Top Loire Valley Sights
Sightseeing
One of our favorite nearby castles! Built in the 1400's, the Château du Rivau seems to come straight out of a fairy tale. Its shape is reminiscent of 13th century fortified castles as suggest the square layout one can still discern. The square shaped keep was the heart of the castle’s fortification.
The 12 gardens of Rivau are designated a Jardin Remarquable (by a French organization that recognizes remarkable gardens).[2] They are inspired by fairy tales and legends and take the visitors on a beautiful and fantastical journey. The Rivau fairytale gardens are also a treat for rose lovers and gardeners, as they display a collection of more than 300 roses from famous rose breeders such as André Eve or David Austin.
The gardens are dog friendly, as long as they're kept on a leash during the visit.
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Castillo de Rivau
9 Rue du ChâteauOne of our favorite nearby castles! Built in the 1400's, the Château du Rivau seems to come straight out of a fairy tale. Its shape is reminiscent of 13th century fortified castles as suggest the square layout one can still discern. The square shaped keep was the heart of the castle’s fortification.
The 12 gardens of Rivau are designated a Jardin Remarquable (by a French organization that recognizes remarkable gardens).[2] They are inspired by fairy tales and legends and take the visitors on a beautiful and fantastical journey. The Rivau fairytale gardens are also a treat for rose lovers and gardeners, as they display a collection of more than 300 roses from famous rose breeders such as André Eve or David Austin.
The gardens are dog friendly, as long as they're kept on a leash during the visit.
The lands where an ancient fortress once stood were known as Columbine until the 17th century. They were acquired in the early 16th century by Jean Le Breton, France's Controller-General for War under King Francis I, and a new château was constructed around the original 14th-century keep where King Philip II of France once met Richard I of England to discuss peace.
The château remained in the Le Breton family for more than two centuries until it was acquired by the Marquis de Castellane. During the French Revolution the property was confiscated and in the early 19th century, Emperor Napoleon acquired it for his brother Jérôme Bonaparte.
In 1906, Joachim Carvallo purchased the property and poured an enormous amount of time, money and devotion into repairing it and creating extremely beautiful gardens. Its famous Renaissance gardens include a water garden, ornamental flower gardens, and vegetable gardens. The gardens are laid out in formal patterns created with low box hedges. In 1934, Château de Villandry was designated a Monument historique. Like all the other châteaux of the Loire Valley, it is a World Heritage Site.
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Castillo de Villandry
3 Rue PrincipaleThe lands where an ancient fortress once stood were known as Columbine until the 17th century. They were acquired in the early 16th century by Jean Le Breton, France's Controller-General for War under King Francis I, and a new château was constructed around the original 14th-century keep where King Philip II of France once met Richard I of England to discuss peace.
The château remained in the Le Breton family for more than two centuries until it was acquired by the Marquis de Castellane. During the French Revolution the property was confiscated and in the early 19th century, Emperor Napoleon acquired it for his brother Jérôme Bonaparte.
In 1906, Joachim Carvallo purchased the property and poured an enormous amount of time, money and devotion into repairing it and creating extremely beautiful gardens. Its famous Renaissance gardens include a water garden, ornamental flower gardens, and vegetable gardens. The gardens are laid out in formal patterns created with low box hedges. In 1934, Château de Villandry was designated a Monument historique. Like all the other châteaux of the Loire Valley, it is a World Heritage Site.
The Château d'Azay-le-Rideau is located in the town of Azay-le-Rideau in the French département of Indre-et-Loire. Built between 1518 and 1527, this château is considered one of the foremost examples of early French renaissance architecture. Set on an island in the middle of the Indre river, this picturesque château has become one of the most popular of the châteaux of the Loire valley.
197 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Castillo de Azay-le-Rideau
19 Rue de PineauThe Château d'Azay-le-Rideau is located in the town of Azay-le-Rideau in the French département of Indre-et-Loire. Built between 1518 and 1527, this château is considered one of the foremost examples of early French renaissance architecture. Set on an island in the middle of the Indre river, this picturesque château has become one of the most popular of the châteaux of the Loire valley.
