A UNESCO World Heritage Site in its entirety, the captivating Loire Valley is equal parts scenic, historic and artistic. From the chateaux, undulating countryside, sophisticated cities and impressive wine-making abilities… this French region is ideal for those looking for a glamourous getaway.
Our France destination experts know the region well, and have made sure that our collection of chateaux, manor houses and villas in Loire Valley are in the best places. Plus, almost all our Loire Valley collection are ideal for kids and teens, meaning there’s plenty to suit the whole family. With outdoor activities in close proximity – fishing, wine-tasting, walking/hiking paths, and golf, you’ll have so much to do in one of our villas in the Loire Valley.
Style and character are everything at Oliver’s Travels, and our collection of handpicked villas in the Loire Valley have this in spades.
We have destination experts who know the ins and outs of all our regions, picking villas, chateaux and holiday cottages in Loire Valley that aren’t only unique, but also in the best locations. What's more, our villas are 100% family-friendly, and have the ‘wow’ factor.
Our helpful concierge team are on-hand to make your stay extra special. Whether you want a fully-stocked fridge, a local in-house chef to cook your meals, housekeeping or any other extra service – consider them your holiday genie, who will happily grant your wishes.
France's opulent royal past is folded within the rolling landscapes of the Loire Valley. It is etched into the old stones of its ancient towns, wrapped within the turrets of its grand chateaux and written into the guest books of its lavish palaces.
In the 15th century, France’s rulers flocked to the picturesque region to build feudal castles, later transformed into pleasure palaces by nobility – and the so-called Valley of the Kings was born. Loire Valley has charming cities and towns, from the emerging cultural hub of Nantes in the west to the northernmost Orléans, where regeneration is breathing new life into the riverside quays.
Such is the beauty of the castle-studded landscape and medieval towns that a 300km-long stretch of the valley has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. For a memorable experience, rent a chateau to stay in the Loire Valley – perfect for groups of friends or families.
While the Loire Valley chateaux are its main calling card, the region is also a fine gastronomy and wine destination. It isn’t known as the “garden of France” for no reason: Anjou’s orchards are responsible for plums and pears; Sancerre’s vineyards for its crisp Sauvignon blancs; Touraine for its local chèvre fermier (farm-produced goats’ cheese). Fresh fish is served in the classic Loire beurre blanc sauce, while game from Sologne is often accompanied with a mushroom sauce made using champignons de Paris.
With a diverse range of villas in Loire Valley on offer as well as chateaux, you can enjoy the region in a totally authentic manner.
If you want more information, check the Loire Valley Travel Guide in our blog.
The fairytale Loire Valley chateaux and palaces scattered across the countryside. If you fancy something a little cosier, we have plenty of stunning holiday cottages in the Loire Valley that will cater to all your holiday needs.
A place of romantic chateaux and fine dining, the Loire Valley isn’t exactly the first destination to spring to mind for families. However, the magical castles never fail to pique the interest of teens, with many offering immersive experiences and themed tours to hold the attention of younger kids.
The troglodyte cave dwellings around Saumur will fascinate all ages, while active pursuits like biking, boat trips, kayaking and water-sports will appeal to adventure-seekers. For a special occasion, perhaps combine the Loire with a trip to Disneyland Paris, two hours away by car.
We recommend hiring a car for ease and flexibility getting around the region.
A visit to the Loire Valley is all about following in the footsteps of French royalty and noble aristocracy. It's a place to soak up the beauty of the landscape: rivers and lakes mirror the sumptuous Loire Valley chateaux, and ancient towns are tucked into the folds of rolling hills.
While discovering these architectural and creative masterpieces top the wishlists of most visitors, there’s more to the Loire than its rich past. Today, the castles are magical settings for summer son-et-lumière shows and the ornate gardens play host to festivals and events.
You can even live like royalty at chateaux accommodation in the Loire Valley. Sleep like a king then spend leisurely days cycling along riverside bike trails, ducking into lush forests and wending along picturesque riverbanks; discovering troglodyte cave dwellings carved into cliff faces; and indulging in a wine-tasting session to sample the fruits of the land.
While most people hotfoot it to Chateau de Chenonceau, with its creamy towers and river-straddling arches, the lesser-visited Chateau d'Azay-le-Rideau oozes 16th-century romance and the moat-ringed mansion is just as enchanting today.
The Loire Valley can't fail to stoke the imagination with its spectacular landscapes and dreamy chateaux. Besides these obvious charms, the 1,000km-long Loire winds its way past a smattering of lively towns and cities, each with its own appeal.
A popular base with good transport links, the ancient cathedral city of Tours is wedged between the Loire and Cher rivers, and has an enticing mix of museums, restaurants and bars. Twenty kilometres upstream, Amboise greets visitors with a mix of beautiful scenery, fine gastronomy and rich history.
