BOURGUEIL/LANGEAIS
Bourgueil/Langeais
Coordonnées
Office de Tourisme de Langeais
19 Rue Thiers 37130 Langeais
Tél. 02 47 96 58 22
www.tourainenature.com
Office de Tourisme de Bourgueil
16 place de l'Eglise 37140 Bourgueil
Tél. 02 47 97 91 39
www.tourainenature.com/
Vineyards, water and châteaux in the West of the Touraine region
As a result of meeting important tributaries – Cher, Indre and Vienne - the Loire River widens between Langeais and the vineyard of Bourgueil. At the foot of the hillside, marked by the cave dwellings, islands and summer sandbanks are populated by terns and waders.
Langeais, a medieval castle in the heart of the town
On the outskirts of Tours, the medieval town of Langeais, dominated by its castle and still functioning draw-bridge, offers breathtaking views of the Loire. An impressive suspension bridge with oversized cables spans the Royal River.
Bourgueil, its wines, its abbey
Downstream of the river is a place well known to wine lovers and to which the actor Carmet was much attached: Bourgueil, where, in his grandparents’ house, you can taste a fine selection of wines at producer’s price. Recently joined together, the abbey and its château are experiencing a cultural revival.
Rows of vines comb the hillside, punctuated here and there with picturesque vineyard shelters. A whole host of hamlets and villages built of tufa stone dot this sea of vines, framed by forest: Benais, Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil, Restigné or Ingrandes-de-Touraine, where you can feast at “Vincent, cuisinier de campagne”, a countryside restaurant with a green star Michelin distinction.
From Gizeux to Rillé: time travel
Suitable for bicycling and hiking, the vineyard creeps up to the edge of the forest where nestles the imposing château of Gizeux, stronghold of the Bellay lords, with its remarkable mural paintings. Not far away, the château of Champchevrier is superbly furnished. After the dive in history of the Angevin Touraine, the Hommes lake is ideal for a swim or a break at the guinguette (a typical French open-air bar, often with live music).
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