Destinations > France > Loire Valley
Loire Valley
Château de Chambord, Château de Chenonceau, Château d'Azay-le-Rideau, Tours, Sancerre, Saumur
Best time to visit: May-September
Go for this: Château de Chambord — one of the crowning achievements of French Renaissance architecture (with 426 rooms, 77 staircases and 282 fireplaces) — among dozens of other fairytale châteaux and opulent aristocratic estates sprinkled across this lush “Valley of the Kings.”
But try this: Discover the outstanding wines of the Loire Valley, one of the most renowned terroirs in France. Walk the vineyards, tour the caves, and visit a family-owned estate to taste a variety of wines, paired with delicious regional cheeses. You’ll have the chance to meet the local winemakers and learn the proper wine-tasting techniques for comparing different flavors and fragrances.
Favorite guest experience: Loire Valley Helicopter Tour. Enjoy a private helicopter flight over some of the most prestigious castles and beautiful residences of the Loire valley. Discover the luscious French countryside and its magnificent architecture from a new perspective. Your pilot will provide you with interesting facts about the castles and the region during the flight.
Favorite hotel: Les Hauts de Loire, a hunting lodge built in 1860 on the wine trail through the castles of the Loire. This historic residence nestles in an unspoiled setting amidst ponds teeming with birdlife, and offers the ideal peaceful retreat for nature lovers.
Favorite restaurant: La Maison d’à Côté, just outside Chambord, serving traditional French fare (like Challans duck fillet and lacquered cod) in a cozy, yet contemporary setting.
Foods:
- Andouillette Sausage
- Pork or Fish Rillettes
- Orléans Poultry
- Green Lentils
- Goat Cheese
- Truffles
- Fouée or Fouace Tourangelle (a small sweet bun)
Wine - Varietals:
- Sauvignon Blanc
- Chenin Blanc
- Cabernet Franc
Wine - Appellations:
- Chinon
- Sancerre
- Vouvray
- Cheverney
- Bourgueil
- Pouilly-Fumé
- Saumur
Best time to visit: May-September
Go for this: Château de Chambord -- one of the crowning achievements of French Renaissance architecture (with 426 rooms, 77 staircases and 282 fireplaces) — among dozens of other fairytale châteaux and opulent aristocratic estates sprinkled across this lush “Valley of the Kings”.
But try this: Discover the outstanding wines of the Loire Valley, one of the most renowned terroirs in France. Walk the vineyards, tour the caves, and visit a family-owned estate to taste a variety of wines, paired with delicious regional cheeses. You’ll have the chance to meet the local winemakers and learn the proper wine-tasting techniques for comparing different flavors and fragrances.
Favorite guest experience: Loire Valley Helicopter Tour. Enjoy a private helicopter flight over some of the most prestigious castles and beautiful residences of the Loire valley. Discover the luscious French countryside and its magnificent architecture from a new perspective. Your pilot will provide you with interesting facts about the castles and the region during the flight.
Favorite hotel: Les Hauts de Loire, a hunting lodge built in 1860 on the wine trail through the castles of the Loire. This historic residence nestles in an unspoiled setting amidst ponds teeming with birdlife, and offers the ideal peaceful retreat for nature lovers.
Favorite restaurant: La Maison d’à Côté, just outside Chambord, serving traditional French fare (like Challans duck fillet and lacquered cod) in a cozy, yet contemporary setting.
Foods:
- Andouillette Sausage
- Pork or Fish Rillettes
- Orléans Poultry
- Green Lentils
- Goat Cheese
- Truffles
- Fouée or Fouace Tourangelle (a small sweet bun)
Wine - Varietals:- Sauvignon Blanc
- Chenin Blanc
- Cabernet Franc
Wine - Appellations:- Chinon
- Sancerre
- Vouvray
- Cheverney
- Bourgueil
- Pouilly-Fumé
- Saumur
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