Things
to do and Places to see |
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Le
Bignon is located in the
historic 'pays Baugeois' region of the Pays de la
Loire. This is peaceful, moderate and
gentle countryside with many wooded areas lying
just to the north of the river Loire. Less than
10 minutes drive away lies the 'Reserve Naturelle
de Chambiers' , a mixed forest with miles of
gentle paths for walking or cycling- the perfect
place for relaxing throughout the seasons.. Leisure facilities nearby include a number of golf courses including the fabulous 18 hole course at Bauge-Pontigne , the photo on the right is the 3rd (15 minutes) and the excellent riding stables/school La Landelle (20 minutes). |
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nearest village is Jarze, a fifteen minute walk
away. It is a typical mixed farming and
small business commune and has a post office,
pharmacy, small supermarket, 2 bakers, a
butcher/grocery and a bar. Some 9 kilometers to the east is the larger, old town of Bauge - an attractive, bustling little market town with a larger supermarket, small shopping "High Street" and a number of cafes and restaurants. Slap in the centre of town is the main square overlooked by the town chateau which now houses the tourist information office. In July/August each year, Bauge is host to the fabulous Opera de Bauge. A similar distance to the north is Durtal, a pretty little town set on the River Loir, with its imposing chateau and a choice of cafes and restaurants. |
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Also
close by to the south west is
the major university city of Angers,
the capital of the historic province of
Anjou, and considered to be one of the most
beautiful cities in France. This sophisticated
city offers theatre, music, ballet and art
exhibitions as well as great shopping, a vast
range of cafes, restaurants and bars and an
unforgettable market every Saturday. Perhaps the
two most famous sites are the magnificent twin
spiralled Cathedral
of Saint Maurice,
12th and 13 century, and the massive Castle
of Angers,
early 13th century, with its moat and 17 round
towers. The castle grounds are beautifully laid
out and planted and offer a quiet place in the
middle of the city - local rumour has it that in
days gone by the grass moat surrounding the
castle was home to lions and antelopes but today
you are more likely to spot a small group of
peacefully grazing deer! The castle is also home
to the oldest and largest tapestry in the world -
the Tapestry of the Apocalypse
- it is 140 metres long and a 'must see'. A
stroll through the ancient narrow streets of the
mediaeval quarter is the perfect way to either
work up an appetite or walk off a lunch! |
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Twenty
five minutes drive to the south of
Le Bignon and you are on the north bank of the
wonderful river Loire - the longest and
only remaining natural river in France. The river
and its sandbanks provide a perfect environment
for an array of wildlife and fish. The area is a
nature lovers paradise, a casual glance around
and you could see herons, egrets, cormorants,
gulls, terns, lapwing, and many small wading
birds, as well as coypus, wild boar and deer.
Many local restaurants serve river caught fish,
such as Zander, as a speciality of the region. |
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This is one of our very favourite places. The buildings made of the local tuffeau stone glow in the sunshine and gleam in the moonlight! The town is dominated by the fantastic chateau on top of the hill and the view of the bridge and the chateau lit up at night is one to remember. The town is home to the famous Cadre Noir, the elite of the French cavalry and each year in July they stage a spectacular show, Carousel, in the grounds of the Cavalry School in the centre of town. There are a number of excellent restaurants and cafes, a mushroom museum, troglodyte caves and just south at Doue la Fontaine, the centre of the rose growing area, a small but wonderful zoo which has the proud reputation for successfully rearing more babies from endangered species than any other zoo in the world. |
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| Le
Bignon, 49140 Jarzé, France Tel: +33 (0) 2 41 33 88 38 | Email: wendyandpeterchapman@lebignon.com |