Holiday in Loire Valley

About Loire Valley

The Loire Valley, often referred to as the "Garden of France," stretches over 280 kilometers along the longest river in the country and has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2000. Nowhere else in the world are so many Renaissance châteaux concentrated in such a small area — over 300 Châteaux testify to the time when French kings and nobles competed in building. The Chateau de Chambord, with its 440 rooms and the legendary double helix staircase attributed to Leonardo da Vinci, is the largest and most spectacular of the Loire châteaux. Chenonceau, elegantly built over the Cher River, is considered the most romantic. Amboise was the residence of French kings, and the nearby Clos Lucé was Leonardo da Vinci's last residence, where he died in 1519. Villandry impresses with the most beautiful Renaissance gardens in France. The Loire Valley is also a top wine region: Sancerre, Vouvray, Chinon, and Muscadet are among the most famous appellations. The Loire cycling paths (“Loire à Vélo”) extend over 900 kilometers and lead through vineyards, past château parks, and through charming villages with tuff stone architecture. The troglodyte caves of Saumur house mushroom farms and wine cellars carved into the soft limestone. The best time to visit is from May to October, with the garden festivals in Chaumont during the summer being a special highlight.