Provence West

Loire Valley

From kings to courtesans, châteaux to cathedrals, martyrs to Médicis, and literature to lore, the Loire Valley evokes images of fairy-tale castles, Renaissance art, world-class vineyards and wine estates and endless bike trails, all linked by the beautiful river which meanders through the French "heartland" and gives the valley its name. The region is rich in history: Diane de Poitiers, the mistress, and Catherine de Médici, the queen, competed over the attentions of Henri II (as well as ownership of our favorite château in the region, at Chenonceaux), Joan of Arc, the "Maid of Orléans," followed her vision from God and liberated the region's capital from the English, Leonardo da Vinci lived and worked just outside Amboise until his death (according to legend, in the arms of King François I) in 1519, and the author of Sleeping Beauty supposedly found his inspiration for the childrens' favorite from the Château d'Ussé. With its vast array of museums, antiques shops and boutiques, outdoor activities ranging from cycling to hot-air ballooning to golf and horse-back riding, limitless wine-tasting opportunities and gourmet restaurants, it is no wonder why a visit to the Loire Valley appeals to travelers of every age and interest.