Renter’s Planning Guide
Chateau du Pin is located outside the village of Champtocé-sur-Loire, 18 km (30-minute drive) west of the city of Angers in the province of Anjou. Angers is approximately 200 miles southwest of Paris (4+ hours by car and 95 minutes by TGV train) or about 60 km (hour drive) east of Nantes. Modern shopping centers, banks, hospitals, car rental agencies, and train station are in Angers. The nearest international commercial airports are located in Nantes, Tours and Paris.
How to get to Le Pin
By Car
From Paris or Charles de Gaulle airport (322 kilometers; about 200 miles or 4+ hours by car):
N104 (or sometimes A104) is the beltway that goes around Paris. Follow it around to the south until it meets with A10. Look for signs that say Bordeaux/Nantes. Take the Autoroute A10 to the west. Take A11 when it divides and head toward Chartres, Le Mans, Angers, and Nantes. These are toll roads and US credit cards will not work. You will need cash.
About 18 km (15 miles) beyond Angers, take the exit (Sortie 19) marked "Chalonne". After the exit, pay the 1.80 € toll at St. Germain des Pres. Drive to the opposite side of the roundabout, onto a small paved road (between the large industrial buildings) marked by directional signs for "Jardin du Chateau du Pin". Follow the signs to the chateau. As you enter the farm of Le Pin, follow signs for "GITE" (a somewhat serpentine path between the barns) to the parking area set aside for our chateau guests.
If you wish to go the Angers from A11 (to visit the cathedral or castle, do some shopping, go to the train station etc,) exit at Sortie 18 and follow signs for “Centre Ville”.
From Nantes (60 kilometers, about 40 miles):
Take A-11 towards Angers/Paris. There will be a 8.60 € toll in Ancenis. Take the exit (Sortie 19 marked "Chalonne"). After the exit, drive to the opposite side of the roundabout onto a small paved road (between the large industrial buildings) marked by directional signs for "Jardin du Chateau du Pin". Follow the signs to the chateau. As you enter the farm of Le Pin, follow signs for "GITE" (a somewhat serpentine path between the barns) to the parking area set aside for our chateau guests.
An alternative route between Angers and Nantes is D723 (The old N23). It is the main non-toll road that runs between Angers and Nantes, paralleling the Loire. As you approach Champtocé sur Loire you will start to see signs for “Jardin du Chateau du Pin” on the east side of the village, next to the ruins of “Barbe Bleu”. Le Pin is approximately 3 km from Champtocé.
By Train
Train service on the French railway (SNCF) is available to Angers from throughout France. The TGV fast train takes about 90 minutes from the Montparnasse station in Paris to Angers and 2 ½ hours from Charles de Gaulle airport (CDG) Terminal 2F. There are hourly trains from Montparnasse and roughly four direct trains from CDG per day. TGV service requires assigned seats and reservations that can be procured at the station or on-line at www.tgv.com along with up to date timetables. The website has timetables and reservations from other cities as well. Note: the code for Angers is “Angers St Laud (49)”.
There is local train service (Ter service) to Champtocé that runs between Angers and Nantes. There are usually four trains a day in both directions. For an on-line schedule visit:
http://www.ter-sncf.com/pays_de_la_loire/V2/carte_horaires/index.asp. Choose “04 Angers - Nantes” in the drop-down menu to see the timetable. There is a telephone at the Champtocé train station, but no taxi service.
Car Rentals
All the major rental car companies have offices and cars available at the train station (gare) in Angers. Note that with the exception of the airports of Paris and Nantes, rental car offices are closed on Sundays in France. Taxis are always available at the gare in Angers. Fares from the gare to Le Pin are about 60€.
Mapping Systems
If you are using GPS based navigation system or map application enter “Le Chateau du Pin”.
The coordinates of Le Pin are: 47º 25’ 40” N; 000º 50’ 58” W.
What to expect at Le Pin when you arrive
When you arrive, you can expect to find the following:
- Renter’s Manual with useful information on the chateau and surrounding area,
- Beds made and fresh towels laid out,
- A hairdryer in each bathroom,
- Small washer for person laundry in the nook halfway up the main staircase,
- A trail map to help you explore the extensive grounds,
- WiFi Internet access throughout much of the building (SSID is: Le Pin, Password is: lepin49123),
- Games and toys for children and the young-at-heart in the Main Hall under the bench seat,
- If you have made arrangements beforehand with the Reservation Manager, a ‘Welcome Basket’ of fresh provisions will be awaiting you in the kitchen.
