Treats for the tastebuds

Treats for the tastebuds Local food specialities include la fouée, little pockets similar to a pitta, traditionally made with scraps of bread dough and filled with savoury treats. Equally delicious are les galipettes, large mushrooms stuffed with butter, shallot and crème fraîche. Those with a sweet tooth will appreciate the pommes tapées (flattened apples), which you can find in the village of Turquant, 9 km southeast of Saumur. To make the apple harvest last throughout the year, locals would peel the apples, bake them in a bread oven until they dried out, then flatten them artfully with a mallet. For an evening meal, it would be hard to beat L’Alchimiste, a cosy and authentic restaurant seating up to 20 diners. Its husband-and-wife team offer refined, delectable dishes in an unpretentious, welcoming setting. To visit nearby If you have a car, drive along the Loire to explore the pretty villages on either side of Saumur including Montsoreau, which has a flea market on the second Sunday of every month. At Turquant, be sure to walk to the artists’ centre built into the rocks; it feels like a movie set and gives you a glimpse into troglodyte living. The Bioparc of Doué La Fontaine is a truly unique zoo, (18 km from Saumur). Their ethos is about biodiversity and protecting threatened species: the 2,000 animals have Chateau de Rivau Chateau de Rivau plenty of space to roam in limestone settings that feel organic and natural. Saumur is close to many of the Loire Valley’s most spectacular chateau including the stunning Chateau de Rivau with its fairy talelike gardens, the royal fortress of Chinon, Ussé AKA the “real sleeping beauty castle” as it’s gloriously pretty and was the inspiration for French author Charles Perrault to write the Belle au Bois Dormant, the Sleeping Beauty, story, and the Chateau de Brissac, which, at seven stories, is the tallest castle in France. ot-saumur.fr/en; lamaisontrumeau.com La Maison Trumeau Retreats 2025 fabulously easy. Insurance services for English speakers in France Medical Insurance Home Insurance Car Insurance Visa Insurance and more We work with more than 30 insurers and many more providers so we are always able to find the best and most affordable solution for your situation. We’ve got you covered. 33 (0)5 35 65 50 50 hello@fabfrenchinsurance.com www.fabfrenchinsurance.com Creative - Wine & Gastronomy - Upholstery In a beautiful 19th century Mansion Saumur, Loire Valley Lamaisontrumeau.com We can help with: • Moving to France or Spain • Setting up and running a business • Help with VISA, residency and work permits and taxes • Legal advice and Insurance • Healthcare advice B +33 950 75 81 92 a +34 711 05 32 28 pleasehelp.eu k 104 | The Good Life France The Good Life France | 105