Loire Valley is located in the heart of France and offers the beautiful and large châteaux of France are located like pearls on a string. From Angers and Nantes, there are river boat trips, and the Atlantic coast offers lovely sandy beaches. In the valleys, Vendée, Loir and Indre, you can enjoy peaceful holidays in the countryside. The wine routes are located around Bourgueil, Chinon, Muscadet and Vouvray.
Some of the most charming cities are Amboise, Blois and Saumur, but the entire region has many and good offers for the culturally interested.
The elegant cities, the glorious landscape and the wonderful food and wine together form a perfect basis for a nice holiday in Loire Valley.

The landscape of Loire Valley 

The landscape of Loire Valley is characterised by the lush agricultural areas with fishing along the coast. By reason of the mild winter and temperate summers, the area is very green and a great part of France’s fruit, vegetable and wine is cultivated here. The coastal line of the Atlantic Ocean is wild and sandy and is therefore perfect for windsurfers and lovers of nature.

Large cities in Loire Valley: Tours and Nantes

Nantes is the capital of Pays de la Loire. The city offers many different sights with tall buildings towards the ports, canals and Art Nouveau squares. Elegant bars and restaurants are close together in the medieval core surrounded by St-Croix and the castle. From Nantes, you can go on sailboat trips on Rivers Erdre and Sèvre, where you pass by several minor châteuax, Muscadet vine fields and open landscape.

By reason of its central location, cultural life and nice cuisine, Tours is the natural tourist capital. Tours’ most atmospheric quarter is the pedestrian area of Place Plumereau, which is the medieval core of the city filled with cafes, boutiques and galleries.

Tourist attractions in Loire Valley

When you are on holiday in Loire Valley, visiting castles is evident. There are 120 castles in the Loire Valley, and the most admirable one is Loire’s largest residence, Château de Chambord, and the romantic summer castle, Château de Chenonceau, Château de Cheverny known from Tintin, Château d’Azay-le-Rideau with the marvellous fairy tale towers and Château de Villandry with its beautiful renaissance park.

Some of the best kept Troglodyte caves in France are in the Loire Valley. The caves which are carved into the mountainsides or dug into the ground have worked as cheap and safe residences for centuries. In the town La Fosse, there is an entire underground village which today works as a museum.

The historic towns, Amboise, Blois, Saumur and Beaugency, are interesting to visit and are located like pearls on a string along River Loire.

Sports activities in Loire Valley

Loire Valley is ideal for cycling, trekking for families or experienced trekkers and horseback riding via the many paths in Loire Valley. Furthermore, there are more than 30 golf courses which provide challenges for all.

Gastronomic characteristics of Loire Valley

Loire Valley is also called ”The Garden of France” as it offers everything you could wish for of fresh fruit and vegetables. The fresh, northern Atlantic climate provides refreshing red and rose wine, aromatic white wines and lovely fresh sparkling wines.
Around the city Saumur, champignon is cultivated, among others, in caves by the river banks and wild mushrooms are picked in the forest areas of Sologne. In River Loire, you can catch tasteful freshwater fish.

The climate of Loire Valley

The winters of Loire Valley are mild with an average temperature of about 5 degrees and the summers are temperate with average temperatures of 18 to 19 degrees. The region, though, is large, and the different parts may have their own micro climate.

Some of the photos are kindly lent out from Maison de la France. Photographers: Catherine Bibolet and Jean-François Tripelon.