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The Most Beautiful The verdict of the Quality Villages of France Commission The finished evaluation report is put before the Quality Commission, which alone has the power to make decisions on Inside story Three steps to whether a village should be accepted (an The association of Les Plus Beaux outcome requiring a two-thirds majority Villages de France® was founded in the becoming one in the vote). About ten candidates apply early summer of 1981 when one man each year, and about 20% of applications encountered a certain book. That man of The Most are successful. The approved villages was Charles Ceyrac, mayor of the village are also subject to regular re-evaluation of Collonges-la-Rouge in Corrèze, and Beautiful Villages in order to guarantee each visitor an the book was Les Plus Beaux Villages outstanding experience. The Most Beautiful Villages of France of Villages Beautiful Most The de France, published by Sélection du of France Reader’s Digest. This book gave Ceyrac the idea of harnessing people’s energy Three preliminary criteria A concept that and passion to protect and promote the In the first instance, the village looking exceptional heritage of France’s most to join the association must submit an has traveled beautiful villages. Sixty-six mayors signed application showing that it meets the up to Charles Ceyrac’s initiative, which following criteria: the globe was made official on March 6, 1982 at • a total population (whether village Interest in preserving and enhancing rural Salers in Cantal, France. or hamlet) of no more than 2,000 heritage transcends national boundaries, Today, this national network of inhabitants and several initiatives throughout almost 160 villages works to protect and • at least two protected sites or Europe and the rest of the world have enhance the heritage of these exceptional monuments (historic landmarks, etc.) given rise to other associations on the locations in order to increase their • proof of mass support for the French model: Les Plus Beaux Villages de renown and promote their economic application for membership via Wallonie (Belgium) in 1994; Les Plus Beaux development. public debate Villages du Québec (Canada) in 1998; I Borghi Più Belli d’Italia in 2001; The Twenty-seven evaluation criteria Most Beautiful Villages of Japan in 2005; If these three conditions are met, the and Los Pueblos Mas Bonitos de España in application is accepted. The village then 2011. Collaborating with the Federation receives a site visit. After an interview of the Most Beautiful Villages of the World, with the local council and a photographic these associations are now taking their report have been completed, a table of particular expertise to emerging networks. twenty-seven criteria is used to evaluate the village’s heritage, architectural, urban, Join us on www.facebook.com/LPBVT and environmental attributes, as well as its own municipal initiatives to promote To read more about the association, visit the village. www.lesplusbeauxvillagesdefrance.org BECOME A FRIEND OF THE ASSOCIATION Join us and play your part in protecting the heritage of French villages by becoming a Friend of The Most Beautiful Villages of France. In return for your membership fee you will receive special privileges, gifts, and discounts to help you get the most out of your stay. Participating establishments are marked with a H in this guide. Membership details are available at the back of this book. 6 Indre-et-Loire Côtes-d’Armor Montrésor Montrésor Moncontour Moncontour Montrésor In the heart of the Loire valley, on the banks of the Indrois Indre-et-Loire (37) • Population: 350 • Altitude: 328 ft. (100 m) M. Ruffet**: +33 (0)2 56 26 91 05 or August (odd years): Fête Médiévale, +33 (0)6 33 38 37 18. medieval festival (1st Sunday). Montrésor get its name from the Treasurer (Trésorier) of the chapter Moncontour Cité Médiévale : September: “Journée des Peintres” house at Tours Cathedral, which owned this area in the 10th century. +33 (0)2 96 61 46 85. painting contest; Festival Dell Arte, In the early 11th century, the powerful count of Anjou, Foulques III, Mme Picard: +33 (0)2 96 61 46 85 or street art (1st weekend). nicknamed “Foulque Nerra” (Fulk III, the Black), began to build a +33 (0)6 61 94 38 45. December: Ménestrail, cross-country trail. fortress at Montrésor in order to defend the approaches to the Campsites Touraine. Remains of the double ring of defenses are still visible. La Tourelle**: +33 (0)2 96 73 50 65 or B Outdoor Activities Inside its wall, at the end of the 15th century, Imbert de Bastarnay +33 (0)6 76 74 85 04. Walking, horse-riding, and mountain- (advisor to the French kings Louis XI, Charles VIII, Louis XII, and