The promise of spending a few days surrounded by greenery with sportive activities and discoveries, just couldn't be refused! Several bloggers were invited to the first blogtrip of the Domaine de la Pépinère Loisirs Loire Valley. The programme: 3D archery, an invigorating barefoot walking trail and much more to be discovered!
It only took me 2 hours to arrive at the Onzain-Chaumont sur Loire train station from Paris. It's 1:00pm and the rain welcomes me with open arms. I meet-up with the other bloggers who arrive, invited to discover Loisirs Loire Valley for 2 days of open air activities. A Duster with the colours of the park comes to pick us up and the sanded paths and green stretches are enough to make me feel like I'm on my way to Jurassic Park.
Fifteen minutes later, we arrive at the estate. Surrounded by a vast forest, with only the sound of the rain to greets us, so without stalling, we head towards the entrance of the residence. In the room reserved for our welcoming, hot drinks and cakes were waiting for us, as well as the owner of the premises. Moonriver, a young and spirited Labrador comes to meet us. Surrounding us are large bay windows allowing us to contemplate the archery enclosure and a golf course.
After a short introduction, we were completely surprised when a pirate arrives under the rain! He was wearing the most elegant hat and all the paraphernalia of a true buccaneer. The only thing missing was a parrot on his shoulder! From his canvas bag, he distributes engraved boards, a wooden code-breaker and mysterious parchments. After an explanation on our first activity, we plucked up courage and braved the downpour in order to make the most of this authentic treasure hunt. After working out the puzzles, we headed off, dressed in green anoraks in search of treasure. I pictured us like a group of marching frogs. We had lots of fun trying to figure out the riddles, afterwards we returned to the estate.
Exhilerated by the first activity, I was patiently waiting the reflexolgy activity. Barefoot, we enjoyed a course and a moment of relaxation around a plantar self-massage. Then came the expected or dreaded moment of all. The Barefoot Trail! Barefoot, we ventured on a path of about 1km of sensations in the middle of the forest. We were quite surprised when we discovered the different materials on which we had to walk on!
Lava stones, cork bottle tops, humid sand... An invigorating healthy walk! We even had the chance to see some traces of deer. The soothing silence of nature accompanied us, as well as one of the cats of the estate. At a bend on the trail, we stopped in order to enter the zone "tree hugging". The goal being to reconnect with nature and the forest. At the end of our walk and after cleaning our feet, we discovered the adjoining guest rooms of the estate.
In addition to the 60 hectare estate, the guest rooms are available for a one night stay or longer. The "Coquelicot" and "Jardin au Carré" rooms are situated in middle of a large garden, close to owners residence, where two couples spend the night. Further on, three quite friendly sheep and chickens are among the scenery!
To go there:
Domaine de la Pépinère
41150 Chouzy on Cisse
Phone: 09 75 60 67 64
To learn more about the estate and its activities: https://www.loisirs-loirevalley.com/
