THE LOIRE VALLEY (Val de Loire) offers such a variety of exceptional sites that it rightly deserves to be called the Valley of the Kings. Here History combines with spiritual and cultural ways of life which is seen in the great Châteaux, manor houses, churches and abbeys.


The Loire Valley is known as the Garden of France and the Cradle of the French Language.

LOIRE VALLEY

Our ‘French Moments’ pages on the Loire Valley:

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Sainte-Maure de Touraine - a goat cheese from the Loire Valley.

Chambord - the largest Renaissance chateau of the Loire Valley.

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Chateau of Villandry © Craig Rettig

Tarte Tatin - a caramelised apple tart from the Sologne region.

Chambord © O’Dea, French Moments

Chateau of Chaumont © O’Dea, French Moments

The most famous chateaux of the Loire Valley are those of Chambord, Chenonceau, Amboise, Blois, Chaumont Villandry, Azay-le-Rideau, Ussé, Langeais, Chinon, Saumur, and Angers.

The cathedrals of Tours and Orléans are among the finest in France.


The Loire Valley is also reputed for its great wines, a great range from the Anjou, Touraine and Sancerrois wines.

Amboise - a little town known for its beautiful chateau in the Loire Valley.

Chaumont-sur-Loire - One of the first castles to embrace Renaissance style.

Blois Castle - a royal palace for the Kings and Queens of France.