Western France: Loire Valley

Region at a glance

Major city: Orleans, Tours

One hour from Paris by TGV train

Lush Loire river valley

Historical castles of the French royalty

Perfect landscape for biking, barging or ballooning

The Loire Valley is rich with meandering streams, majestic oaks, quiet roads, and lush green countryside. Its royal châteaux and pastoral villages grace its overwhelming natural beauty.

Easy access from Paris, breathtaking architectural masterpieces, tiny discoveries hidden in the gentle folds of the landscape, accommodations from delightful to sumptuous, the excitement of great food and wine, sports and leisure activities make this an ideal spot for an unforgettable holiday. Visitors can delight in the hotels and inns on picturesque cobblestone streets and take day tours to the many points of interest just minutes from every major Loire Valley town.

The patchwork fields, cool forests and lazy rivers of the Loire Valley invite the active vacationers to walk, cycle, windsurf, sail and canoe in the gentle countryside. Tennis players and golfers will find first rate facilities throughout the region. Visitors can drift leisurely over the châteaux and countryside in a hot air balloon or enjoy the spectacular sights from while floating along on a houseboat or barge.

Fairs, festivals, pageants and concerts fill the Loire calendar from spring to autumn. Sound and light productions at Amboise, Chenonceau, Blois, Valençay and Azay-le-Rideau bring royal chateau history and tradition to life.

Places of interest

Amboise

Chateau overlooking the river, Clos Lucé and Leonardo da Vinci Museum with scale models of his inventions

Azay-le-Rideau

Renaissance chateau

Blois

Chateau with architecture from Middle Ages to Neo-Classical periods, City Hall, St. Louis Cathedral, Anne of Brittany Pavilion

Chambord

Renaissance chateau and its park and terraces, grandiose creation of François I

Chartres

Cathedral with famous stained glass windows

Chenonceau

Chateau with great gallery and bridge

Cheverny

Delightful privately owned chateau

Chinon

Old town, Pavillon de l'Horloge, Joan of Arc Museum, Church of St. Maurice

Langeais

Chateau and tapestry collection

Loches

Old town, chateau and it fortifications

Orléans

Holy Cross Cathedral, House of Joan of Arc

Tours

Renaissance and Neo-Classical mansions, Cathedral of St. Gatien, museums of archeology, modern art

Vendôme

Tour St. Martin, La Trinité

Villandry

Famous renaissance gardens

Vouvray

Wine cellars

Technical tourism and sports

Arts and crafts, wicker, china, stained glass, tin soldiers, wine cellars and vineyards, food processing industries (Poulain Chocolate).

The numerous wine areas include Sancerre, Reuilly, Vouvray, Touraine, Bourgueil and Montlouis. Most wine cellars can accommodate groups of up to 40 persons with two-week advance notice.

Ballooning, cycling, golf, horseback riding, water sports.

Cuisine

Freshwater fish such as salmon, perch and trout are regional favorites. Mushrooms from the local caves and wild duck, pheasant, hare, boar, deer and quail are also classics. Goat cheeses or chèvre such as the Crottin de Chavignol, Valençay, Pouligny-Saint Pierre, Sainte-Maure and Selles-sur-Cher are a particular specialty of the region. The famous French upside-down apple pie known as the "tarte tatin" also comes from the Loire Valley.

Loire Valley wines are earthy, flinty Sancerre, both the outstanding white and the lesser-known red; the light red Chinon; and the lightly sparkling Vouvray are all good choices. Most Loire wines, even the reds, should be served chilled.