LoireTRAVEL GUIDEValley

www.oliverstravels.com A region doesn’t get to be called “The Garden of ” without being pretty special, and the Valley is just as lush and beautiful as its nickname would suggest. There are countless acres of beautiful forests, and farmland that produce some of France’s revered ingredients and delicacies, and a wealth of history and beautiful architecture that demands and rewards exploration.

LOIRE VALLEY 101

CURRENCY EURO TIME ZONE GMT +1 ELECTRICAL TWO PIN ROUND HIGHEST TEMP. 26° C LANGUAGE FRENCH LOWEST TEMP. 5° C EMERGENCY 112 PEAK SEASON JUNE - SEPT

www.oliverstravels.com TRANSPORT TALK

BY WHEELS BY BIKE BY TAXI

Hiring a car in the Loire Loire is a two-wheeler’s Taxis are readily available Valley is smart thinking. dream, thanks in no small and can be found at taxi That way, you can give into part to the signposted 800- ranks in most town centres your whims and stop at any kilometre Loire à vélo as well as outside rail roadside chateau or eatery route, which runs through stations. You are also able that takes your fancy. the valley. to pre book through local cab companies

BY WATER BY AIR BY BUS OR TRAIN

With the being You can fly from the UK Local bus services are less in a fairly central location straight in to the heart of frequent and – as they are there are a variety of ferry the region to Val de intended to primarily serve crossings available. Loire Airport, however the school children – can be Options include St Malo only airline that serves this fairly irregular in summer. port or Cherbourg within a destination is Ryanair. few hours’ drive.

www.oliverstravels.com HIDDEN GEMS AND ACTIVITIES

Chateau de Meung sur Loire Chateau de Villesavin With it’s dungeons. visitors can This family-owned chateau descend to the cold, murky depths offers whimsical romance with to see the prison cells and medieval it’s cherub-covered chapel roof and quirky wedding torture instruments of yore. museum.

Orléans

Angers

Tours Nantes

La Borne Troo Most visitors pass through the Known as troglodyte homes, these slumbering little village of La Borne, residences are essentially but those who find time to stay will domesticated cave dwellings, which discover a pottery scene unrivalled locals moved into after quarry in the region. workers were sourcing stone for the royal chateaux.

Hidden Gems Picks for Kids Best Activities Foodie Delights TOP PICKS FOR KIDS

See Stuffed Creatures Go Donkey Trekking Conquer a Castle

The Loire Valley is steeped One way of exploring the The castles and chateaux in history and provides byways and country lanes that dot the Loire Valley’s loads of interesting things of the Loire Valley is on a landscape are ripe for for kids to enjoy. noble steed. Why not try A exploration. Forteresse Du The Natural History Dos D’Ane, where you can Faucon Noir is particularly Museum is a great day out, wander around a forest exciting for kids, featuring and kids will be fascinated with a friendly donkey to costumed actors to help by the live animals on carry the kids (and your create a medieval show. picnic). atmosphere.

Soar the Skies Get Your Thrills Meet the Lions

If you’ve got kids who love This family-friendly theme This Loire Valley zoo is adventure, give them an park is a sure-fire boredom among the best in France. experience they’ll never buster for families. For a Some 1,200 animals are forget! See the Loire high-adrenaline kept in La Fleche Zoo Valley’s beauty from a experience, test out some enclosures, which replicate whole new perspective of Papéa Parc’s themed their natural environments with Balloon Revolution, rides, or small waterpark in the wild. You can even who arrange fantastic area! try a feeding session as balloon flights. well!

www.oliverstravels.com MAP IT OUT: WHERE TO FIND THE BEST FOR KIDS

Orléans

Get your thrills Go Donkey trekking Meet the lions See stuffed creatures

Tours Soar through skies Nantes Conquer a Castle CROWD-PLEASERS: BEST GROUP ACTIVITIES

Rent Bikes Take to the Skies Go Chateaux Hopping

Hiring a bike and taking a One particularly unique Taking a tour is a grand trip around the Loire group activity on offer in way to see the Loire Valley, Valley’s beautiful the Loire Valley is AviaSim. whether you’re off to learn countryside is well worth Found in the city of Tours, more about the regions doing! Especially if the it’s a flight simulator for history or just where the weather is on your side. your whole group where top-rated vineyards are. Or Detours de Loire are a you can pit your piloting you could do both, with a great place to hire bikes skills against each other. tour from Loire Valley from. Tours.

Find Peace and Quiet Cruise the Loire Sound and Light Show

You can find loads of parks The Loire River has a At Royal Chateau de and green spaces character and a beauty all you and your group can throughout the Loire Valley its own, so there’s bound to explore the chateau by that are ripe for be something to tempt you day, but the best time to exploration! Parc Oriental onto the water at some visit to this magnificent de Maulévrier is a point. You could start off estate is during one of the Japanese-style garden with a wonderful riverboat nightly son et lumière that’s as relaxing as it is trip from Naviloire. (sound and light) shows. beautiful. Bringing history to light!

www.oliverstravels.com MAP IT OUT: WHERE TO FIND THE BEST FOR GROUPS

Orléans

Sound & light show

Angers Take the skies Cruise the Loire Tours Go chateaux-hopping Nantes Rent bikes Find peace and quiet BEST FOODIE DELIGHTS

River Loire

Chateau de Petit Thouars. L ‘Orangerie

Head to to While you’re in the Loire How about taking some of sample the delights Valley you’ll definitely want that fine Loire Valley of L’Orangerie,. It’s not only to investigate the region’s gastronomy back the food that’s brilliant– the wines, Chateau de Petit home! RiverLoire offers view over the beautiful Thouars is the perfect culinary masterclasses in a chateau grounds will make place to start! this estate variety of locations. Finish your meal even more offers a variety of tastings, the lesson with enjoying memorable. and even a boat tour! the fruits of your labour!

Restaurant La Parenthèse Restaurant La Maison d’à Côté

Dish to try

Looking for hearty and The Loire Valley’s Restaurant La Maison d’à traditional French fare? celebrated Sainte Maure Côté in prides Restaurant La Parenthèse, du Touraine is a firm, aged itself on the way the which is found in Orléans, goat’s cheese with a very seasons are reflected in serves up fine French food distinct flavour. their menu, which changes without skimping on the The region’s white so the freshest local portions. Be sure to book in asparagus is rightly prized produce is utilised in the advance! by gourmands of all most delicious way stripes. possible.

www.oliverstravels.com MAP IT OUT: WHERE TO FIND THE BEST FOR FOODIES

Orléans

La Parenthèse

Angers La Maison d’à Côté Tours Nantes

Chateaux De Petit Thouars L’Orangerie River Loire We’d like to think we know travel pretty well. Since we first hatched Oliver’s Travels in 2003 it’s been essentially all we’ve talked about. You could call us obsessed.

Our extensive blog, Oliver’s Journal has got tons of information and inspiration on locations across Europe and the Caribbean. It’s a one-stop shop for family-friendly holiday fun, the best group activities, foodie finds and a good dose of adventure. If you found this travel guide useful, (we hope you did!), you can find a whole host more on the blog, too!

At Oliver's Travels we don't do ordinary. From family chateaux in the Loire Valley and large party houses in the UK, to Mediterranean villas with pools and Caribbean beach villas, we have something for everyone, everywhere.

.

Get in touch Follow Us 0800 133 7999 www.oliverstravels.com