Built from the 16th century by the seigneurial family Les Gouffiers, the Château d’Oiron today houses the contemporary art collection Curios & Mirabilia, loosely based on the theme of the curiosity cabinet in reference to the fabulous art collection of Claude Gouffier, master of King Henry II of France's stables.
Artists reinterpret an exceptional place and original décor - galleries of Renaissance wall paintings in the School of Fontainebleau style, painted paneling and carved woodwork from the 17th century. Visitors are invited to explore "curiosities" and "marvels" following in the footsteps of the Marquis de Carabas - or Puss in Boots, who, it is said, was based on Claude Gouffier.
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Chateau d'Oiron
10 Rue du ChâteauBuilt from the 16th century by the seigneurial family Les Gouffiers, the Château d’Oiron today houses the contemporary art collection Curios & Mirabilia, loosely based on the theme of the curiosity cabinet in reference to the fabulous art collection of Claude Gouffier, master of King Henry II of France's stables.
Artists reinterpret an exceptional place and original décor - galleries of Renaissance wall paintings in the School of Fontainebleau style, painted paneling and carved woodwork from the 17th century. Visitors are invited to explore "curiosities" and "marvels" following in the footsteps of the Marquis de Carabas - or Puss in Boots, who, it is said, was based on Claude Gouffier.
The Royal Abbey of Our Lady of Fontevraud or Fontevrault (in French: abbaye de Fontevraud) was a monastery in the village of Fontevraud-l'Abbaye, near Chinon, in the former French duchy of Anjou. It was founded in 1101 by the itinerant preacher Robert of Arbrissel. The foundation flourished and became the center of a new monastic Order, the Order of Fontevraud. This order was composed of double monasteries, in which the community consisted of both men and women — in separate quarters of the abbey — all of whom were subject to the authority of the Abbess of Fontevraud. The Abbey of Fontevraud itself consisted of four separate communities, all managed by the same abbess.
The first permanent structures were built between 1110 and 1119.[1] The area where the Abbey is located was then part of what is sometimes referred to as the Angevin Empire. The King of England, Henry II, his wife, Eleanor of Aquitaine, and their son, King Richard the Lionheart, were all buried here at the end of the 12th century. It was seized and disestablished as a monastery during the French Revolution.
The Abbey is situated in the Loire Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, between Chalonnes-sur-Loire and Sully-sur-Loire within the Loire-Anjou-Touraine French regional natural park (Parc naturel régional Loire-Anjou-Touraine).
The complex of monastic buildings served as a prison from 1804 to 1963. Since 1975, it has hosted a cultural centre, the Centre Culturel de l'Ouest.
Also home to Fontevraud le Restaurant. Chef Thibaut Ruggeri, Bocuse d’Or, one Michelin star, found in Fontevraud the ideal place to realize his desire: to engage in a contemporary kitchen, sensible and refined where the superfluous and the pageantry have no place. His motto: reconcile the beautiful with the good!
Opened on to the cloister and adopting the architecture of a former priory, Fontevraud Le Restaurant combines heritage, history and haute cuisine.
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Abadía Real de Fontevraud
The Royal Abbey of Our Lady of Fontevraud or Fontevrault (in French: abbaye de Fontevraud) was a monastery in the village of Fontevraud-l'Abbaye, near Chinon, in the former French duchy of Anjou. It was founded in 1101 by the itinerant preacher Robert of Arbrissel. The foundation flourished and became the center of a new monastic Order, the Order of Fontevraud. This order was composed of double monasteries, in which the community consisted of both men and women — in separate quarters of the abbey — all of whom were subject to the authority of the Abbess of Fontevraud. The Abbey of Fontevraud itself consisted of four separate communities, all managed by the same abbess.
The first permanent structures were built between 1110 and 1119.[1] The area where the Abbey is located was then part of what is sometimes referred to as the Angevin Empire. The King of England, Henry II, his wife, Eleanor of Aquitaine, and their son, King Richard the Lionheart, were all buried here at the end of the 12th century. It was seized and disestablished as a monastery during the French Revolution.
