LOIRE VALLEY HOLIDAY TRAVEL GUIDE

For information on what to see and do on holiday in the Loire Valley, read on – our Holiday Travel Guide will take you through the region’s highlights.

Often referred to as the ‘Garden of France,’ the Loire Valley is a colourful tapestry of vineyards, flowers and rolling green hills dotted with hundreds of castles and chateaux.

Marvel at the famous medieval cathedral of Chartres, or Chambord, the largest of the Loire Valley castles.

Historic cities such as Orleans, Bourges and Tours have much to tempt visitors, as does the regional cuisine that makes the most of the rich farm-fresh produce.

Argenton is compared to Venice due to the pretty medieval houses that overhang the River Creuse whilst pretty Montrichard is a pilgrimage centre, visitors drawn by the sixteenth century Fountain of Miracles.

The Loire Valley has a marvellous wine heritage including reds from Chinon and sparkling Vouvray. For wine-tasting, make for the many individual vineyards or wine houses/co-operative caves.

The region is also very attractive for fishing holidays. The Loire itself is renowned for pike whilst Indre has hundreds of lakes and pools where you can fish for carp and zander. Trout and salmon fishing is of course very popular in season – March to September.

All summer long, numerous fairs, festivals and pageants bring the Loire Valley’s history vividly to life.

The region has a fascinating troglodyte heritage and, as you drive through the Loire Valley, you will come across examples of cave dwellings. Head to Troo to see a troglodyte village or to Rochecorbon for boat trips to see troglodyte dwellings from the river.

There are 6 departments in the Loire Valley region:

·          Cher

·          Eure-et-Loir

·          Indre

·          Indre-et-Loire

·          Loir-et-Cher

·          Loiret

For further travel information about holiday destinations, the Loire Valley Regional Tourist Board can be contacted at:

Loire Valley Regional Tourist Board

37, avenue Paris

45000 Orléans