The central part of the Loire Valley was named a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2000 for its cultural landscape and historic towns and villages. In 2005, France suffering from a minor slump in American tourism, introduced the “Loire à Vélo” biking program, designed to allow travellers to explore the 880 kilometers of breathtaking cycling trails and roads that wind along Europe’s last wild river past mysterious troglodyte homes (limestone caves), vineyards, picturesque french villages, ancient churches and monasteries. When the whole trail is eventually completed in a few years, it will stretch around 500 miles from St.-Brevin-les-Pins in the Atlantic region to Cuffy in the Cher region, near Sancerre.
Along the lower reaches of the Loire River the hunting grounds and lodges of the kings and noblemen of the 15th to 18th centuries grew into extraordinarily ornate chateaux, a short trip for them from Paris and a world away from the lives of their subjects.
The countryside is a mix of green valleys, vineyards, leafy forests, sunflower fields and charming villages, and is ideal for undemanding cycling. The routes move between the Loire and Cher rivers, and visit some of the prettiest chateaux along the way.
The patchwork fields, lazy rivers and cool forests of the Loire Valley invite the active vacationers to cycle, walk, sail, windsurf and canoe in the gentle countryside. Golfers and tennis players will find first rate facilities throughout the region. Visitors can also drift leisurely over the chateaux and countryside in a hot air balloon.
You can ride southeast from Amboise across the Cher River to the castle of Chenonceau, one of the loveliest sites in the Val de Loire. Straddling the River Cher and backing off into an expanse of forest, the chateau is surrounded by two outstanding gardens. It is the most visited chateau of the Loire with over one million visitors eachyear.
After you have had your fill of ogling architecture, cycle around beautiful Amboise on the Loire River with its charming village and medieval chateau. Leonardo Da Vinci’s home, the Chateau du Clos-Luce where he spent the last three years of his life, is located within walking distance of Amboise. In fact King Francois 1st had an underground tunnel built so that he could go and visit his good friend without having to mix with his subjects. Here you can tour his sitting rooms, chambers, and kitchen. There is a working museum with over 40 models of some of his incredible inventions.
Fairs, festivals, pageants and concerts fill the Loire calendar from spring to autumn. Sound and light spectaculars at Amboise, Chenonceau, Blois, Valençay and Azay-le-Rideau bring royal chateau history and tradition to life.
Luxury chateaux are scattered over the region, ready to soothe away any saddle sores with their great cuisine and crisp, cool acclaimed local wine. Some of the best wine in France is produced in the Loire Valley. Someliers, wine merchants, wine-bar owners know it and spend their holidays here in the Val de Loire. You can chose to hire a room or a whole chateau together with your friends or family members.
You couldn’t pick a more [palate-friendly, picturesque|picturesque, palate-friendly[/spin], more comfortable and leisurely holiday destination anywhere in the world.
We run Chateau du Guerinet a luxury french chateau near Blois in the Loire Valley ideal for a fantastic french castle vacation with friends and family and for touring vineyards, historic chateaux and unwinding. The vacation castle is also ideal for a fairytale french wedding, party or any event. You can rent the whole chateau exclusively or hire one of the luxury six suites individually. What are you waiting for - take a French chateau vacation.
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