The Abbey is situated in the Loire Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, between Chalonnes-sur-Loire and Sully-sur-Loire within the Loire-Anjou-Touraine French regional natural park (Parc naturel régional Loire-Anjou-Touraine).
The complex of monastic buildings served as a prison from 1804 to 1963. Since 1975, it has hosted a cultural centre, the Centre Culturel de l'Ouest.
Also home to Fontevraud le Restaurant. Chef Thibaut Ruggeri, Bocuse d’Or, one Michelin star, found in Fontevraud the ideal place to realize his desire: to engage in a contemporary kitchen, sensible and refined where the superfluous and the pageantry have no place. His motto: reconcile the beautiful with the good!
Opened on to the cloister and adopting the architecture of a former priory, Fontevraud Le Restaurant combines heritage, history and haute cuisine.
The Château de Montreuil-Bellay is a historical building in the town of Montreuil-Bellay, département of Maine-et-Loire, France, first built on the site of a Gallo-Roman village high on a hill on the banks of the Thouet River. It is listed as a monument historique by the French Ministry of Culture.
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Château de Montreuil-Bellay
Place des OrmeauxThe Château de Montreuil-Bellay is a historical building in the town of Montreuil-Bellay, département of Maine-et-Loire, France, first built on the site of a Gallo-Roman village high on a hill on the banks of the Thouet River. It is listed as a monument historique by the French Ministry of Culture.
Ussé is a castle in the Indre-et-Loire département, in France. The stronghold at the edge of the Chinon forest overlooking the Indre Valley was first fortified in the eleventh century by the Norman seigneur of Ussé, Gueldin de Saumur, who surrounded the fort with a palisade on a high terrace. The site passed to the Comte de Blois, who rebuilt in stone.
Charles Perrault, author of the versions of several of the most famous fairy tales known today, often visited the castle and was a guest there. He had the castle of Ussé in mind when writing "The Sleeping Beauty".
Famed for its picturesque aspect, Ussé was the subject of a French railroad poster issued by the Chemin de Fer de Paris à Orléans in the 1920s[4] and was one of several that inspired Walt Disney in the creation of many of the Disney Castles.
Ussé was classified as a monument historique in 1931 by the French Ministry of Culture
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Castillo de Ussé
338 Château d'UsseUssé is a castle in the Indre-et-Loire département, in France. The stronghold at the edge of the Chinon forest overlooking the Indre Valley was first fortified in the eleventh century by the Norman seigneur of Ussé, Gueldin de Saumur, who surrounded the fort with a palisade on a high terrace. The site passed to the Comte de Blois, who rebuilt in stone.
Charles Perrault, author of the versions of several of the most famous fairy tales known today, often visited the castle and was a guest there. He had the castle of Ussé in mind when writing "The Sleeping Beauty".
Famed for its picturesque aspect, Ussé was the subject of a French railroad poster issued by the Chemin de Fer de Paris à Orléans in the 1920s[4] and was one of several that inspired Walt Disney in the creation of many of the Disney Castles.
Ussé was classified as a monument historique in 1931 by the French Ministry of Culture
Amusement Park
Puy du Fou is a historical theme park in Les Epesses in the heart of the Pays de la Loire region of Western France. The park brings more than 2 million visitors every year, making it the second most popular theme park in France after Disneyland Paris.
The park is split into 26 main shows, each running for approximately 30 – 40 minutes.
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Puy du Fou
Puy du Fou is a historical theme park in Les Epesses in the heart of the Pays de la Loire region of Western France. The park brings more than 2 million visitors every year, making it the second most popular theme park in France after Disneyland Paris.
The park is split into 26 main shows, each running for approximately 30 – 40 minutes.
Futuroscope, or Parc du Futuroscope is a French theme park based upon multimedia, cinematographic futuroscope and audio-visual techniques. It has several 3D cinemas and a few 4D cinemas along with other attractions and shows, some of which are the only examples in the world.
