Beyond La Cotte

The Sologne

Chateau Azay Le Rideau The Sologne is a beautiful landscape of woods and lakes edged by vineyards. It is also one of the major hunting regions in France. Wine lovers will appreciate the local wine, "Cheverny", accompanied by a dinner of succulent wild game from the region's forests, popular hunting grounds for centuries. The wine originates just 10 miles from La Cotte at the beautiful château of Cheverny, setting for one of the "Tintin" books.

The region is easily identified on maps as the densely wooded area bounded by Orléans and Blois to the north; Romorantin and Vierzon to the west and south; and Gién to the east. It forms the eastern end of the Loire valley region.

The region is generally level, with many quiet lanes and paths, ideal for cycling or walking. Two bicycles are available for the use of guests to enable you to appreciate the local area. For the more adventurous, there are way-marked cycle routes creating a tour of châteaux in the area. There is a book of walking and cycling tours of the Sologne in the bookcase.



The Loire Valley

Chateau at Blois This is a lush valley landscape teeming with France's greatest châteaux. For centuries it was the location of the summer residences for the kings of France, which meant that all of the noblemen of the Court had to build magnificent homes there as well. It is made up of four main river valleys: the Loire, the Loir, the Cher and the Indre.

Besides the innumerable châteaux, there are other cultural delights such as the magnificent cathedrals at Orléans and Chartres or the medieval towns of Bourges and Blois. There are also troglodyte caves carved out of the soft limestone, particularly around the river Loir. These days, many are used as wine caves and even holiday homes, hotels and restaurants.

For wine lovers, there are numerous caves offering tours focussing on Bougnueil, Chinon, Muscadet, Tourraine and Vouvray. Only 50 miles to the east is the pictuesque medieval hill town of Sancerre, home of the famous Sancerre and Pouilly Fumé white wines.



Beyond

View of extinct volcanoes in Auvergne The location south of Paris makes it an ideal base for visiting a number of other delights that France has to offer. Not least of these is, of course, Paris itself which is just two hours away by regular train service. The Champagne region and the beautiful city of Troyes are within easy striking distance to the east and, just below it is the Burgundy region with its fine tradition of winemaking with the vineyards of Côte d'Or; the Côte de Beaune and Chablis. To the south is the mysterious Massif Central region with its extinct volcanoes, beautiful Romanesque churches, medieval castles and Renaissance palaces.

For details of how to get to La Cotte and to get around when you're there go to Travel.