{"id":700,"date":"2024-09-09T10:16:38","date_gmt":"2024-09-09T08:16:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/a-lepoque.com\/surroundings\/"},"modified":"2026-03-25T16:03:42","modified_gmt":"2026-03-25T16:03:42","slug":"surroundings","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/a-lepoque.com\/en\/surroundings\/","title":{"rendered":"Surroundings"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Nearby<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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Discover the charm of the region<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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During your stay at a l’Epoque, there is plenty to discover in the area. From stately castles and vast nature reserves to special excursions for young and old – everything is within reach. <\/p>

After your booking, you will receive access to our digital guest guide with practical information (such as arrival, parking and wifi) as well as our personal tips for restaurants, markets and hidden gems in the region.<\/p>

With us, you will discover your surroundings at the right pace: quietly, without rushing. We love to share our favorite spots – from hiking trails and viewpoints to local markets and heritage. Tell us what you like to do, and we’ll provide tips tailored to your needs. <\/p>

Example of a 2-day ‘slow stay’<\/h3>

Day 1<\/strong> – arrive quietly, enjoy the garden or terrace for a while and in the evening join our table d’h\u00f4tes.<\/p>

Day 2<\/strong> – full breakfast, a visit to a nearby market or heritage site, a short walk and back for a quiet evening.<\/p>

Day 3<\/strong> – one more relaxing breakfast and leave at leisure.<\/p>

Get inspired by some of our favorite places below and make your stay an unforgettable experience.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Bouges le Chateau Castle (www.chateau-bouges.fr)<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Introduction<\/strong>
The Ch\u00e2teau de Bouges, located in Bouges-le-Ch\u00e2teau in the Loire Valley, is an impressive 18th-century mansion classified as a historic monument. The castle’s beautiful gardens are listed as noteworthy in France. Both are open to the public and offer a range of activities. <\/p>

History<\/strong>
The Bouges estate dates back to the 10th century and originally included a fortified castle. It was gifted in 1547 by Catherine de Medici to her advisor, Jean-Baptiste Seghizo. Later, in 1570, Bouges was sold to Marc Antoine with Catharina’s consent. Claude Charles Fran\u00e7ois Leblanc de Marnaval, a wealthy industrialist, had the original building demolished and replaced between 1759 and 1773 with the present Italian-style castle. After his bankruptcy in 1779, the castle changed hands several times, including the Prince de Talleyrand and the Dufour family, who made important renovations. <\/p>

Architecture<\/strong>
The castle, built in the Italian style, recalls the small Trianon of Versailles. It consists of 58 rooms spread over three levels and two mezzanines. The facades are decorated with pediments and a wrought-iron balcony. The building has an elegant rectangular pavilion on a pedestal, surrounded by a cornice and balustrade. <\/p>

Current use<\/strong>
In 1917, Henry and Ren\u00e9e Viguier bought the chateau. They restored it and modernized its facilities, including electricity and running water. They also brought a passion for equestrianism to the estate and integrated the horse into all activities on the property. The Viguier’s also saw to the restoration of the gardens, which included a flower garden and a greenhouse for exotic plants. In 1967, the estate was transferred to the National Fund for Historic Monuments (now Centre des Monuments Nationaux), with a desire to make the chateau and gardens accessible to the public. <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Beauval Zooparc<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Less than a 40-minute drive from our chambres d’h\u00f4tes is ZooParc de Beauval, one of the most beautiful zoos in Europe and perhaps even the world.<\/strong><\/p>

General Information
<\/strong>ZooParc de Beauval is located in Saint-Aignan-sur-Cher, Centre-Val de Loire, and covers 40 hectares. The park houses more than 35,000 animals, making it one of the largest animal collections in France and Europe. Founded in 1980 by Fran\u00e7oise Delord, it is now managed by her son, Rodolphe Delord, and his family. <\/p>

Unique Features
<\/strong>Beauval has earned a reputation for being the first zoo in France to present rare animals. In the 1990s, it was the first zoo to exhibit leucistic big cats, white tigers and white lions. The park still houses unique and rare animals, such as the okapi, tree kangaroos, koalas and giant pandas. <\/p>

Animals and Territories<\/strong><\/p>