The Loire Valley trip

The 40 participants in the trip to Angers had a very packed itinerary. They first visited the troglodyte village of Rochemenier to see how locals used to live in the 19th  century in such dwellings.

They then visited the double fortress of Brézé and enjoyed the underground tunnels of the medieval fortress in particular. They then moved on to a visit of the Chateau in Chinon, overlooking the river Vienne, only to finish with a very French menu of confit duck, on a terrace, by the river Loire, to the sound of an accordionist.

What could be more French? The temperature increased when the day was spent in Saumur to visit the National Horse riding School, training over 350 horses for equestrian shows and future medalists in show-jumping and mounted army officers. We then saw the historic centre of Amboise, its Castle, attended a workshop on how chocolate is made from cocoa pods, followed by a visit of Leonardo da Vinci’s last abode and its park.

The day ended in a crêperie, with another very welcome menu of crêpes.

Finally, all enjoyed the day spent at “Le Puy du Fou” in even hotter weather but fascinating stunts shows retracing episodes of French history.  A lot was discovered on French history and culture.