Return to the Valley of Kings A twelve-day rally returning to the beautiful Le Moulin Fort campsite, nestling on the banks of the River Cher deep in the Loire Valley - playground of the Kings Le Moulin Fort campsite on the River Cher Overview Join us as we return to rediscover the French Valley of the Kings and take up residence on an established quality campsite at Chenonceaux, nestling on the River Cher in the Loire Valley. Explore hidden treasures in an area that was for centuries the favoured neighbourhood of the French royalty and nobility. Nowhere in the world offers such exceptional sites - history combined with spiritual, but materialistic ways of life, mingling to produce the culture of châteaux, manor houses, churches and abbeys for which the area is rightly famous. Le Moulin Fort is rated five star on some Tripadvisor reviews. The 12-night rally - Tuesday, August 27, 2019 until Saturday, September 7, 2019 (final night) - will be based at the Le Moulin Fort campsite, close to the famous Chenonceau château, which straddles the River Cher. Using this site as a base, we will venture forth with a programme that will include, organised and informal walks, drawn hospitality nights, BBQs, chateau / town visiting, boules competitions, a vineyard visit (and tasting!) - and many, many other experiences available on the planned and free days. There will be nightly Sundowner /get-together briefings. Le Moulin Fort campsite
Le Moulin Fort site synopsis THE SITE Camping Le Moulin Fort is a tranquil, riverside site with British owners, John and Sarah Scarratt. The pitches are enhanced by trees and shrubs offering plenty of sun and shade and all emplacements havre access to electricity points (6A). From the restaurant / bar terrace adjacent to the restored mill building, a timber walkway over the mill race leads to the outdoor swimming pool. The site features in most of the main guides and is Caravan Club and ACSI registered. ACSI prices will be offered for our rally (18 Euro for outfit and two people including electricity, 2019 price) - pay individually when leaving. The picturesque Château of Chenonceau is little more than 1 km. along the Cher riverbank and most of the magnificent Loire châteaux are within easy reach, particularly Amboise and its world-famous Leonardo da Vinci museum - Du Clos Luce. Twin-axle caravans and large motorcaravans will be accepted. The ICFR party will be situated together around one of the emplacement lollipops, alllowing both privacy and intermingling. THE FACILITIES: Two toilet blocks with all the usual amenities of a good standard, include washbasins in cubicles and facilities for disabled visitors. Washing machine. Motorhome services are provided. On site are small shop, bar, restaurant and takeaway. Swimming pool. Excellent play area. Minigolf. Pétanque. Games room and TV. Library. Fishing. Bicycle and canoe hire (available nearby). The site offers regular entertainment including wine tasting, quiz evenings, light hearted games tournaments and live music events. A additional night-time event at the restaurant will be offered for ralliers - a camp BBQ with live music entertainment. WiFi is available for a small charge. www.lemoulinfort.com Montgolfier ballons hover just above the Le Moulin Fort site THE AREA The Loire - Cher area Often called the Garden of France. the Loire Valley is an enchanted land of vineyards, floral gardens and rolling green hills, dotted with more than a thousand. It is, perhaps, the charm of its gentle pace of life that has, for centuries, made it a sought-after location for poets and writers. It is a step back through the history of some of France's finest works of art. A FEW LOCATIONS YOU MAY LIKE TO VISIT: The magnificent floodlit Chenonceau Château Blois - Its famous castle has been linked throughout the centuries to the history of the Kings of France. Every Wednesday at the castle, there is night spectacle for English speaking visitors. Places of interest to visit in the surrounding area: the châteaux of Beauregard and Chaumont-sur Loire, which holds a famous International Festival of Parks and Gardens from mid-june through to mid-october. Chambord - The largest of all the Loire Valley castles, this magnificent Renaissance edifice, built by François I, is surrounded by an immense park and hunting preserve which can be visited by horsedrawn carriage. Not far from it, the beautifully furnished Château of Cheverny can be admired from the ground or from the air in one of the captive balloons available on site.
