Explore Andard, Maine-et-Loire, Pays de la Loire

Our discovery of Juvardeil starts with the river, previously a factor of economic prosperity, today a relaxing environment developed for leisure activities. Our walk takes us through the picturesque wooded countryside of Haut Anjou to the banks of the Sarthe river.

The Thouet Valley is discovered at the rate of cycling thanks to a marked route on small roads and farm tracks or bike paths. Affluent of the Loire, the Thouet is a discreet river which hides many treasures. Along its 150 km, it meanders through varied landscapes and authentic villages. This bike route is accompanied by loops that complete the discovery of Thouarsais, vineyards to the plains. More information on www.valleeduthouet.fr Le Thouet by bike is one of the sections of the Vélo Francette, a route linking Normandy to the Charente coast, via the Thouarsais. www.lavelofrancette.com So do not hesitate to ride your bike for unexpected and preserved discoveries! New: order online your picnic prepared by local restaurateurs with local products !!! All information on www.lebonpicnic.com

Follow the purple arrows and discover the vineyards and villages between the Thouet and Argenton rivers!

On the borders of Poitou and Anjou, Saix offers visitors its Poitevin hamlet, marked by the memory of Sainte-Radegonde. This path allows views on castles or wine estates, with beautiful panoramas on the North of Poitou where the vine and the tuffeau are married.

At the exit of the village of Saix, the path introduces you little by little in a forest environment. Come and live a pleasant moment in contact with these majestic trees. The views follow one another: dovecotes, vineyards or the chapel in memory of Sainte-Radegonde. Beautiful discoveries in perspective.

This path will allow you to appreciate the remarkable troglodytic heritage of the picturesque villages where the troglos were dug in the local blacnhe stone, the tuffeau. It will lead you to the heart of the vineyards, where famous grape varieties such as Cabernet Franc or Pinot Blanc de Loire are grown.

A short, signposted route through the Poitou vineyards at the gateway to Anjou. Within a small area, the historic and built heritage is incomparably rich: picturesque villages, troglodytic sites, mills, dolmens, wash-houses and dovecotes form an uninterrupted string of secret nuggets.

Discover the small villages Thouarsais between plain and hills and stop your eyes on the town of Tourtenay, unique village of Deux-Sèvres showing a troglodyte habitat!

Walk around the Deux-Sèvres Tramway A 1.6 km walk allows everyone, tourists and inhabitants alike, to relive the Tramway des Deux-Sèvres (TDS) in its preserved space through an exhibition of 16 large paintings in the open air. This research work of the 3A thus exposed makes relive this industrial parenthesis which functioned from 1898 to 1939. The line linked Bressuire to Montreuil-Bellay, 62 km apart, passing through many towns including the Argenton station. Other panels (15) around the cemetery show the local life from old postcards unpublished. Tramway line built between 1892 and 1898. 62 km long, it linked Bressuire to Montreuil Bellay with its station in Argenton-Château ... The TDS went through Argentonnay, passing through La Coudre, Le Breuil-sous-Argenton and Ulcot.

Dominated by the ruins of the medieval castle, Argenton les Vallees has the quiet charm of rural villages. Its rich heritage is discovered during a trip that also allows to admire the landscapes.

Barn conversions are a popular choice and they are ideal for family holidays having lots of space. This pretty property with its exposed stone walls and beams is no exception. It has everything a family needs including 2 bedrooms (double + twin), shower room, 2 WCs and a lounge. Located 15kms from the bright lights of the city, the property is close to many of the top tourist locations in and around Angers and its hinterland: castles and manor houses, châteaux, religious monuments, troglodyte caves and much more…all on your doorstep

Charming 18th century house with two country cottages in an area classified as UNESCO World Heritage. The owners live nearby and if you stay here one week or more, the owners will cook and offer you a special dinner.

Lieu ouvert sur l’environnement et l’écologie, le muséum développe et expose de précieuses collections, témoins de la diversité.

Located in the heart of Angers, this popular city park is a delightvwith over 20,000 plants on display. Originally created in the 17th century and then redesigned in 1859 to be more ‘à la Française’, it is a great place for all the family and includes a fountain and bandstand for summer concerts.

In the 19th century, during the industrial revolution, bricks and mortar were replaced by concrete as the premier building material. Against this potentially bland construction form, the artist Isidore Odorico sought to bring a decorative style that on the ‘Maison Bleu’ included elaborate mosaics… characteristic of art deco!

This Carolingian monument is one of the best-preserved medieval Renaissance buildings in France. Today, it houses a year-round programme of exhibitions, guided tours and kid’s workshops all linked to history, heritage and contemporary art.

The old bell tower of the abbey dates back to the 12th century. Built from sandstone, it stands 54 metres high and rises from the site now occupied by the Préfecture. It houses a number of exhibitions throughout the year.

You cannot help but smile at the carvings of the young women that adorn the façade of 38 rue St. Laud. Dating back to 1892, when it was a café and concert hall called the 'Alcazar', it is one of the oldest examples of art nouveau in Angers.

Built in the 15th century by Olivier Barrault, the king’s secretary and treasurer of Britain, this magnificent site now houses the Museum of Fine Arts with collections displaying the history and heritage of Angers. There is more than 3,000m² of permanent exhibition space with further space put aside for temporary exhibits that alternate between the historical and the contemporary. Among the masterpieces on show are works from Lippi, Jordaens, Champaigne, Fragonard, Chardin, Watteau, Ingres, or Morellet.

A listed building dating from the 16th century. Distinctive wooden carvings decorate its frontage…the best known is ‘Le Tricouillard’, who displays no modesty by revealing himself for all to see!

The garden of the Museum of Fine Arts and the St-Eloi Place are accessed via the entrance to the museum on Rue Toussaint.

The Betty’s restaurant proposes a wide range of pizzas, Burgers, sandwiches, all in an American atmosphere.

This tavern on the Loire in Saint-Saturnin-sur-Loire offers regional and home-made specialities with live music on weekends.

The Petit Blaison grocery store and restaurant in the village of Blaison Gohier, sells regional products and prepares gourmet cuisine.

Enjoy a family restaurant in Mazé

Modern gourmet cuisine based on seafood and local produce - that in itself should be persuasive enough to spend a gastronomic few hours at this popular restaurant, part of a larger hotel complex. The setting is beautiful, nestling in amongst 7 acres of a verdant green landscape where you can enjoy the scenery beforehand with a drink on the terrace. Eating in the restaurant is like eating under the stars, thanks to its unusual glass roof. The team at La Table Loire & Sens know how important service is and also recognise the joy of eating. The menu is inventive and changes regularly in-sync with the seasons (locally grown seasonal vegetable are a speciality). La Table Loire & Sens open from Monday to Saturday from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. and Sunday from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m.

Terrace on the Loire. Eel, Loire, and Loire fish fries...

5 tastefully-decorated rooms, in a beautiful character dwelling.

Barn conversions are a popular choice and they are ideal for family holidays having lots of space. This pretty property with its exposed stone walls and beams is no exception. It has everything a family needs including 2 bedrooms (double + twin), shower room, 2 WCs and a lounge. Located 15kms from the bright lights of the city, the property is close to many of the top tourist locations in and around Angers and its hinterland: castles and manor houses, châteaux, religious monuments, troglodyte caves and much more…all on your doorstep