By road: Expressway A85, exit 11–Bléré biking • Nordic walking • Fishing. François I) built the present castle in the Renaissance style. He is also (17 miles/27 km); N76 (17 miles/27 km). Eating Out By train: Tours station (34 miles/55 Adana Kebab: +33 (0)2 96 76 02 72. b Further Afield responsible for the collegiate church of Saint-Jean-Baptiste, which houses an Annunciation painted by Philippe de Champaigne (1602– km); Saint-Pierre-des-Corps TGV station Au Coin du Feu, crêperie/pizzeria: • Plémy (3 miles/5 km). (34 miles/55 km). By air: Tours-Saint- +33 (0)2 96 73 49 10. • Hénon, Quessoy, and Trébry: parks 1674), as well as tombs of members of his family. In 1849, the castle Symphorien airport (42 miles/68 km). Le Chaudron Magique: +33 (0)2 96 73 40 34. and residences of Ancien Régime became the property of Xavier Branicki, a Polish count and friend of La Mulette: +33 (0)2 96 73 50 37. notables (3½–5 miles/5.5–8 km). Napoléon III. He restored it and flled it with many works of art: sculp- Tourist information: La Poterne: +33 (0)2 96 73 40 01. • Saint-Glen: Village des Automates, tures by Pierre Vanneau, and Italian Renaissance and Dutch paint- +33 (0)2 47 92 70 71 Les Remparts: +33 (0)2 96 73 54 83. clockwork and robotic toys (July and ings. Count Branicki also gave his name to one of the streets cut into www.loches-valdeloire.com August) (6 miles/ 9.5 km). the rock, where half- troglodytic and half-timbered houses rub shoul- Local Specialties • Lamballe (10 miles/16 km). ders. Cardeux Market, once the wool market, has been restored as a Art and Crafts Events • Saint-Brieuc (16 miles/26 km). Ceramic artist • Dressmaker and hatter • Market: Local produce, Monday evenings. • Loudéac (17 miles/27 km). cultural center and exhibition space, and recalls village life in bygone Beadmaker • Stylist • Costume designer • Pentecost: Pardon de Saint-Mathurin • Quintin: castle and Musée Atelier days. The 16th-century Chancelier’s Lodge, which has a watchtower, Painter • Stained-glass artist • Résidence procession, Pentecost festivities. du Tisserand et des Toiles, working houses the present town hall. The riverside walk, “ Balcons de des Arts (exhibitions and residencies by July–August: Sporting and cultural weaving museum (18 miles/29 km). l’Indrois,” provides wonderful views of the village from the footbridge artists and craftspeople). activities (daily). • Le Foeil (20 miles/32 km). to Jardinier Bridge, which was built by Eifel’s workshop. 34 35 e Highlights • Castle (11th–15th centuries): “Musée d’Art Polonais”: +33 (0)2 47 92 60 04. Montsoreau • Collegiate church of Saint-Jean-Baptiste (16th century): Alabaster tomb with three The lady’s castle recumbent statues, Annunciation Maine-et-Loire (49) • Population: 447 • Altitude: 108 ft. (33 m) Indre-et-Loire by Philippe de Champaigne, stained- glass windows, 16th-century stalls and Montsoreau sits between Anjou and the Touraine, in a land of his- Maine-et-Loire paintings, reliquary with the skullcap of tory, sweetness, and harmony. Pope John Paul II. Lying between the Loire and a hill, and very close to the royal • Cardeux wool market (18th century): abbey of Fontevraud, Montsoreau grew up around its 15th-century Permanent exhibition of gemmail stained Montrésor Montrésor castle. The village draws a rich heritage from the Loire river and glass and the history of Montrésor. • Banks of the Indrois: Walking paths and Montsoreau’s lady, Françoise de Maridor; Alexandre Dumas wrote Montsoreau information points along the river. tales about her passionate and fatal love affair with Bussy • Village: Guided tours for groups only and d’Amboise. There is something for everyone here: wander the vil- by appointment: +33 (0)2 47 92 70 71. lage’s fower-lined paths that climb toward the vineyards, and 0 9 By road: Expressway A85, exit 5–Bourgueil admire its white tufa-stone residences and immaculately tended K (7½ miles/11.5 km). By train: Saumur Accommodation gardens. Stroll the courtyards and alleyways, beyond which the station (8 miles/13 km). By air: Angers- Guesthouses Loire stretches into the distance; roam the Saut aux Loups hillside, Marcé airport (39 miles/63 km); Tours- Le Moulin de Montrésor***: where historic cave dwellings nestle. Taste some famous Saumur- Saint-Symphorien airport (45 miles/ +33 (0)2 47 92 68 20. Champigny and Crémant de Loire wines at a local vineyard. 72 km); Nantes-Atlantique airport La Grenache: +33 (0)2 47 92 71 39. (110 miles/177 km). Gîtes and vacation rentals Maisons de Charme: +33 (0)6 86 44 63 72. Tourist information: Further information: +33 (0)2 47 27 70 71. +33 (0)2 41 51 70 22 www.ot-saumur.fr Eating Out www.ville-montsoreau.fr Café de la Ville: +33 (0)2 47 92 75 31. Crêperie Barapom: +33 (0)2 47 19 27 48.