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1- Chateaux and Wine 1- Chateaux and wine www.loiresecrets.com 1 Welcome to the Loire Valley! In the beautiful region of Western France, the Loire river runs through one of France’s richest regions. Known as the Garden of France, the Loire Valley boasts many important sites and historical châteaux, royal hunting grounds for the Kings of France. Producing original, varied and exquisite wines, the region is divided into smaller appellations (such as Anjou, Bourgueil, Saumur, and Touraine, to name but a few) spread over1000 for kms; with 54 appellations, there is a wine for every taste and every occasion. This region is also well-known for its many historical figures, from Joan of Arc to Richard the Lionheart and Leonardo Da Vinci. In 2000, the Val de Loire was awarded the status of UNESCO World Heritage Site in recognition of the exceptional cultural value of its landscapes and the quality of its architectural heritage. Why travel with Loire Secrets? We are a small local organisation, born and bred in the Loire Valley, we know our région, we are passionate about it and we want to share this passion with you. Being locals, we have an inside knowledge of the very best places to go, people to meet and ways of getting around. Our main aim is to provide you with and unforgettable experience, an experience adapted to your unique needs and special wishes. How do we do this? What do we offer? Private and exclusive tours with your own English– Spanish– Portuguese– German- speaking driver guides. These private guides will accompany you everywhere, will adapt to your every wish and generally take care of you from the start of your trip to the very end. www.loiresecrets.com 2 www.loiresecrets.com 3 Loire-Valley : A land of majestic châteaux Known as the “Garden of France” with its fertile fields, tapestry of vineyards and ancient forests, this area boasts an abundance of fairytale Renaissance châteaux, dotted along France’s longest and most beautiful river, the Loire. More than 3000 castles, amongst them a few open their doors to the public. Our full day private guided tour « Château & wine » includes 3 visits of your choice. (Château and/or winery.) We will be happy to help and suggest the best places to visit according to your request, your location and your interest ! Below are some of the iconic Châteaux to visit. Of course, we have plenty of other hidden châteaux to invite you to discover ! Just don’t hesitate to get in touch ! www.loiresecrets.com 4 Chambord Chateau 5 Chambord Chateau The castle of Chambord is a Renaissance masterpiece. You will discover the Beast’s castle in Beauty and the Beast ! The royal apartments of Francis I, constructed in 1519, were later restored by Louis XIV. The double-spiral staircase forms the centerpiece of the décor. You will be impressed by the size of this cultural treasure with its 426 rooms, 77 staircases and 282 chimneys! Explore this historical chateau, from its view of the Grand Canal to the wealth of its local flora and fauna. This royal hunting lodge is today one of the most recognized chateaus in the world featured on the UNESCO World Heritage list. www.loiresecrets.com 6 Chenonceau Chateau 7 Chenonceau Chateau The magnificient Chenonceau Castle, spanning the Cher river is probably the most romantic castle in Loire Valley. An exceptional site not only because of its original design, the richness of its collections, its furniture and its decorations, but also because of its destiny, since it was loved, administrated and protected by women, who were all extraordinary and who, for the most part have marked history. A unique visit in the “Ladies Castles” www.loiresecrets.com 8 Blois Chateau 9 Blois Chateau Located in the heart of the town, Blois Castle is a great illustration of the evolution of the French architecture from the Middle Ages to the 17th century. From Louis XII who built the oldest part of the Chateau to François I who added a Renaissance style with an open circular staircase and the wing, this Chateau has a unique Royal history ! www.loiresecrets.com 10 Cheverny Chateau 11 Cheverny Chateau A magical place which enchants visitors of all ages. The Château de Cheverny is a grand estate which has been in the same family for over six centuries. Cheverny has always been lived in and every generation has made a great effort to take care and embellish it with a true passion. In 1922 it was one of the first private homes to open its doors to the public. Visitors can appreciate the splendour and delight of real life in a castle. The owners invite you to discover this fantastic and vivid heritage: from the botanical park to the magnificent interior of the Château; the hunting dog kennels to Tintin's exhibition and the gardens through to the forest. www.loiresecrets.com 12 Chaumont sur Loire Chateau 13 Chaumont sur Loire Chateau Less than 200 km south of