Loire Valley

The last untamed river in Europe and one with many features. Sometimes calm, sometimes wild, the Loire has an unpredictable temperament that always surprises. Leafy islets and tropical flowers, shifting sandbanks and elusive beavers – these are just some of the things on offer!

Wild it may be, and yet the hand of humankind has also helped to bring out the best of these sumptuous, changing landscapes. The many châteaux dotted along the river are a reminder that the Loire has always attracted the great and the powerful, while picturesque villages alternate with towns rich in art and history.

From the area of Sancerre to Touraine, the Loire Valley rolls out its grandiose landscapes and guards its quiet beauty spots jealously. A walk through the Garden of France…

Listed among the "Loveliest Detours in France", Sancerre is known above all for its vineyards whose reputation for excellence is long established. Visit this town perched on a rocky hillside and give in to the charm of its little alleyways and its harmonious atmosphere.

Travel down the river to Orléans, delivered from the English by Joan of Arc in 1429. Lying on the boundary of the Ile de France (Paris) region, Orléans took its place in history very early on. Once the "Port" of Paris, the city on the Loire has preserved many remains bearing witness to its importance over the centuries.

Its Royal Château is a reminder of the importance of the town in Renaissance times. If you really want to soak in the delightful feel of the place, however, one should head off for a wander along the steep streets with their stairways tumbling down the hillside towards the river.

Illuminated in the evening, it rises high above the rooftops of Tours, the former capital of the kingdom: St-Gatien Cathedral is a masterpiece of Gothic art.

City of art and history, Tours certainly has no shortage of charm: the Place Plumereau, the Rue Colbert with its wood-framed houses and the St-Martin Basilica are just some of the reasons to head off for a stroll around this lively city.