There seems no doubt that some of the Protestant preaching was apocalyptic and inflammatory, and was used as justification for intensifying repression, some of which was 'outsourced' to Catholics from neighboring communities known as 'Cadets of the Cross.' Atrocities took place on both sides. The worst of the fighting occurred between 1702 and 1704, with sporadic skirmishes until 1710, and the end of real hostilities in 1715. This followed the death of Louis XIV and the arrival in the Cévennes of the French reformer, Antoine Court, who played a critical role in restructuring the Protestant population and faith.

For seven days this October, hikers with a penchant for themed hillwalking will be given the chance to re-live the main events, visit key locations and battlefields, and learn about the principal personalities in play during the course of the rebellion. 'Walking with the Camisards' is a limited-space, group walking tour that takes place during two weeks:  October 7 to 14, and October 14 to 21, 2007. It comprises moderately-challenging walking in the wild and rugged Cévennes hills of the Languedoc-Roussillon region, accommodation in comfortable hotels and an all-inclusive transport program with access via Nîmes airport or TGV railway station.

Organized by The Enlightened Traveller, a specialist UK tour operator, this is the first opportunity to experience this walking tour with like-minded international hikers, as hitherto it has been available solely as an independent walking tour. It really is a fabulous chance to enjoy some exhilarating walking, during the most auspicious month weather-wise in the Cévennes, and explore a fascinating theme and troubled period in French history.
                                                                                                                   © The Enlightened Traveller 2007

**For those interested in participating, please visit the on-line details at:

       http://www.enlightened-traveller.co.uk/pages/Package_Pages.aspx?pkId=9b799527-a604-4ec9-9b7c-e2f08cedece2&pgId=83

FRENCH WINE REPORT  ~  The Loire Valley
The Most Beautiful Wine Region in The World

                                                                                                                                                by Corina Clemence

For lovers of fine wine and all the finer things in life, one would be hard-pressed to find a better setting than the exquisite famous fertile valley of the Loire River ~ a region steeped in rich history from regal châteaux to its long viticulture tradition.

The Loire Valley wine area is located southwest of Paris, typically a little over a two-hour drive from the Paris périphérique and extending as far west as Nantes. It is a region blessed with a gentle climate and rich soil, allowing for the production of diverse appellations with vast degrees of character.

The Loire Valley is most famous for producing fine white wine such as Sauvignon Blanc, Muscadet, and Chenin Blanc which accounts for seventy-five percent of the wine produced in the region. In addition to these lovely white wines, you can enjoy the delightful, fruity and pleasant reds produced in the Loire Valley, such as Cabernet Franc and Gamay.

A fairytale wine-tasting adventure awaits the wine lover touring the Loire Valley, as wine-tasting can be enjoyed along with visits to many spectacular historic châteaux sprinkled throughout the region.  Château de Chambord, which is the largest Loire Valley chateau, and the architecturally breathtaking Château de Chenonceau, spanning the River Cher, are just two of many jaw-droppers for tourists to enjoy.

Fans of Leonardo da Vinci can visit his last home, Château du Clos Lucé, and admire his study, salons, kitchen, bedrooms, the chapel and see frescoes painted by his pupils. His drawings and paintings are set out in the park of the château with giant models of spectacular machines he invented with voice-overs of Leonardo da Vinci and his disciple, Melzi.

Château de Chaumont-sur-Loire lies on a promontory above the banks of the Loire River opposite the Touraine-Amboise vineyards where an international garden festival is held each year from April to October ~ France's equivalent of England's Chelsea Garden Fair. Last year the theme was  play, and many of the gardens on exhibit were highly interactive and a great success with both children and adults. This year the theme is going to be mobility.

Self-guided wine tours can be combined with hiking, bicycling, or hot-air ballooning through (and over) the scenic countryside. All wine lovers should make their next wine tasting holiday destination the Loire Valley because the excitement of their senses will stretch far beyond their palate. And, many of the historic châteaux hold laser and fireworks shows at night during the summer for added enjoyment.

For château enthusiasts, staying at a château can heighten the enjoyment of your vacation. Remember to bring lots of film or memory for your camera, as there really is not a prettier wine region in the world.

From our first 'wine tasting' at a country fair in the Pays de la Loire (our friends took us to the booth of their friend, a local wine producer, who gave us generous glasses of chilled Muscadet) to our most recent stay in Cheverny where we enjoyed a personal tour and tasting with the vigneron, Philippe Loquineau, of Domaine de la Plante d'Or (producing Cheverny wines), we have come to appreciate the wines of the Loire.

One must always remember that the wines of France are named for their location and not the grape.  Therefore, a little research before visiting any French wine region is important if you want to know exactly what grape is in the wine you order in a restaurant or purchase during your travels.

Three quarters of the wines produced in the Loire are white wines, with rosé wines primarily coming from the Anjou district, and reds from Saumur and Chinon.  The Touraine and Saumur regions also give us some fine sparkling wines. 

In the Upper (eastern) Loire one will find that the Sauvignon Blanc grape (also used in the great white wines of Bordeaux) is dominant.  This grape is the grape of Pouilly Fumé wine, a lovely, dry white wine.  Across the Loire in Sancerre is a wine of the same name ~ Sancerre ~ made from the Sauvignon grape.

In the center of the Loire Valley ~ this is the Touraine region named for the city of Tours ~ one will find wines made from the Chenin Blanc grape.  These are soft and fresh white wines such as Vouvray and Montlouis.  And, perhaps one of our favorites from the Touraine, the rich, red Chinon wine is found here as well, produced from the Cabernet Franc grape (also used in Bordeaux wines).  Lesser known, perhaps, is another red from this same grape:  Bourgueil, named for a small village north of the Loire which, incidentally, has a wonderful weekly market!  In the southern Touraine, vineyards produce wines from the Gamay and Sauvignon grapes.

West of the Touraine is the Anjou-Saumur wine region where you can discover the dry but slightly sweet Saumur wine made from the Chenin Blanc grape, and some fine sparkling wines made in the méthode champenoise.  However, rosé wines are this region's specialty made especially from a grape called Grolleau.  The Cabernet Franc grape is used to produce both Cabernet d'Anjou and a Rosé de Cabernet, both somewhat deeper in color than the wines made from the Grolleau grape.  You can find Anjou rosés ranging from crisp and dry to slightly sweet.  As you can see, not all rosés come from Provence!

Moving farther west in the Loire Valley in the Nantais region, you will find Muscadet wines ~ one of the few wines bearing the name of its grape.  This is a refreshingly light white wine and very pale in color.  We prefer the variety (and there are several) called Muscadet de Sèvre et Maine.

Now you have an overview of the many varieties of wines offered and grapes grown in the lovely Loire Valley. 

We hope that when you plan your next vacation in France and want to incorporate a wine region, you will not forget how much the Loire Valley has to offer. 

                                                                                                                     -  Editor 

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