about the places we had visited in the region, it became clear that the area has equally as much to boast about when it comes to tourist attractions.  Coupled with the chateaux.... caves, museums and delightful towns this makes for one of the most attractive regions for active holidays.

Partially accessibleParc Oriental de Maulévrier (Japanese gardens)
A restful place to enjoy nature at its best.

Maulévrier Japanese gardensLocation: 12 km SE of Cholet on D20 in Maulévrier
General Info: Parc Oriental, 49360 Maulévrier.
Tel No: 0(2) 41 55 50 14.  Open every afternoon except Monday from March-November and all day (10.30AM - 7.30PM) during July and August.  Prices €6.50 and €5.50 for over 12’s and disabled. Under 12s free.

Description: These Japanese gardens are right on the edge of the Loire region, but on a beautiful sunny day are worth the drive just to enjoy the colours and beauty of the site. These are the biggest of their type in Europe, formed from 1899-1913 and then left to deteriorate until 1987 when a large restoration programme was started. The ‘parc’ is centred around a large lake in a very sheltered spot with bridges, Japanese architecture (like the pagoda) and of course shaped trees typical of Japans gardens. Many are yew but there are also varieties of acer giving spectacular colours.
Our recommendations: Visit on an evening when the gardens are delightfully and imaginatively lit up.  It costs more than a day visit, but is quite enchanting.  Details on the evening opening times and costs are available on the website.
For the children: There is a small children's play area near the Salon de Thé and plenty of space to run around although be careful with younger children as there are lakes and other water features.

 Our favourite attractions in the Loire valley:


     - Abbaye Royale de
       Fontevraud
     - Aquarium du Val de Loire
     - Labyrinthus de Reignac
     - Maulévrier Japanese
       Gardens
     - Le Parc des Mini-Châteaux
     - Parc Naturel Regional
       Loire-Anjou-Touraine
     - Tepacap Adventure Park
Bicycle and Walking Trails:  We spent a wonderful morning walking the vineyard route at Le Puy-Notre-Dame (W of Montreuil-Bellay). We learnt about the process of producing wine starting from cépage and terroir, to learning about the work of a vineyard owner throughout the year, to that final all important process of dégustation!  All we needed at the end was someone to hand us a fortifying glass of wine but unfortunately that didn’t happen!  It would be possible to go round these routes on a mountain bike (VTT in French) or there are plenty of other opportunities for cycling on designated cycle paths or simply along the quiet backroads. Cycling is a pleasure, as along the rivers it is fairly level while away from the main water-routes the countryside is gently undulating. The Tourist Office is a good first port of call for hiring bikes.

For more information visit our dedicated walking and cycling page.