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Anjou, France travel guide

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Anjou is the important historical region of France that corresponds broadly to the modern department of Maine-et-Loire and had Angers as its capital. It also includes the southern part of the Mayenne department, and small parts of the other surrounding departments.

The region includes the towns of Angers and Saumur, and the smaller towns at Segr� (to the north), Baug� (to the east), Cholet (to the south). Visit also Saint-Florent-le-Vieil, small town to the west of Maine-et-Loire.

Chateau in the department include Angers castle, Brissac castle, and Saumur castle.

Rivers

The region revolves around the Loire river which passes east to west through Anjou, and has historically brought prosperity and fertility to the region - and still does to a certain extent. The river is now also an important tourist destination itself - slow moving, tranquil and attractive, it can be enjoyed best from a barge or boat on the river itself.

There are several smaller rivers that meet the Loire in this region - notably the Mayenne, Sarthe, Maine and Loir from the north; the Authion from the east; and the Layon from the south.

Countryside

The landscape is dotted with small scale agriculture, ancient woodlands and hedgerows, and of course the vineyards which are also highly reputed - explore along the valley of the River Layon south of Angers and the Loire itself west of Angers to see some of the best vineyards.

The region also has a long tradition with horses, and exploring Anjou on horseback on the numerous bridleways that criss-cross the region is perhaps one of the best ways to appreciate this natural environment.

Within Anjou the countryside offers varied characteristic, from the forests and woodlands around Baug� to the flat market-garden flower fields along the Authion Valley.

Towards the north the countryside is more like that you might associate with Brittany, while the south-east has a definite 'southern France' feel to it. Each region has its own special appeal and attractions.

Anjou Villages of charm

There are numerous small attractive villages to discover in Anjou, several being particularly listed as 'villages of charm' - these include: Chenill� Chang� - Grez Neuville - Champteuss� sur Baconne - Aubigne-sur-Layon - Turquant - Montsoreau - Chenehutte Treves Cunault - Thorign� d'Anjou - Blaison Gohier - Aubign� sue Layon - Le Coudray Macouard. Montsoreau is a 'most beautiful village'.

Buildings and architecture

Walk around Saumur and along the Loire River

Architecture from the middle ages onwards also plays an important role, from the chateaux at Angers and Saumur to the magnificent vaulted church at Cunault.

equally interesting is the attraction of the more 'everyday' manor houses and modest dwellings that dot the countryside and you will see as you travel around Anjou.

Other highlights include the Plessis-Bourr� chateau, Brissac chateau, the Chateau de Serant (west of Angers), Montreuil-Bellay castle, and many others. The Abbey at Fontevraud is a very popular highlight.

Unusually the Maine-et-Loire region has all the materials necessary for construction close to hand, with white limestone, black slate, and clay deposits (for tiles etc) all found in abundance here.

Other Anjou highlights

Architecture from the middle ages onwards also plays an important role, from the chateaux

The Natural Regional Park of Loire-Anjou-Touraine falls within the region, and is an attractive region of architectural beauty and unspoiled countryside, containing also numerous troglodyte habitations.

The region is also well known for its nature - above all the birdlife that is attracted to the region, especially along the river(s) of Anjou.

In the region around Saumur there are hundreds of kilometres of subterranean passages, carved from the soft rock - in part as building material for the fine chateau in the region. These tunnels can be visited, and have sometimes been creatively converted into wine cellars and restaurants, even the occasional art gallery.

West of Saumur, visit the zoo and troglodyte dwellings at Doue-la-Fontaine.

Note: Angers airport is located in Maine-et-Loire