Loire Valley

Loire Valley (French: Vallée de la Loire) is known as the Garden of France and the Cradle of the French Language. It is also noteworthy for the quality of its architectural heritage, in its historic towns such as Amboise, Angers, Blois, Chinon, Orléans, Saumur, and Tours, but in particular for its world-famous castles, such as the Châteaux Amboise, Château de Villandry and Chenonceau. The landscape of the Loire Valley, and more particularly its many cultural monuments, illustrate to an exceptional degree the ideals of the Renaissance and the Age of the Enlightenment on western European thought and design. The Loire Valley is an outstanding cultural landscape of great beauty, containing historic towns and villages, great architectural monuments, its many châteaux, and fine wines.

On December 2, 2000, UNESCO named the central part of the Loire River valley, between Maine and Sully-sur-Loire, to its prestigious list of World Heritage Sites.

Often called the "Garden of France". the Loire Valley is an enchanted land of vineyards, flowers and rolling green hills dotted with more than a thousand chateaux. It is perhaps the charm of its gentle pace life that has, for centuries, made it a sought-after location for poets and writers. It is a step back through the history of some of France's finest works of art.

The Valley of the Kings route A new "route" No. Just a famous old one that has been plied for centuries along the longest river in France. Discover a valley that was once the favourite neighbourhood of French Kings. As Capetians they established their dynasty at Orleans before choosing Paris as their capital ; No journey in the world offers a such a variety of exceptional sites like the Valley of the Kings : here History combined with spiritual and cultural ways of life have have mingled to produce the great " chateaux, manor houses, churches and abbeys. "The Loire is a queen loved by Kings". You only have follow it downstream to travel through time, feast youe eyes on wonders, and soak up that civilised life-style which was once the economic and cultural engine of this area, a region blessed by gods.

Chartres

The world-famous Cathedral of Chartres which Rodin called the Acropolis of France, is a remarkable testament to medieval architecture. Must sees include the sculpture, the 12' and 13' century stained glass and the amazing collection of ancient musical instruments. The Old Town of medieval cobbled streets, gabled houses and charming footbridges lies at the foot of the cathedral. Places of interest to visit nearby: the castles of Anet and Maintenon.

Orleans

Once France's second largest city and now the vinegar capital of France, Orleans was liberated from the British by Joan of Arc in 1429. Each year in May a celebration commemorating her exploits is held; the house in which she stayed during the ten-day siege of Orleans can be visited. The city also features the Hotel Groslot, a brick and stone Renaissance mansion which served as the Town Hall, and the Gothic Cathedral of St-Croix. Places of interest to visit in the surrounding area: the castles of Chamerolles and Sully-sur-Loire.

Bourges

Located at the geographical heart of France, Bourges is a rich historical town of paved stone streets, medieval and Renaissance architecture, ancient ramparts and the remarkable Gothic Cathedral of St-Etienne which dominates the hilltop. Places of interest to visit in the surrounding area: the château o' Meillant, George Sand's House in Nohant, and Noirlac Abbey. And of course, Sancerre and its famous white wines.In the summer be sure to stay in Bourges for the Iluminated Nights. certain monuments and buildings in the town are brought to life with music and light.

Blois

Its famous castle has been linked throughout the centuries to the history of the Kings of France. Every Wednesday at the castel, there is night spectacle for english speaking visitors. Places of interest to visit in the surrounding area: the châteaux of Beauregard and Chaumont-sur Loire, which holds a famous International Festival of Parks and Gardens from mid-June through mid-October.

Chambord

The largest of all the Loire Valley castles, this magnificent Renaissance edifice, built by François I, is surrounded by an immense park and hunting preserve which can be visited by horsedrawn carriage. Not far from it, the beautifully furnished Château of Cheverny can be admired from the ground or from the air in one of the captive balloons available on site.

Tours

At the junction of the Loire and Cher Rivers, Tours is a busy university town and the traditional point of departure for exploring the Loire Valley. During the Middle Ages, it was one of the great pilgrimage sites of Europe. Today, the city boasts wonderful Renaissance and neo-classical mansions, which are clustered around the famous Plumereau square, fine museums including a collection of craftsmen's masterpieces and the Cathedral of St-Gatien. Famous wine region, especially Vouvray, Chinon, Bourgueil... The most interesting sites in the Surrounding area are the châteaux of Azay-IeRideau, which reflects on the river, Villandry, surrounded by Renaissance gardens, Ussé, said to be the original Sleeping Beauty's castle, Langeais and Loches, as well as the splendid medieval city of Chinon.

Amboise/Chenonceaux

Huddled under the shadow of its impressive royal castle, Amboise is a pretty town with white stone houses dating from the 15th century. Also of interest is the Cbs Lucé, the former residence of Leonardo da Vinci. A few miles away, the Château of Chenonceau, also called the Ladies Castle, has a famous viewing gallery, built by one of France's great Queens, from which to admire an impressive view of the Cher River.

The region called the "garden of France" lives up to its name, with an abundance of farm-fresh products: poultry, game and fish, vegetables and fresh fruit including berries, pears and apples, and of course the famous "Tarte Tatin". Hunting season puts regional game on the tables: deer, boar, duck, pheasant and quail. Early crops find their way to the best restaurants in Paris. Cheese

Chateaux are not the only thing that the Loire Valley takes very seriously. The gastronomy of this region is also very important for maintaining its own uniqueness. The Loire Valley boasts a number of mouth watering cheeses, 5 of which are certified local products. Here are some of the Loire Valley's cheeses that must be sampled:

Sainte Maure du Touraine, from the Tourraine region, is a soft cheese made of goat's milk and has a very distinct and flavorful taste. Unlike most goat cheeses which are soft and spreadable, Saint Maure is crumbly, hard and tangy due to the fact that it is aged. This cheese is characterized by its log shape and its moldy ash coating.

Pouligny St. Pierre is a cone shaped goat cheese that has a sour yet nutty flavor. This cheese is perfect for spreading.

Crottin de Chavignol is perhaps the region's most popular goat cheese. This goat cheese is shaped like a small cylinder and comes from the small town of Chevignol. Whether you spread it on a roll or bake it as a topping for your salad, this goat cheese still has a lovely nutty and mild taste.

Wine and spirits

A region bordered by many vineyards results in delightful and extremely varied wines: the fruity reds of Chinon, Bourgueil, Touraine, Valencay, the dry white Cheverny,the flinty Sancerre, the sparkling Vouvray...

Special offering

Rich and varied charcuterie, including terrines, potted minced pork from Tours, local Poulet en barbouille and Carpe au vin rouge; white asparagus and tasty mushrooms. Dozen of varieties of the famous Chevre cheese. Sweets include gateau pithiviers (almond cream in a buttered puff pastry) and the renowned tarte tatin, a caramelized apple tart cooked upside down.