Le Moulin de Crouy

Get yourself in the saddle from the site, for 550 kilometres of marked and protected itineraries around the lush Loire valley are set up for visitors to make the most of this highly handsome region: along the way you’ll spy ancient castles, photogenic little villages and spectacular stretches of the Loire river. Le Moulin de Crouy is right on the 30-kilometre Châteaux à Velo route, and you can join the Loire à Vélo and the Sologne à Vélo easily too. For other sorts of active days, get your sporty self over to Saint-Dyé-sur-Loire for canoeing on the Loire; head to the lake in Mont-près-Chambord for beach volleyball and swimming; or take your clubs and your strongest swing to the scenic 18-hole golf course over in Cheverny. Another top option for exploring the Loire valley and its castles is from the basket of a hot air balloon: one-hour flights depart at either dawn or dusk from Contres, around 40 minutes away by car, and will see you floating cheerfully above sunflower fields, gorges and the valley’s famed castles. Should you wish to remain firmly on French soil, however, then you can go instead to Les Anes de Madame, also in Contres, for a much less lofty ride on a donkey.