Tours - At the junction of the Loire and Cher Rivers, Tours is a busy university town and the traditional point of departure for exploring the Loire Valley. During the Middle Ages, it was one of the great pilgrimage sites of Europe. Today, the city boasts wonderful Renaissance and neoclassical mansions, which are clustered around the famous Plumereau square, fine museums including a collection of craftsmen's masterpieces and the Cathedral of St-Gatien. It is center of a famous wine region, especially Vouvray, Chinon, Bourgueil. The most interesting sites in the surrounding area are the châteaux of Azay-Ie- Rideau, which reflects on the river, Villandry, surrounded by renaissance gardens, Ussé, said to be the original Sleeping Beauty's castle, Langeais and Loches, as well as the splendid medieval city of Chinon. Amboise/Chenonceaux - Huddled under the shadow of its impressive royal castle, Amboise is a pretty town with white stone houses dating from the 15th century. Also of interest is the House Lucé, the former residence of Leonardo da Vinci. A few miles away, close to our campsite, is the Château of Chenonceau, also called the Ladies Castle, has a famous viewing gallery, built by one of France's great Queens, from which to admire an impressive view of the Cher River. (PS: The historic village itself is spelt with a final x - Chenonceaux) Loches - The town, one of the most picturesque in central Ready to welcome you to historic Amboise France, lies at the foot of the rocky hill on which stands the Château de Loches, the castle of the Anjou family, surrounded by a thick outer wall, and consisting of the old collegiate church of St Ours, the royal lodge and the donjon. The church of St Ours dates from the tenth century to the twelfth century; among its distinguishing features are the huge stone pyramids surmounting the nave and the beautiful carving of the west door. It contains the tomb of Agnès Sorel. The royal lodge, built by Charles VII of France and once used as the subprefecture, contains the oratory of Anne of Brittany. It was here on May 11, 1429 that Joan of Arc arrived, fresh from her historic victory at Orleans, to meet the French king. De Leonard de Vinci s ornate and spectacular villa - Du Clos Lucé - open to the public in Amboise.
THE RALLY - Tuesday, August 27, 2019 - Saturday, September 7, 2019 (final night) The twelve-night rally will be based at the Le Moulin Fort campsite situated on the banks of the River Cher, just upriver from Chenonceau Château. Alth ough still in the planning stage, the itinerary should offer something for all. It will be fine tuned depending on the requirements of the participants. The campsite itself is run by the English owners and is perfectly positioned to allow extensive exploring of the Loire valley châteaux and countryside, while, at the same time, having all amenities you would expect. Some highlights: > Welcome and farewell dinners in campsite resaurant > Possibility of wine tasting at local vineyard > Organised and informal walks > Opportunities to visit many local châteaux > River trip in local La Batteau rerstored barge > Rally-specific campsite events - wine and cheese party, hospitality nights, street party, BBQs, quiz, get-togethers, games night, American supper etc. etc. > Alternate days left clear so that you can explore the area Go-As-You-Please > Nightly Sundowner / get-together briefings with Drinks and Nibbles > A joint get-together event with those attending the Vannes, Saumur, Bayeux rally > Rally boules competition > Posh Nosh lunch out > Take the train from Chenonceaux station to Tours Download, complete and return the booking form to express your interest The historic piled weir at Le Moulin Fort Cher barge La Gabare heads for Chenoncheau Sunflowers aboud in the Loire Valley countryside
