Regions of France

From godly piety to penal servitude, the immense 12th century Abbey complex at Fontevraud has left its mark in history, and is a popular site that breaks the mould of castles and chateaux. What was once a mini city containing male and females monasteries under a powerful abbess became a prison under Napoleon until it was slowly wound down after 1963. Today, the maze of monasteries and cloisters have been immaculately restored and also include a hotel discretely positioned away from the daily influx of visitors - a veritable sanctuary from the masses! Come nightfall the abbey is the personal domain of its guests, who can savour the monastic charms of the ancient complex while enjoying the cleverly incorporated contemporary comforts of the hotel with its 54 minimalist rooms and a restaurant with a creative repertoire, set around the hotel’s own cloister. Fontevraud is superbly located in the heart of the Loire Valley, between Saumur and Chinon. Fontevraud L'Hotel Fontevraud-l'Abbaye, Near Chinon, Loire Valley It is not the Loire, but the Maine river which flows alongside the imposing medieval fortress of Angers. In the shadow of its 17 towers of shale and tuffeau you will find the largest known medieval tapestry, the Apocalypse Tapestry, with 70 scenes woven over more than 100 metres! Angers was the medieval seat of the Plantagenet dynasty, when nearly half of France was ruled by England. it has an old town with half-timbered houses Fortress of Angers Château de Noireux A member of Relais & Chateaux, Briollay, Loire Valley Nestled among nine hectares of parkland, Château de Noirieux is a haven of calm and refinement in the classic tradition of the country house hotel where the emphasis is very much on creating ‘a home away from home’ with 19 rooms, each decorated uniquely. This Anjou retreat is a great base for exploring the western region of the Loire lying just north of Angers. Chef Christophe Guillemot has discovered the secret of remarkable and inspired cuisine tailored around the freshest produce of the season.