Receive emails when new obituariesare published to our website Each of our funeral homes offers a complete range of services in tastefully decorated Professionally trained and licensed staff members stand ready to provide sensitive caring service and strive to exceed the expectations of each and every family.Our communities are wonderfully diverse in religious beliefs Our staff truly appreciates these differences and our training includes heartfelt understanding and respect for the special needs of all whom we serve Hartford | Windsor | Poquonock | Granby | Suffield | South Windsor | Rockville | Vernon | Avon© Carmon Community Funeral Homes | Funeral Home Website Design By Frazer Consultants & TA Your browser may not work with certain site. Upgrade now. Best in Travel is here! Discover 2025’s destinations The 30 best countries, cities and regions to visit in 2025 Plan your trip with Elsewhere, by Lonely Planet See where a Lonely Planet Membership takes you Subscribe to our weekly newsletters to get the latest travel news, expert advice, and insider recommendations Explore the world with our detailed, insightful guidebooks Stay ahead of the curve with our guidebooks Uncover exciting new ways to explore iconic destinations Every month, we release new books into the wild Search Search Close search menu Explore Best in Travel 2024 Africa Close menu Countries Antarctica Antarctica Close menu Regions Asia Asia Close menu Countries Australia & the Pacific Australia & the Pacific Close menu Countries The Caribbean The Caribbean Close menu Countries Central America Central America Close menu Countries Europe Europe Close menu Countries Middle East Middle East Close menu Countries North America North America Close menu Countries South America South America Close menu Countries The Loire Valley by car: a match made in heaven Shutterstock/leoks The scenery in the Loire Valley changes around every curve Honey-colored villages give way to lavish castles. Vine-draped fields back onto the lush banks of the Loire, France’s longest river And although trains serve each of the region's main destinations It gives you better access to the area’s blissful natural surroundings Here are the five best road trips in the Loire Valley Combining emblematic wines with picturesque landscapes this road trip passes white tufa (limestone) villages overhanging the Loire and vineyards rolling out as far as the eye can see a medieval city with half-timbered houses and dominating royal fortress The red grape vines that fill the surrounding landscape are used to produce Chinon wine Stop en route at Abbaye Royale de Fontevraud, once Europe’s biggest monastic city, before staying overnight in Saumur and enjoying some winetasting. The troglodyte cellars of Bouvet-Ladubay and Ackerman both serve excellent Crémant (a sparkling white wine) go deeper into the countryside to reach Rablay-sur-Layon village With its half-timbered houses and stone mansions the contemporary arts and crafts gallery says otherwise The residents here have dubbed this a 'village of artists'with permanent artisan boutiques and rotating exhibitions head towards Chalonnes to drive through vineyards during the golden hour On day three, head to the hills between Chalonnes and Bouchemaine. Appreciate the river's proximity to sail on a toue (a traditional wooden boat) in La Possonnière. Then head to Savennières which is home to its namesake renowned white wine. Lunch at Le Chenin where the chef’s cuisine celebrates local produce and its cellar illustrates the variety of the terroir and enjoy a quiet evening on the banks of the river Detour: Aubance Valley is home to the seven-story Château de Brissac The property also holds its own vineyard and produces fine rosé wines Tours-Montsoreau; 78 km (49 miles); 2 days Its castle was used as the setting for The Lady of Montsoreau by Alexandre Dumas there are some great views of the rushing Loire River below Detour: If you have an extra day, drive two hours to Nantes, the home city of the author Jules Verne. Les Machines de l’île acts as something of a homage to Verne’s fantastic Tours-Saint Florent le Vieil; 170km (105 miles); 3 days This road trip offers a deep connection with nature. It starts in Tours and then takes the D16 to Ussé, where the Loire passes before your very eyes. Stop in Ussé, whose otherworldly castle was the inspiration for Charles Perrault’s Sleeping Beauty the village at the confluence of the Vienne and the Loire the white stone houses of the former fishing port turn gold follow the curves of the Loire along the D952 as far as Bouchemaine Stretch your legs on the trail connecting Quai de Noé and the former bargees' village of La Pointe get back in your car and climb the hills between Rochefort-sur-Loire and Chalonnes-sur-Loire on the D751 Follow the brown road signs that indicate La Corniche Angevine there are panoramic vistas for far as your eyes can see take a short detour to drive the 14-kilometer-long island of Chalonnes one of the few Loire islands you can explore via cat Leave via the D210 and the René-Trottier bridge to see views of small villages stand out against the lush greenery and white sandbars bordering You’re heading to your last stop Saint-Florent-le-Vieil an oasis of narrow streets with vine-covered houses head to Mont-Glonne esplanade for one last breathtaking panorama from the abbey that stands proudly above the Loire Detour: Consider stopping in Bouchemaine to take a canoe trip down the Loire in Bouchemaine for a moment of disconnection on the river. You can hire one at the Nautical base, quai de la Noé From the Middle Ages to the Renaissance period and the nobility established their courts in the Loire Valley leaving thousands of monuments as their legacy but this drive takes you to the most exemplary examples First up, Château Royal de Blois This imposing castle is impossible to miss Each facade carries a different era: medieval Don’t miss the sound and light performance that lights each one at night from April to September On day two, head to Chambord An aura of delicateness emanates from its finely carved detail and dazzling whiteness Leonardo da Vinci's double spiral staircase will make your head spin Spend day three discovering Amboise. Alleys edged by half-timbered houses lead to the impressive castle The guards’ walkway offers the best viewpoint on the Loire you may find the secret gallery François I used to pay his visits to Leonardo da Vinci at the Clos Lucé This is where Joan of Arc met Charles VII during the Hundred Years' War The trip gives travelers the perfect chance to taste all the local specialties of the Loire Valley too rillauds (pork belly cooked in lard) near Angers There are plenty of opportunities to stop at castles like Chenonceau or Azay-le-Rideau while remaining on the main roads. Drive from Blois to Angers via the D952 Then avoid the motorway to Nantes and follow the D751 instead The beautiful countryside is punctuated by plenty of charming villages Detour: South of Chinon, check out Château de la Mothe Chandeniers. After losing its roof in a fire, the castle was neglected for years with vegetation allowed to grow inside. However, renovations since 2018 have brought it back to life.