Special dates in 2010

There are plenty of traditional things to do while you’re visiting the Loire valley: châteaux, wine, horses, nature…

But there are also more specific activities that you might like to bear in mind when choosing your dates to stay at La Maison Aubelle.

March 26-28 Salon des Vins et Terroirs at Thouars: wine & food fair, highly recommended (15 minutes)

May 29-30 Au Coeur des Bulles: festival of strip cartoons - one of the best in France (just across the road)

July 10-14 Les Journées de la Rose (50th anniversary): an incredible exhibition of roses at Doué la Fontaine, rose centre of France (10 minutes)

July 14 Bastille day: the national celebration of the French revolution

July 17-18 Le Carrousel de Saumur: France's answer to the Royal Tournament

July 23, 24, 25 Les Estivales du Cadre Noir, a gala spectacle demonstrating the purest tradition of French equestrianism

July 25 Grand Prix Rétro at Le Puy Notre Dame: a glorious day of veteran cars and motorbikes racing around the streets of this small town. We have a private garden in the centre of Le Puy where we offer a picnic lunch for our guests (10 minutes)

August 1 Les Peintres dans la Ville: an all-day art competition of beautiful Montreuil-Bellay, any medium, open to participants of all ages

September 4-5 Saumur wine fair: loads of Saumur wines to taste, and buy if you wish, beside the Loire in Saumur. For details, go to: www.marchedesvinsdesaumur.com

September 25-26 Weekend du Patrimoine: France's heritage weekend, when you can visit all sorts of historic, sometimes privately owned, buildings not normally open to the public

For all those of you who like to spot a bargain at the monthly bric-à-brac markets:
Montreuil-Bellay: 1st Sunday
Montsoreau: 2nd Sunday
Chinon: 3rd Sunday