The Loire Valley is full of countless acres of beautiful woods, vineyards and farmland that produce some of France’s revered ingredients and delicacies, and a wealth of history and beautiful architecture that demands and rewards exploration. Whether you’re heading off with the family, friends, or both, our fantastic portfolio of Loire Valley villas, chateaux and holiday homes means you’ll find fantastic, comfortable and quirky accommodation no matter your preferences.
Why Visit?
The Loire Valley is a region so well endowed with storybook chateaux that UNESCO gave the whole area listed status. But it’s not just the litter of fine mansions and regal estates that draw visitors here. People come to revel in life’s simple, and some would say most satisfying pleasures: to admire gorgeous scenery (from bucolic farming villages with babbling brooks to dense pine forests and fields of sunflowers), to soak up the sun and – last but certainly not least – to drink superb wine.
The Typical Sights
- Chartres Cathedral – Inspect the exquisite stained-glass.
- Chateau Villandry – Wander the immaculately kept gardens.
- Chateau d’Angers – Check out the giant Apocalypse Tapestry.
- Abbaye de Fontevraud – Explore this expansive ecclesiastical complex.
- Cité Royale de Loches – Head to the keep of this hilltop citadel for incredible valley vistas.
When to Visit?
If you want to see the royal chateaux of the Loire Valley cast in the golden glow of sunlight, spring and summer are your best options. Warm temperatures during this period also allow for picnics, cycling, hiking and all manner of other outdoor delights. From June through to the end of August (and in some cases from as early as April to as late as September), the region’s chateaux amp up the enchantment levels as they host seasonal sound and light (son-et-lumière) shows in the evening.
Not that the chillier months are without appeal. Crowds thin in autumn and winter, leaving only the locals and a few hardy travellers to enjoy the peace and quiet. Most of the major chateaux remain open for visitors who want to explore.
Getting Around
- Airports: You can fly from the UK straight in the heart of the region to Tours Val de Loire Airport, however the only airline that serves this destination is Ryanair. For other airlines flights are available to Nantes, Paris Charles de Gaulle, Angers or La Rochelle.
- Public transport: An invaluable train line runs alongside the Loire River from Orléans to Angers, with options to connect to key valley destinations such as Blois, Tours and Saumur. Local bus services are less frequent and – as they are intended to primarily serve school children – can be fairly irregular in summer. If you don’t want to rent a car, you’ll have to forgo visits to some of the more off-the-beaten-path chateaux or be prepared to supplement public transport with taxis and bike journeys.
- By Bike: Loire is a two-wheeler’s dream, thanks in no small part to the signposted 800-kilometre Loire à vélo route, which runs through the valley. Also of note for cyclists is the 300-kilometre Les Châteaux à Vélo network. Download the handy Loire à vélo app to help you plan your biking adventure.
- Taxis: Taxis are readily available and can be found at taxi ranks in most town centres as well as outside rail stations.
- Hiring a car: Hiring a car in the Loire Valley is smart thinking. That way, you can give into your whims and stop at any roadside chateau or truckstop that takes your fancy. And when you feel chateau-fatigue kicking in, you won’t have to wait around for the next bus; you can leave at your will. Avis and Hertz both offer rentals direct from Val de Loire airport.
Hidden Gems
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