La Vignole is located 3 miles ( 5km ) upstream from Saumur, a for-mer famous Lutherian University, specially known for its majestuous castle dominating the city and the river.

Inside the castle, you may visit the museum of decorative arts, rich in its rare collection of items dating from the Middle Age to the Renaissance and especially remarkable terra cotta floortiles.

The horse museum is also interesting for its magnificent harness collection.

A few miles west, in Verrie, you should also pay a visit to the Ecole Nationale d'Equitation ( ENE or national riding school ). Rehearsals are sometimes open to public.

L'Ecole de Cavalerie, still located downtown, which used to teach the French army cavalry officers, has now handed over the famous Cadre Noir to the ENE. Around july 14th, the annual horse show is really worth seing ; reservations can be made at the Syndicat d'Initiative ( Tourism Board ).

Also worth a long visit ( even for ladies ) is the Musée des Blindés where more than 150 tanks of all origins are exposed with technical and historical explanations : really impressive.

A few miles South East, the Abbaye Royale de Fontevraud founded by Robert d'Arbrissel is the most extensive monastic complex in Europe. Mostly Romanesque architecture : you can visit its five cloisters, kitchens, dormitories, cellars and above all, the chapter room, sumptuously painted with frescos of exceptional condition.

The Plantagenet, count of Anjou and later the kings of England, backed the abbey very strongly and many people who left their mark on history are buried there including Henry 2nd, his wife Alienor d'Aquitaine, their son Richard Lionheart.

If you stay there in august, you shouldn't miss the show : " les Nuits Imaginaires " and be sure to make your reservations early enough at the abbey.

Our former capital, Chinon, is also worth a visit, (12 miles East on the river Vienne ), both for its charming medieval architecture and for its history still alive from the memories of Charles VII, king of France, thanks to Jeanne of Arc who took him to Reims for his coronation.

Others castles you shouldn't miss :

-Châteu d'Amboise, former residence for François 1st and Leonardo da Vinci until his death.

-Château d'Azay-le Rideau, one of the finest, reflecting in a pond, ( 40 miles NE)

-Château de Chenonceau, known because it crosses the river Cher on five arches.

-Château de Montreuil Bellay and its vineyard (only 10 miles SW from La Vignole)

-Château de Brézé famous for its underground garrison quarters ( only 6 miles SE ) Montgeoffroy, Brissac, Langeais to name only a few you will hardly have time to visit, except if you come back…