Plan Your Next Holiday in Loiret, Loire Valley!
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Plan your next holiday in Loiret, Loire Valley! Loiret 2014 tourism magazine Visit: › www.tourismeloiret.com for all information on leisure activities,accommodation and events in the Loiret › www.loiret-booking.com to book your stay: • All-inclusive and à la carte package • Holiday cottage, hotel, bed and breakfast, campsite, • Boat rentals • Golf Pass • Best offers • Free brochures Citybreak Gardens Orléans, a royal city Not just an art, but an art Wellness of living A top destination for wildlife and nature activities Contact us: Loiret Tourist Board 8 rue d’Escures - 45 000 Orléans WWW.TOURISMELOIRET.COM Information: Tel.: +33 (0) 238 780 404 Booking: Tel.: +33 (0) 238 620 488 Loiret Magazine 2014 CONTENTS Wellness Wellness The perfect destination for a break 3 and a change of scene Need a change of scene and to get away from it all? Loiret is an obvious choice for a relaxing and restorative destination. Gardens The serenity of its protected natural environment provides the Welcome perfect setting to take some time out. to the heart of the ‘Garden of France’ 10 On the agenda: the healing benefi ts of spa water or a gentle canal cruise, long walks in the Orléans forest or the Sologne City Break area, cycle rides along the banks of the Loire.It all adds up to Orléans, atried and tested recipe…which succeeds time and time again! the trendy new des- tination for a great Where the art of living 14 weekend getaway Sightseeing reigns supreme Towns and villages: the good life etting out to discover the département of Loiret involves several journeys in one. Just an 16 Shour from Paris and you are already in the Loire Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, whereyour fi rst journey begins with the many châteaux,both large and small,that take you Lifestyle through the history and culture of the kings of France.As you continue to go back in time, An art of living syno- you will open the doors to museums housing treasures that bear witness not only to the nymous with all that skills and talents of the past, but also of today. is fi ne and good, but 17 without the fuss It is in this constant fl ux between tradition and modernity that the unique character of the areais revealed. You will experience it in Orléans, Loiret’s principal town that has undergone Hidden extensive works to enhance its attractiveness, where the gardens fl ourish with every possible style of planting.And when you leavethe towns and villages behind you, the diversity of alands- treasures Mills and manors tell cape that ranges from wild toaesthetically landscaped will equally take you by surprise. of everyday life in a bygone age 21 The fast-fl owing Loire, a protected river, has become the birdwatcher’s paradise and can be explored by bicycle. From the deep forests of Orléans and Montargis, from Sologne’slakes to the Gâtinais ‘bocages’ (the term for the wooded countryside of fi elds, hedges and Museums copsesfound in Northern France) and the wheat fi elds of Beauce, every twist and turn of Educational, quirky or fun: fascinating col- your travels will bring something new. A cruisealong the canals, a wellbeing or gourmet lections to discover break, a shopping or golfi ng weekend, jazz or classical music –the choice is yours. 22 To sum up, an art of living characterised by gentle refi nement gives the Loiret its land of milk Accommodation and honey feel, transforming your stay into an experience like no other! A wide range to suit all budgets 27 Le Magazine, 2014 issue – Published by Loiret Tourism Committee Accessibility: throughout the 8, rue d’Escures – 45000 Orleans – Tel: +33 (0) 238 780 404 +33 (0) 238 770 412 – email: info@tourismeloiret. com - www.tourismeloiret.com following pages, look out for the EDITORIAL DESIGN: FLORENCE BEAU GRAPHIC DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT: WWW.GACQUER.FR sites labelled ‘Tourismeet Han- PHOTOS: JEAN PUYO, CHRISTIAN BEAUDIN, CHRISTOPHE LÖRSCH, DOMINIQUE CHAUVEAU/CG45, dicap’ by the French Ministry of MIR PHOTOS, FRANCIS PEYRAT, PRESTATAIRES, HENRI ROUX/MUSÉE DE CHATILLON-COLIGNY, Tourism MASTERFILE ET ISTOCK. PRINTED: IMPRIMERIE