| Check out our free interactive Loire Valley holiday guide and discover Loire Valley's biggest attractions, best restaurants and much more. If you've visited Loire Valley before tell us your holiday tips and help other travellers enjoy great holidays in Loire Valley, France. |
| Free Loire Valley Holiday Guide |
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The Chateau d'Amboise - Amboise. The chateau became a royal palace during the 15th & 16th centuries. It became home of many royal kings including Francois 1 who introduced the Italian Renaissance to France by having Leonardo da Vinci as his guest here. The grounds are lovely and house the small gothic chapel of St-Hubert, which has carvings of the Virgin and Child, Charles VIII and was once the home of Leonardo da Vinci’s tomb.
Chateau D’Angers – 2-promenade du Bout du Monde, Angers. St. Louis in the early 13th century the chateau towers over the town from behind its turreted moats. These are now gardens and have fabulous flower displays. The views of the city and its adjoining countryside from the castle towers are sensational. A gallery in the grounds is home to fabulous Tenture de l'Apocalypse (Apocalypse Tapestries). These were woven in Paris in the 14th century and measuring 16 ft high and 120 yards long, its many panels illustrate 70 shocking and funny scenes taken from the Book of Revelation.
Le Mans – Bourgueil. The city is the famous venue for the 24-hour automobile race held in June each year. The city itself is a busy place with Gallo-Roman ramparts, a lovely historic Old Quarter, and a wonderful Gothic/Renaissance cathedral, which is located on a hilltop overlooking the River Sarthe.
Chateau de Blois – Blois. This enormous Chateau is one of the most impressive in the valley. It was built over a period of four centuries and is a fascinating mixture of the architecture of those times. The fine arts museum, Musee des Beaux-Arts, is to be found in the Louis XII wing. Here is a collection of royal portraits, one of which is by Rubens. Son-et-lumiere shows are staged during the summer.
Chavignol – Near Sancerre. There are several wine producers in this village that have tastings and vintage wines up for sale. Chavignol is also famous for production of the small, round goat cheese, The Fete du Crottin is held in Sancerre every April and is a celebration of the local cheeses.
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Au Plaisir Gourmand – 2 rue Plaisir, Chinon. This 18th-century restaurant set by the Vienne River is considered to be the best in the town of Chinon. The delicious food is served in the Renaissance-style dining room and the specialities include, snails in garlic, jellied rabbit, and crayfish salad. Prices are high but justifiable.
Au rendez-vous des Pecheurs - 27 rue du Foix, Blois. Situated in an old grocery by the Loire, this restaurant offers good value for money and the dishes are very creative.
Auberge Joseph Mellot - 16 Nouvelle-Place, Sancerre. Occupying one of the oldest buildings in Sancerre, this restaurant has been around for a long time. It is a perfect place to eat good food at budget prices
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Son-et-lumiere – Amboise. These are held at approximately 10pm in July and August. In both of the chateaux in the town. They are make a wonderful spectacle for the children to enjoy.
Mini-Chateaux – head south of Amboise on the D751 to Chenoceaux and you will find over 40 scale models of the main Loire chateaux.
Aquarium de Touraine – Lassault. This is an enormous aquarium that is home to 10,000 fish. There are also alligators, turtles and sharks.
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