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The Loire Valley boasts fairytale-like scenes, complete with stunning castles (or chateaus) and an enchanting countryside.
It is often referred to as the “Garden of France” due to its abundance of vineyards, fruit orchards, artichoke and asparagus fields. Separating these is the majestic Loire River, which draws together the different French regions.
Between the valley and river, there are endless things to see and do. To ensure you get the most out of your visit, here is everything you need to know about Loire Valley.
The beautiful Loire Valley is not only famous for its wines but also for its rich history and cultural heritage too. The French river valley was once home to the Celts and later the Romans. It even saw the birth and spread of Christianity in the region.
The formation of the Loire Valley we know today began as early as 52BC, following the conquest by Julius Caesar. However, Emperor Augustus later brought peace and stability to the region.
This stability saw the development of many historic towns, such as Amboise, Angers, Blois, Chinon, Montsoreau, Orleans, Saumur, and Tours. Their influence is still evident in these now fine cities.
However, the Romans’ most significant influence was introducing the region’s first vineyards. This sparked Loire Valley’s journey towards becoming one of the world’s most well-known areas of wine production.
The Loire Valley is divided into three sections: Upper Loire, Middle Loire, and Lower Loire. These encompass extensive parts of two central and western French regions, namely the UNESCO-listed Centre-Val de Loire and Pays de la Loire.
Following the course of the Loire river, the Loire Valley spans 280 kilometres (170 miles) from the inland hills of Auvergne to the plains on the French Atlantic coast near Nantes.
The Loire Valley is renowned for its abundant produce, famed wine industry, spirited culture, and stunning châteaux.
Following are some of the best things to see and do in the valley.
Sitting comfortably on the left bank of the Loire River is the Château de Chambord. This is one of France’s most emblematic Renaissance monuments and is a truly breathtaking sight to behold. In fact, this royal castle is so stunning that it inspired the building of the Château de Versailles.
The Château de Chambord also boasts a rich history that dates to the early 16th century. Today, it is one of the region’s most popular attractions as it sits just two hours outside Paris.
The Loire Valley contains several distinctive wine regions and appellations, each with its own characteristic grapes and style of wines. Throughout the valley are some of the best wineries in France.
These wineries are always open to guests to share their wines and winemaking history. Listed below are some of the best wineries in the Loire Valley.
With strong influences from the famous women who have lived here, the Chateau de Chenonceau boasts an air of both delicacy and grandeur. Today, the château continues to dazzle visitors with its beautiful, well-preserved interior and exquisitely landscaped gardens.
Highlights here include the Corps de Logis, which is a two-story gallery that sits above the Cher River. There’s also the Jardin de Diane de Poitiers and the Jardin de Catherine de Médicis.
There are also some newer additions, like the contemporary Jardin Russell Page garden and L’Orangerie restaurant. Here, experience some of the best gastronomic cuisines prepared from local seasonal ingredients.
One of the top attractions in the historic town of Amboise is the Château de Clos Lucé. This is where the famous Renaissance artist, Leonardo da Vinci, spent his last three years.
Throughout the year, this Loire Valley chateaux features permanent exhibitions showcasing some of the artist’s works. The chateau also details his life story and impressive accomplishments. For those hoping to learn more about Leonardo de Vinci, a stop here is a must.
In addition to the impressive displays, the Château de Clos Lucé is also home to Leonardo’s Garden. This is an open-air museum that showcases da Vinci’s scientific research on topics of botany and geology.
In France, every region has its own type of cuisine. This includes Centre Loire Valley, with a cuisine that is both traditional and inventive.
Centre has plenty of regional specialities. This includes Rillettes de Tours, poached eggs au Chinon, chicken en barbouille, Chinon peaches, and dried pears, among many others.
The region also has its own regional cheeses, like Olivet cendré, Pithiviers au foin, and Sancerre. But most notably, goat’s cheese comes in five different variations: crottins de Chavignol, Touraine, Selles-sur-Cher, Valençay, and Pouligny-Saint-Pierre.
To sample the incredible flavours of Centre, head to some of Loire Valley’s top restaurants and food spots:
Centre is home to many more magnificent chateau’s, vineyards, and towns. Listed below are several more attractions and things to do in Loire Valley, France.
The Loire Valley and Loire River make up one of the most beautiful places to visit in all of France. With its Renaissance chateaux, picturesque vineyards, and architecturally stunning old towns, this destination is well worth the visit.
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