Les Logis de L'Oumois

Fond of a stroll after lunch? There are a couple of very splendid places for such things nearby. Verdon Lake (five minutes’ drive) and Lac de Ribou (10 minutes) have lovely views. If you haven’t eaten yet, pack a picnic to eat by the water. There’s no shortage of stunning scenery in this area, as you'll quickly learn in the village of Aubigné-sur-Layon (35 minutes) – which has a walled castle with parts dating from the 12th to 15th centuries – and Clisson (45 minutes), which has a ruined castle, a 15th-century market and a scattering of Italian architecture. That may be enough ruined castles for one trip, but if not, add Château de Bressuire (25 minutes) to your list. Cholet (15 minutes) is one of the closest towns to the site; it has an art and history museum and a textile and fashion museum (20 minutes). Driving a bit further away will get you to another stunning sightseeing spot in Nantes (an hour), on the river Loire and home to a medieval castle with a museum about the city.