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The Val de Loire, a stroll through the castles

The Loire Valley is one of those regions that make France the most beautiful country in the world, and UNESCO noticed it by listing the site as a World Heritage Site in 2000. If it has become so famous, it is above all thanks to the lords and kings who had more than fifty castles built along this river, now a highlight of French tourism. Among them, the Château de Chambord, which welcomes more than one and a half million visitors every year.

The great history of the Loire Valley begins in the Middle Ages, with the now famous Loire castles that sprang up all over the region. These buildings are the result of the clashes between the French and the English during the Hundred Years’ War. At the time, each bank of the Loire was held by one side, which built military fortresses there. Later, especially during the Renaissance, and thanks to a location that suited the monarchy, they became magnificent palaces, symbols of grandeur and power.

The Loire Valley is therefore an ideal place to spend a memorable moment and dive into the history of France. Beyond its grand castles, it offers high-quality vineyards as well as unspoiled nature. Escape to this exceptional region where more than 85,000 hectares classified Natura 2000 await you. Behind the wheel, take the country roads of the Loiret, Loir-et-Cher, Indre-et-Loire and Maine-et-Loire. Stop off in the pretty towns of Orléans, Blois, Tours and Angers. And taste, in moderation, the wines of Anjou and Touraine.

From Sully-sur-Loire to Angers, let Infotourisme guide you through a selection of eighteen must-see Loire Valley castles.