For a country outing on the banks of the Loire, by bike, on foot or on horseback, bring a 100% local craft picnic along with you. Made up of regional specialties prepared for you by an artisan, it will also feature some fabulous sweet treats!
Montjean-sur-Loire, Au Fournil du Val de Loire bakery
Magalie and Pascal Renou, 26 avenue Jeanne d’Arc, 49570 Montjean-sur-Loire, +33 (0)2 41 39 03 87
Prix fixe menu for €10
Local products: smoked Loire mullet from L’Anguille Argentée, mustard from Le Prince de Safran, home-made terrines and rillettes from the Branchereau winery in La Pommeraye, fresh cream from Gaec Fortemaison in La Pommeraye and flour from Moulin Evelia in Andrezé
Store hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday, 6:45 am to 1:30 pm / 3 pm to 8 pm; Saturday, 6:45 am to 7:45 pm; Sunday, 6:45 am to 6 pm; closed Wednesday
Order your lunch basket by 6 pm the day before.
Saint-Florent-le-Vieil, Méchinaud bakery and pastry shop
Laurent and Patricia Méchinaud, 8 place de la Févrière, 49410 Saint-Florent-le-Vieil, +33 (0)2 41 72 55 29
Prix fixe menu for €9
Local products: rillauds from St-Florent-le-Vieil, goat cheese from EARL Chevretheil in La Boutouchère, St-Florent-le-Vieil, and strawberries from St-Julien-de-ConcellesStore hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday, 6 am to 1:30 pm / 3 pm to 8 pm; Saturday, 6 am to 8 pm; Sunday, 6 am to 6 pm; closed Wednesday
These three bakeries are members of the LEBONPICNIC network of bakeries, restaurants and culinary artisans, who concoct regional picnics, specially created with products made locally.
Along the Loire, there are plenty of great places to buy your regional picnic baskets.
Other locations also offer delicious regional picnics.
La Chapelle-Saint-Florent, Le Restaurant du Moulin de l’Epinay
Rue de l’Evre, 49410 La Chapelle-Saint-Florent, +33 (0)2 41 72 70 70
Prix fixe menu for €11:
Poached mullet with mixed vegetables (appetizer), saddle of rabbit with quinoa tabbouleh and a roll (main course), and a salad of diced seasonal fruit and an orange madeleine cookie (dessert); menu may vary by season You must order your picnic basket the day before. It will be ready for pick-up starting at 10 am.