Loire Valley- The garden of France

Château d’Amboise

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The Loire Valley(Vallée de la Loire ) is known as the Cradle of the French Language, and the Garden of France due to the abundance of vineyards, fruit orchards, artichoke, asparagus and cherry fields which line the banks of the river. It is also noteworthy for the quality of its architectural heritage, in its historic towns such as Amboise, Angers, Blois, Chinon, Nantes, Orléans, Saumur, and Tours, but in particular for its castles, such as the Châteaux d’Amboise, Château de Chambord, château d’Ussé, Château de Villandry and Chenonceau and more particularly its many cultural monuments, which illustrate to an exceptional degree the ideals of the Renaissance and the Age of the Enlightenment on western European thought and design.

Chateau de Plessis-Bourre, France, Loire Valley, Angers

 

The Loire Valley is  spanning on 280 kilometres, it is located in the middle stretch of the Loire River in central France. Its area comprises approximately 800 square kilometres. Notable for its historic towns, architecture and wines, the valley has been inhabited since the Middle Palaeolithic period. In 2000, UNESCO added the central part of the Loire River valley to its list of World Heritage Sites. All of this has to serve a proof to you that The Loire Valley and also its spectacular chateaux are worth visiting. It’s a great place to escape from the crowdy everyday life we are used to, and in the same time get familiar with the history of France and life of its kings and nobility.

Chateau de Cheverny, France, Loire Valley

Chateau de Chambord

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Chateau d'Usse, gardens, France, Loire Valley

Architecture

The architectural heritage in the valley's historic towns is notable, especially its chateaux, such as the Chateau d’Amboise, Chateau de Chambord, Chateau de Chinon, Chateau du Riveau, Chateau d’Usse, Chateau de Villandry and Chateau de Chenonceau. The châteaux, numbering more than three hundred, represent a nation of builders starting with the necessary castle fortifications in the 10th century to the splendor of those built half a millennium later. When the French kings began constructing their huge châteaux here, the nobility, not wanting or even daring to be far from the seat of power, followed suit. Their presence in the lush, fertile valley began attracting the very best landscape designers. In addition to its many chateaux, the cultural monuments illustrate to an exceptional degree the ideals of the Renaissance and the Age of the Englishtenment on western European thought and design.

Chateau de Chenonceau, France, Loire Valley

The most popular and impressive Chateaux de Loire are:
 
- Chateau de Chambord
- Chateau d'Amboise
- Chateau de Chenonceau
- Chateau de Chaumont
- Chateau de Cheverny
- Chateau d'Usse
- Chateau de Villandry

Le Parc des Mini-Chateaux

This park has over 40 miniature models of the most famous castles of the Loire region spread out along a route of 11/2 km. In addition there are miniature railways, boats and the whole site is landscaped with bonsais and small shrubs. Perhaps you might like to visit the Mini Parc before visiting some chateaux, having made your selection on the basis of what you have seen in miniature.

The Mini Park is situated 3km from Amboise.

Chateau de Chaumont, France, Loire Valley

Chateau de Villandry, France, Loire Valley

Chateau de Villandry, gardens, France, Loire Valley