The westernmost city of the Loire, Nantes is the gateway to the Atlantic coast and has a medieval old quarter and emerging cultural scene on its lively quays. In between the two, Angers is a vibrant town where old and new collide.
Orléans, the northernmost city on the Loire, is a rich cultural hub, while the nearby hilltop town of Sancerre is famed for the crisp white wine cultivated in surrounding vineyards.
Our chateaux, villas and holiday cottages in Loire Valley put you within easy distances to many of these charming towns and villages.
Hugging the River Indre, the under-the-radar town of Loches is home to a magnificent medieval citadelle. Climb to the top of the imposing keep or explore the dungeons and cells.
A wave of regeneration has transformed Nantes into a vibrant metropolis. Most recently the Machines de l’Île has attracted attention: an art and cultural project based around a huge mechanical elephant on the city's river island docks. Be sure to spend time in the older medieval city, though, to see its cathedral and chateau, and try a glass of local Muscadet.
The spirit of medieval heroine, Joan of Arc, lives on in Orléans’ old quarter and imposing neo-Gothic Sainte-Croix cathedral. Regeneration is transforming the riverside quays into a cultural hub, paving the way for a rich artistic and creative scene. We recommend signing up for La Balade Magique, a fascinating evening tour delving into the hidden corners of Orléans.
The ancient city of Tours straddles a narrow spit of land between the rivers Loire and Cher. A pair of old quarters unfurl from either side of the town’s major shopping artery, with historic buildings like the Cathédrale St-Gatien sitting alongside museums and restaurants. A good base for the chateaux, with transport links to Villandry, Langeais, Azay-le-Rideau and Amboise.
Oenophiles should visit the hilltop town of Sancerre to taste its world-class dry white wines. Start with an overview of local wine production at Maison des Sancerre, home to interactive and multimedia exhibits; then get stuck in with wine tours at Henri Bourgeois and cheese tastings at Dubois-Boulay. For reds, Touraine produces a fine selection from the Cabernet Franc grape.
While its chateau is Amboise’s main calling card, the former residence of Leonardo da Vinci is also a big draw for its 50-plus display of his designs, which spill out into the gardens. The grounds also host the annual European Festival of Renaissance Music in September. More than just a museum piece, Amboise is also a gastronomic destination with excellent restaurants.
Angers is an enchanting blend of history and modernity, with its hilltop medieval castle looming over a cluster of lively bars and restaurants. History fans should check out the 14th-century Apocalypse tapestry at Chateau d’Angers, a grand masterpiece depicting the Book of Revelations, and gawp at the incredible mix of Roman and Gothic architectural styles of Cathédrale Saint-Maurice d’Angers.
The gateways to the Loire Valley are Nantes and Tours, which both have international airports served by airlines from various UK airports. CityJet, easyJet and and Ryanair fly direct to Nantes from London City, Gatwick, Liverpool, Manchester or Southampton, while Ryanair runs between Tours and Manchester or Stansted.
Alternatively, Brittany Ferries and DFDS Seaways connect Portsmouth, Plymouth or Dover with Brittany, Normandy or Calais. You can also take a high-speed train with Rail Europe from London to Tours, Angers and Nantes (via Paris), with local services connecting to Orléans, Saumur and Chinon. From Tours, trains connect the main cities and buses run to the major chateaux, although we recommend hiring a car for ease and flexibility.
The easiest way to visit as many of the Loire Valley chateaux as you can, within the shortest timeframe possible, is to hire a car. Note that parking at the main attractions may incur a small charge.
Rail Europe has high-speed trains from London St Pancras via Paris to Tours, Angers and Nantes, with local rail network TER SNCF servicing towns in the area, including Orléans, Saumur and Chinon.
The Loire Valley is well connected by a rail network: the Interloire line runs between Orléans and Nantes (continuing onto Le Croisic), stopping at Beaugency, Blois, Amboise, Tours, Saumur, Angers and Ancenis.
From mid-June to mid-September, the Train Vélo Loire system allows passengers to board Interloire trains with a bike.
Touraine Fil Vert regional buses connect several smaller Loire Valley towns, including Amboise, Azay-le-Rideau, Chenonceaux, Chinon, Langeais, Noizay, Villandry and Vouvray.
Buses connect Tours and Nantes to the major chateaux, but hiring a car can be more practical.
The Loire à Vélo cycling route is an easy and enjoyable way to explore the Loire Valley, with 800km of well-marked trails. Don’t be misled by the name of the region; the ‘valley’ is in fact very flat. Pick up a free guide from tourist offices, or download material (including route maps and bike-hire details) from the website.
Bike-rental shops can be found in most towns, usually at train stations and hotels, and sometimes even in restaurants. Daily rates are about €13 to €15, but they go down the longer you hire the bike.
If you want to cycle the Loire Valley, Détours de Loire allows you to hire a bike in one town and drop it off in another for a nominal fee.
Try to visit early morning or late afternoon to avoid the crowds.
