Fifteen minutes drive to the east of Saumur, the Royal Abbey of Fontevraud was founded in 1101 by Robert d'Arbrissel in the centre of the Loire Valley - the abbey's protectors were the Counts of Anjou, followed by their descendants, the Plantagenet kings of England. The Abbey church houses the tombs of several Plantagenet kings and princes of England, Anjou and Normandy - King Henry II, Eleanor of Aquitaine, their son Richard the Lionheart and Isabelle of Angouleme. Unesco has designated the Abbey as a world heritage site. Hotel Abbaye Royale, located in peace and quiet in the heart of the ancient abbey  of Saint-Lazare, established for the sisters of Saint-Lazare who cared for lepers, offers 52 rooms overlooking the monastic orchards or the abbey, a restaurant in the cloisters offering regional cuisine (Anthony Vaillant chef, formerly head chef at the famous "Abbaye des Vaux de Cernay " at Versailles), a bar and a terrace in summer.

Accommodations: Fifty two guest bedrooms, each with private en-suite bathroom. Room facilities: direct dial phone, television, non-smoking rooms, elevator, safety deposit box, heating, newspapers. All children under 12 years stay free of charge when using existing bedding. All older children or adults are charged - maximum 1 extra bed or babycot per room to be confirmed by hotel at the time of booking. General hotel facilities: restaurant, bar, garden, terrace, chapel shrine.

Other Details: Hospital staff speak good English. As well as the continental breakfast which is included in the basic tariff, the very excellent hotel restaurant offers lunch and dinner. Activities locally: Golf Course (3 km), library, biking (hire in-house), canoeing, walking, horse riding. Internet: wireless internet is available in public areas and is free of charge. Free car-parking on site. All public and private spaces non-smoking. Pets are not allowed. Open all year.

Tariffs in pounds sterling per ROOM per night including breakfast and tax ($US approx):see regional list

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