Where are we?

We are about 8 km (5 miles) North of Saumur. Although our postcode is St Philbert du Peuple we are about mid-way between the village centre and the small town of Longue - about 4 km from both. Distances and approximate travel times from ports and airports are (most timings are based on timings provided by www.mappy.fr):

For more details about routes, use one of the internet map services (e.g. www.mappy.fr or www.maporama.com).

Ferries

The most direct route from the UK by cross-channel ferry is probably via Ouistraham (Caen) using Brittany Ferries. However, Le Havre (LDLines) and St Malo (Brittany Ferries and Condor Ferries) are also reasonably close. In the Summer Brittany Ferries run a fast service to Caen and Condor runs one to St Malo (from Poole).

Plane

Cheap flights into airports around as are on the increase. If you live within easy reach of Stanstead airport, then you are spoilt for choice: you can fly from there to Tours, Poitiers and Limoges by Ryanair. You can also fly from Southampton (Flybe)or Liverpool (EasyJet) to Limoges, from several locations (Gatwick, possibly Birmingham) to Nantes (Air France and GB Airways) and from almost anywhere to Paris.

If you want to let the train take the strain, there is a really good TGV service to Tours and Angers (and it's easy to get a local train from either to Saumur). However, beware: to hire in Saumur (or Tours) you will either need to arrange it in advance or make sure that you get to your destination during open hours (basically 9-12 and 2-6, but Sundays and Mondays could be a problem generally).

Train

Saumur is easy to get to by train when using either Euro-Tunnel or planes. The French rail system is superb, cheap and almost always runs to time. If you travel via Paris you can get the TGV from either Charles de Gaulles airport or Montparnasse (but see the comment above).

Car Hire

If you travel by plane and/or train, you will probably need to hire a car. There are plenty of hire companies at all the main airports and train stations. It may pay to shop around beforehand on the internet: prices can vary enormously.

If you do hire beforehand, remember to factor in any travel time by train, debarkation time for planes and potential delays. Most hire sites (outside Paris) close about 6pm but they may make arrangements for you to pick up a car after hours, if you ask.