DeborahAnn

I would appreciate any comments or suggestions about visiting the troglodyte villages in the Loire. There are several sites near Doue-la-Fontaine.

I was wondering if one village is more interesting than another or if there are enough differences to spend a full day visiting them as well as having lunch at one of the troglodyte restaurants and include time at the zoo at Doue.

We will be spending two weeks in the Loire and it's our second time in the area so we can slow our daily pace a bit

Possible sites include Les Maisons Troglodytes in Forges, the village of Rochemenier and La Cave aux Sculptures in Deneze-sous-Doue. The Saumur tourist site lists several restaurants set in caves that serve fouace.

Thanks for any comments to help in my planning Deborah

annhig

we've never visited a troglodyte village as such, but near Saumur there are several wineries set in caves, and various other attractions too.


if you go to Doue, don't forget the rose gardens and the rose wine. Delish. [and if you've kids with you, the Zoo is very good too].

DeborahAnn

Ann, thanks for the suggestions. No kiddies on this trip but the zoo in a troglodyte setting sounded very unique as described in the Michelin guide. Deborah

annhig

yes - if you are interested in animals, it's well worth it. The giraffe enclosure alone is worth the entrance fee - the way it's designed, you are at eye level with the giraffes, which makes a nice change to having to crane your neck to see their heads. The bird enclosure is also very interesting.

there's a nice restaurant too with a BBQ of sorts, but it stops at about 2pm as we found to our cost, and the cafe is rubbish.

i don't know if it'll be open, but the site where they hold the annual rose show is very interesting - I've been to many, many flower shows, but never before to one held in a cave.

as you are going to be in the area for quite a long time, [lucky you!] I wonder if you have ever been to the Puy de Fou at Cholet?

http://www.puydufou.com/en

I know that it's quite a way to the west, but we've been twice now, and just loved it. you are probably too late to get tickets for this year to the cinescenie [a sort of elaborate son et lumiere] but the day-time experience is pretty good too.it's a sort of tour through the history of the Vendee, from Romans, through Viking and English invaders, to the Revolution.

our other favourites in the area are Villandry [the gardens, don't bother with the chateau] Saumur itself, Chinon [though the castle was closed, we loved the town] and Fontavraud.

have a great trip!

DeborahAnn

More great suggestions, thanks Ann. I saw something of Puy de Fou on TV during the opening of the Tour de France this year, I believe. When considering a visit there, I thought my husband might not appreciate it as his command of the French language is minimal Deborah

FrenchMystiqueTours

I haven't visited any of the troglodyte villages in the Loire but troglodyte dwellings abound anywhere in the Loire region where there are cliffs. Ive seen them all over the place there and people are still living in them. Plenty along the river. In Amboise on the walk from the château to the Clos Lucé (DaVinci's house) you'll see loads of them. I think a couple other villages you might look into would be Trôo, Lavardin and Saint-Rémy-sur-Creuse.

http://www.troovillage.com/default2.htm

http://www.loirevalleytourism.com/Or...UCEN0410030313

http://en.lavardin.net/heritage/arou...-lavardin.html

http://www.tourisme-vienne.com/arche...emy-sur-creuse

di2315

We visited a fascinating troglodyte cave that was in the back streets of Chinon - sorry, I don't have the street name. I do remember we parked the car in a large parking area, then walked up the hill and into this street. (It was behind the chateau.)

As well as seeing the caves, this particular one was set up with made musical instruments/sculptures that sounded as you walked through. It was one of those places that we just happened upon, and was a wonderful surprise. Di

Padraig

The Cave aux Sculptures in Deneze-sous-Doue is a different experience from visiting troglodyte villages, and I thought it well worth my while.

I liked Rochemenier also, but one village of that type seems sufficient.

If you are also doing the wine thing, you might like Domaine Filliatreau, which is on the road between Saumur and Montsoreau. As well as producing some very nice wines, they have a superior troglodyte dewelling that is open to visitors.

If you are based in or near Doue, head up to Les Rosiers-sur-Loire and dine in Au Val de Loire.

annhig

More great suggestions, thanks Ann. I saw something of Puy de Fou on TV during the opening of the Tour de France this year, I believe. When considering a visit there, I thought my husband might not appreciate it as his command of the French language is minimal>>

no need for any/much french at the Puy de Fou itself, though the cinescenie either requires better french than mine or head-phones. There are some very interesting exhibits - the Viking invasion, and the battle against perfidious albion, and two great ones - the roman colosseum and the birds of prey.

those two alone, as michelin says, are worth the trip.

DeborahAnn

Thanks for the suggestions. Padraig, we are based in a gite very close to Les Rosiers-sur-Loire, I've put the Au Val de Loire on my restaurant list. Deborah

DeborahAnn

Ann, I've kept our Friday of that week unplanned so I'll look into the Puy le Fou, further---I must say my husband does enjoy the "spectacular" Deborah

Padraig

If you're close to Les Rosiers, then you might also have a look at La Toque Blanche for another of your meals.

DeborahAnn

Padraig, we are staying 10 kms from Les Rosiers, is La Toque Blanche also in Les Rosiers? thanks, Deborah

Padraig

It's in Les Rosiers, facing the river. The place looks very formal, but it isn't too stuffy.

I'm not allowed peruse the wine list there, because Herself is of the opinion that their house wines are so good that it would be extravagant to consider anything else.

DeborahAnn

Thanks again, Padraig I also have seldom found a house wine that I didn't enjoy Deborah