Chateau at Chinon

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MUSIC & WINE AT AZAY

A "Music and Wine" evening will again be staged at the Chateau of Azay-le-Rideau on February 6. To the rhythm of jazz arrangements and Celtic music, you can learn about the production of white wines, rosé and red, through a wine tasting. On this occasion, you will become familiar with the sometimes overlooked but delicate AOC Touraine of Azay-le-Rideau, whose acres of vineyards are in close proximity to one of the most famous castles of the Loire.

GUIDED TOURS OF LOIRE TOWNS

5 towns of "Art and History" have joined to offer special guided tours for the whole family. Come and explore the beauty of the towns of Angers, Amboise, Chinon, Loches, and Saumur with your children without having to worry about them getting fed up! For more information about the scheme and full details of the tours, click here: www.entrezdanslacourdesgrands.com

LOIRE A VELO TRAIL EXTENDED

From spring 2010 the "Loire a Velo" bicycle route will again be extended, the Château de Chenonceau will now be accessible from the Onzain station. The route will stretch for 23 kilometres, most of which will be occupied by a shared lane, leading to Chisseaux where the Château de Chenonceau can be accessed by road.

200^TH BIRTHDAY OF CHOPIN

Frédéric Chopin shares a fascinating connection with the writer, George Sand - it was at the writer's residence in Nohant that Chopin composed most of his works. To celebrate the 200th anniversary of his birth, the Festival de Nohant will pay a lively tribute to the musician - thirty nine concerts, literary entertainment... will all be on the agenda. The festivities will commence on 27th February with a concert boasting sixty internationally acclaimed pianists performing the phenomenal virtuoso's finest compositions at Le Tarmac in Châteauroux.

AIRE AT BRIARE

A new aire has been constructed at Briare in the Loiret department of Centre. The aire is close to the canal at Briare where there is a Flot Bleu service point with platform drain, services payable by credit card & parking is available for several motorhomes. Details in Aires directory.

STOP ACCUEIL SCHEME

The STOP ACCUEIL scheme devised by the FFCC (Federation Francaise de Camping et de Caravaning) has been confirmed again for 2010. The idea behind the scheme is to offer reasonably priced accommodation at participating campsites for motorhomers who only require an overnight stopover. More than 500 campsites now participate in the scheme which is available to any motorhomer who only requires a stopover between 18.00 hrs & 10.00hrs.

ANTIQUES FAIR

This is the largest antiques fair outside Paris. It is held at the Bordeaux-Lac Exhibition Park. The items exhibited for sale include the works of French cabinetmakers of the 18th and 19th centuries, paintings from the 18th century through to modern art, and carpets and tapestries of the 17th and 18th centuries. The fair runs from 30/1 to 7/2, details at http://www.salon-antiquaires-bordeaux-lac.fr/

CHINON RESTORED

In summer 2010, visitors can discover the new face of the royal fortress of Chinon in the Loire Valley. After six years of construction work aimed at restoring the monument to its former military glory and consistency, a tour of the fortress will reveal the new developments: 1.5 km of restored battlements, the dungeon and dwelling houses with their original features, a 21st century museum and exhibition: interactive tour guides, life-size models, talking benches, audio equipment, lighting effects, 3D effects...

IPOD TOURS

From next month, the Château de La Ferté Vidame estate, also in the Loire, will be open to visitors using a new multimedia tour device: the iPod Touch. An original way to discover the grounds and remains of this château encapsulating the excessiveness and splendour of the Age of Enlightenment! The 60-hectare estate was the place where Saint-Simon retreated to write the majority of his memoirs. The iPod offers a tour for adults (in French and English) & a tour adapted for children will soon be available.