On the last weekend of February, Chalonner-sur-Loire holds their annual Wine Fair.

On the Sunday after Bastille Day, this village celebrates their Fête du Vin.

On the Sunday prior to Bastille Day St-Lambert-du-Lattay celebrates their Fête du Vin.

A town that was settled before the Romans arrived, Angers is a picturesque town that still has half-timbered houses and tapestry collections that reflect the Medieval architecture of the city.  The most imposing building is the Château d'Angers (Place du Président-Kennedy, Ph: 02-41-87-43-47).  Built around 1240, the fortress still has the drawbridge   and   seventeen   massive turrets that was the bulwark of its defenses. 

The interior is much more delicate with a beautiful chapel and elegant gardens.  The Château has an impressive collection of tapestries, including the Tenture de l'Apocalypse.  At 16 feet high and 120 yards long, it was woven in the 14th century for the Duke of Anjou and was later renovated in 1998 to its full glory. 

Other arts may be found at the Musée de la Tapisserie Contemporaine and the Musée David d'Angers (exhibiting the work of sculptor Jean-Pierre David).  As Angers makes for an excellent base for exploring Anjou, wine lovers should make a point to stop at the Maison du Vin de l'Anjou.  In early February, Angers hosts the Salon des Vins de Loire.

On Easter Monday, you can attend the Fêtes des Vins.

Twenty kilometers north of Angers, the Château du Plessis-Bourré (Ph: 02-41-32-06-72) is a Renaissance castle built in the 15th century which is clearly a real fortress from the exterior owing to the large moats, to the thickness of the walls, to the towers, and to the bulwark.  On the interior, it reflects more genteel environment with its large inside courtyard, covered promenade, inside ornamentation, and housing that was influenced by the Renaissance.  One of the more unique exhibits here is the ceiling in the Guards Room.  As an amateur alchemist, Jean Bourré had the ceilings 24 hexagonal panels covered with some of the more bizarre aspects of his hobby, a more demure example of which is a picture of a topless lady steering a land yacht with wooden wheels.  The drive is worth it to see this not-so-"normal" side of life in the Renaissance.  The town's website is www.plessis-bourre.com.

The Castle of Brissac (Ph: 011 33 2 41 91 22 21 ) has been the stronghold of the Brissac family since the 16th century and is still occupied by the 13th Duke of Brissac and his wife.  There rooms available to the general public to view.  Celebrate the harvest every year on the Last weekend in November at the Harvest Festival.

On the first weekend in September, this village holds its Fête du Bonnezeaux.

The Fêtes des Vins Rosé is held every year on the first weekend in June.  The town's website is www.tigne49.levillage.org.

Dominated by the impressive Château de Saumur and its turrets, the ancient town of Saumur makes an excellent base for exploring the Western Loire Valley.  Glistening white from the tufa stone it is made from, the Château is even more breath taking at night when it is lit up. 

Today, the Château houses three museums:

the Musée des Arts Décoratifs (another impressive collection of tapestries)
the Musée du Cheval (devoted to horses and equestrianism)
the Musée de la Figurine-Jouet ( great place to take the kids to see dolls and toys through the centuries)

The view, alone, though is reason enough to visit.   For the history student, visit the Musée de la Cavalrie for exhibits on French cavalry and the Musée des Blindés for an extensive collection of tanks.  Saumur is a wonderful town to wander around in as many of its streets have been designated for pedestrians only.  On the first weekend in April, Saumur holds their annual Wine Fair and the La Commanderie du Taste-Saumur holds a festival every year during the second week of September.  The official town website (in French only) is at: www.ville-saumur.fr.

A small riverside town about 18 kilometers south of Saumur, Montreuil-Bellay is a picturesque town located on the River Thouet.  The main attraction is the Château de Montreuil-Bellay, which was built in the 15th century and has an impressive exterior and classically Renaissance interior.  The view from the Château's garden is one of the more picturesque.  More on-line information is available at www.ville-montreuil-bellay.fr(in French)

Located northeast of Montreuil-Bellay, the Château de Brézé (Ph: 011 33 2 41 51 60 15 ) is a nice stop for a picnic lunch.  The Château boasts the deepest moat in France and beautiful stained-glass windows in its chapel.

The Fête du Saumur-Champigny is held on the second weekend of every September.

Bourgueil holds its annual Wine Fair on the first Sunday in February

On the Sunday after Bastille Day, St-Nicolas celebrates the Fête des Vignerons.