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SPORT FACILITIES
AT THE PROPERTY OR NEARBY AND LEISURE ACTIVITIES |
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Private Gardens
Walking
Fishing
Biking
Horseback Riding
Beach (nearby)
Water Sports (nearby)
Swimming Pool (nearby)
Tennis (nearby)
Golf (nearby)
Visit La Rochelle and the Île de Ré, |
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Since the Middle Ages the castle
has had an elaborate ornamental potager (vegetable garden). It was enhanced
in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries through the creation of wooded
parkland, sumptuous gardens and an orangerie.
The collection at Saint-Loup comprises a hundred citrus plants of twenty-seven
different varieties, and approximately forty varieties of Mediterranean
plants and flowers. |
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HISTRY OF THE CASTLE JEWEL OF
THE FRANCE´S ARCHITECTURAL HERITAGE |
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The Château of Saint-Loup is a
jewel of France's architectural heritage and an important site in the
history of Poitou. Possessor since the Middle Ages of an elaborate
ornamental potager, it was enhanced in the seventeenth and eighteenth
centuries through the creation of wooded parkland and sumptuous gardens,
which had fallen into decay over recent years.
The grounds, which have survived more-or-less intact, are now undergoing a
restoration program for the pleasure and edification of all: the primary
objective is a faithful recreation of the park and gardens as they were in
the middle of the eighteenth century, based on detailed plans dating from
the period.
The restoration of the gardens of the Château de Saint-Loup was designated a
"European Pilot Project" by the European Union in 1993.
On entering the main gates of the Château, you see to your right, the
original Keep, dating from the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries, and in
front of you, the seventeenth-century Château.
The town of Saint-Loup, because of its strategic position at the confluence
of the Cébron and Thouet rivers, and at the frontier between the plains of
Poitou and the rolling farmland of the Gâtine, was surrounded very early on
by a chain of military defenses, including the Château as its northern link.
The first documented evidence, dating from the eleventh century, names
Drogon as the first Lord of Saint-Loup. |
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ABOUT THE REGION |
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The
privileged location of Chateau de Saint-Loup
south of the Loire Valley, allows easy access to the
grand châteaux of the Loire, as well as easy drives to the Atlantic beaches and the
Île de Ré, a
beautiful island characterised by a gentle
climate, picturesque villages and a variety of
landscapes
. Local spectacles such as
Puy du Fou and the wonderful
theme park, Futuroscope
with its
crystal cinema "Kinemax" which has the biggest screen in Europe
are also worthwhile visiting and nearby. Some
interesting cities
are in the area around Château de
Saint-Loup. One of them is
Poitiers, the place in
732 where hero Charles Martel (grandfather of Charlemagne) halted
the Arab invasion. In 1431, after its university opened its doors it
became one of the early centres of higher
education in France. Nowadays is a thriving, modern city with a fascinating historical past. Worth
visiting at Poitiers , is the
Notre-Dame-la-Grande, a church famous for colourful geometric designs
on its interior pillars and a magnificent façade complete with
sculptures of the twelve apostles of Christ. Another worthwhile visit
is to the small medieval city of Parthenay,
quite near Château de Saint-Loup. Its ancient centre of winding streets
will hold your fascination. Parthenay is known as a sleepy town
except on Wednesday mornings when the weekly livestock market takes
place, so be forewarned. |
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