expoloring france's loire valley

​A couple of weeks ago, Geoff and I traveled to France for an Avalon river cruise on the Seine River.  We decided to go in four days early to explore an area of France we hadn't seen before.
 
After asking around, we picked the Loire Valley and are so glad we did!  We stayed in the city of Tours which an easy 1.5 hour train ride from Charles DeGaulle airport.  We loved Tours - great architecture with wonderful food and a beautiful fine arts museum.  We loved just wandering around and found the local population to be very friendly.  The Irish rugby team was headquartered in Tours for the Rugby World Cup.  Needless to say, there was a lot of energy associated with this!
  
One day we went on a small tour of  two chateaux.  The tour also  included a wine tasting and lunch at what was once the Royal winery.  The entire area is steeped in history and it was interesting to learn about it while viewing the two chateaux.  One of them was designed by Leonardo da Vinci who spent his last years in the area.  
 
We'd definitely go back to Tours and the Loire Valley.  We feel we just barely scratched the surface of things to do!
 
-Cindy-

destination of the week
loire valley, france

The Loire Valley is the epitome of sophistication – its UNESCO-listed portion contains over 300 chateaux and a glut of vineyards. Vacationing  in chateau splendor conjures visions of pre-revolution France: it’s a place where queens had poison cabinets, peasant girls had angelic visions, and Leonardo da Vinci spent his last days at a King’s right hand.
 
Lots of people are here to cross chateaux off their lists, but there’s another side to Loire valley life. The lovely landscape is really great for cycling and walking vacations, and for simply spending time relaxing with your family. At the heart of the Loire valley’s charm is a gentle tussle between tamed and wild: formal French gardens and strict regiments of vineyards live next to deep, dark forests and a wild river. The ‘Loire sauvage’ has fought against the odds, and remains, for now, the last truly wild river in France.
 
Approximately a fifth of the Loire River falls within the prestigious UNESCO-listed Loire Valley region, which sits between the cities of Orleans in the east and Angers in the west, with Tours in-between. Dotted along the river’s length are a whole heap of smaller towns with medieval leanings, geranium-filled window boxes and exposed timber beams. Then there are vineyards, forests and parks. In short: there’s plenty to do once you’ve found your way out of the (literal) maze in the castle grounds. The most famous chateaux in the area are Chateau de Chambord, Chateau de Chenonceau, Chateau d'Azay-le-Rideau and Chateau d’Ussé, plus Chateau de Villandry for its gardens.
 
https://www.lonelyplanet.com/france/the-loire

travel tip of the week
chateau fatigue

​The practice of seeing two or more chateaux a day can leave you exhausted. There’s really no ‘must-see’ chateau; they’re all pretty marvelous in their own ways. Pick a few that capture your imagination. Your favorite might turn out to be totally tiny – or only half there. Visit Tiffauges, where the ruined chateau was once famously inhabited by Gilles de Rais – the man who inspired the legend of Bluebeard.

virtual vacation of the week

​The architectural heritage in the Loire Valley's historic towns is notable, especially its châteaux.  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. 
Video by Travel and Discover and found on YouTube

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