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The
Loire Valley
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The
magnificent Loire Valley has been listed by UNESCO as
a World Heritage site extending from Sully-sur-Loire to
Chalonnes-sur-Loire. The peaceful tributaries and the
watery Sologne region of the Loire Valley beg to be explored
along with the troglodyte caves, sleepy hamlets, and small
Romanesque churches. You will find inviting inns offer
excellent food to be enjoyed with fine wines. Imagine
beautiful châteaux, charming villages, flower-covered
hillsides and fertile river valley home to some of the
world's finest vineyards and you are in the Loire Valley.
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TOWNS
AND VILLAGES
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LA
MANS.
Le Mans is famous for its 24-hour car race held every
year in June. However, it also has one of the most beautiful
old quarters in France. Vieux Mans, the ancient city centre,
is still surrounded by the 3rd to 4th century Gallo-Roman
walls and features half-timbered houses, Renaissance mansions
important religious monuments.
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POITIERS.
The most famous attraction of Poitiers is Futuroscope
a unique theme park bringing together the very latest
advances in giant-screen film, video and the Internet.
Futuroscope offers breathtaking imagery, fantastic architecture
and a wealth of support to UK schools and colleges. Up
to 3 million visitors a year come to Futuroscope to experience
the magic of the massive 3D cinema, virtual reality simulator
rides and the latest in communications technology. Poitiers
old quarter has a wealth of interesting architecture and
has been a centre for the arts and intellectual studies
since the 14th century. The town also claims Rabelais,
a French Renaissance writer, Franciscan monk, humanist,
and physician as one of its most famous students.
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NANTES.
The
port of Nantes has achieved a blend of the old medieval
centre side by side with the sophisticated and stylish
new town. Tall tower blocks create a cosmopolitan skyline
with chic bars and restaurants, and Art Nouveau rubs shoulders
with history.
CHOLET.
Has a reputation for its love of festivals, in the past
the town has played its part in many great battles, and
in the 18th century was the military base for the Vendee.
To day it is a peaceful and relaxed place with the remains
of the Chateau de Cholet and the Jardins de Mail well
worth a visit.
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LOCHES.
Once an important fortified medieval stronghold with a large
Norman Keep dating back to the 11th century built by the
count of Anjou. The surrounding area has a wealth of places
to explore, including the National Forest the River Indre
and the underground quarry at Vigenmont. During the summer
months the evening markets bring a special atmosphere to
the old streets of the town held between 5pm and midnight |
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AMBOISE.
The charming village where Leonardo da Vinci spent the
last four years of his life. Leonardo's home, the Manoir
du Clos-Lucé, is located just outside Amboise, and visitors
are welcome to tour the artist's rooms.
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BLOIS.
The
town of Blois, prides itself as the gateway to the Loire
Valley, making it the ideal starting point for touring
holidays. East of Blois, the magnificent châteaux of Chambord
and Cheverny, Chambord is the largest of the Loire Valley
châteaux and was originally designed as a hunting lodge.
It became the ultimate royal country get away from under
the watchful eye of François I. It took an army of 2,000
craftsmen to complete. Cheverny, has a richly furnished
interior that attracts art lovers from all over the world.
The exterior is said to be the inspiration for Marlinspike,
seen in Hergé's Tintin comics.
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TOURS.
Tours, is a friendly university town with a mediaeval
heart that has been lovingly restored in recent years.
Visit the cathedral St Gatien with its marvellous stained
glass window, the museum of Beaux Arts and the Chateau
Royal.
BOURGES.
The town is famous as the home of Jacques Coeur, reputed
to be the most wealthy merchant of the middle ages.
Well worth a visit is the magnificent palace that he
built, including Turkish baths and a vaulted gallery
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COMBLEUX.
This town, with its flower-decked houses strung between
the canal d'Orléans and the Loire River, create a charming
picture of French rural life. There are some lovely walks
along the sandy, untamed river banks.
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SOUVIGNY-EN-SOLOGNE.
A well restored village with brick, daub and half-timbered
houses. There is an interesting church famous for its
caquetoir (an after-church gossip gallery). The surrounding
birch and oak forests of Sologne are filled with lakes
and ponds, and in winter with game, a hiker's paradise.
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APREMONT-SUR-ALLIER.
The castle became a fortress in the Middle Ages to defend
a strategic position on the Allier River and to get tolls
from travellers who wanted to crossed the river. The old
fortress still maintains with five of its 12 original
towers, and walls. The castle is surrounded by a lovely
English style flower garden and is also famous for its
Chinese bridge and Turkish pavilion. The old harbour was
where quarred stones were shipped for the many of the
Loire chateaux
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NOHANT.
Home of novelist and feminist George Sand and GARGILESSE
where the writer had a summer house. During August there
are concerts and a harp festival. Nearby is the castle
Châteaubrun noted for its massive garden sculptures
RICHELIEU.
King Louis XIII's advisor, Cardinal Richelieu, left this
early example of urban planning, symmetrical streets and
squares.
