Loire Valley, France Main Towns: Amboise, Angers, Artenay, Azay le Rideau, Aubigny, Beaugency, Blois, Bourges, Brezolles, Briare, Brou, Chambord, Chateaudun, Chateau la Valliere, Chateau-Renault, Chateauroux, Chartres, Chatillon sur Indre, Gien, Issoudun, le Blanc, Loches, Maintenon, Montargis, Montoire, Montrichard, Orleans, Richelieu, Sancerre, Saumur, Senonches, Tours, Valencay, Vendome, Vierzon, Voves.

Orleans is the capital of the Loire Valley or Centre region of France. Rising in the Massif Central and flowing out to the Atlantic beyond Nantes, the river Loire, the longest river in France, is renowned for the magnificent châteaux which line its banks and those of its tributaries between Orléans and Angers.

Striking in architecture, rich in art and sumptuous furnishings, and steeped in history, the chateaux reflect the opulent lifestyle of their inhabitants. Set in the restful surroundings of gentle green countryside, with woods and meandering rivers, the history and architecture of many of the châteaux can often best be appreciated after dark in one of the evocative "Son et Lumière" shows. Sound and light shows are available at Chambord, Amboise, Azay-le-Rideau, Blois, Chenonceau and Valencay.

Loire wines come from the vineyards of Vouvray (white), Chinon (red), Saumur, Sancerre and Touraine (for lighter wines). Sancerre, an ancient hilltop village, right at the heart of vineyards producing the light, dry Sancere wines.

Within the old city walls of Bourges is the Gothic St. Etienne Cathedral, noted for its rose coloured glass windows. The city of Tours is the valley's main gateway from Paris. Its city is a tangle of winding streets, half-timbered houses and pleasing sidewalk cafes. No one should miss a visit to the Gothic cathedral St. Gatien, with some of the finest stained glass in France.

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