Loire Valley
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Departments in Loire Valley
The Royal Gardens of France
The Loire Valley lies to the south west of Paris and makes up the 'Centre' region of France. The Loire, France's longest river (1,020 km) runs from the Massif Central to the Atlantic coast, and provides what many regard as a north-south climatic divide. The region was once France's royal and intellectual capital, and is rich in both history and architecture.
Picturesque villages alternate with towns rich in art and history, while Romanesque and Gothic styles dominate in the façades and decoration of the religious monuments. The Loire is lined with magnificent Châteaux which combine with the luxuriant landscape and fine food and wines.
The medieval court never stayed in the same place for long, this led to the building of superb Châteaux and religious sites all along the Loire River. The Loire Valley has seven sites listed on Unesco World Heritage: Saint-Etienne Cathedral, Chartres cathedral and the Loire Valley between Sully-sur-Loire and Chalonnes.
The Royal Residence of Chambord is a Château that defies superlatives. It symbolizes the success of Renaissance architecture and the political power of King François I. With its keep, corner towers, double-helix staircase, some 440 rooms and 356 fireplaces, it remains an absolute masterpiece. Other famous Châteaux include Chenonceaux and Villandry, both known for their splendid gardens, and Azay-le-Rideau, recognized by its fairytale turrets.
Historically, the Centre region is made up of the three provinces of 'l'Orléanais', Berry and Touraine which in turn compose six departments. Tours and Orleans have become the Loire visitor's capitals because of their central location, their culture and their superb cuisine.
Amboise and Blois are other attractive towns and popular stops. The small town of Beaugency is well worth a detour. If you go to Amboise, you can visit the tomb of Leonardo Da Vinci who spent his last days here and is buried in a chapel in the grounds of the Clos Lucé manor (Amboise).
The Loire Valley has a temperate climate with short but sometimes cold winters and long summers. It is primarily an agricultural region, with rolling farmlands of grain mixed with woods, lakes and river valleys such as the Loir (not to be confused with the Loire!), the Indre, the Creuse and the Cher.
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3 Beds
4 Baths
