Loire Valley Castles map

Loire Valley cycling route maps

Loire à Vélo is one of the best European cyclling route. Prepare Loire Valley cycling tour with Loire à Vélo cycling route map.

Download Loire Valley cycling route map pdf with six itinerary maps.:
* A journey through the Nantes vineyard
* Breathtaking Loire
* Coteaux du Layon hills and castles
* Saumur vineyards and cave dwelling
* Vallée du Loir, cycling in the vineyards
* Wine tasting on the Atlantic coast

Loire wine tours.

Half a day Loire Valley wine tour

In addition to beautiful castles and sceneries, the Loire Valley boasts some of the best white and red French wines. A local wine tour is therefore a must. Spend an afternoon discovering the Loire wines. Explore the Loire wine route.

Meet a characterful producer at a winery in Vouvray, one of the best-known appellations. Discover the estate and learn more about winemaking and wine tasting. Visit an underground troglodyte cellar dug out in the 10th century.

Loire Valley wine tour information and booking

One day Loire Valley wine and castle tour

Depart from Amboise or Tours and spend a day discovering the chateaux of the Loire Valley. The guided tour begins at the Château d'Azay-le-Rideau: you'll visit this magnificent site, famous for its reflection in the water. You'll then visit the gardens of Château de Villandry, remarkable for the harmony of its architecture. It is best known for its 3-level formal gardens.

The second part of the day is spent in Vouvray, where you'll meet a passionate winemaker on a wine estate. Throughout the afternoon, as you stroll through the vineyards, you'll learn more about this grape variety, winemaking and tasting. You'll become an expert on Loire wines.

Loire Valley wine and chateaux tour information and booking

Château de Chambord

Built in a rather desolate plain and surrounded by hunting forests, Chambord is a prestigious castle, that was hardly ever inhabited. Commissionned by King François Ier in 1519, it was in construction until the death of the king to end only under King Henri II. Francois Ier was at first impatient, but lost interest rather quickly. Towards the end of the reign, he came very little to Chambord. Perhaps he found – the castle old-fashioned. The principal masons engaged for the realization of the castle are Jacques Sourdeau, one of the builders of Blois, Pierre Trinqueau, who seems to have preserved until his death, in 1538, the direction of the work, and Jacques Coqueau. Several drawings of the building were established before the start of construction. A wooden model was executed by Dominique de Cortone and it is thought that Leonardo da Vinci, during the last years of his life spent in the Loire Valley, intervened in the development of Chambord's plans. Chambord today is the most famous Loire castle.

Château de Blois

The most complex castle of the Loire continues to attract 300,000 visitors each year. The Blois Castle has had a sound and light show for more than 20 years, which tells the story of the place. With its majestic staircases, its resplendent inner courtyard and its four aisles, the Blois Castle is the most atypical castle in the Loire. Official residence of the Kings of France during the Renaissance, it was a capital place of the history of France, in particular during the wars of Religion.

The first castle was built in the Middle Ages. It was in 1500 that began the work undertaken by King Louis XII. The castle became the official residence of the royal family. The successor of Louis XII, François Ier, his cousin, rebuild the castle The last part that was built was done by Gaston of Orleans, the last great prince in the 17th century.

Château d'Azay-le-Rideau

The castle was built by Gilles Berthelot, a wealthy financier, in 1510, in the early years of the architectural Renaissance. The time of the attacks of castles is gone. New residences no longer needed defensive equipment. By their ostentation they must show the wealth of their owner. Nevertheless, in this stereotyped setting, the castle of Azay-le-Rideau is an exception: it is fortified, because Berthelot feared the surrounding vandals. But naturally, it is also luxuriously decorated, with tapestries, wall carpets, massive carpentry, large fireplaces, loggias, sculptures and other artistic objects. Built during the reigns of Kings Louis XII and François Ier, it is very characteristic as it was placed in the middle of the river, the Indre, and looked like a small island. But the building knew by its beauty to stir the jealousy of the great powers of the time, and it was confiscated by King François Ier.