Loire
Valley, France Departments: Cher, Eure-et-Loire, Indre,
Indre-et-Loire, Loir-et-Cher, Loiret.
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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