Top Things to do in Loire Valley
10 Points of Interest & Landmarks in Loire Valley That You Shouldn't Miss
Old world villages and storybook chateaux bedeck the Loire, once fought over by Gauls, Romans, Visigoths and even Attila the Hun. Rent bikes and roll through the lush valley, visiting fortresses in Amboise and Angers, UNESCO-designated Chartres Cathedral and the Gothic cathedral in Nantes. Musee Jules Vernes houses replicas of inventions designed by the futuristic author. Pay respects to other former residents: the Romans in Tours, the cave dwellers of Touraine, and the liberator of Orleans, Joan of Arc.
Restaurants in Loire Valley
1. Oratoire Carolingien de Germigny-des-Pres
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 101 reviews
Reviewed By B7063QKireneg - Paris, France
byzantine style choir very unusual in France, with a wonderful mosaic similar to old byzantine or italian mosaics. The form of the choir is reminiscent of armenian or byzantine orthodix churches.
2. Maison du Parc
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 20 reviews
Have a break at the Park Center, in Montsoreau. A sensory scenography dedicated to landscapes’ history brings you to the edge of the Loire or in the forest at nightfall. Each year, discover a new thematic exhibition. Enjoy precious family moments thanks to animations. And ask for advices to prepare your stay or plan your trip. FREE ADMISSION
3. La Paillote
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 16 reviews
La Paillote Open air cultural center with proposals for restoration and relaxation A place for collective experimentation and unforeseen events.
4. Eglise Saint Dye
5. Le Chateau du Clos Luce - Parc Leonardo da Vinci
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6,037 reviews
At the invitation of Francis I, Leonardo da Vinci came to live at the Château du Clos Lucé and stayed here for the last three years of his life, devoting himself to perfecting his inventions. Leonardo was prolific and inspired, working as an engineer, architect and theatrical director, organising lavish festivities for the Court. At his residence 300 metres from the Château Royal, he drew up plans for a model château for Francis I in Romorantin and designed the double-helix open staircase in the Château de Chambord.The Château du Clos Lucé is dedicated to showing and explaining to the public the great knowledge acquired by the Italian Maestro.
Reviewed By 76marab - Green Mountain, United States
This wonderful look at the life and accomplishments of Leonardo Da Vinci as seen through a day in the life at his home (for the last three years of his life) Clos du Lucé is so lifelike it feels like he might be back for lunch. Period music is playing, his writing, experiments and painting supplies are all strewn about and admits to it all are little vignettes telling you more about his inventions and life. Many miniature models exists of his prototypes and as an added bonus, there are animated videos showing via computer graphics how some of the larger scale ones would have or did work. Life size models on campus as well. Great fun for all ages. Restaurant and gif5 shop on site at this park like setting.
6. Rue Royale
7. Chateau de Chambord
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 7,668 reviews
Chambord is the emblem of the French Renaissance through Europe and the world. The Domain of Chambord is made up of the château, a village, farms and a wooded area. The domain of Chambord is completely enclosed within a wall, all 5,440 hectares of it. That’s the equivalent of the city of Paris! It is the largest enclosed forest in Europe. The entire site has been the property of the state since 1930; when the public estate was created, article 230 of the law dated 23 February 2005 stated that the possessions making up the domain were given over to it without restriction or exceptions.
Reviewed By 430fredg - Milton, Canada
Our group of travellers from Canada visited this incredible chateau on our recent tour of the Loire Valley. The Chateau de Chambord, one of the greatest architectural masterpieces of the Renaissance, is famous for its double-story staircase designed by Leonardo da Vinci. The chateau is linked with its natural forest surroundings and its 5440 hectares, while the Domaine is the largest walled estate in Europe, thirty-two km of walls. The staircase involves two spiral stairs that turn in the same direction but never meet. It took between twenty and thirty years to finish the construction of the chateau-eighteen hundred people worked at building it. There are 282 chimneys, 77 staircases and 32 apartments for friends of the king Francois the first, and his court. Although king Francis was responsible for creating the concept of Chambord Chateau, he himself only spent 72 days in it, and the building was eventually completed by King Louis IV. Use the headsets provided, as there is a historical treasure trove in the numerous rooms. Also walk around the gardens, they are very colourful and visually stunning.
8. Chateau de l'Islette
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,080 reviews
Reviewed By GerMar60
We had a free guided tour of this château (in French) which was absolutely fascinating. The château has a very homely feel because the owners live there for 7 months of the year and just vacate it for the summer to allow visits to take place (the family moves to a farmhouse on the estate). After the guided tour, we were given free rein to explore both the château and the grounds.
9. Chateau de Meung sur Loire
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 498 reviews
At the gates of Chambord, from the sophistication of its drawing rooms to its unsettling underground passages, you will be astonished while discovering this private chateau and the illustrious figures who have stayed there.
Reviewed By Beto79 - Lille, France
This was one of the highlights of our recent trip to the Loret region. The castle is very well preserved; the interior of the castle is beautiful and it has many old furniture; well-signalled (at least for French speakers) and the surroundings are quite nice to spend the day. Consider to visit the place on Sunday; so you can also see the local market. The gift shop has nice products from the region. Plan well; although it is relatively close to Orleans, the frequency of trains is a little bit sparse.
10. L’Abbaye Royale de Fontevraud
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,000 reviews
Founded in 1101 on the intersecting borders of three regions, Anjou, Touraine and Poitou, Fontevraud Abbey is the largest surviving monastic complex from the Middle Ages. At the heart of the Abbey Church, the reclining effigies of Eleanor of Aquitaine, Henry II and Richard the Lionheart are a reminder of its close links with the Plantagenet kings. Converted into a prison between 1804 and 1963, then in 2000 designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site along with the Loire Valley, Fontevraud lives and breathes heritage, culture, the art of living and tradition of hospitality, continuing to embody its founder's vision of an "ideal city".
Reviewed By bebsaurus_13 - Paris, France
We visited the monumental and historically fascinating Abbey to start our trip in the Loire Valley and it was a great introduction to the region. The building, having survived many tumultous periods and some massive transformations (including its stint as a prison for nearly 100 years), has been beautifully restored and looks gorgeous. There are clear and interesting explanations in each room, and several interactive screens that told more precise stories related to the Abbey - such as Alineor of Aquitaine's history - that kept our visit moving and also provided a lot of context for the other sites we visited later in our trip. Furthermore, there are a number of temporary exhibits in some of the Abbey rooms that were excellent. I especially appreciated the exhibit on modern church windows, and the curious but mesmerising light installation in the great hall. The grounds are also quite nice to visit, but the rain put us off from spending too much time there. This is a wonderful site and is really worth the stop.
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