Paris, nestling between the cities of Tours and Blois, is a haven of poetry. Owned by the Centre-Val de Loire Region, Domaine de Chaumont-sur-Loire welcomes the public all year round to its château and park – a natural oasis on a headland stretching out 40 metres above the wild Loire. Whatever the season, the château, once the home of Catherine de Medici, Diane de Poitiers and Princess de Broglie, beckons you indoors to admire its cosy and lavishly furnished interiors, which have been hugely embellished over recent years. Installations by an array of contemporary artists in the château and along the footpaths of the park will catch you by surprise, captivate and inspire you. www.loiresecrets.com 14 Amboise Chateau 15 Amboise Chateau The magnificent castle of Amboise is one of the many chateaux bordering the Loire river. Amboise, architectural jewel of the Renaissance, dips its majestic silhouette into the Loire, a UNESCO World Heritage river. The Royal Castle's Amboise is an iconic monument of Loire for who wants discover the castle's life. Its gardens offer to the visitors one of the remarkable panorama on the Loire Valley. From its balconies, visitors can take in the Loire landscape and delight in what the kings enjoyed. A place of residence for French kings from the 15th to the 19th centuries, its destiny is inextricably linked to the history of France. Numerous literary figures and artists were invited here, like Leonardo da Vinci whose tomb is preserved at the château. The Amboise castle have a extraordinary collection of furniture, attest to the artistic refinement of the first French Renaissance. www.loiresecrets.com 16 Clos Lucé 17 Clos Lucé The spirit of Leonardo Da Vinci hovers over the Castle of Clos Lucé at Amboise, mixed with the memory of each distinguished guest who has shared in the memorable moments of the estate. The epic history of this rose-bricked dwelling, built in creamy white tuffeau stone on ancient Gallic- Roman foundations, begins under the reign of Louis XI, in 1471, Here, Leonardo Da Vinci breathed his last and escaped the devastation of the French Revolution. A protected monument, the Castle of Clos Lucé has been, since 1854, the property of the Saint Bris family. An original exposition, ”Leonardo Da Vinci and France,” explores ten years of the fascinating relationship between three French kings and the Tuscan master. www.loiresecrets.com 18 Villandry Chateau and gardens 19 Villandry Chateau & gardens The last of the great Renaissance castles built on the banks of the Loire, Villandry owes its renown, beyond the shadow of a doubt, to the unrivaled combination of a perfect harmony between architecture and nature. The garden, the only one of its kind in Europe, is composed of three levels: a first level centered around an extensive lake, a flower garden also planted with box and yew trees, and an ornamental kitchen garden where a wide range of plant varieties produce, in the sunny season, astonishing mosaics of color. Yet the interior itself, renovated in the 18th century in the grand neoclassical style, is equally worthy of admiration. www.loiresecrets.com 20 Azay Le Rideau Chateau 21 Azay Le Rideau Chateau Azay le Rideau is a very pretty castle standing in the calm waters of the Indre river whose water reflects its fine façade. Surrounded by parkland and open woodland, this masterpiece of Renaissance architecture features all the refinement, elegance and grace expected of a Loire château. Balzac romantically described it as 'a facetted diamond’ set in the Indre. www.loiresecrets.com 22 Chinon 23 Chinon Ideally located in the heart of the Loire Valley (registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000) and of the Loire-Anjou-Touraine Natural Regional Park, the Chinon region is a delight for the eyes. With the Royal River Loire and the majestic River Vienne running quietly through the region, each step leads you to constant discovery : landscapes, amazing architecture, art and history … Among the gems not to miss, the medieval city of Chinon, and also the village of Candes Saint- Martin, labelled as one of the most beautiful villages of France. The Fortress of Chinon had been the residence of Charles VII, King of France and his court in the middle of the 15th century. Many historical castles and writers’ houses can be visited nearby. The vineyard is also an essential part of the natural heritage of the area : the highly rated wine of Chinon was already praised by François Rabelais, native of the Chinon region, back in the 16th century… www.loiresecrets.com 24 9 bis rue Adèle Considère 49 320 Brissac Quincé - France Phone +33 (0)2 53 20 71 25 [email protected] www.loiresecrets.com SARL au capital de 15.000 € - RCS Angers 448 534 735 - Code NAF : 7911 Z - Siret 448 534 735 00064 Travel agent: IM 49130001 - APST guarantee - liability insurance HISCOX.
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