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Anyone who loves the great outdoors will be spoilt for choice in the Loire
Valley. Visitors will soon understand how it earned the nickname Garden of
France.
In 2000, the region was honoured by UNESCO as an official World Heritage Site
in recognition of its outstanding natural beauty. The diverse and unspoilt
landscape of rivers, hills, woodland and caves lends itself to almost every
outdoor pursuit imaginable.
Whilst the untamed River Loire accommodates a range of water sports, the
surrounding thick forests and rolling hills provide ideal terrain for hikers and
cyclists.
And with natural habitats ranging from thick forests to tranquil lakes, the
region is unsurprisingly home to an abundance of wildlife. The miles of
troglodytic caves beneath Saumur make the ultimate adventure playground for
children.
For those keen on cycling, walking or horse riding, there are many paths and
routes through the forests to follow. Guides can be obtained from the local
tourist office, or simply stroll along the paths and trails of the Loire.
Walking through the vineyards
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In Saumur there are lakes and the river Loire for sporting activities such as sailing, kayaking, canoeing etc, and there are also lakes about a ten minute drive away at Rille and Homme, providing similar activities.
You can fish just about anywhere in the Western Loire, on slow rivers and sparkling streams, in quiet ponds and deep lakes. From fly fishing for the wily trout, to pike and zander fishing in the rivers and canals deep in the unspoiled countryside.
Golf is booming in France, and the area has 26 fine courses. There is an excellent 18 hole course at Bauge, just 20 minutes drives from the gites, which also offers a snack bar, restaurant and has a golf shop. Visit www.golf-bauge.fr. Anjou Golf & Country Club is another superb 18 hole golf couse spread over almost 100 hectares and has a bar and restaurant where you can relax after a hard day on the course!
In this part of the world, they say le cheval est roi the horse is king! There are many ways to enjoy horses, see them in action racing or show-jumping, or watch them in training at the Cadre Noir the cavalry regiment whose horses are famous for their balletic displays.
Learning to ride !
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