Be sure to swing by the outstanding Loire Valley on your next vacation to France for castles, nature and plenty of wine!

When you think of France your mind probably goes to the leafy boulevards of Paris or the glittering coastline of the French Riviera. It might even go to the vineyards of Bordeaux. But, there is a beautiful, unassuming part of the country that also deserves your attention and recognition: The Loire Valley.

The Loire Valley is just northwest of the centre of France and is named such for its location along the Loire River. This region is indescribably picturesque with its quaint bridges that stretch over the water and abundance of medieval and Renaissance castles. The landscape, too, is stunning, with green as far as the eye can see. Indeed, in the 15th and 16th centuries, the Loire Valley was referred to as ‘France’s garden’.

Travellers need no excuse to add this scenic part of France to their itinerary but if you were looking for reasons to visit, we have a few to offer.

Family walking through a vineyard in the Loire Valley - © France.fr

1. The Delicious Wines

French wine has dominated the global wine scene for time immemorial. This is largely thanks to regions like the Loire Valley. The history of wine in the Loire Valley goes all the way back to the Romans in the 1st century.

Since then, wine production has increased both in quality and quantity. Nowadays it is the pride and joy of the region. Be sure to take some time to explore the vineyards whilst in the Loire Valley and treat yourself to a wine tasting tour, and a glass or two of red, white or sparkling wine.

2. The Loire à Velo Cycling Route

The phenomenal Loire à Velo cycle path runs for a staggering 800km across six of France’s départements. Of course, you probably won’t want to cycle the whole length of it on your holiday, but plucking out a section of the path that winds through the Loire Valley is an incredible experience.

The path allows cyclists to see the gorgeous scenery of the Loire Valley, away from the roads and cars. The whole while you will have the mighty Loire River coursing alongside you.

Bikes along the Loire à Velo Trail in the Loire Valley - © Château Royal de Blois

3. The Fontevraud Abbey

History buffs and architecture lovers, brace yourselves. The Fontevraud Abbey might just be one of the most impressive buildings you have ever seen. The Abbey was originally founded in the 12th century and has had various restorations over time.

Steeped in history, this magnificent abbey is famed for being the final resting place of a number of important historical figures, including Henry II, Richard the Lionheart and Eleanor of Aquitaine. In the 19th century, Napoleon converted the building into one of the toughest prisons in France before it later became an Abbey once again.  

4. The Château de Villandry

As we mentioned above, the Loire Valley was dubbed France’s Garden and nowhere showcases this better than the Château de Villandry. This magnificent castle sits amid outstanding and perfectly landscaped gardens. When the weather is good, nothing beats wandering through the gardens and taking in the sights and a myriad of smells. If the Château de Villandry peaks your interest, there are plenty of other gardens to admire in the Loire Valley, such as Le RivauSaint-Cosme, and La Bourdaisière.

The beautiful gardens at the Château de Villandry - © Wikimedia Commons

5. To Get an Authentic Taste of France

Not known as being one of the country’s most popular tourist destinations, the Loire Valley has retained much of its traditional French character. If you want to try regional French cuisine or browse local produce in a market, this is the place to do it. Unlike Paris, a bubbling pot of diversity and international influences, the Loire Valley is about as French as you can get. Here you can sip a glass of wine, enjoy the scenery, and forget about the grind of daily life.

La vie est belle. Contact us to book a tour or just to find out more, and we will show you the beauty of the Loire Valley.

France Just For You

Experts in self-drive tours in France

Travelers Reviews

5.0
Janet
We have traveled in Europe a dozen times. Our trip to France, the Loire Valley and Normandy was one of the very best. Their custom self-guided tours are based on places and activities that interest you. Emelie listened to what we wanted and created an itinerary that was just what we wanted as well as some suggestions for other things we might try …
Peter
We wanted my spouse's birthday trip to France to be special and we could not have expected such a perfect time. From initial communication with Emilie by email right up to having a driver meet us in Paris CDG airport, it was a stress-free vacation. Emilie provided first class service throughout and tailored our desire to see Paris, the Loire Valley …
Anthea
We have just returned from a road trip around France and with Emilie's help, we had one of the best trips we've ever had. We travel extensively and I normally do my own research and bookings because we don't like using formal , organised tours but we were looking for advice on self driving holidays in France. Emilie's attention to detail is …
Pam
Dear Emilie, Thank you so much for all you did to make our vacation fantastic. From the initial planning, the guide book, and all the accommodations and plans, everything was fabulous! Our trip was made better because of you! Thank you from the bottom of my heart!
Grace from the US
A Fabulous Honeymoon ! We found France Just For You (FJFY) while doing a google search of places to honeymoon. After reaching out to Laura and Emilie we were immediately met with professionalism and enthusiasm. This trip was flawless in every way possible, any question we had about traveling to a foreign country had been thought of and answered by …
John
In May we travelled to France for our second trip with Emilie and France Just For You, and it was just as wonderful as our first adventure! Emilie's planning is so thorough and detailed that not a thing is left to chance. The B and B's were lovely and the hosts delightful; the routes were carefully planned to give us a complete taste of Southern …

What are you looking for?