Discovering

Touraine and the châteaux of the Loire

Within a 30-minute drive:

• The château of Villandry and its renowned gardens
• Azay-le-Rideau, one of the grandest Renaissance châteaux in the Loire valley
• Château de l’Islette, just down the road from Azay-le-Rideau and site of the legendary, tempestuous affair between the sculptors Auguste Rodin and Camille Claudel
• Château d’Ussé, inspiration for the setting of Sleeping Beauty in the version we know today, written by Charles Perrault in 1697
• Crissay-sur-Manse, one of France’s most beautiful villages, a Renaissance gem in the heart of Touraine
• Château de Saché, where Balzac wrote, and set, some of his greatest works in The Human Comedy.
• Chinon, royal castle and fortified medieval village
• Château du Rivau, with its gardens straight out of a fairy tale
• Langeais, medieval castle
• Tours, the area’s largest town and its medieval center, cathedral and museums
• Priory of St. Cosmas, home of the Renaissance poet Ronsard
• Richelieu, a unique planned town built by Cardinal Richelieu in the 17th century and its artisan workshops

Within an hour’s drive:

• Château de Chenonceau, a Renaissance masterpiece
• Château d’Amboise, palace of French kings during the Renaissance
• Château du Clos Lucé, where Leonardo da Vinci spent his final years
• Château de Chaumont-sur-Loire and its international garden festival
• Candes-Saint-Martin, the village and its church, where the Loire and Vienne rivers meet
• Fontevraud Abbey, one of the largest monasteries in Europe
• Montsoreau, the château and the village, among the most beautiful in France
• Loches, designated a Town of Art and History by the French Ministry of Culture, its medieval fortress and royal residence
• Abbey of Saint-Savin-sur-Gartempe, a UNESCO World Heritage site, known as the “Sistine Chapel of medieval France” due to its frescos
• Chauvigny, medieval town and its five castles
• La Roche-Posay, for its spa and thermal baths
• Saumur, its château and prestigious Black Cadre military riding academy and equestrian team
• Beauval Zoo, rated the 4th most beautiful in the world
• … and so much more to discover!

Within a 1 1/2 hour drive :

• The châteaux of Chambord, Cheverny and Blois
• Angers, its many museums and château

Come discover the products of our terroirs: the Loire valley wines you can sample in the many cellars of Chinon, Bourgueil, Vouvray or Montlouis; truffles (Touraine is France’s second-largest truffle region, with dedicated markets in Richelieu and Marigny-Marmande in January and February); saffron; the famous AOC-designated Sainte-Maure cheese; poires tapées (pears preserved by a unique method dating back to the middle ages); nougat from Tours… and much more.

Artisans and workshops, many with the official designation of Living Cultural Heritage, are located close by: basket making, metal casting, pottery, paper marbling, bookbinding, silk weaving, leather crafting, mosaics, musical instrument making. Drop by for a visit or try a workshop, whether for an hour or a whole week.

Flights are available at many of the foremost châteaux of the Loire. A unique and unforgettable way to experience the region from the air. Generally available mornings and late afternoons from April 1 to October 15.

Touraine, in the heart of the Loire Valley, is crisscrossed by waterways. Canoeing is a delight on the River Loire as well as four other tranquil rivers in the region, the Cher, Creuse, Indre and Vienne. For sunbathing, a little exercise, photographing gorgeous landscapes, splashing around with that special someone, canoeing is ideal!

‘Loire by Bike’ is a route along the River Loire guiding you to a series of beautiful escapes between Amboise, Tours, Azay-le-Rideau and Chinon. Rent bikes, go at your own pace, and stop along the way for some gastronomic explorations or a picnic with superb panoramic views.