The Loire Valley and Its Chateaux
The term Loire Valley is
usually used to refer to the area between Orleans and Angers. The valley
effectively divides France - to the north the climate is mild and wet but
to the south it abruptly changes to the drier, hotter climate of the
Mediterranean. There is a wealth of history, art and architecture to be
found here and it is also famous for its food and wines - Sancerre and
Muscadet, Chinon and Bourgeuil to mention but a few. This is a wonderful
place to explore and enjoy.
It is an immensely fertile area, which - along with the easy transport
provided by the river - made it highly desirable to wealthy lords and
royalty, so the string of fabulous chateaux that can be seen today were
built. There are so many of these gems that you would spend weeks trying
to visit them all. This is no doubt why UNESCO designated the whole area
a World Heritage Site instead of attempting to pick out individual
chateaux for that distinction.
Chenonceaux, built in 1520 by a tax collector for his wife, is often
thought to be the most romantic of castles. Its design was always
controlled by the women who lived here, including Diane de Poitiers and
Catherine de Medici. Azay-le-Rideau is a classic fairytale palace with
its white walls and early Renaissance style. It stands in lovely gardens
on its own little island in the Indre River. The chateau at Villandry is
renowned for its ornamental 'garden of love' and its wonderful kitchen
garden. Fontevraud Abbey, which contains the tombs of the Plantagenets,
is a superb complex of Romanesque buildings and the largest abbey in
France.
The Loire Valley which is
often referred to as 'the Garden of France' is best visited during the
spring and autumn.
