Incredible Sights Near Bumblebee Manor

Susan
Incredible Sights Near Bumblebee Manor

Castles

Largest underground cave system of any castle in France. Also a renowned wine producer so be sure to stop in for a degustation (as you exit the castle turn right instead of turning left to the shop and exit).
76 locals recommend
Château de Brézé
20 Rue de l'Amiral Maillé Brézé
76 locals recommend
Largest underground cave system of any castle in France. Also a renowned wine producer so be sure to stop in for a degustation (as you exit the castle turn right instead of turning left to the shop and exit).
Privately owned castle still being lived in by the family. They produce their own wine so be sure to have enough time for a degustation as you leave. This castle is close to Bumblebee Manor with lovely restaurants nearby, especially l'Auberge des Isles which sits directly under the castle next to the river.
41 locals recommend
Montreuil-Bellay Castle
Place des Ormeaux
41 locals recommend
Privately owned castle still being lived in by the family. They produce their own wine so be sure to have enough time for a degustation as you leave. This castle is close to Bumblebee Manor with lovely restaurants nearby, especially l'Auberge des Isles which sits directly under the castle next to the river.
This graceful chateau bridges a river and has been continuously owned and inhabited by women. The furnishings and gardens are amazing. We love the audio guide as it is narrated by a previous owner and gives you a real feeling of what it was like to live there. It is the most visited castle in the Loire Valley, with good reason, so go early and expect crowds.
472 locals recommend
Chateau de Chenonceau
472 locals recommend
This graceful chateau bridges a river and has been continuously owned and inhabited by women. The furnishings and gardens are amazing. We love the audio guide as it is narrated by a previous owner and gives you a real feeling of what it was like to live there. It is the most visited castle in the Loire Valley, with good reason, so go early and expect crowds.
This is the largest chateau in the Loire Valley, and Martin’s favourite. This castle is so spectacular that we had to include it even though it is 180km from Bumblebee Manor. Perhaps stop in on the way to or from the manor, or prepare to leave early and expect to be home late.
540 locals recommend
Chateau de Chambord
540 locals recommend
This is the largest chateau in the Loire Valley, and Martin’s favourite. This castle is so spectacular that we had to include it even though it is 180km from Bumblebee Manor. Perhaps stop in on the way to or from the manor, or prepare to leave early and expect to be home late.
This graceful riverside castle was the home to French kings and final resting place of Leonardo Da Vinci. We recommend combining with a visit to Clos Luce 250 metres up the road, or a visit to Chenonceau 20 mins away. The village has lovely restaurants and bistros nestled around the base of the castle.
357 locals recommend
Château Gaillard Amboise
Montée de l'Emir Abd el Kader
357 locals recommend
This graceful riverside castle was the home to French kings and final resting place of Leonardo Da Vinci. We recommend combining with a visit to Clos Luce 250 metres up the road, or a visit to Chenonceau 20 mins away. The village has lovely restaurants and bistros nestled around the base of the castle.
Said clo loosay. The castle is more of a stately home and the final home of Leonardo Da Vinci. His creations have been brought to life throughout the gardens in giant size. There are nice picnic areas available in the garden so bring a picnic lunch, or go to one of the many lovely bistros nearby. Best combined with a visit to Amboise to get the full history of the friendship between Leonardo and King Francois I.
305 locals recommend
Château du Clos Lucé
2 Rue du Clos Lucé
305 locals recommend
Said clo loosay. The castle is more of a stately home and the final home of Leonardo Da Vinci. His creations have been brought to life throughout the gardens in giant size. There are nice picnic areas available in the garden so bring a picnic lunch, or go to one of the many lovely bistros nearby. Best combined with a visit to Amboise to get the full history of the friendship between Leonardo and King Francois I.
This romantic castle is set on an island in the middle of a river. They have fun animations in the rooms. We recommend a stop at nearby Chateau de la Grille for a wine tasting on your way past.
197 locals recommend
Azay-le-Rideau Castle
