Top 10 Loire Valley Highlights
🏰 1. Château de Chambord
The largest and most extravagant château in the Loire.
Famous for its double-helix staircase, designed with influence from Leonardo da Vinci.
Surrounded by a massive forested park and hunting grounds.
🌸 2. Château de Chenonceau
Built over the River Cher, it's often called the “Ladies' Château” for its influential female owners.
Stunning gardens and interior galleries.
Boat rentals on the river add a unique viewing angle.
🍷 3. Wine Tasting in Vouvray or Montlouis-sur-Loire
Renowned for sparkling and white wines from the Chenin Blanc grape.
Visit Domaine Huet, Chateau Gaudrelle, or Jacky Blot's Taille aux Loups.
Many offer cave (cellar) tours and tastings.
🛶 4. Kayak or Cruise the Loire River
Paddle past châteaux, vineyards, and wildlife.
Options from Amboise, Tours, and Saumur for guided or self-guided outings.
🏙️ 5. Explore the Historic City of Tours
Stroll through the medieval Old Town (Vieux Tours).
Visit the Cathédrale Saint-Gatien, museums, and botanical gardens.
Great food, wine bars, and bustling squares.
🎨 6. Château de Villandry & Its Gardens
Known for some of the most intricate and symbolic Renaissance gardens in Europe.
Includes kitchen gardens, ornamental flower beds, and water gardens.
👉 https://www.chateauvillandry.fr
🧀 7. Taste Loire Valley Goat Cheese
Try Crottin de Chavignol, a beloved AOP-certified cheese.
Visit a local fromagerie or stop at markets in Selles-sur-Cher, Valençay, or Chavignol.
🧭 8. Medieval Fortress of Chinon
A historic royal fortress where Joan of Arc met Charles VII.
Panoramic views of the Vienne River.
Chinon is also a fantastic red wine region.
👉 https://www.forteressechinon.fr
⛪ 9. Cathédrale de Chartres (if exploring the upper Loire)
UNESCO site, a masterpiece of Gothic architecture.
Famous for its 12th-century stained glass and labyrinth.
👉 https://www.cathedrale-chartres.org
📸 10. Visit Amboise & Clos Lucé (Home of Leonardo da Vinci)
Explore Château d'Amboise, final resting place of da Vinci.
Walk to Clos Lucé, where he lived and worked under Francis I.
Interactive museum of Leonardo’s inventions.