It is located in the department of Vienne, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) north of Poitiers (50 kilometres from the Fig Tree Cottage)
The park had 1.83 million visitors in 2015. In total, 50 million visitors have been to the park since it opened in 1987
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Futuroscope
Avenue René MonoryFuturoscope, or Parc du Futuroscope is a French theme park based upon multimedia, cinematographic futuroscope and audio-visual techniques. It has several 3D cinemas and a few 4D cinemas along with other attractions and shows, some of which are the only examples in the world.
It is located in the department of Vienne, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) north of Poitiers (50 kilometres from the Fig Tree Cottage)
The park had 1.83 million visitors in 2015. In total, 50 million visitors have been to the park since it opened in 1987
Alone or with others,jump into one of the thrilling slides. For the bravest among you, test the Turbo Speed with its sheer descent in complete darkness! Thrills guaranteed.
Watch out for splashing with the double Water Tree and its cannons, fountains and slides. The little ones have their own play area and have fun in complete safety in the Children's Paddling Pool.
Day passes can be purchased in advance.
Parque acuático Aqua Mundo Center Parcs Le Bois aux Daims
route Des Trois MoutiersAlone or with others,jump into one of the thrilling slides. For the bravest among you, test the Turbo Speed with its sheer descent in complete darkness! Thrills guaranteed.
Watch out for splashing with the double Water Tree and its cannons, fountains and slides. The little ones have their own play area and have fun in complete safety in the Children's Paddling Pool.
Day passes can be purchased in advance.
10 minutes from Chinon, Loisiers centre park offers a variety of activities.
Different spaces are dedicated to footbubble, laser game, augmented reality treasure hunt (escape game) and electronic mole tape.
For the laser game, a fully equipped playground awaits you (labyrinth, castle, barrels, etc.).
Loisirs centre
2 Rue du Moulin de Reigner10 minutes from Chinon, Loisiers centre park offers a variety of activities.
Different spaces are dedicated to footbubble, laser game, augmented reality treasure hunt (escape game) and electronic mole tape.
For the laser game, a fully equipped playground awaits you (labyrinth, castle, barrels, etc.).
City/town information
Chinon is a commune in the Indre-et-Loire department in the Centre-Val de Loire region of France. The traditional province, Touraine, became a favorite resort of French kings and their nobles beginning in the late 15th and early 16th centuries. The Renaissance châteaux which they built new or erected on the bones of old fortresses earned this part of the Loire valley the nickname "The Garden of France.”
Well-known today for its wine, castle, and historic town. Chinon played an important and strategic role during the Middle Ages, serving both French and English kings.
Chinon has been registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000.
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Chinon
Chinon is a commune in the Indre-et-Loire department in the Centre-Val de Loire region of France. The traditional province, Touraine, became a favorite resort of French kings and their nobles beginning in the late 15th and early 16th centuries. The Renaissance châteaux which they built new or erected on the bones of old fortresses earned this part of the Loire valley the nickname "The Garden of France.”
Well-known today for its wine, castle, and historic town. Chinon played an important and strategic role during the Middle Ages, serving both French and English kings.
Chinon has been registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000.
Saumur is a commune in the Maine-et-Loire department in western France.
The historic town is located between the Loire and Thouet rivers, and is surrounded by the vineyards of Saumur itself, Chinon, Bourgueil, Coteaux du Layon, etc. which produce some of France's finest wines.
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Saumur
Saumur is a commune in the Maine-et-Loire department in western France.
The historic town is located between the Loire and Thouet rivers, and is surrounded by the vineyards of Saumur itself, Chinon, Bourgueil, Coteaux du Layon, etc. which produce some of France's finest wines.
Although there is evidence of human habitation here 5,000 years ago, it is only in the seventh century that the town appears in the historical record. In the 760s, Thouars found itself in Aquitaine, the most robust fortress in the entire region according to contemporary chroniclers. This was a violent decade as Duke Waïfre, struggling to preserve the independence of Aquitaine, fought against the expansionist ambitions of the French King, Pepin the Short. In 762, accompanied by his son, the future Charlemagne, appeared outside Thouars.
