SATURDAY , June 15
09:00am Blue, Red, Green, Yellow and YFCS tours pick up at meeting point
We will return to the hotels before the dinner in Angers that evening.
BLUE TOUR :“Forestry and Agriculture"
North of Angers, 133km in total
Please click on photos for full view
Château et forêt de PECHESEUL, Parcé-sur-Sarthe, Avoise.
https://gfrdepescheseul.wordpress.com/a-propos/
Vicomte Antoine Ponton d’Amecourt, president of CNPF (Centre National de la Propriété Forestière) and his working partner Paulo Fernandes noted that the timber industry was experiencing difficulties when small scale sawmills were closing down as they were not able to keep up with security norms, transport costs were rising, forest owners were having difficulties to commercialise on small volumes of wood and yet demand from consumers for renewable materials in construction and renovation was and still is increasing.
In 2000 the idea of a mobile saw mill became a real solution as it offers a local service in an area where 40% of private forest areas are smaller than 10 hectares. The mobile saw can be transported quickly and efficiently to small scale lots, it allows small scale carpenters to buy their wood directly from the forest owners, make custom size cuts on a small scale and allow a notable reduction in transport costs,
As well as a visit to the saw mills, Antoine will take us on a visit of the forest where he tests for climate change. His mother, Vicomtesse Bruno Ponton d’Amecourt, will kindly give us a tour of the chateau de Pescheseul.
Lunch is provided at the chateau by a local traiteur.
Chateau de Moulinvieux, Asnieres-sur-Vègre, Sarthe
We will be welcomed by owners Mr and Mrs de Lacombe to this 17th century chateau that despite its name has no “moulin” (mill) but comes from M. de Moulinvieux, the name of the first owner. The chateau, nestled in a bend of the river Vègre, reflects various architectural styles as expansions were carried out over the centuries including the classical style of Louis XV contrasting with the Renaissance style north face. The gardens extend over many tens of hectares and are comprised of various secluded gardens. The castle and park are listed as “monuments historiques” since 1989.
Chateau de Dobert, Avoise
Short-stop visit
A stone’s throw from the Chateau du Moulin-Vieux and also nestled in a bend of the same river Vègre lies the charming Chateau Dobert, owned by the same family since its origins in 1460. The Comtesse du Peyroux tells the story of how this small manor house was transformed in the 18th century thanks to an ancestor who made his fortune in just two journeys to China trading silver metal for gold. He invested the considerable profits in the transformation and extension of the chateau to what we see today, added masonry to the moat and built a rare irrigation system inspired by what he saw in China. With the help of funds, the now ruined system will hopefully be restored by craftsmen.
The chateau lies in a 100 ha park and offers bed and breakfast to guests. The chateau is listed as a “Monument Historique”
Chateau de la Touchardiere, Durtal
FCS board member Arnaud Heim de Balsac will greet us in the Orangerie for a welcome introduction about the history of this private chateau, the expansion of the estate with various arable crops, its hunting opportunities and the recent renovation of the Orangerie for wedding hire. The chateau will also presently be joining the Welcoming Estates.
Arnaud will accompany the group to a visit and explanation of clay extraction managed by himself in association with Wienerberger, the no. 1 in building construction materials, opened nearby in 2014 with an investment of 80 million Euros. The visit will be followed by a wine tasting and a ‘walking surprise’!
RED TOUR: “Natura 2000 and local productions
East of Angers: 213 km
Please click on photos for full view
"Domaine DE MAZEROLLES", Le Breil, Petit Mars
http://www.domaine-de-mazerolles.fr/index.php
We shall be welcomed by Pierre Hoflack, the manager of the 750 ha Domaine de Mazerolles who brought this neglected marshland back to life in 2007. The marshlands have an undersoil rich in peat, sand and water making it a veritable paradise for flora and fauna. Granted the NATURA 2000 and Wildlife Estates Label, this protected site is used for fishing, hunting boar, social tourism (floating cabins for overnight stays in this oasis of calm), agriculture, wetlands and sustainable breeding of Wagyu (a cousin to Kobe beef).
