FrenchDuck UK - where to stay in France - gites. B&B, villas,vineyards » Pays de la Loire

Le Basse Cour, Normandy/Loire B&B

Administrator — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 18:17:55 +0000

Unless you are lucky enough to live within an hour or so of the English Channel ports, the annual trip to and from France can be a bit of an ordeal. Dover crossings may be short, but tend to leave you with longer to drive on both sides of the Channel. The western Channel crossings [...]

Vineyard Bed & Breakfast in the Côtes Roannaise

Administrator — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 11:58:59 +0000

In the upper Loire Valley lies the appellation of the Côtes Roannaise AC – from the region around Roanne (42 Loire, Rhône-Alpes) – although a long way from the area most of us associate with the Loire Valley, These are wines based on the Gamay grapes – best known as the Beaujolais grape. Here Englishman Simon [...]

Stay in a Tree House in Normandy

Administrator — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 09:45:28 +0000

For a rather different and eco-friendly B&B experience you could try this modern, well-equipped treehouse in southern Normandy situated in the heart of the Parc Naturel Régional du Perche, in southern Normandy, Perché dans le Perche is a two-bedroomed treehouse with a shower, panoramic views of the countryside and even internet access!!! The Parc Naturel Régional du [...]

On your bicyclette! City bike schemes in France

Administrator — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 04:55:18 +0000

It all started in Paris with the Velib’ Scheme – an amalgam of Velo (cycle) and Liberte (free), which has been a tremendous success.

The latest we’ve come across is the Velomagg in Montepellier (34 Herault, Languedoc-Roussillon).

Vélib’ is a Self Service “bike hire” system available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Multi pick up [...]

Tour de France 2008 Stage 4

Administrator — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 18:35:24 +0000

Stage 4 Cholet – Cholet time trial in the Loire Valley see www.letour.fr

Rugby World Cup venues map

Administrator — Fri, 31 Aug 2007 16:32:56 +0000

With the 2007 Rugby World Cup kicking off in early September, it is worth knowing when and where the matches are to be held – if only so that you can avoid the additional heavy traffic for several hours around the match time. Particularly susceptible to congestion will be the Paris Peripherique and the A1 [...]

Nantes – Music and Boats

Administrator — Tue, 21 Aug 2007 05:27:21 +0000

Nantes is best known for being the major city on the western extremities of the River Loire – but it is also built on a smaller river, the River Erdre which runs in from the north.

In September the city celebrates a 3–day “meeting on the Erdre” (Rendezvous de l’Erdre) – a very French mix of music [...]

Festival of the Loire

Administrator — Sun, 19 Aug 2007 16:55:03 +0000

Orleans (45 Loiret, Centre) celebrates Europe’s last wild river, the Loire, with a meeting of French and foreign traditional riverboats. Nautical demonstrations, water shows, magical evenings, dinner-dances, Loire crafts and products village, conferences, exhibitions. This is the Loire like you’ve never seen before !

For more info see www.festivaldeloire.com

Saumur’s Wine Market

Administrator — Sun, 19 Aug 2007 05:41:59 +0000

The Third edition of Le Marché des Vins de Saumur (49 Maine-et-Loire) on the Loire. More than 6,000 visitors are expected. Tastings, auctions and a tour of the town will be the highlights of this weekend. Traditionally famous for sparkling white wines made from the Chenin Blanc grape, in recent years the red Cabernet Franc of [...]

Martlet Wines, Sussex

Administrator — Sat, 11 Aug 2007 06:50:59 +0000

Interesting and individual selection of French wines including

DOMAINE DES HUARDS, Cour-Cheverny AC Cuvée Francois 1er 2002, Romorantin £ 8.25 The little known Romorantin grape is now exclusive to Cour-Cheverny. A favourite of Leonardo de Vinci, it produces a very individual wine. Dry with subtle fruits and a slightly “sherried” flavour.

Martlet Wines is internet-based (no shop) and provides a slightly quirky [...]

Rugby World Cup – Nantes

Administrator — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 17:33:37 +0000

Wales v Fiji in Nantes

Rugby World Cup – Nantes

Administrator — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 17:14:33 +0000

England v Samoa in Nantes

Rugby Wolrd Cup – Nantes

Administrator — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 07:01:24 +0000

Wales v Canada in Nantes

Fest Noz at Batz-sur-Mer

Administrator — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 17:34:56 +0000

The normally quiet coastal village of Batz-sur-Mer (44 Loire-Atlantique, Pays de la Loire) goes a little crazy for 3 days in July with their Nuits Salines – salty nights of music and dance – culminating in a Fest Noz (Festival of the Night) which is a traditional Breton festival, similar to a ceilidh – with [...]

Loire Estuary Festival

Administrator — Mon, 04 Jun 2007 14:39:44 +0000

Between Nantes and Saint Nazaire on the Atlantic Coast – see www.frenchduck.com

Flying UK to France

Administrator — Mon, 05 Mar 2007 22:42:35 +0000

The choice of budget airline routes from UK to France is impressive,

Domaine Leduc-Frouin, Anjou

Administrator — Thu, 11 Jan 2007 21:50:53 +0000

We met with Madame Leduc early in our wine travels – and more by happenchance than design. Having been thoroughly disgruntled by a Loire negociant who was only interested in selling cheap sweet rose to the English, we found we had time on our hands and an almost forgotten introduction to this vineyard from [...]

Anjou Saumur Wine Festival

Administrator — Mon, 18 Dec 2006 18:17:56 +0000

The winemakers of Anjou and Saumur offer to brighten up February with a weekend wine Festival on 24 and 25 February 2007 at Challonnes-sur-Loire (49 Maine-et-Loire, Val de Loire – see map). This is not be be confused with the Loire Valley Wine Fair in Angers at the end of January, which is a trade [...]

Domaine Octavie, Touraine

Administrator — Wed, 01 Nov 2006 13:53:37 +0000

Domaine Octavie at Oisly make some excellent Touraine Sauvignon....

Sancerre

Administrator — Sat, 24 Jun 2006 08:04:34 +0000

Sancerre (18 Cher, Centre) is world-renown vineyard (and pretty town) in the mid-Loire Valley, The town is situated on a rocky outcrop overlooking the Loire river and providing a superb view of the vineyards which enjoy the natural slopes on limestone and marl. It is recognised for its Sauvignon Blanc wines – dry and minerally – [...]