Hoteliers, proud of their regions
- Charlotte & François Chovet
The Western Loire region, between land and sea
Between the Centre and Brittany regions, the Western Loire falls between land and sea. INTER-HOTEL has around twenty establishments here, adapted to every kind of stay: business or leisure, in a couple or as a family, for a week-end or for holidays. There's something for everyone, in this beautiful, easy-living region.
Charlotte and François Chovet have been running the INTER-HOTEL de Londres in Saumur, in the Maine-et-Loire, for three years. A successful career change for this ex-car engineer and this ex-careers advisor, originally from Ardèche and Alsace.
«We had wanted to start for a long time in this profession, based on contact with people, the pleasure of welcoming people as guests, and customer service. After 6 years in Angers, we knew the region well when we were offered this hotel dating back to 1837, in the heart of Saumur. We took it without hesitating. We had found exactly what we were looking for».
Discovering the Loire country
- The royal abbey of Fontevraud
When you ask them what they like about their region, Charlotte and François reply "The 5 counties of the region surround the Western Loire, and offer our visitors a wide range of magnificent landscapes and numerous tourist sites, both cultural and fun, to satify all the family.
Of course, we are very attached to the Val de Loire, the largest natural site in France to be classed as a World Heritage site by UNESCO, wihich runs from Saumur to Angers (in the Western Loire ). "In fact, you should float along this royal river (the last "wild" river in France), and discover the particularities of this part of the Loire.
You'll be impressed by the majesty of the Royal Abbey of Fontevraud and appreciate the intimacy of the many castles along the valley, such as Brézé with its famous underground network, Montreuil-Bellay, Montsaureau in Saumur or Le Plessis-Bourré, Serrant and Brissac in Anjou.
Taste the local wines "calm or sparkling": Saumur Champigny, Savennières, Coteaux du Layon or Crémant de Loire are some of the most well known of the region.
Enjoy a gala at the National horse-riding "school of the Cadre Noir" (Saumur) or visit the troglodyte sites between Cande Saint-Martin and Saumur, and especially around Doue la Fontaine. The zoo there will take you from the canyon of the leopards to the valley of the black rhino, via the restaurant, with a view over the valley of the girafes. Nearby, don't forget a visit to the rose garden.
The Maine et Loire is also the county of the town of Beaupreau, with its numerous panoramic view points (hence the name). A visit to the church of Notre-Dame-de-Beaupreau or la Pommeraye are opportunities to discover beautiful stained glass windows tracing the history of France.
In the town of Cholet, where the textile industry is a time-honoured tradition dating back to the 12th century, you'll discover the surprising history of the 'Cholet hankerchief', as well as the textile museum, and, for the "shopaholics", the "Circuit des Marques" (25 factory outlets with year round reductions). Segré is the home of the deluxe brand Longchamp, here since 1959.
- The fishing port of Saint-Nazaire
You can continue your trip along the Loire, as at the time when the river was one of the main trade routes of the country, crossing to Loire Atlantic.
Nantes (near to the town of Orvault) is a departure point for visits to the superb towns of Croisic and La Baule Escoublac, well known for their sandy beaches, casinos and spa treatment centres.
Before arriving, don't miss Guerande. You can follow the "route du sel", a tour which lets you discover all of the secrets of salt, which has always been of real economic importance to the region, with the notoriety of the rock salt named after the town.
Nantes is also the neighbour of Saint-Nazaire, nicknamed the "little California of Brittany", a working port open to the world. You can visit the naval shipbuilding sites where some of the most beautiful transatlantic cruise liners have been built: The Normandy, The France and the Queen Mary 2. Prestigious names evoking luxury and fascination.The cruise ship Escal’Atlantic is a reconstitution which lets you experience these giants of the sea.
You can also dive into an underwater atmosphere by visiting the Espadon, the only working submarine that it's possible to visit. It was the first submarine to cross the Arctic Circle.
- The car racing circuit of Le Mans
A little farther south you enter Vendee. On the coast you can choose to take the bridge, or if you prefer unexpected and authentic landscapes you can take the passage of Gois (but be careful of the times of the tides) to reach the picturesque promentary of Noirmoutier, which has no less than 19 windmills.
Continuing along the Vendee coast, you'll find the pretty seaside town of Saint-Jean-de-Monts. You can discover the "bourrines", houses with a thatched roof, which, in the past, were the traditional dwellings of this part of Vendee.
Further south, don't miss a stopover in Sables d’Olonne, internationally famous as the departure point for the mythic round the world yacht race. Wander along the seafront at the main beach, or around l’Ile Penotte, a picturesque quarter in the heart of town with facades decorated with ceramic and mosaics made from multi-coloured shells.
Further inland the town of Roche-sur-Yon bears witness to its glorious past; chosen by Napoleon to be reconstructed after the French Revolution as a "symbol of peace and economic renewal". Take the tour via the "Circuit Napoléon" to discover the rich heritage of the town. Finally, you must visit the Parc du Puy du Fou, will its exceptional daily (and evening) shows.
In contrast, north of the Loire, 2 counties offer nature and sporting stays. La Sarthe is international known for its famous car racing circuit at Le Mans (close to the town of Saint Saturnin). Le Mans also offers a beautiful old town, and a festival "La Nuit des Chimères" which highlights its magnificent heritage.
The region is also well known for its parks and gardens; In fact, it's known as the "cradle" of French style gardens.
- A bike ride along the banks of the Loire
Finally, the Mayenne, the last county of the Western Loire region, is a natural environment with a dynamic capital, Laval, which extends to the town of Vaiges.
"The region encourages you to take your time", adds Charlotte Chovet. "There's a peacefulness which offers a break from busy lifestyles. You can feel it in the friendliness of the locals. Its not for nothing that the "Loire by bike programme", with more than 500 kilometers of bicycle tracks along the Loire, is so successful.
"We are lucky enough to have landscapes which have stayed authentic", adds her husband François. The white stone of Tuffeau, used to build the castles in the Loire, gives a wonderful light from numerous view points.
The Western Loire is a really "luminous" region, which will win you over on a short break, a relaxing weekend, or a restful holiday, for cultural visits or sporting activity. So whether you're more "land" or "sea", you'll find what you are looking for in this region.
INTER-HOTEL is a brand of the