Built on 4 principles (well being of the animal, added value to the environment, organoleptic qualities, traceability of the food supply) over 100 cows now enjoy Mozart, massages, green algae rich water, essential oils and luscious multi-species hay. The meat that is produced from the 3 year old cows is extremely tender with intramuscular fat and is wholly traceable as 100 per cent French.
The Red Tour will visit the farm as well as the wetlands and includes a boat ride for a spot of birdwatching (169 species with many that are rare!).
Lunch will be held here with produce from the lakes and the Boeuf Wagyu prepared and served by starred chefs.
Château de la BARONNIERE, La-Chapelle-St-Florent.
www.chateaudelabaronniere.com/english/
The neo gothic chateau that stands today dates from 1850 and replaces the earlier Renaissance chateau destroyed by fire during the French Revolution. It was classified as a historic monument in 1995. Owner and president of “Souvenir Vendéen” Olivier du Boucheron will give us a presentation of the “Guerres de Vendée”, the counter Revolutionary movement that was headed by General Charles de Bonchamps, then owner of La Baronniere.
The 32 hectare park is still based on the original mid-19th century design by André Leroy and is also classified. The semi-circular bio diverse vegetable garden is made up with 500 different varieties and covers 3000m2. It was designed by owner Anne du Boucheron, a descendant of Baron Arnous Rivière, creator of the present day chateau. Anne will give us a personal guided tour explaining how the plants are positioned according to their particular affinities.
Events held at the chateau include heritage days, classic car weekends, weddings, overnight stays, group visits and scout camps.
The visit will be followed by tea.
GREEN TOUR: “Hunting, forestry, regional productions"
South 136km
Please click on photos for full view
“Domaine de LA MAISONNETTE”, Etusson
https://chasse-la-maisonnette.com/en/domain/
Owners Gilles, FCS board member and CEO of Pomanjou International, and Sophie Savoye de Puineuf will show us their production of apples and pears. Pomanjou International is a leading private grower, packer and shipper supplying the private consumer as well as the agri-business industrials in France (62%) and the rest of Europe. The orchards are spread between 10 different areas in the Loire valley and all hold a Global GAP label certifying a healthy and sustainable produce as well as the “Vergers Eco-responsables” label, certifying an adherence to the Pest Management Charter. The company practices hand-picking of the fruits, the use of bird nests to reduce the insect pest population, irrigation by drip feed to reduce water waste, pre-grading, and other well-thought means of production.
Gilles and Sophie also offer an exclusive and comprehensive hunting experience of big and small game hunting at their Domaine de la Maisonnette. The site covers 750 hectares of which 500 ha is forest, 250 ha open fields and 40 ha of outstanding lakes. The whole site is dedicated to hunting offering a natural environment of flatlands, hedges, undergrowth and thick cover to offer both the experienced and leisure hunter the most natural of hunting conditions all the while ensuring maximum safety. A hunting lodge offers well-earned rest for the whole family and/or friends with post-hunt homemade meals.
Lunch will be served at La Maisonette.
CARRÉ COINTREAU, Angers
Discover the exceptional heritage of the Triple Sec Cointreau beverage. The recipe using sweet and bitter orange peel was created by Edouard Cointreau in 1875 and marketed in its iconic square shaped bottle to become a symbol of France.
We will be guided by the younger members of the Cointreau family in a visit of the distillery, the production, the heritage and the history of the innovative publicity beginning with Pierrot de Cointreau that is used to market this unique alcoholic beverage. The tour will end with a complete tasting and recipes of both simple and complex Cointreau cocktails as imagined by the 6th generation of the family, Alfred Cointreau.
YELLOW TOUR "Diversification and real estate"
East of Angers : 125km in total
Please click on photos for full view
Ecuries de Pantall, Beaupreau-en-Marges.
