Certainly the main attractions of the Loire are romance, history and architecture. The renaissance chateaux built by Charles VIII, Francois I, Catherine de Medici and other royals during the hundred years that the French court relocated to the Loire Valley from Paris it a distinctive storybook charm. (more…)
The gardens at Chateau Villandry are a sheer delight. They are lovingly and enthusiastically tended by Henri Carvallo, curator of the chateau and great-grandson of Dr Joachim Carvallo who purchased the chateau in 1906. When Dr Carvallo purchased the property it was on the point of being demolished.
The Loire Valley in France is a superb delight for garden enthusiasts. Not only can you admire the spectacular chateaux and sample fine French cuisine and great Loire valley wine, tourists can also marvel at some amazing gardens. The whole valley is now a world heritage site listed by UNESCO. (more…)
The Loire Valley became the favourite residence of kings who during the Renaissance period entertained in lavish style while enjoying the incredible beauty of the landscape. The castles still stand in all their glory representing the majesty and grandeur of the architecture of that period (more…)
Autoroutes or french motorways are a delight to drive on, as they are all relatively new and incredibly well maintained. All of the motorways throughout France are a fast efficient way to travel and once you are on them they are easy to navigate. They are usually expensive and the locals prefer to avoid them and stick to the (more…)
The central part of the Loire Valley was named a UNESCO World Heritage in 2000 for its cultural landscape and historic towns and villages. France in 2005 suffering from a minor slump in American tourism, introduced the "Loire à Vélo" biking program, designed to allow cyclists to explore the 880 kilometers of breathtaking cycling trails and roads that wind along Europe's last wild river past vineyards, mysterious troglodyte homes (limestone caves), picturesque french villages, ancient churches and monasteries. When the whole trail is eventually completed it will stretch approximately 500 miles from St.-Brevin-les-Pins in the Atlantic region to Cuffy in the Cher region, near Sancerre.
Chateau du Clos Luce is where Leonard de Vinci spent the last three years of his life. King Francois I invited Leonardo da Vinci and he bestowed on him an annual pension of 700 golden crowns and gifted him Chateau du Clos Luce. (more…)
Chateau de Chambord was commissioned in 1510 by the young King Francois definitely an egomaniac when he was only 25 years of age, to help establish his power. He was not content with the amazing chateaux of Blois and Amboise. (more…)
When Mick Jagger thick-lipped lead singer of the Rolling Stones (affectionately also known as the Strolling Bones) finishes a tour, where does he head to unwind? He heads for the beautiful Touraine region in the centre of France in a sleepy little backwater where he can relax with his friends and family preferring the simple life.
The Val de Loire is a majestic region awarded world heritage listing because of its amazing chateaux.The kings of France, seduced by the temperate climate and the game-filled forests constructed their these incredible Loire Valley castles. They surrounded themselves with the greatest architects and artiests of this era. (more…)