19 Rue de Pineau
197 locals recommend
This romantic castle is set on an island in the middle of a river. They have fun animations in the rooms. We recommend a stop at nearby Chateau de la Grille for a wine tasting on your way past.
An imposing position and views over the Loire and Saumur. Go on a Saturday morning to enjoy the market in Place St Pierre below. Walk around to the east side for a drink en terrace and a wonderful view of the chateau over the grapevines. There is not much to see inside the castle, BUT if the belvedere tour is operating then we highly recommend you pay for a visit to see the incredible view from the top of the castle (additional €3 on top of the entrance fee). The north wall of the chateau collapsed in 2001 so an enormous amount of money is being spent to shore up and renovate the chateau.
120 locals recommend
Chateau de Saumur
120 locals recommend
An imposing position and views over the Loire and Saumur. Go on a Saturday morning to enjoy the market in Place St Pierre below. Walk around to the east side for a drink en terrace and a wonderful view of the chateau over the grapevines. There is not much to see inside the castle, BUT if the belvedere tour is operating then we highly recommend you pay for a visit to see the incredible view from the top of the castle (additional €3 on top of the entrance fee). The north wall of the chateau collapsed in 2001 so an enormous amount of money is being spent to shore up and renovate the chateau.
The castle that inspired Disney’s sleeping beauty castle. The sleeping beauty story has been brought to life throughout the castle turrets, attics and rooms.
91 locals recommend
Château d'Ussé
338 Château d'Usse
91 locals recommend
The castle that inspired Disney’s sleeping beauty castle. The sleeping beauty story has been brought to life throughout the castle turrets, attics and rooms.
The castle is lovely, but most people visit for the gardens. 12 full time gardeners maintain nine hectares of spectacular gardens. The gardens look different depending on the season so this is a castle to visit multiple times.
267 locals recommend
Chateau de Villandry
3 Rue Principale
267 locals recommend
The castle is lovely, but most people visit for the gardens. 12 full time gardeners maintain nine hectares of spectacular gardens. The gardens look different depending on the season so this is a castle to visit multiple times.
Imposing medieval castle with wonderful views over the Loire. Explore dungeons where templar knights were imprisoned. Go on Thursday morning to combine with the market. Stop for a meal or beer in the quaint old town below the fortress.
136 locals recommend
Royal Fortress of Chinon
2 Rue du Château
136 locals recommend
Imposing medieval castle with wonderful views over the Loire. Explore dungeons where templar knights were imprisoned. Go on Thursday morning to combine with the market. Stop for a meal or beer in the quaint old town below the fortress.
Massive medieval fortress built from 1230 and from where King Henry of England ruled France. Be sure to see the incredible 650-year-old Apocalypse tapestry measuring over 100 metres. Go on Saturday or Wednesday to enjoy the Angers market. The old town is lovely to walk around too. Use one of the park and trams (parking relais tramway) for less stress.
238 locals recommend
Chateau d'Angers
2 Prom. du Bout du Monde
238 locals recommend
Massive medieval fortress built from 1230 and from where King Henry of England ruled France. Be sure to see the incredible 650-year-old Apocalypse tapestry measuring over 100 metres. Go on Saturday or Wednesday to enjoy the Angers market. The old town is lovely to walk around too. Use one of the park and trams (parking relais tramway) for less stress.
This island chateau is privately owned, it so interesting to see how a modern family lives in an ancient and historic building. Take a picnic to enjoy in the lovely grounds. Make it into a day trip by combining with a visit to Azay-le-Rideau Chateau nearby. Only open for limited weeks in the summer months so do check their website before setting off.
35 locals recommend
Chateau de l'Islette
9 Rte de Langeais
35 locals recommend
This island chateau is privately owned, it so interesting to see how a modern family lives in an ancient and historic building. Take a picnic to enjoy in the lovely grounds. Make it into a day trip by combining with a visit to Azay-le-Rideau Chateau nearby. Only open for limited weeks in the summer months so do check their website before setting off.

