LAC DE PINCEMAILLE

Just 5km away is a huge lake, where you can hire pedalos, and canoes. The lake is ideal for toddlers and young children as it is very shallow and makes it ideal for splashing and paddling. There are also tennis courts, volleyball and mini golf. There are large open spaces for games and shaded forests in which to picnic and relax. And for those who enjoy trains, there is a little historic stream train*, which you can take a ride on around the lake and through the woods.

The Restaurant "Auberge du Lac" where there are set menus at differing prices, and an al a carte menu, is close by and open for lunches and evening meals. The campsite by the lake also serves refreshments. 

It is also possible to fish at the lake and permits for this are easily available locally in Noyant.

The lake is a haven for migrating birds and is a well known nature reserve. There are bird hides in the forests for the keen ornothologists from which to view the wildlife. 

Parking and use of the lake is free of charge.

* does not run everyday: information and timetables at the train station.

GOLF

About 15km away there is a superb golf course at Bauge. "Golf de Bauge" is set in beautiful woodland and is reputedly the best course in the Western Loire, with large bunkers and holes that are sculptured around lakes. There is also a 3-hole practice course. Founded in 1994 it has 18 holes, par 72: pro Francois Jaguelin.
There is a bar and dining room, with snacks available all day (telephone before 10am for a full lunch.

Tel: 0033 (0) 241 890127 or ring us to make a booking for you.

There is also a golf course near Chateau La Valliere, and numerous others throughout the region.

HORSES

Saumur is the home of the world famous and unique Cadre Noir, Ecole Nationale d'Equitation. You can tour the Olympic sized riding school, the stable blocks and the tack rooms from April to September.* During May, June, July and September there are regular presentations of the horses ability and training starting at 10.30 in the morning. During July The Cadre Noir presents The Carrousel, a huge gala of horse performances and processions in Saumur. And in October there is a show of equestrian art set to classical music. Please ring us for more details.

For those who enjoy a more hands on ride, there are many centres and facilities for riding lessons and hacking out the nearest being at Vernoil some 10km away from La Roultiere.

The Loire has many racecourses and there are race meetings throughout the year.

15km north of Angers is the National Stud farm of Lion d'Angers where thoroughbred stallions and French trotting ponies are breed. There are daily guided tours and in October the Isle Briand Estate is the setting for the "mondial du Lion" a three day international event.

*The horses are absent during August.

WALKING AND CYCLING

The Loire valley and it surrounds are ideal for gentle walking, rambling and cycling due to its gentle rolling landscape. There is an extensive network of marked paths and trails. Organised walks with guides are available through local and regional tourist offices or alternatively Gill and Phil can arrange a local guided walf for you. There is information about various circular routes in the area in the gites. BIkes are available to hire from La Roultiere and trailers for younger children can be made available by request. 

WINE

The Loire Valley is famous for its light, fruity wine and there are many numerous places to taste wines within easy reach. Near to La Roultiere starts the wine road from Gizeaux to Chinon and beyond. Saumur is famous for its sparkling wines, Anjou for its rose, and Bourgueil and Chinon for its red. Many of the Maisons de Vin are set in large limestone caves that characterise the area On the road past Tours are the vineyards of Vouvay. A visit in autumn will allow you to savour the new wines first hand, although there are wine festivals throughout the year to promote different types of the local appellations.

CHATEAUX AND GARDENS

The region is justly famous for its numerous chateaux and splendid gardens; even the local inhabitants find it hard to visit them all. The region of Anjou itself has one thousand two hundred chateaux and great houses, with architectural styles dating back to the eleventh century. Visit Villandry for its gardens, Chambord for its immense size, and Usse for its connections with fairytails. La Roultiere's village Breil has its own chateau and historical gardens: Parc du Lathan covers 138 acres with both French and English styles of design. One unusual feature is an underground maze. (Recommended reading Michelin green guide "Châteaux of the Loire"). Once a year in the middle of August, the Chateau at Breil hosts the Fete de Chasse, a festival of country sports. The size of the festival will amaze, and attracts around 20,000 people to Breil from all over France. You can sit on the banks of the moat and watch jousting, bugling competitions, and horse and dog displays. The Festival ends with a huge firework display set to music.

CHILDRENS ACTIVITIES

There are several activity parks in the area, and details for these are in the apartments. Holly Park near Bauge is set in the grounds of a chateau and has large fairground rides to suit all ages. Once you have paid your entrance fee the rides are free and you can go on as many times as you wish. There are bars and a restaurant at the park and picnic areas so you can take your own food.

The zoo at Doue la Fontaine is about half an hour away and makes an excellent day out. The animals live in troglodyte caves and shady, open enclosures. As you go round you really feel like you are on safari; you have to walk through bamboo glades, past limestone waterfalls and through caves and tunnels to view the animals. There are regular feeding times, and you can get close up and personal with the vultures! The pigmy hippos are especially delightful to watch as you can see how they tiptoe around under the water.

The Chateau at Usse has strong links with fairy tales and inspired the story of Sleeping Beauty. There is a permanent display of the fairy tale in the turrets and the battlements of the chateau and it is easy to see how it inspired the story. The views from here are also spectacular. The village by the chateau has Maisons de Vin for wine tasting and buying.

FETES AND FESTIVAL

Practically every weekend there is a fete or festival in the near vicinity as the French love an excuse for a party. They often have a theme of "brocante" (antiques) or a local food speciality or wine. The most amusing noticed so far has been the Fete de Grand Croissant (which says it all!) Saumur has a summer long festival, which includes street parties, jazz and music. Visit the tourist office for information or ring prior to your holiday to enable you to reserve tickets for events. Telephone Saumur Office de Tourism on 00 33 (0)2 41402060, where they speak excellent English, or visit www.saumur-tourisme.com (or email - infos@ot-saumur.fr)