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Featured property
The Old Walnut Mill Delightful, spacious 2 bedroom 19th Century Loire Valley house for rent in the peaceful village of Barrou in the department of Indre et Loire,France. The village’s location halfway between the regional capitals of Tours and Poitiers makes it an ideal base to explore the Loire Valley and Vienne. Click here to visit owner's web site
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Château d’Oiron was only discovered by us because we happened to see the sign directing us there while travelling back to the Loire Valley area from a visit to Parthenay in the department of Deux-Sevres. It is located 10 km south of Thouars in the same department but is easily accessible while visiting the chateaux of Saumur or Montreuil-Bellay.
As you approach the village of the same name this majestic building appears on the horizon in an open site unlike most other chateaux in that it is in no way a 'fortified' position. It was obviously built only for pleasure. Building was begun in the sixteenth century by the Gouffier family who had been given the land by the king for their support during the Hundred Years War. It has been added to over the centuries to give us the chateau you see today.
Our favourite work has to be that of Daniel Spoerri - his modern sculptures adorn the walls of the great hall capturing both a contemporary and ancient spirit that makes you 'look twice' at the exhibit before realizing what you are actually gazing at.
Mannequin parts, pieces of furniture, weapons, scuba gear and actually some armour make up an interesting collection of wall hangings.
The variety of displays make it a very interesting visit with something for everyone - adults and children alike.
Open daily, 1 June to 30 September, 10.30 am to 6.30 pm ; 1 October to 31 May, 10.30 am to 5.30 pm Closed 1 January, 1 May, 1 and 11 November and 25 December. Getting here : From Angers, Niort, Poitiers, Saumur : D759 (between Thouars and Loudun). A10 Paris-Bordeaux exit Sainte-Maure-de-Touraine. D58, Richelieu. D61, Loudun Official website: http://www.oiron.fr/
http://www.experienceloire.com/
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The
bare chateau itself, devoid of any fixtures or furnishings,
is worth a viewing alone but today it plays host to a
permanent contemporary art collection that is
displayed in such a way that the building itself becomes
part of the exhibition. You will be impressed by the
individual artist's work which is displayed in different
rooms and halls of the chateau to best effect.
