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| Bournan, situated in South Touraine, is an excellent base for discovering the Loire Valley area of France. Within easy travelling distance, typically less than 45 minutes, are many of the world famous Châteaux of the Loire Valley, such as Amboise, Chenonceaux, Loches, Chinon, Azay-le-Rideau, Montrésor, Ussé, and Villandry. Many of the château have extensive ornate gardens through which you can wander, some of which are illuminated at night during the summer season. The major châteaux are open all the year round , and there you can admire the French antique furniture of the 17th to 19th century. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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For the more adventurous it is possible to take helicopter or hot air balloon flights over the châteaux. |
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| Château of Loches, in its medieval city | The Château of Montrésor, overlooking the town | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The region is abundant with countless small, timeless, and picturesque villages. It is a delight to stroll through these villages, admiring the flowers and the old buildings, and it is very easy to imagine that one has been transported back a hundred years. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Crissay-sur-Manse, reputably the prettiest village in Indre et Loire | Roses in June at Chedigny | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The region also has many other family attractions, e.g. many museums and sites of historical interest, Futuroscope, Amboise Aquarium, zoos, adventure parks and the Brenne Natural Park. |
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| The stunning Angles-sur- L'Anglin | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The beautiful countryside of the South Touraine is also excellent for walking, cycling, and horse riding; or equally one can just sit in a garden or on a riverbank and admire the many species of wildlife and birds. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Place Jean Jaures in Tours |
Flower market in Tours | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tours is an excellent shopping centre, as well as having an interesting old quarter full of pavement restaurants. There is a large twice weekly market, which is reknown for its flower stalls. Most other larger towns also have weekly markets where you can buy excellent fresh local produce. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| For those of you interested in wine, Chinon red wine and Vouvray still and sparkling white wines are among the better known Loire wines; and both of these areas are within a short drive. There you can visit some of the local wine producers, taste their different vintages, and buy the wines direct. |
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Even a day visit to Paris is possible, as it is only 55 minutes away from Tours with the TGV high speed train. |
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