Loire Valley: All destinations, advice & information for your holidays!
In the Loire Valley along the banks of the Loire, historic cities line up like pearls: Orléans, Tours, Angers, Blois, and Amboise. However, the Loire Valley is primarily the land of castles. Here you will find the Castle of Angers with the Tapestry of the Apocalypse as well as the Château de Chambord.
Table of contents
Loire Valley - The most beautiful cities
Tours
As a bishop's seat and the site of several councils, Tours is ecclesiastically influenced. The Gothic Saint-Gatien Cathedral and the Basilica of Saint-Martin, built in the 19th century in Byzantine style, are among the most significant sights. On Place Plumereau in the historic old town, there are several quaint half-timbered houses from the 15th and 16th centuries. South of the city center lies Parc Honoré de Balzac on a river island in the middle of the Cher. It is named after the famous writer and son of the city. Further south, the recreational area around Lac de la Bergeonnerie awaits you, offering beautiful shoreline paths and water sports opportunities.
Nantes
Visit the fortress of Nantes and follow in the footsteps of the past. The imposing defense towers are impressive. Stroll along the moats into the romantic alleys of the historic Bouffay center. The Gothic Saint-Pierre Cathedral is also a gem. The interior is an impressive 102 meters long. Magnificent buildings can be seen on the Ile Feydeau, which is no longer an island. Some houses seem to tilt forward, so the buildings are fixed with stakes. In summer, locals and guests gather on the lawn. In Rue Kervégan stands the birthplace of Jules Verne.
Orleans
Orléans is located on the Loire and is only an hour away from Paris. In the picturesque city, history is particularly emphasized. And for good reason, as Orléans is closely associated with the name of Joan of Arc, who liberated the city from the English siege during the Hundred Years' War. She is commemorated annually with a special parade, and on the Place du Martroi stands a statue of Saint Joan on horseback. Orléans is also a city of arts and recreation: visit the Musée des Beaux-Arts and stroll along the walking paths on the banks of the Loire.
Saumur
The medieval castle complex of Saumur shapes the cityscape. Equally worth seeing is the Romanesque church of Notre-Dame-de-Nantilly. The medieval town center is surrounded by an imposing city wall. The Cadre Noir, once the elite group of the cavalry and now a renowned riding academy, has made a name for itself far beyond the city limits. Outside of Saumur, a visit to the cave village of Les Perrières and the dolmens of Bagneux is worthwhile. The nearby Fontevraud Abbey, known as a monastic city and considered the largest monastic complex in Europe, is also worth a visit. On a site of 14 hectares, you will find numerous medieval buildings as well as the monastery garden.
Angers
Angers was once the main seat of the province of Anjou, which flourished in the Middle Ages. From this time also comes the world-famous castle of Angers, which differs in its construction from all other French castles. From the outside, the fortified castle appears stark, but behind the walls lie unexpected treasures. Inside the castle, you can admire the 103-meter-long Tapestry of the Apocalypse, which depicts scenes from the Revelation of John. In the Musée Jean Lurçat, the theme of tapestries receives a modern touch. Also worth a visit is the recreational area Lac de Maine southeast of Angers.
Chinon
High above the city of Chinon, the imposing Château de Chinon towers with its pointed turrets and thick walls. At the castle, Joan of Arc succeeded in convincing the king to come to the aid of the besieged Orléans. The old town with houses from the 15th and 16th centuries is also worth seeing. Chinon is closely linked to French literature: 13 km north of the city lies the Château d'Ussé, which inspired Charles Perrault for his Sleeping Beauty. Among the most notable sons of the city is François Rabelais, author of the humorous novel cycle "Gargantua and Pantagruel."
Blois
The cityscape of Blois is dominated by the castle, which rises on a promontory on the right bank of the Loire. The last changes to the building were made in the 17th century by the famous French architect François Mansart. An architectural feature of the castle is the open spiral staircase. On your way to the old town, you pass by the Maison Robert Houdin. The museum is dedicated to the magician Robert Houdin. The Denis Papin staircase, named after the French inventor, also appears magical. Several times a year, the 120 steps transform into a stone canvas for projections.
Amboise
The Amboise Castle is one of the most famous grand buildings in the Loire Valley. It sits on a rocky plateau above the river. Numerous turrets give it a romantic appearance. An underground passage connects the castle with Clos Lucé, where the famous artist Leonardo da Vinci once lived. During a walk through the historic center of Amboise, you will see picturesque half-timbered buildings. Also worth seeing is the exhibition on the city's history in the Musée de l'Hotel de Ville. In the Mini Chateaux amusement park, located in the south of the city, 44 models of the Loire castles can be seen.
Loire Valley - 5 most beautiful natural sights
Farmhouse island
Despite its name, Ile de la Métairie is not an island, but a natural landscape covering an area of 70 hectares. It used to be pastureland. From Ile de la Métairie, you have a beautiful view over the Loire. On its banks stands the so-called Lantern of Rochecorbon, the remains of a castle built in the 11th century. Enjoy the beauty of Ile de la Métairie with its expansive meadows and quiet retreats. There is a playground for children as well as a nature trail that provides insight into the history of the place.
Brière Nature Park
The Regional Park Brière in the French region of Pays de la Loire covers an area of more than 490 square kilometers and is one of the largest wetlands in Europe. The grounds are home to 300 different bird species, including cranes, herons, ducks, and swans – a paradise for bird watching. During a boat trip in the so-called "Blins," a flat-bottomed boat, you immerse yourself in the fascinating wildlife and idyllic landscape on the canals and ponds. You glide silently past water lilies and irises. Excursions to the towns and villages showcase the traditional, thatched-roof houses, known as "Chaumières."
The Hillsides of Pont-Barré, Anjou
The nature reserve Coteaux du Pont-Barré is located above the Layon Valley with its famous vineyards. Noble grapes have been cultivated here since the 1st century. They thrive so well due to the warm, dry climate. This is also the reason why 420 different species of flowering plants, including orchids, grow here. During a walk through the nature reserve, you will likely encounter some butterflies: 87 species are native here. You can get an overview of the nature reserve on the 4.6 km long reserve trail. It leads into the vineyards to the viewpoint Panorama sur la réserve. Information boards provide details about sights along the route.
Poitevin Marsh
Northeast of La Rochelle, the Marais Poitevin is both a natural idyll and a cultural landscape. In the Middle Ages, the swamp area was cultivated by Benedictine monks, who divided it into a dry and a wet landscape by building dikes, locks, and canals. Hundreds of kilometers of bike paths, including La Vélo Francette, open up the region. You can cycle along the little river Sèvre Niortaise in the Marais Poitevin or alternatively take the hiking trails of the swamp area and watch rare Maraîchine cows grazing far from any hustle and bustle. It is even more enchanting to take a canoe tour on the canals of the Marais Poitevin under the canopy of green ash trees.
Grand Pierre et Vitain Nature Reserve
The Grand Pierre et Vitain Reserve is an exciting mosaic of various natural landscapes. Here, the dry valley of Grand Pierre and the valley of the Cisse River meet. Thousands of animal and plant species characterize the water-rich floodplains and dry grasslands of the heights. The abundance of insects is also impressive. You can learn interesting facts about the park's fauna and flora in the entertaining interactive exhibitions at the Maison de la Nature conservation center in nearby Marolles. Your little ones can discover nature in a playful way in a learning lab and workshops. Also visit the prehistoric necropolis of Grande-Mesle in the south of the reserve.
Loire Valley - Climate
The following graph shows the average weather conditions for the country. Historical weather conditions may vary by region.