Travel Discovery – France’s Loire Valley
Line BreakAuthor: Kathryn Frengs (290 Articles)
Travelfusion's Social Media Officer, I manage all of our online marketing and presence on Twitter, Facebook, our blog and more. I love my job!
When thinking of travel to France, so many of us quickly think only of Paris. Immediately the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, baguettes and wine come to mind. However, there is so much more to see and do in France, and so many things worth leaving Paris to do.
Today I’ll be featuring one of my most favourite regions on earth, France’s Loire Valley. A magical place that looks as though it’s fake or that it’s come directly from someone’s imaginations and dreams, the Loire Valley is my top recommended place to visit in France. From the breathtaking and closely manicured gardens to the huge and awe-inspiring castles, there is so much to see and do in the Loire Valley that you’ll find yourself needing quite a few days to even begin to experience all there is to offer in this area. Also, at only a few hours from Paris, this is a region that can easily be enjoyed as a part of a planned trip to Paris.
Here are a few of my favourite spots in the Loire Valley to enjoy on your next trip. Check back again in a few weeks for some more ideas for things to do in this fantastic area!
With more than 300 castles in this region, it’s hard to pick favourites but here are a few of mine:
Photo credit: Spiterman
The Château de Chenonceau falls consistently at the top of my list of “must-visits” in the Loire Valley. I’ve affectionately nicknamed it “The Disneyland of Châteaux” because of its status as one of the most popular castles in the area, along with the long queues to get in! However, once you’re on the grounds, you’re transported instantly back in time through this 16th century masterpiece. Suspended over the River Cher, my favourite part of the Chenonceau Castle is the long gallery hallway over the river. Used to house wounded soldiers during World War I, this gallery was once the site of many lavish parties thrown by Catherine de Medici, perhaps the most famous resident of the castle. Take some time to enjoy the outdoor gardens if the weather is nice, or lose yourself in the labyrinth of manicured bushes near the castle’s entrance.
Photo credit: geoftheref
In the interest of full disclosure, I’ve never actually been inside the Château de Villandry but instead have just spent hours exploring the gardens on site. Upon entering the grounds, you’ll notice a huge moat near the castle that is full of huge fish – another highlight of my visit! These manicured gardens are the epitome of beauty and are sure to delight even the most discerning of visitors. With plenty of open spaces, water features and floral gardens, Château de Villandry is a great place to go on a sunny day to really enjoy the outdoors in the Loire Valley.
Photo credit: Gilles 92
The last recommendation of the day is the Château de Cheverny. I loved this castle for so many reasons, including the fact that it is still family-owned and inhabited by descendants of the family who resided there in the 1600’s. Wandering the grounds, I enjoyed imagining what it must be like to live there, especially in modern times when tourists flock to the site daily. However, last but not least, to me the best part of this castle is the pack of over 70 hounds who live here and are taken out to hunt every day.
Have you explored the Loire Valley? Any top sites that I’ve not mentioned yet? Check back for more “must-see” recommendations for this fascinated and unforgettable place.
If you enjoyed this post, please consider to leave a comment or subscribe to the feed and get future articles delivered to your feed reader.
-
SAH
-
Travelfusion
-
Becky Padmore
-
Travelfusion
