Thumb through the postcards in any Loire
Valley post office and you’ll find the quintessential scenes of this historic
region – the sandy river Loire, the vineyard striped countryside, the perfectly
crafted chateaux and the endless greenery of rural France. Pitch up at this
campsite, however, and even the world’s worst photographer can find a scene to
rival the professionals.
Amid the vineyards of Anjou, the 20 acre Camping Sites & Paysages de l’Étang is centred around the former farmhouse of Chateau de Brissiac, a magnificent
15th century castle ten minutes walk away. With spacious grassy
pitches, three immaculate sanitary blocks, and a fishing lake bursting with hungry
carp, this is an easy-going campsite with plenty of room for kids to play.
Then, of course, there’s also the two swimming pools, the paddling pool and the
outdoor play area, as well as a ‘relaxation room’ with a library, TV and games.
Far enough from the roads that they’re
never a nuisance, but close enough to provide easy access, it’s just a short drive
to historic Angers, a city clustered around the River Maine. While, in the
opposite direction, the town of Saumur is preceded by a scattering of rural
villages, home to troglodytic houses and weekend farmers markets. Active
campers can hire bikes onsite and cruise the 5 miles to the Loire, or follow one
of the countless great circular routes in the area. Alternatively, boating on
the river, excellent walking trails and all-level horse riding are close at
hand.
Those hoping to tour a local vineyard or
explore the nearby wineries will also be pleased to hear there is a shop onsite that's well stocked with regional wines and all the essential groceries. They
even have free tasting so you can sample a little tipple before taking a bottle (or two) away.
For access to the many treasures of the
Loire Valley, Camping Sites & Paysages De L’Étang is a tough campsite to
beat, though by the time you’ve punched that name into your sat nav you could
probably have driven somewhere else!