Huismes

Our lovely local village, this is charming place to visit. Here are some suggestions for what to do and how to get there:

As you may be able to glean from the Napoleonic map above, we are delightfully close to this pretty village.

The meandering La Loire À Vélo cycle path runs right outside La Fuye, to Huismes. Bike up there one evening (it’s a 5km ride from the house) and enjoy a simple dinner on the terrace of the very casual bistrot/bar Le Jeanne D’Arc (+33 2 47 58 92 53). It has pretty generous opening times (1 April-30 October 830am-9pm ‘non-stop’. Outside these dates it’s also open but closes briefly between 3pm-6pm daily). Booking is recommended as it can get busy and serves a very loyal, local clientele.

Go on a hike around Huismes and take in eight local châteaux. There are three versions of the Husimes walk (choose from 13.5km long, 12.5km or 7km). All walks start at the lavoir, the old washing pond, (pictured) that is about 10 minutes’ walk from La Fuye. Here is a link to its position. The Tourist Office map showing the three walking routes can be downloaded here.

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There is also a small, sporadic Sunday market in the village centre - opposite Le Jeanne D’Arc Bistrot with its welcoming outdoor terrace (pictured) - selling oysters* as well as fresh local vegetables. Buy some to enjoy back on the terrace at La Fuye (see below for inspiration!).

*although not between the months of April and October

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Keep going a little bit further (4km from Huismes; 9km from La Fuye) and you reach the one of the Loire Valley’s most charming, secluded and lesser-known Châteaux: Château d’Ussé - the so-called Sleeping Beauty Château as it was said to have inspired the fairytale.

If you don’t have time to go inside it, I’m quite a fan of a drive by: taking in the view of the whole castle, in all its magnificence, from Rue de la Loire and the Pont sur l’Indre.

Huismes was also home to Max Ernst, pioneer of the Dada movement and surrealism. You can visit his house which is now a museum and learn more about the man behind the movement. More info here.

Before you head for your home-from-home, try to visit the exceptional butcher here in Huismes, Beugnet François. Family-run for three generations, the meat is excellent and regionally acclaimed (5 Place de la Marie; closed Mondays).

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