Discover the Loire Valley Region
Exploring heritage and tourist sites
Kings and queens once walked these halls, leaving behind a legacy of over three hundred chateaux. Each stone structure tells a unique story of political power, artistic evolution, and royal ambition spanning centuries, while magnificent stone facades reflect the changing architectural styles of the era.
Renaissance masterpieces
Chambord dominates the forest with its massive double-helix staircase and intricate roofline, symbolizing absolute royal power.
Geometric gardens
Villandry captivates visitors with meticulous ornamental vegetable patches that change colors with the passing seasons.
Medieval fortresses
Chinon stands high above the Vienne River, offering panoramic rampart views and tales of Joan of Arc.
Living the Loire cultural legacy
Known as the Valley of Kings, Loire lands blend vineyards, orchards, and villages, where seasonal harvests inspire festivals celebrating land, wine, and rural savoir-faire. Estates lining the river reveal tastes shaped by climate, soil, history, tradition.
Master artisans preserve stonework, tapestry, and woodcraft, while contemporary creators reinterpret heritage skills through workshops, exhibitions, and living demonstrations for visitors.
Life follows the Loire’s cadence, with morning markets animating squares, seasonal fairs filling towns, and château gardens hosting music, dance, and storytelling rooted in regional memory, community, ritual, and shared celebration throughout the year cycles together.
Traditional riverboats symbolize identity, craftsmanship, and exchange. Rebuilt gabarres glide calmly today, recalling centuries when waterways connected people, goods, ideas, cultures, trade, power, influence, memory, heritage, pride.
Masterful vineyards
Chenin Blanc thrives on sun-kissed tufeau hills, yielding vibrant wines.
Culinary treasures
Tender asparagus and fragrant saffron elevate the region’s signature dishes.
Handcrafted wonders
Skilled potters and glass artisans reveal their passion in local studios.
Hidden cellars
Subterranean tunnels provide naturally cool spaces perfect for aging vintages.
Selecting accomodation and stays
Transport and travel
Reaching the valley is seamless via high-speed trains from Paris, landing directly in major cities like Tours or Angers. Once there, regional trains connect smaller towns, though renting a car allows for greater freedom to reach secluded estates. A network of dedicated shuttles also operates during peak seasons.
Engaging in outdoor activities
Cycling routes
The “Loire à Vélo” trail spans hundreds of kilometers of secure paths.
River navigation
Canoeing allows a silent approach to observing wild birds and sandbanks.
Aerial views
Hot air balloons drift gently over the chateaux at sunrise.
Attending festivals and events
As night falls, many monuments transform into canvases for light shows. These “Son et Lumière” spectacles narrate historical events through projection mapping and music, captivating audiences throughout the summer months and bringing ancient stones to life.
The International Garden Festival at Chaumont-sur-Loire showcases avant-garde landscape design annually. Classical music concerts frequently resonate within abbey walls, while jazz festivals animate the riverbanks during warm evenings, drawing crowds of music lovers.