Property Details of Pays de la Loire Campsite

The campsite is situated within the grounds of our 200 plus-year old farm house. The grounds are mainly laid to grass, with over 40 mature trees and shrubs offering privacy and shade from the sun. Each of the six spacious pitches has a 'UK Type' electric hook-up (6-amp), and there's enough room to pitch wherever you feel comfortable.

Our heated shower block offers plentiful free hot water for all our camping/caravanning guests, and has full disabled facilities, including a wheelchair friendly shower & toilet.

There's plenty of space for the kids to run around and let off some steam, while mum & dad can relax with a glass of the local wine over a long, lazy lunch with provisions from the village, 3km away. Why not explore the local villages in a more leisurely fashion and hire one of our bikes by the day, or week? This way, you can leave your bikes at home, saving space and weight in the car. (And have more space for wine and beer on the homeward journey!). For the 2006 season, we'll be unveiling our new swimming pool, where you'll be able to relax on the pool terrace, or take a dip in the water to cool off after a session on the loungers, under the sun!

We have a range of outdoor games for the kids including badminton, boules and footballs. We also have a selection of board games that you may like to borrow. Old favorites such as Monopoly, Trivial Pursuit, and Cluedo will keep both young & old entertained for hours. There's a seperate field behind us that's great for pic-nics along the river bank. If you simply like to relax and watch the wildlife, then you may be lucky and spot the deer that roam the fields around us, sometimes even wild boar, although they're usually very shy...

Speaking of wildlife, did you know that your pets are welcome free of charge at Camping Le Chant d'Oiseau? All we ask is that your dogs be exercised off-site please, where there's miles and miles of unspoilt country lanes and forest trails to explore! Doggy heaven!

We'll also charge up your battery, and freeze/exchange your freezer blocks all free of charge. If there's anything you need, please ask!

Le Chant d'Oiseau is open all-year round, making it the ideal destination for an out of season short break, or as an overnight stopover from the Channel ports on your way down south to the Mediterranean coast, or Spain. (Although we can't guarantee that you won't want to stay longer, once you're here!).

If you'd like to bring your non-camping friends or relatives along, why not enquire about renting one or more of our beautiful gîtes?

Local Area Details

Le Chant d'Oiseau is located in the heart of the Loire Valley, in Department 49, known as Maine et Loire.

It's a rural idyll, situated in the countryside between the villages of Mouliherne and Vernantes. We love it here, the skies are bluer, the grass really is greener, and the night sky is so dark and the heavens seem so close you could reach out and touch the stars....



The lake at Mouliherne is perfect for relaxing. Whether bathing in high summer, fishing, walking or lazing on the small beach. Situated about half a mile from the village, there are boules courts, picnic benches and a huge wooden 'barn' where events such as barbeques and pig roasts are held.



Both Mouliherne and Vernantes have a selection of village shops; including a traditional boulangerie for your fresh bread, and morning croissants. There's a small, but well-stocked supermarket in the village at Mouliherne, whilst a larger Super U is just up the road in Vernantes. There are ample local restaurants to try in the area, and also a few village 'bars', where you can sip a cold one and watch the world go by...



Saumur

Saumur is the nearest large town, approximately 20 minutes drive from Le Chant. The majestic Chateau de Saumur overlooks the town from its vantage point high above the mighty Loire. Remember when you were a child, and you had a vision of a fairytale castle? Where your dreams came true? That's the Chateau de Saumur. The town is rich in medieval architecture, the Chateau being the focal point. Narrow backstreets lead to quaint bars, and 'undiscovered' restaurants, where you can sample the local mushroom delicacies. Saumur is famous for it's 'champignons', indeed there's even a museum dedicated to the funghi, set into the cliffside just outside town. A fascinating guided tour of the mushroom growing caves culminates in a delicious meal in the restaurant, again set into the cliffside.

If you have a passion for all things equine, then Saumur is where you'll want to be. Visit the National School of Equitation, home of the world-famous 'Cadre Noir' Equestrian Display Team. The troop was founded in 1828, and gets its name from the black uniforms that are still used today.

If military history is your thing, then you'd better head for the 'Musee Des Blindes'; the tank museum. The building houses a fantastic collection of fighting vehicles from the earliest contraption to modern day behemoths! There's also a beautiful 'old-fashioned' carousel here, which will delight the kids....young and old!

Angers

The 'county town' of Maine et Loire has many hidden treasures. Built during the ten-year period 1228 to 1238, the enormous and remarkably well preserved Chateau d’Angers presents an intimidating sight as you approach and cross the drawbridge. Designed very much as a military fortification and not, as many Loire chateaux were, a place of gracious living, its seventeen towers still bristle defiance. This, in spite of the fact that the now dry moat is these days bright with colourful flowers and well-tended lawns.