President of Ecuries Pantall, Henri-Alex Pantall, descends from a long line of horse trainers and jockeys that arrived from England in 1840. His father, René, was offered the opportunity to create the stables at Beaupreau by the Duke of Blacas in 1948. Since taking over from his father after his premature parting, the stables have grown from 20 odd boxes to over 150 today. The Ecurie Pantall has ranked among the top 5 of the best trainers in France for many years now.
We will be shown round by Frédéric Munet, President of the “Société des Courses Hippiques”.
Château de la BARONNIERE, La-Chapelle-St-Florent.
www.chateaudelabaronniere.com/english/
The neo gothic chateau that stands today dates from 1850 and replaces the earlier Renaissance chateau destroyed by fire during the French Revolution. It was classified as a historic monument in 1995. Owner and president of “Souvenir Vendéen” Olivier du Boucheron will give us a presentation of the “Guerres de Vendée”, the counter Revolutionary movement that was headed by General Charles de Bonchamps, then owner of La Baronniere.
The 32 hectare park is still based on the original mid-19th century design by André Leroy and is also classified. The semi-circular bio diverse vegetable garden is made up with 500 different varieties and covers 3000m2. It was designed by owner Anne du Boucheron, a descendant of Baron Arnous Rivière, creator of the present day chateau. Anne will give us a personal guided tour explaining how the plants are positioned according to their particular affinities.
Events held at the chateau include heritage days, classic car weekends, weddings, overnight stays, group visits and scout camps.
Lunch will be served at the chateau.
Chateau de la GUERINIERE, La Chapelle Saint Florent.
The current owners, Comte & Comtesse Baudouin de Marnix, will welcome us to their fortified chateau whose foundations date back to the 15th century as well as to their beautifully forested park and imposing vegetable garden.
We shall discover this cosy family home which has been held by the same family for the last 200 years passed down as well as the rest of the property where over the years various biodiverse agricultural and forestry activities have been developed as well as rental real estate.
YFCS
Domaine de l’EPINAY : East, 25km in total
https://www.chateauepinay.com/en/
YFCS GA- Conference & lunch : 16th and 18th century Château de l’EPINAY, St George-sur-Loire owned by the Montuoro family.
The main part of the building sits between a 13th century pigeon loft (a privilege accorded by kings and an external sign of prestige) and a 15th century square tower. The back side of the chateau sees a 15th century stately home blending shale and tufa. The 17th century writer Jean Racine was linked to the chateau de l’Epinay in a legal story of ownership. Now the castle offers a restaurant in the Orangerie (focusing on sustainable farming methods), a Spa & fitness centre, rooms to stay, wedding receptions and meeting rooms. Director Athéna Montuoro will take the YF on a visit and presentation of the domaine.
The theme of the conference is “Young entrepreneurship” and there will be 3 speakers.
The conference will end with a buffet lunch in the gardens.
Chateau des VAULTS
http://www.savennieres-closel.com/?lang=en
After lunch there will be a guided tour and tasting of 5 different wines at Château des VAULTS in Savennières.
The artisanal production of wines Grand Cru Domaine du Closel come from biodiverse vineyards where the natural cycles of the ecosystem is respected.
YFCS Sunday June 16
Guided visit of the historic centre of Angers and Lunch at Chez Pont Pont right by the chateau.
INFORMAL DINNER
Arrival in Angers from the different tours.
07:30pm Departure
08:00pm Drinks and visit of the Jean Lurçat museum
09:00pm Dinner
Musée de JEAN LURÇAT, Hôpital Saint Jean, Angers
http://musees.angers.fr/langues-etrangeres/english/musee-des-beaux-arts/the-site/index.html
Housed in one of the oldest hospitals in France (12th C), the monumental tapestry of Jean Lurçat (1892-1966), known as “Le Chant du Monde” (The World’s Song), is a tribute to the 133m Medieval “Apocalypse Tapestry” displayed in the Chateau d’Angers. This socially conscious artist brought the art of tapestry back to life and created a work of man’s destiny.
In 10 chapters, beginning with the Atomic bombing of Hiroshima and including the Conquest of Space, the artist expresses the final victory of man living in harmony with the world and its elements.
Both FCS and YFCS members have the option to visit and dine here.