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TROO.
This
is without doubt one of the most picturesque of all the
troglodyte villages in the Loire Valley. The village was
built on a cliff that drops almost vertically down to
the Loire and is spread over four levels. The lowest of
these being on the same level as the river, the next two
are tucked into the hillside and are crammed with cave
dwellings and the fourth is the plateau itself. Each of
the floors is cleverly connected by a labyrinth of stairs
and pathways. This amazing network of fortified caves
(cafforts) at Troo extends underground over an area of
several kilometres. Open every afternoon from 1 April
to 30 November, Saturday and Sunday all day, and all year
round by appointment.
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ORLEANS.
This famous town is known thought the world for the story
of St Joan who arrived in Orleans in April 1429. Although
wounded she fought a great battle against the English
and liberated Orleans May of the same year. Orleans hosts
the festival (Les Fêtes de Jeanne d'Arc), which is held
in early May to commemorate Orleans liberation. The Saint
Cross Cathedral (Cathédrale Sainte-Croix) was entirely
destroyed during the religious wars and its reconstruction
was late decided by Henri IV in April 1601. The Cathedral
has some beautiful stained-glass windows that depict Joan
of Arc's story.
VILLANDRY
AND AZAY LE RIDEAU.
Due west of Chenonceau, is where you will find these two
charming towns just waiting to be explored. The Château
de Villandry is home to a beautifully restored 16th-century
garden and well worth a visit.
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CHATEAUX
OF THE LOIRE VALLEY
CHATEAU
CHAMBORD.
A Masterpiece of building started by Francois I in 1519
and finished by Louis XIV in 1686. The exterior is in fact
much more interesting than the interior with some lovely
walks in the grounds, horse drawn carriage rides and boats
for hire. However, the interior has an unusual double spiral
staircase. |
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CHATEAU
DE CHEVERNY.
This Château is probably the most lavishly furnished of
any in the Loire Valley. There is also an Orangery, and
extensive grounds to wander through. Cheverny is also known
in children's literature, for the Tintin stories (A French
language cartoon) as some of Tintin's adventures happen
at a château based on Cheverny. |
CHATEAU
DE CHENONCEAU.
If you only have the time to see one Château, then Chenonceau
is the one. It has an art gallery, two wonderful gardens
plus a forest and many other wonders. You can even take
a boat out on the River Cher to get a different view of
the chateau. Originaly the house belonged to Diane de Poitiers,
mistress to Henri II, up until his death. Lady Diane de
Poitiers cultivated beautiful and elaborate gardens, which
are open to the public. |
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CHATEAU
ROYAL DE BLOIS.
A true fortress castle built on a hill over looking the
Loire River. It has a mix of many different architectural
styles, including gothic and renaissance. Directly across
from the Château is the 'Masion de la Magie Robert Houdin'
a museum of magic, great fun for the younger members of
the family, with daily magic shows. |
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CHATEAU
D'AMBOISE.
Beautiful views are in abundance at this fortress Château.
Also not to be missed is Clos Lucé, where Leonard da Vinci
spent the last years of his life. You can see where Leonardo
da Vinci lived and his workshop, there is also a small
museum showing replicas of some of his work.
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CHATEAU
DE BEAUREGARD.
This lovely little chateau should not be missed. There
are only three rooms open to the public, but what gems
they are. The Portrait Gallery in itself has 327 painting
and Delft tile floor is a rare treasure.
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CHATEAU
DE SAUMUR.
Like a fairy tale castle Saumur chateau is a rare exemple
of 14th century architecture, it marks the end of the
middle ages and the beginning of the Renaissance period.
During the 16th century, major fortifications were added.
The chateau houses a magnificent collection of decorative
arts and items connected with horses and riding.
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SPORTS
& LEISURE
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The
Loire Valley has some of the best biking, walking and
touring country in France, being mostly flat with forests
populated by all kinds of wildlife. The river is as much
a part of the landscape as the vine yards and chateaux
in this part of France and has managed to remain unspoiled.
The many rivers and streams scattered with sandy islands,
are particularly good for fishing and canoeing. The area
is also noted for its diversity of plants and wildlife
including migratory birds such as Cormorants from Denmark
and terns from Africa. You will have to be very patient,
however, if you want to see the beavers that were reintroduced
to the region 25 years ago. Here you will discover forests
and moorland, flood plains and meadows a whole host of
remarkable natural habitats populated with a large number
of species. You will also find several excellent golf
courses in the area, suited for all levels of players,
and ballooning for the adventurous.
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Recommendations
for walkers and cyclists.
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Good walking shoes. (Not new ones)
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Hat.
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Plenty
of drinking water.
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Stay
on the marked trails.
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Insect
repellent.
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Never walk at night.
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Fires and Smoking are forbidden.
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Respect
the flora and fauna and other wildlife.
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During
the summer months beware of snakes.
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It's
best to go with an organised group unless you have
a good knowledge of walking in this type of terrain.
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