Louresse-Rochemenier & Doué-la-Fontaine

The first written mention of this village dates back to the 12th century. Renowned for its unique environment carved out of the rock, Louresse-Rochemenier is now an exceptional site just 23 km from Angers, a troglodyte village covering more than five hectares. Its history can be discovered in its museum, a signposted trail of some twenty rooms offering an astonishing journey back in time in the footsteps of our ancestors. In Rochemenier, most of the buildings were constructed on cellars, such as the churches of Sainte-Madeleine and Saint-Jean, and the Gouré mill, built in 1590 and now magnificently restored.

Less than 10km away, Doué-la-Fontaine unveils the 'Mystère des Faluns', another magnificent troglodyte site enhanced by superb lighting effects. A visit to the 'Troglos de la Sablière' is a must, with its exhibition of fossils, its old underground bistro and its large man-made gallery. Doué-la-Fontaine, also known as the City of the Rose with its Rose Paths, boasts a magnificent natural rose garden in the heart of an English-style garden with 13,000 rose bushes, paths and ponds. The Musée des Anciens Commerces in Doué-la-Fontaine (Museum of Old Shops) offers an interesting reconstruction of the stalls and shop windows of shopkeepers in centuries gone by.

The living mushroom cellar at Puy-Notre-Dame is also well worth a visit.

As a family, you'll love the nearby Bioparc Zoo, where you can immerse yourself in the unique world of a cave zoo.

A little further afield, you'll discover a wealth of architectural treasures, including picturesque villages and famous castles (Château de Brézé, Château de Brissac and Château d'Angers) dotted along the wine route between the hillsides of the Loire. This is a great opportunity for wine-lovers to visit the cellars around the superb vineyards.