Special dates
in 2012
Special dates in 2012
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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 23-25 Salon des Vins et Terroirs at Thouars: wine & food fair, highly recommended. (15 minutes)
May 19-20 Art en fête: Montreuil-Bellay’s annual fête, with exhibitions and street performers.
June 2-3 Au Cœur des Bulles: strip cartoon festival at the Nobis monastery beside the river. This year’s guest of honour is Philippe Xavier. Other guest artists are Alexe, Mohamed Aouamri, Adeline Blondeau, Boulet, Davide Cali, Dany, Philippe Delaby, Sylvain Dorange, Benoît du Peloux, Jean Dufaux, Benoît Feroumont, Fortu, Kek, Thomas Legrain, Ninie, Jérémy Petiqueux, Luc Revillon, Curd Ridel, Rodrigue, Nathalie Sergeef, Pascal Thivillon, Widenlocher, Nicolas Wild. (short walk)
July 12-16 Les Journées de la Rose: an incredible exhibition of roses in cathedral caves in Doué la Fontaine, rose centre of France. (10 minutes)
July 14 Bastille day: the national celebration of the French revolution.
July 20-21 Le Carrousel de Saumur: France's answer to the Royal Tournament. (15 minutes)
July 27, 28, 29 Les Estivales du Cadre Noir: a gala spectacle demonstrating the purest tradition of French equestrianism. (15 minutes)
July 29 Grand Prix Rétro at Le Puy Notre Dame: a glorious day of veteran cars and motorbikes racing around the streets of this small town. (10 minutes)
August 5 Les Peintres dans la Ville: an all-day art competition with any view of picturesque Montreuil-Bellay as the subject, any medium, open to participants of all ages.
September 1-9 Festivini: all sorts of festivities to celebrate the local Saumur wines, including the annual marché des vins beside the Loire on September 2, where you can taste, and buy if you wish, a wide variety of Saumur appellation wines. (15 minutes)
September 15-16 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. (Nationwide)
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
Saumur: 4th Sunday