On display inside the château is one of Angers greatest treasures – the magnificent red, blue and gold exquisitely threaded Apocalypse Tapestry. Depicting a series of truly dramatic scenes from the Book of Revelations, approximately a quarter of this 14th century masterpiece was lost or destroyed during the French Revolution. However, the remainder, which is divided up into six main sections, still makes up a staggering total length of 338 feet

In addition to a splendid Musée des Beaux-Arts housed within one of Anger’s finest mansions, the city also has a number of interesting alternative museums. Various themes include the early days of aviation, the local slate mining industry, and the history of communications. Just on the outskirts of Angers is the Cointreau factory and museum. Here you can sample this most famous of liqueurs, and learn how it is distilled.

Angers may be an ancient city, but there is no shortage of elegant shops, stylish restaurants, and entertaining theatres. Should you wish, there are also a variety of options for taking to the water on the Maine River – everything from small boats for individual hire, to larger vessels offering cruise and dine tours of the local sights.

Cholet

Cholet is around an hours drive away from Le Chant d'Oiseau, and is the home of one of the most exciting theme parks in Europe. The 'Grand Parc Puy du Fou'.

"There is a magical land where time has gone out of control. Gladiators still do battle and Vikings continue to launch their attacks on fortified castles. There is a different era in each village. There are minstrels in the heart of the woods and master falconers in the meadows. This huge area covering 40 hectares is the Grand Parc Puy du Fou."

At night, after the excitement of the staged battles and jousting competitions, the Grand Parc becomes the setting for one of the best 'Son et Lumiere' shows in Europe-The Cinéscénie!

"The Cinéscénie was created as a dramatic choreographed performance following the story of the Maupillier family, who represent the Vendée people as a whole. It is 1916. All the action revolves around a conversation between Jacques Maupillier and an old travelling merchant. The traveller, who embodies the memory of an entire people, is telling young Jacques the story of his ancestors. From the Middle Ages to the Second World War, the old vagabond goes through the eras one by one, with all their joy and pain. And with each century that he unfurls appear astounding sets and characters by the thousand.

Seven hundred years are translated into an intense sweeping epic, lasting almost two hours, that is the only one of its kind in the world."

Tours

Tours (pronounced 'Toor') is the nearest large city where you'll find some amazing shopping, markets, and an abundance of restaurants and nightlife.

In the pedestrian area of Rue de Bordeaux, from the magnificent train station to Rue Nationale, you'll find dozens of mall-type shops and department stores selling clothes, shoes, jewelry, leather goods, and the like. Up Rue Nationale toward the river are more stores, more upscale boutiques, and a small mall with chain boutiques. Rue Nationale continues across the river, but turn left on Rue du Commerce toward the old town centre. You'll want to explore the streets and courtyards for regional specialties, books, toys, and crafts. A hotbed for antiques is east of rue Nationale (toward the cathedral), along Rue de la Scellerie.

More than 30 markets are held in Tours. Here are the most popular: The gourmet market (Marché Gourmand), the first Friday of every month, 4 to 10pm, Place de la Résistance; the flower market, Wednesday and Saturday 8am to 6pm, Boulevard Béranger; the open-air antiques/flea market, Wednesday and Saturday 7am to 5pm, place de la Victoire; and the craft market (Marché Artisanal), Saturday 9am to 6pm, Place des Halles. Traditional food markets take place Tuesday to Sunday mornings at different spots in the city; ask at the tourist office for details. The covered market, Les Halles et Grand Marché, with a huge selection of fresh meat, cheese, and produce from the region, is at Place Gaston-Pailhou Monday to Saturday 6am to 7pm and Sunday 6am to 1pm.

If it's nightlife you're after, then Tours is for you! Long a student town, Tours has a lively young population. Even during summer, when most students have left, a youthful crowd rules the hot spots. Place Plumereau (often shortened to "Place Plume"), a square of medieval buildings, houses a riot of restaurants and bars. In the warmer months, the square explodes with tables, which fill with people who like to see and be seen.

It's all here in Maine et Loire, so why not make Le Chant d'Oiseau your base for exploring the 'Jardin de France'?

Additional Information

This property caters for disabled people

Property Features

* Close to a golf course
* Pets are allowed
* Children are allowed

Contact Information for Le Chant d Oiseau camping in the Loire France

Name:	Stuart Bradley
Telephone:	44-1302-725597
Alt Telephone:	44-7976-884354
Fax:	--
Its completely free to send an enquiry! Use this opportunity and email the owner below to ask as many questions as you wish about this Campsite in Pays de la Loire.