Loire Valley Travel Guide

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Loire Valley

Le Chateau d' Amboise

Renowned for its fine wine, sumptuous châteaux and Renaissance intrigue, the valley of the Loire is rich in both history and architecture. Like the River Loire, this vast region runs through the heart of French life. Its sophisticated cities, luxuriant landscape and magnificent food and wine add up to a bourgeois paradise.

Historic towns and magnificent chateaux line the valley, which, until Henri IV moved his court to Paris, was for a long period the home of Royalty and the intellectual capital of France. The towns of Tours and Angers, both on the river, act as good bases from which to explore the area and its many delights. Although there are train and bus services to most towns they are limiting for tourists and it is best to hire your own transport to fully explore the region. Consider renting a bike; this is wonderful and easy cycling country.

Resorts

See our separate guides to the following Loire Valley holiday resorts: Tours, Angers, Orléans, Blois and Amboise

Attractions

Château d'Angers © Wikipediastar/Kauczuk

Château d'Angers

A kilometre-long wall, studded with 17 circular towers, surrounds this vast medieval fortress. Visitors can tour Château d'Angers, including the courtyard, prison, ramparts, windmill tower, 15th century chapel, and royal apartments. The overriding reason however for coming here is to see the 328ft (100m) Tapestry... see full details

Château de Chenonceau © Günther Eichler

Château de Chenonceau

Only a few miles outside Tours, on the River Cher, the Château de Chenonceau is probably the most celebrated of the many châteaux in the Loire valley. It was used as a mill in the Middle Ages and bridges the whole width of... see full details

Villandry

Five miles (8km) outside Tours is the tiny village of Villandry and its wonderful château. The château is best known for its gardens that are open between February and November. It is not your standard ornamental garden; between the vine-shaded paths and ornamental box... see full details

Excursions

Château de Chambord

Eleven miles (18km) east of Blois, the vast Château de Chambord is the largest château in the Loire Valley. It was commissioned by François I, who wanted to outshine the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V, and the result is a spectacular Renaissance masterpiece with... see full details

Events

French F1 Grand Prix

Competitive racing began in France as early as 1905 and has the claim to being the original Grand Prix. Magny-Cours has hosted the French Formula One Grand Prix since 1991. The track is equally praised and critised for its remote location and is... see full details

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