Top 5 Must Do's in Loire valley
Edit ThisThe longest river in France flows lazily
through the center of the country on its way to the Atlantic Ocean. For centuries, the kings of
France built hunting lodges, exquisite manor houses for their
mistresses, and their own imposing castles and palaces on the banks of
the river. A trip to the Loire Valley would be unthinkable without a
visit to several of these royal establishments.
1. Castles
Although the great castles of the Loire Valley can be seen from Angers in the west nearly to Orléans in the east, a distance of about 120 miles, the vast majority are concentrated in a compact area around Tours and Blois roughly midway along the route. Not far from Tours, Renaissance-era Azay-le-Rideau is built on a tributary to the Loire positioned in such a way as to give the impression of being a jewel set in a silver necklace. Nearby Ussé is everyone's image of a fairytale castle and is reportedly the model for Charles Perrault's Sleeping Beauty. Villandry is best known for its ornate gardens (herb, flower, fruit and vegetable) and grounds that include canals and an orchard. Between Tours and Blois are Chenonceau with a magnificent 200 ft gallery built over the River Cher, and Chambord, the largest of all the Loire Valley castles with over 400 rooms.
2. Chartres
Famous for its mismatched twin spires, one dating from the 11th century Romanesque period, the other from the 16th century Gothic tradition, Chartres Cathedral can be seen from a distance across the fields that surround this provincial town. Between Easter and November, inquire about the guided tours given in English by Malcolm Miller, an Englishman who has devoted his life to the beauty of Chartres' architecture.
3. Troglodyte dwellings
The soft limestone cliffs of the Loire Valley region have been the site of cave dwellings for centuries. Around Saumur, these troglodyte dwellings, some private residences, others used for mushroom cultivation or wine storage, can be visited.
4. Gardens
Garden lovers traveling to the Loire Valley between the end of April and mid-October should not miss the International Garden Festival at Chaumont-sur-Loire. The castle has hosted the festival since 1992 and invites submissions from gardeners and landscape artists from around the world. The juried installations are all based on a different theme each year.
5. Tours
Located in the middle of the region and easily accessible from Paris by high-speed train, Tours is the logical spot from which to plan a tour of the Loire Valley. It helps that the university town itself is lively and has an attractive, well-restored medieval quarter around the Place Pumereau.
1. Castles
Although the great castles of the Loire Valley can be seen from Angers in the west nearly to Orléans in the east, a distance of about 120 miles, the vast majority are concentrated in a compact area around Tours and Blois roughly midway along the route. Not far from Tours, Renaissance-era Azay-le-Rideau is built on a tributary to the Loire positioned in such a way as to give the impression of being a jewel set in a silver necklace. Nearby Ussé is everyone's image of a fairytale castle and is reportedly the model for Charles Perrault's Sleeping Beauty. Villandry is best known for its ornate gardens (herb, flower, fruit and vegetable) and grounds that include canals and an orchard. Between Tours and Blois are Chenonceau with a magnificent 200 ft gallery built over the River Cher, and Chambord, the largest of all the Loire Valley castles with over 400 rooms.
2. Chartres
Famous for its mismatched twin spires, one dating from the 11th century Romanesque period, the other from the 16th century Gothic tradition, Chartres Cathedral can be seen from a distance across the fields that surround this provincial town. Between Easter and November, inquire about the guided tours given in English by Malcolm Miller, an Englishman who has devoted his life to the beauty of Chartres' architecture.
3. Troglodyte dwellings
The soft limestone cliffs of the Loire Valley region have been the site of cave dwellings for centuries. Around Saumur, these troglodyte dwellings, some private residences, others used for mushroom cultivation or wine storage, can be visited.
4. Gardens
Garden lovers traveling to the Loire Valley between the end of April and mid-October should not miss the International Garden Festival at Chaumont-sur-Loire. The castle has hosted the festival since 1992 and invites submissions from gardeners and landscape artists from around the world. The juried installations are all based on a different theme each year.
5. Tours
Located in the middle of the region and easily accessible from Paris by high-speed train, Tours is the logical spot from which to plan a tour of the Loire Valley. It helps that the university town itself is lively and has an attractive, well-restored medieval quarter around the Place Pumereau.
Contributors
August 25, 2009
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by kimerly
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