Activities around the cottage
Explore the Loire river and its exceptional landscapes
Located in the heart of the Loire-Anjou-Touraine Regional Nature Park, on the famous La Loire à Vélo cycle route, our gîte opens the doors to a region rich in nature, culture and heritage. Between Angers and Saumur, discover a region where every turn reveals a remarkable site.
On foot, by bike, canoe, boat or even hot air balloon, explore the meandering Loire, authentic villages and peaceful landscapes of Anjou at your own pace.
Move around freely...
🚲 Bike tours and rentals
La Loire à Vélo: cycling route along the Loire River
Destination Angers: discover exceptional landscapes around Angers
Destination Saumur: Exceptional landscapes around Saumur
La Vélo Francette :& nbsp;cycle route from Normandy to the Atlantic
Le Vélo Voyageur :& nbsp;travel agency for cycling holidays
Geovelo: free cycling route app
France Vélo Tourisme: All maps of cycling routes and trails in France
🚣♂️ Water walks
- Loire Odyssée boat trip : marvel at the beauty of the river
- Rêves de Loire et d'ailleurs: Traditional boat trips on the Loire
- Loire evasion: An unforgettable excursion through the Loire
- Croisières Saumur Loire: Saumur seen from the Loire
- La Batellerie de La Loire : Enjoy a peaceful day on the water
- Canoe hire: Discover the Loire by canoe, paddleboard or kayak
- Canoë Terre d'Entente: Discover Saumur by waterway.
🌿 Hiking trails around the cottage
Numerous marked trails invite you to explore the landscapes of the marshes, forests, and banks of the Loire, among vineyards, forests and orchards:
- Discovery trail – Saint-Mathurin: 1.5 km
- Between the Loire and Authion – Saint-Mathurin: 13.5 km
- Memories of the Valley – Andard: 7 km
- Tree Trail – Bauné: 3.8 km
- Tuffeau and Woods – Bauné: 20 km
- Marshes and Canals – Brain-sur-l'Authion: 17 km
- Between marshes and slate – Brain: 16 km
- Prés d'Amont – Brain-sur-l'Authion: 1.5 km
- Between river and forest – Corné: 12.5 to 13.5 km
- Slate, Loire and Authion – La Daguenière: 13 km
Loire-Authion tourist map: Download here!
🐎🌬️💪 Other ways to get around
How about getting off the beaten track? There are a thousand and one ways to get around while connecting with nature and yourself.
🌬 Powered by the wind in a natural, wild setting: Live the dream in a hot air balloon (Montgolfières d’Anjou) , let yourself be pulled along by a kitesurf on the Loire (FFVL) by south-westerly to westerly winds at the Port Maillard spot in La Daguenière.
💪 With the strength of your arms, in a canoe, on a bike or on a rowing machine...
🐎 At the pace of a horse, a noble and faithful companion (Poney club de l’Étiage, Espace équestre Angers Corné).
Travel that reconnects you with the landscape, the natural rhythm and the right amount of effort.
Because there's more than one way to get from A to B. Sometimes, it's not about getting there fast, it's about enjoying the journey.
Plan your stay: must-see activities
🏰 Sites and museums
- Castles: Angers, Saumur, Brissac, Montgeoffroy, Baugé, Fontevraud...
- Pierre et Lumière
- Mushroom Museum
- Saumur Armoured Vehicle Museum
- Slate Museum (Trélazé)
- Lurçat Museum and contemporary tapestry
- The Apocalypse Tapestry
- The Black Frame of Saumur
- Church of Saint-Mathurin, ‘Porte de la Paix’
🏛️Heritage, art and craftsmanship
Charming villages, UNESCO-listed landscapes, hidden treasures around every corner... Welcome to Loire-Authion!
Tuffeau stone churches, mills, wash houses, sailors' houses: here, history can be read in the stone and the landscapes... But the region also lives to the rhythm of creativity!
🎨 Want to discover local talent?
Head to Saint-Mathurin-sur-Loire, dans les galeries Hors-Champ et Guy Montis :
🪵 Sculptor, wood turner
💍 Jewellery designers
🖋️ Calligraphy and graphic arts...
Between ancient heritage and contemporary expertise, Loire-Authion invites you on a journey back in time.
🌅 The most beautiful sunset?
When the sky turns orange and the Loire gently sparkles, time seems to stand still. On the embankment, you can see for miles, between the water, the sky and the wild nature. A simple, magical moment to savour alone, with family or friends.
💡 Our favourite spots to enjoy the peace and quiet or share a moment:
📍 The embankment at Saint-Mathurin-sur-Loire: for an unobstructed view of the river and the setting sun
📍 The banks of the Loire at La Daguenière: perfect for a picnic or a game of ball
📍 The Prieuré park in Saint-Rémy-la-Varenne: ideal for reading in the shade or strolling along the water's edge
📍 The paths between Corné and Andard: recharge your batteries in the heart of nature, far from the noise
Sometimes the greatest journey begins just a stone's throw from home.
Eat and enjoy!
🍽 Bars et Restaurants (Loire-Authion)
- Guinguette La Riviera (ouvert tous les jours en saison)
- Crêperie Le Cosy (fermé les lundi et mardi)
- La Gabare : (fermé les lundi et dimanche après-midi)
- Restaurant La Luciole (fermé les lundi et mardi)
- Reflets de Loire (fermé les dimanche et lundi)
🍷 Vins & produits du terroir
- Caves de Brissac_Dunmacus (circuit des vins)
- Vignoble des forges
- Caves Gratien & Meyer
- Bouvet Ladubay
- Carré Cointreau
- Brasserie La Piautre
Local specialities!
* Le Blanc de Sable, a delicacy inspired by the Loire
A subtle combination of sweetness and acidity, melt-in-the-mouth and crunchiness, Blanc de Sable combines a red fruit compote with a crispy ganache, all delicately coated in white chocolate.
Its elegant shape and light colour evoke the landscapes sculpted by the Loire, the graceful curves of the valley and the crops that bring it to life. Its name naturally echoes the sandbanks that line the river, a delicious nod to the surrounding nature.
Find me in all the bakeries in Loire-Authion!
La boule de fort, an unusual game from the Loire Valley
Boule de fort is a unique ball game typical of the Loire Valley... and played in slippers! Similar to pétanque, this game is distinguished by its asymmetrical balls with an off-centre centre of gravity and its curved, gutter-shaped playing surface.
The aim is to get your ball as close as possible to the jack, known here as the ‘maître’. But be careful: the shape of the balls and the very slippery surface mean that the trajectory is always curved and unpredictable.
The games, which are often strategic, can last up to three hours, in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere.