Main sights are the following-
-The castle of the Dukes of La Trémoille, designed by Jacques Lemercier and completed in 1635–1638. Its main façade is more than 110 m tall. After the Trémouilles were dispossessed during the French Revolution, the château became a barracks and later a prison. It has been restored for its present use as a middle school.
-Walls, with several historical towers (Tour du Prince-de-Galles, Tour Porte au Prévost) dating from the 13th century; a bridge of the same period crosses the Thouet.
-Church of Saint-Laon (12th century), subsequently attached to an abbey, whose buildings later became a town hall.[4] The church houses the tomb of Margaret Stewart, first wife of King Louis XI of France.
-Church of St. Medard (15th century), in Romanesque style
-The Neo-Gothic Chapel of Joan of Arc
-Henri-Barré museum
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Thouars
Although there is evidence of human habitation here 5,000 years ago, it is only in the seventh century that the town appears in the historical record. In the 760s, Thouars found itself in Aquitaine, the most robust fortress in the entire region according to contemporary chroniclers. This was a violent decade as Duke Waïfre, struggling to preserve the independence of Aquitaine, fought against the expansionist ambitions of the French King, Pepin the Short. In 762, accompanied by his son, the future Charlemagne, appeared outside Thouars.
Main sights are the following-
-The castle of the Dukes of La Trémoille, designed by Jacques Lemercier and completed in 1635–1638. Its main façade is more than 110 m tall. After the Trémouilles were dispossessed during the French Revolution, the château became a barracks and later a prison. It has been restored for its present use as a middle school.
-Walls, with several historical towers (Tour du Prince-de-Galles, Tour Porte au Prévost) dating from the 13th century; a bridge of the same period crosses the Thouet.
-Church of Saint-Laon (12th century), subsequently attached to an abbey, whose buildings later became a town hall.[4] The church houses the tomb of Margaret Stewart, first wife of King Louis XI of France.
-Church of St. Medard (15th century), in Romanesque style
-The Neo-Gothic Chapel of Joan of Arc
-Henri-Barré museum
A city of art and history, still known as "Ville aux cent clochés" the centre of town is picturesque and its streets include predominantly historical architecture and half-timbered houses, especially religious architecture, mostly from the Romanesque period ; including notably the Saint-Jean baptistery (4th century), the hypogeum of the Dunes (7th century), the Notre-Dame-la-Grande church (12th century), the Saint-Porchaire church (12th century) or the Saint-Pierre cathedral (end of the 12th century) as well as the courthouse (12th century), former palace of the Counts of Poitou, Dukes of Aquitaine, where the Queen of France and England Eleanor of Aquitaine held her court.
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Poitiers
A city of art and history, still known as "Ville aux cent clochés" the centre of town is picturesque and its streets include predominantly historical architecture and half-timbered houses, especially religious architecture, mostly from the Romanesque period ; including notably the Saint-Jean baptistery (4th century), the hypogeum of the Dunes (7th century), the Notre-Dame-la-Grande church (12th century), the Saint-Porchaire church (12th century) or the Saint-Pierre cathedral (end of the 12th century) as well as the courthouse (12th century), former palace of the Counts of Poitou, Dukes of Aquitaine, where the Queen of France and England Eleanor of Aquitaine held her court.
For centuries, Angers was an important stronghold in northwestern France. It was the cradle of the Plantagenet dynasty and became one of the intellectual centers of Europe during the reign of René of Anjou. Angers developed at the confluence of three rivers, the Mayenne, the Sarthe, and the Loir, all coming from the north and flowing south to the Loire. Their confluence, just north of Angers, creates the Maine, a short but wide river that flows into the Loire several kilometres south.
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Angers
For centuries, Angers was an important stronghold in northwestern France. It was the cradle of the Plantagenet dynasty and became one of the intellectual centers of Europe during the reign of René of Anjou. Angers developed at the confluence of three rivers, the Mayenne, the Sarthe, and the Loir, all coming from the north and flowing south to the Loire. Their confluence, just north of Angers, creates the Maine, a short but wide river that flows into the Loire several kilometres south.