DRAFT RALLY ITINERARY - Subject to confirmation and demand from ralliers Tuesday, August 27, 2019: Arrivals - Hello! 'Sundowner' at 6.00 - Welcome meal in site restaurant at 7.00 Wednesday, August 28, 2019: Gentle walk or drive to Chenouceau Château - explore and make arrangements for later visit. 'Sundowner and Briefing' at 6.00. Drawn hospitality later in ther evening. Thursday, August 29, 2019: 'Sundowner and Briefing' at 6.00. Rally Street Party. Friday, August 30, 2019: Organised walk option through woods and vineyards with Sarah. 'Sundowner and Briefing' at 6.00 incorporating Bring-your-Own Wine & Cheese. Saturday, August 31, 2019: Proposed visit to historic Montrichard. 'Boules contest underway. 'Sundowner and Briefing' at 6.00, Camp BBQ and live entertainment at camp restaurant. Sunday, September 1, 2019: Sundowner and Briefing' at 6.00. Drawn hospitality later in evening. Monday, September 2, 2019: River outing on La Gabare. 'Sundowner and Briefing' at 6.00. Free night. Tuesday, September 3, 2019: 'Sundowner and Briefing' at 6.00. Rally American Supper meal evening event. Wednesday, September 4, 2019: Go-As-You-Please day - Suggest Loche visit - it s market day. Sundowner and Briefing' at 6.00. Drawn hospitality later in evening. Thursday, September 5, 2019: 'Sundowner and Briefing' at 6.00. Rally communal BBQ evening meal event. Friday, September 6, 2019: Joint lunch / get-together trip with Saumur ICFR ralliers. 'Sundowner and Briefing' at 6.00. Free night. Saturday, September 7, 2019: Final 'Sundowner at 6.00. Farewell meal in camp restaurant. Sunday, September 8, 2019: Rally ends - Group leaves site or makes own arrangements. Alternate days and nights will be filled in as and when ralliers arrive. Options may include: > Organised and informal walks > Drawn hospitality nights > Rally BBQ > Château / town visiting > Boules competition > Vineyard visit (and tasting!) > Posh nosh outing > Rally street party > American supper > Joint event / get-toghether with Saumur rally attendees > Cher river boat trip to Chenonceau Château NOTE: The campsite have offered to organise a BBQ and live music evening on the weekend of August 31. INTERESTED? Download the detailed booking form, complete and send (with cheque) to: Stewart Gilbert, ICFR Rally,19 Mill Hill Drive, Huntington, York. YO32 9PU. 07906 147370
Return to the Valley of Kings Tuesday, August 27, 2019 until Saturday, September 7, 2019 (final night) RALLY BOOKING FORM Lead person... Surname:... First name:... Address:... Post Code:... E-mail:... Telephone:... Mobile:... Rotary Club + District:... Second person... Surname:... First name:... Is this your first ICFR Rally? Please indicate: Yes / No Caravan - single / double axle or Motorhome Car / Motorhome registration:... Will you be travelling with dog(s)? Yes / No - If so, number of dogs... Do you have a Data Link pot in your fridge? Yes / No Breed... Note that some breeds are not allowed in France If not, would you like to have one? Yes / No q I realise that ICFR and the Rally Marshalls have no Third Party Insurance cover, and that I am responsible for any loss or damage to my caravan or mororhome. q All participants will need to have appropriate medical and travel insurance cover for this overseas event. A standard ICFR Overseas Rally form will be sent to all confirmed particpants for completion and return prior to the rally. q I confirm that all participants are current members of ICFR in good standing. q I am applying to take part in the Return to Valley of Kings, Loire Valley rally and enclose a registration cheque for 55.00 (single) or 110.00 (double). This includes monies for the two meals (welcome and farewell) plus formal walk, various admin charges and a rally fee of 7.00 per booking. Site fees to be paid direct to campsite at end of attendance at ACSI 2019 rates -18 Euros per emplacement, per night, including electricity. Please make your cheques - post-dated February 2019 - payable to: ICFR - Gilbert Rally. Send cheque, with this form, to Stewart Gilbert, ICFR Rally, 19 Mill Hill Drive, Huntington, York. YO32 9PU. All applications will be acknowledged as they are received by e-mail. q I understand that, if I am successful, my cheque will be banked in Ferbruary 2019. If the rally is over-subscribed then it will be first come, first allocated basis. If I am unsuccessful, then my cheque will be returned unbanked. Cut-off date January 31, 2019.