What to do after you arrive:
Guests at the chateau enjoy many activities in the immediate area and throughout the region. Here are a few ideas that we have enjoyed over the years:
- Visit the castle in Angers and view the famous tapestries
- Tour some of the grand chateaux of the Loire
- Explore the many local markets
- Go on a wine tasting tour
- Go on a boat ride on the Loire
- Walk or bike through the magnificent Loire countryside
- Go on a bird-watching expedition on the trails of the property
- Take a side trip to Normandy or Brittany
- Spend a day at the seashore
- Dine at fine area restaurants
- Or relax and enjoy a glass of wine in the gardens
Information on all of these activities and more is available on our website: www.chateaudupinloirecom, in the chateau, and at the following websites:
• Official Anjou tourism website (in English),
• Comité des Parcs et Jardins de France website, (in French & English)
Helpful Hints about Living in France for a week or two
For those of you with limited experience living in France outside of Paris, this next section might be helpful.
Credit Cards
Most stores and restaurants will accept US credit cards that have a computer chip embedded in them. Cards are used exclusively in automated equipment such as the Autoroute tollbooths, 24/7 automated gas stations, SNCF automated ticket machines. If there is a cashier available, they usually can process a US style credit or debit card that does not have a chip.
ATMs process US style credit cards and are at most bank branches, post offices and super markets.
Driving
Driving is a little different from in the US. Unless otherwise posted, the speed limit is 80 km/hr on the local roads and 130 km/hr on the Autoroutes. The speed limit in towns and villages is 50 km/hr, unless otherwise posted. Many hamlets have 70 km/hr posted speed limits.
The police use portable and permanent radar machines that take a picture of any offending speeder and send the ticket to the vehicle’s registered owner. The rental car company will send you the bill. The permanent radar machines have warning signs, but are still a major revenue producer for the government. It is best to adhere to the posted speed limit, even if traffic around you seems to be going faster.
There are many more roundabouts on the local roads than in most of the US. Those in the roundabout have the right-of-way over those entering. Don’t exit the roundabout until you know which direction you are going. It is acceptable to go around several times. If navigating from a printed map, (rather than GPS) it’s best to know the name of the next town or towns as route number change and aren’t always reliable.
The local rural roads and village streets tend to be very narrow by US standards, often not much wider than a car width. Use care when traffic approaches. You may have to pull onto the grassy shoulder to pass oncoming traffic, especially if the vehicle is a large farm tractor!
Parking Tickets
If you get a parking ticket or similar fine, you can take care of it quickly by going to any Tabac and buying the correct stamp. The larger stamp goes on the main part of the ticket and the small one goes on your receipt. Just pop the main part into the mail at a La Poste with a postage stamp and you will be all set.
Shopping
Like the US, supermarkets come in small ‘family run’ and large ‘big box’ versions. The smaller stores tend to be open from 7AM to noon and again from 2 PM to 7 PM. The larger stores (Super U’s, HyperMarche’s, etc.) tend to open from 9 AM to 7 PM continuously. Most (but not all) stores are closed on Sundays. Some smaller stores will be open Sunday morning but closed on Monday.
There are wonderful fresh air markets in different towns throughout the week. Most purchases will be cash only.
Shopping carts and bags
French supermarkets rarely provide shopping bags, but they will sell you one. They expect you to bring your own and to do your own bagging. Shopping carts are available but you have to ‘rent’ them for a one Euro coin. Insert the coin, do your shopping, and when you return the cart to the cart corral you will get your coin back.
Optional Services
The following services can be arranged when making your reservation:
An excellent local caterer, Anne Villedey, is available to prepare and serve your evening meals in the local style. Please contact the Reservations Manager beforehand if you would like this service.
Depending upon the time of year, fresh organic produce may be available for purchase from the potager (vegetable garden). Contact the Resident Manager for more information.
Other Useful Information
Emergency Numbers throughout France
Fire (Pompiers): Dial 18 from any landline, Dial 112 from mobile phone
Police(Gendarmerie): Dial 17 from any landline, Dial 112 from mobile phone
Ambulance (SAMU): Dial 15 from any landline, Dial 112 from mobile phone
Champtocé Pharmacy: 02 40 83 52 26
Hospital d’Angers: 02 41 35 36 37
Other Numbers
Resident Manager: 06 37 21 60 57 (American, bilingual)
Reservation Manager: (617) 212-5359 (USA, -9 hours)
Marie de Brebisson: 06 19 77 22 40 (French, bilingual)
Garden Manager: 06 11 68 61 81 (French only)
Address: Château du Pin 49123 Champtocé-sur-Loire
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