Built on the banks of the Loire River, the chateau is a blend of Gothic and Renaissance architecture. The gardens within the chateau walls host the renowned International Garden Festival annually, with a different theme each year. The idea is to design one of the 30-odd show gardens on the castle grounds.
Why is a trip to the Loire Valley worth it?
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Fairytale Châteaux
Explore the Loire Valley chateaux, which range from fortified castles built at the start of the 11th century to splendid residences built half a millennium later. The region is home to roughly 300 chateaux, of which about 100 of them are open to the public.
Loire Valley wines
The Loire Valley is one of the world’s most well-known regions of wine production, with a rich winemaking history of 2,000 years. Running 174 miles from east to west, broken up into three major regions, the Loire Valley has a vast variety of wine and wine touring styles.
Valençay goat cheese
Where there’s fine wine, there’s good cheese to complement it. Valençay’s cheese is made from unpasteurized goat milk and it is a blue-gray color, derived from natural molds and darkened with charcoal powder. The flavor is appetizing and pairs well with Valençay white wine, figs, honey, dried fruits, and apples.
*Did you know? The distinct truncated pyramid shape of Valençay goat cheese comes from Napoleon, who insisted that the tips of the pyramid be cut off after his misadventures in Egypt.*
The Chenonceau flowers
Amongst the Loire Valley chateaux, Chenonceau is one of the most visited, for its exquisite gardens and floral displays. This château’s floral arrangement is unique and elaborate and it is most popular for its floral arrangement workshop. To appreciate its natural beauty, take a stroll through its Vegetable and Flower Garden to discover flowers you’ve never seen before.
Part of French history
The Loire Valley chateaux form a significant part of French history. These heritage sites were initially built for defensive purposes (during the Middle Ages) and during the French Renaissance (15th century), they gradually replaced drawbridges and rampants with fragrant gardens and multiple dormers.
Cycle tours in the valley
Avoid the walking and driving crowds of the Loire Valley and discover the valley on a bike. Explore back roads, narrow streets, and hidden villages, at your own pace while enjoying the quietness of nature around you. There are many cycling routes in the Loire Valley, a total of 5,000 kilometers and the Loire à Vélo is France’s most popular cycling route (covers 600 kilometers).
*Did you know? The Loire à Vélo sees more cycles than cars and all the cafes, hotels, and campsites en route are geared up to welcome cyclists.*
