Val de Loire

With over one hundred of France’s finest châteaux, this is a region to inspire the imagination. The Loire valley is a charming region of lush countryside, fields of sunflowers, rolling vineyards and of course the great river itself.

Majestic châteaux, steeped in history and overflowing with treasures, vividly illustrate the long and colourful past of the Loire. These splendid buildings, frequented by France’s nobility for centuries, are set beside the mighty River Loire and provided the inspiration for the fairytale castles in Sleeping Beauty and Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. Known as the Garden of France, the region is fertile, characterised by soft green valleys and lush vineyards producing Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Franc among other varietals.

But there’s much more to the Loire than castles and wine – Romanesque churches, Gothic abbeys and troglodyte caves are among the region’s other attractions. The exploring can be tempered by leisurely breaks in local cafés, where an hour over coffee or a light lunch can fly by; indeed, a visit here is incomplete without a taste of Fromage de Chèvre Fermier, the exquisite, locally produced goats cheese, or a refreshing glass of Sancerre.

The undemanding landscape and array of sights and sounds make the Loire a fabulous place to walk or cycle through. Its many attractions mean visitors can take each day at their own pace with plenty of time to soak up the surroundings.

For centuries the Loire Valley was frequented by French royalty and the great river winds its way past some of the country’s most magnificent châteaux: Amboise, Azay-le-Rideau, Chenonceau, with its famous arches that span the river and appear to ‘float’ on the water, and the fairytale Ussé with myriad magical turrets are just some of the highlights. Known as the Garden of France, the Loire’s mild climate and fertile landscape of soft green valleys and fields of flowers makes it a favourite with visitors.

Loire is renowned for its wines - there are hundreds to choose from and all are produced from vineyards stretching along the main course of the river. Tastings can be arranged at the wineries, or the local produce simply enjoyed with a regional dish in the lazy evening sunshine. Take a break from the ostentation of the châteaux by visiting the Loire's troglodyte caves, tiny Romanesque churches and picturesque villages, or by taking a trip to Blois and Tours, elegant cities with fine architecture and museums. Paris itself is only one hour by TGV.

Places of interest

Amboise: Château; Leonardo da Vinci museum.

Beauregard: Château with Delft tiled floors.

Blois: Château with architecture from Middle Ages to Neo-Classical periods.

Chambord: Renaissance château.

Chartres: Cathedral with stained glass windows.

Chinon: Old town; Joan of Arc museum

Loches: Old town; château and its fortifications.

Orléans: Holy Cross cathedral; house of Joan of Arc.

Tours: Renaissance and Neo-Classical mansions; cathedral of St Gatien.

Vendôme: Tour St Martin; La Trinité.

Villandry: Famous Renaissance gardens

Cuisine of the region

Wild duck, pheasant, hare, deer, and quail are classics, and fresh water fish such as salmon, perch and trout are favourites. Specialities include rillettes, andouillettes, tripe, mushrooms, and regional cheeses such as Pouligny St. Pierre and Ste. Maure de Touraine, and Petit Sable and Ardoises d’Angers cookies.

Pommes Bonne Femme: Baked apples stuffed with jam.

Tarte à la citrouille: Pumpkin tart.

Tarte Tatin: Upside-down tart of caramelised apples and pastry.