In Indre-et-Loire, there is a town as historic as the man who inspired it: Richelieu. King Louis XIII had it built in the 17th century for his illustrious minister. Surrounded by ramparts and moats, go through one of three monumental gates to reach La Grande Rue. Twelve metres wide and lined with numerous mansions, it was intended to be like the Cardinal de Richelieu: imposing. There are two symmetrical squares at each end. Continue your tour with a visit to the Art and History Museum, which has an exhibition of the Cardinal's memorabilia, furniture and tapestries. Likewise, at the Espace Richelieu you can learn more about this powerful man through an interactive exhibition. End your visit in the pleasant wooded park, where the scents of the rose garden are sure to catch your attention.
In July every other year, actors in period costume bring the Cardinal's era back to life at the Cape and Sword festival (Cape et Épée).
71 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Richelieu
In Indre-et-Loire, there is a town as historic as the man who inspired it: Richelieu. King Louis XIII had it built in the 17th century for his illustrious minister. Surrounded by ramparts and moats, go through one of three monumental gates to reach La Grande Rue. Twelve metres wide and lined with numerous mansions, it was intended to be like the Cardinal de Richelieu: imposing. There are two symmetrical squares at each end. Continue your tour with a visit to the Art and History Museum, which has an exhibition of the Cardinal's memorabilia, furniture and tapestries. Likewise, at the Espace Richelieu you can learn more about this powerful man through an interactive exhibition. End your visit in the pleasant wooded park, where the scents of the rose garden are sure to catch your attention.
In July every other year, actors in period costume bring the Cardinal's era back to life at the Cape and Sword festival (Cape et Épée).
Day Trips
The Château de Chenonceau is a French château spanning the River Cher, near the small village of Chenonceaux in the Indre-et-Loire département in the Loire Valley in France. It is one of the best-known châteaux of the Loire valley.
The estate of Chenonceau is first mentioned in writing in the 11th century. The current château was built in 1514–1522 on the foundations of an old mill and was later extended to span the river. The bridge over the river was built (1556-1559) to designs by the French Renaissance architect Philibert de l'Orme, and the gallery on the bridge, built from 1570–1576 to designs by Jean Bullant.
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Castillo de Chenonceau
The Château de Chenonceau is a French château spanning the River Cher, near the small village of Chenonceaux in the Indre-et-Loire département in the Loire Valley in France. It is one of the best-known châteaux of the Loire valley.
The estate of Chenonceau is first mentioned in writing in the 11th century. The current château was built in 1514–1522 on the foundations of an old mill and was later extended to span the river. The bridge over the river was built (1556-1559) to designs by the French Renaissance architect Philibert de l'Orme, and the gallery on the bridge, built from 1570–1576 to designs by Jean Bullant.
The Château de Chambord in Chambord, Centre Region, France, is one of the most recognisable châteaux in the world because of its very distinctive French Renaissance architecture which blends traditional French medieval forms with classical Renaissance structures. The building, which was never completed, was constructed by Francis I.
Chambord is the largest château in the Loire Valley; it was built to serve as a hunting lodge for Francis I, who maintained his royal residences at the Château de Blois and Amboise. The original design of the Château de Chambord is attributed to Italian architect Domenico da Cortona; Leonardo da Vinci may also have been involved or influenced the design.
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Chambord
The Château de Chambord in Chambord, Centre Region, France, is one of the most recognisable châteaux in the world because of its very distinctive French Renaissance architecture which blends traditional French medieval forms with classical Renaissance structures. The building, which was never completed, was constructed by Francis I.
Chambord is the largest château in the Loire Valley; it was built to serve as a hunting lodge for Francis I, who maintained his royal residences at the Château de Blois and Amboise. The original design of the Château de Chambord is attributed to Italian architect Domenico da Cortona; Leonardo da Vinci may also have been involved or influenced the design.