Stretching 174 miles (280 kilometers) through central France along its eponymous river, the UNESCO-listed Loire Valley is a destination for its wealth of opulent chateaux, including famous examples in Amboise, Blois, Chenonceau, and Chambord. Fittingly, the Loire is also one of the country’s most celebrated wine regions, where award-winning producers turn out coveted bottles of red, white, rosé, sparkling, and dessert wines. Hopping between palaces and vineyards is one of the top things to do in the Loire Valley, but be sure to mix in visits to history-packed cities such as Orléans and Tours as well.
The most popular time to visit the Loire Valley is in summer, when tourists flock to visit its famous chateaux and wineries. For a more tranquil visiting experience (and fewer lines at top chateaux such as Chambord and Chenonceau), consider the spring shoulder season. Alternatively, if it’s the wine that draws you, time your visit for September or October to see harvest in full swing.
Toronto and Ottawa are Toronto’s two major urban hubs, and the province has four main airports: Toronto Pearson International Airport, London International Airport, Ottawa International Airport, and Thunder Bay International Airport. The region’s cities have many public transportation options, and mainline trains and buses also traverse the province. Multi-day tour itineraries make it easy to discover the region’s cities, blockbuster attractions such as Niagara Falls, and scenic national and provincial parks.
Don’t limit your castle visits to only the blockbuster names such as Amboise, Blois, and Chaumont. After all, there are some 300 castles in the UNESCO-listed Loire Valley. You’ll enjoy a calmer visiting experience and fewer crowds when you seek out the region’s lesser-known (but no less splendid) gems, such as the Château de Talcy, the Château de Candé, and the Château de la Bussière.
Local Currency Euro (€) | Time Zone CEST (UTC +1) | Country Code +33 | Language(s) French | Attractions 34 | Tours 137 | Reviews 2,110 |
The UNESCO World Heritage-listed Loire Valley is known for its magnificent royal châteaux, picturesque medieval towns, and idyllic countryside, flanking the Loire River. The Loire Valley is also famous for its wine—most notably white and rosé wines—and its Loire à Vélo cycle route.
...MoreThe Loire Valley’s most visited attraction is the Château de Chenonceau, closely followed by Château de Chambord and Château de Cheverny. The château and gardens of Villandry, Château d’Azay-le-Rideau, and the wine region of Sancerre are also among the most popular sites.
...MoreChâteaux visits, wine tasting tours, and hot-air balloon flights are the most popular activities in the Loire Valley. You can also enjoy walking in the royal parks, cycling the Loire à Vélo bike route, kayaking along the Loire River, or playing a game of golf.
...MoreThere’s plenty more to see and do in the Loire Valley once you’ve visited the châteaux. Enjoy hiking, cycling, and canoeing along the Loire River. Or, go wine tasting, take a hot air balloon flight, play a game of golf, and explore the many markets, museums, and historic towns.
...MoreThe major towns of the Loire Valley include Chinon, Tours, Amboise, and Blois—you can visit the chateaux and vineyards of the central Loire from any of these cities. Alternatively, base yourself in Orléans or Sancerre to explore the eastern Loire or in Angers, Saumur, or Nantes to tour the west.
...MoreTime-crunched travelers can take in the highlights of the Loire Valley on a day trip from Paris, but three days gives you time to visit the main châteaux, go wine tasting, and enjoy other activities. Plan a week or more to include the western cities of Saumur and Nantes.
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