Holidays in Loire Valley, France

The Loire Valley is a large region in central France that is very popular with tourists. Not only does it boast spectacular scenery, but there more than 300 castles that are all worth visiting along with historic towns and churches. UNESCO has even added part of the Loire Valley, the stretch between Maine and Sully-sur-Loire to its list of World Heritage Sites.

Castles

With over 300 castles to choose from in the Loire Valley, it can be difficult to know where to start! Some the chateaux are private homes or hotels, which only open their doors to visitors on certain occasions, while many of the others are dedicated tourist attractions. To get a real sense of the variety of buildings in the region, you should visit the Chateau de Chenonceau, literally on the River Maine, and the fortress castle in the town of Angers. Chenonceau is a beautiful country house, which is built on a series of arches over the river. As well as being an impressive piece of engineering, the building is also home to fine works of art and has extensive gardens. The medieval fortress in Angers is much more functional, but no less interesting, boasting an impressive collection of 14th century tapestries. The town of Angers itself is worth a visit, with its winding streets and busy marketplace.

Loire a Velo

If you enjoy bike riding, there is a great system in the Loire region that allows you to hire a bicycle in one town and then hand it back in another. You can follow the suggested route along the riverside or go off track and explore the countryside. There are also suggested places to stay in towns of interest along the route, ranging from campsites to hotels. The organisation will even arrange to transport your luggage to your next destination.

St Catherine de Fierbois

As well as being a typical pretty French village, close to a large lake that is perfect for swimming, St Catherine de Fierbois is also a very important community in the history of France. The church is renowned for its miracles and is said to be the place where Joan of Arc was told to look for her sword by the voices she heard. The whole village has become a major stopping point for pilgrims on the way to Saint Jacques de Compostelle and, whether you are religious or not, is a fascinating place to spend an afternoon.



There is a selection of holiday accommodation in the area including Villas in Loire Valley and Villas in France which can be rented direct from their owners.