Sightseeing

Historic distillery designed by Gustav Eiffel (yes, THAT Eiffel). We think their orange liqueur is better than Cointreau, let us know what you think. Tours in English at set times and bookings are essential.
25 locals recommend
Distillery Combier
48 Rue Beaurepaire
25 locals recommend
Historic distillery designed by Gustav Eiffel (yes, THAT Eiffel). We think their orange liqueur is better than Cointreau, let us know what you think. Tours in English at set times and bookings are essential.
The final resting place of Eleanor of Aquitaine and Richard the Lionheart. Our guests visit the abbey for the history and spectacular architecture, but leave with a spiritual experience. A new modern art exhibition opened in 2021 and can be visited without paying to enter the abbey. Combine with a trip to the nearby troglodyte community of Turquant.
142 locals recommend
Royal Abbey of Fontevraud
142 locals recommend
The final resting place of Eleanor of Aquitaine and Richard the Lionheart. Our guests visit the abbey for the history and spectacular architecture, but leave with a spiritual experience. A new modern art exhibition opened in 2021 and can be visited without paying to enter the abbey. Combine with a trip to the nearby troglodyte community of Turquant.
These man made caves are enormous and so beautiful. Add to that an artistic sound and light display and they are simply spectacular. Book online and the visit is only 6 euro. Take a picnic to enjoy at the outdoor picnic tables or stay underground and try local specialties at the nearby Cathedrales de Saulaies cave restaurant.
29 locals recommend
THE MYSTERY OF FALUNS
7 Rue d'Anjou
29 locals recommend
These man made caves are enormous and so beautiful. Add to that an artistic sound and light display and they are simply spectacular. Book online and the visit is only 6 euro. Take a picnic to enjoy at the outdoor picnic tables or stay underground and try local specialties at the nearby Cathedrales de Saulaies cave restaurant.

Family Fun

This is a spectacular theme park of Disney proportions and quality. Numerous grand scale shows are put on by hundreds of actors, fireworks and special effects, plus historic villages, activities and dozens of restaurants. TripAdvisor says it all, listing it in the top 5 theme parks in the world scoring 4.9 out of 5 from over 39,000 reviews!
767 locals recommend
Puy du Fou
767 locals recommend
This is a spectacular theme park of Disney proportions and quality. Numerous grand scale shows are put on by hundreds of actors, fireworks and special effects, plus historic villages, activities and dozens of restaurants. TripAdvisor says it all, listing it in the top 5 theme parks in the world scoring 4.9 out of 5 from over 39,000 reviews!
The world-renowned French Riding School offers tours of their facilities and public performances. If you are lucky enough to be here for one of the rare galas we highly recommend going.
74 locals recommend
Cadre Noir De Saumur - National School D'equitation
170 Avenue de l'Ecole Nationale d'Equitation
74 locals recommend
The world-renowned French Riding School offers tours of their facilities and public performances. If you are lucky enough to be here for one of the rare galas we highly recommend going.
This is a world class conservation zoo in a spectacular setting and we highly recommend it. Many unusual animals that you will view from above and below ground, and even in an amphitheatre. Go early for the best animal viewing. The underground viewing points are a life saver on a hot day. The buffet restaurant is open for lunch and dinner (July-August only) and very unique.
204 locals recommend
Bioparc de Doué-la-Fontaine
103 Rue de Cholet
204 locals recommend
This is a world class conservation zoo in a spectacular setting and we highly recommend it. Many unusual animals that you will view from above and below ground, and even in an amphitheatre. Go early for the best animal viewing. The underground viewing points are a life saver on a hot day. The buffet restaurant is open for lunch and dinner (July-August only) and very unique.

Traveler advice

Don't miss

Make the most of being in wine country

You are in wine country here and have a unique chance to try and buy wine direct from the vigneron at cellar door prices. Martin runs an excellent all-day wine tour that starts in our wine room with a primer on the Loire wine region, how to taste wines and do food pairings. Then it’s off to 3 local winemakers for generous tastings and insider tours of facilities that others don’t get to see. A delicious lunch is included. Cost is €90 per person for guests at the manor, €120 for non-guests. If you want to explore on your own we are happy to provide you with some ideas and discount vouchers
Don't miss

Get out on the Loire River

The Loire has many rental companies and excellent guided tours out of Saumur. For private rentals in a more tranquil setting try the very affordable canoe and kayak rental at Montreuil Bellay. Or how about a trip on a traditional sail boat? Leaves Le Thoureil at 10.30am, 20€ adult for 1.5 hours. Lunch at La Route du Sel over the road (Tues-Sun only). Park in the designated parking lot in the village, not on the roadside as this is permit parking only and you will be ticketed. Call 07 86 18 52 10 to book the cruise, 02 41 45 75 31 for the restaurant.
Don't miss

Fabulous Gardens

There are many beautiful gardens to visit in the Loire Valley. The Parc Oriental de Maulévrier (44 km) is the largest Japanese garden in Europe and at €7.50 very affordable to visit. Terra Botanica in Angers (60 km) is the world’s first garden amusement park and fun with children, entrance €20. Villandry and Chenonceau castles have incredible gardens.