NOUVELLE – SAINT-JEAN-DE-BRAYE Loiret magazine / 2014 / 03 Wellness Countryside A patchwork of lakes, wheat fi elds that stretch as far as the eye can see, Did you know? deep forests, criss-crossing canals and the unspoilt banks of the longest river in France, each natural area of Loiret is a world unto itself. Each has its own Sologne was a favourite place of the scenery, heritage, traditions and gourmet specialities, retaining its identity for French kings. It was where Louis XII visitors to enjoy to the full.Now it’s up to you to get out there and explore! lived and François 1st met his future wife. As for Napoleon III, he was a highly generous benefactor of the region, which had been home to his The Loire family. The Loire is a wild river that runs through protected natural areas, and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. From east to west across Loiret lie unspoilt river banks, as the Loire winds its way through the region with its islands and sand banks. On the banks of the river, modern sailors are once again using the old barges in traditional villages, bringing them back to life. Visitors must look more carefully, though, to spot the beavers that have recolonised the most secluded areas. On foot, along the “Loire by Bike” cycle path, or by canoe, there is more than one way to explore the Loire. The Sologne With such a huge variety of small and large game, the Sologne easily wins over hunters. Formerly a wild, wet swamp, the area is still full of lakes and is a popular place for fi shing. Walkers can venture out amongst the heather and mushrooms that peep out from the he Loiret spreads outwards from both banks of the Loire as hedgerows, valleys, heaths, hidden pockets of the underbrush. Away from the Orleans Forest Twoodland, and forests combine for an ever varied landscape. To the north lies Beauce, the “breadbasket of France”, whose yellow ears of corn stretch all the way to the horizon and beyond. road, red-brick villages emerge from the woodland, producing a magical effect with their unique style. Once inhabited by the Carnutes tribe in Orleans Forest impresses with its majestic trees. the days of Gaul, Orleans Forest remains To the north-east, the hidden valleys and rivers of the Gâtinais await, while to the east of the Loiret, the largest state-owned forest in France. the Giennois is home to boatmen and potters. To the south of the Loire, a stone’s throw from the To the north of the Loire Valley, the forest Orleans Valley, lies the mysterious Sologne that is home to a wide variety of game. covers over 35,000 hectares criss- crossed by 1200km of forest trails. This The Loiret has been shaped by the people who inhabit it, and offers visitors endless new unique space is paradise for mushroom experiences. pickers, large animals (deer and boar) and the magnifi cent osprey. The Loiret The Loiret River is a tributary of the Loire and gave its name to the region in 1790. Curious visitors will stop by the source of the river, the “Bouillon” (which translates as “Bubbles” in English), which can be found in the “Parc fl oral de la Source” Botanical Garden in Orleans and takes its name from the constant bubbling of the source. From Olivet to Saint-Hilaire-Saint-Mesmin, visitors are able to follow paths for the length of the water course. The restored windmills, the residences of yesteryear, and the fl eets of boats provide an enviable setting for the swans and ducks attracted by the water that teems with fi sh. After 13km, at the Pointe de Courpain the Loiret joins the Loire to begin its journey to the sea in this fantastic natural setting. 04 / Loiret magazine / 2014 Loiret magazine / 2014 / 05 Wellness Exploring Did you know? Golfi ng YouY can pedal without breaking a destination the Loire by bike sweat! On your way out of Orléans, stop off at Wheel Crossing the Loiret département, between Tavers and Beaulieu-sur- Free , an ‘Accueil vélo’ certifi ed bike rental Loiret swings! Pros and beginners alike can test Golf-Pass Package Loire, 155 km of the ‘Loire à Vélo’(Loire by Bike) route gives cyclists company that hires electrically assisted bicycles for a ride that won’t wear you out. themselves on eight superb and well-maintained the opportunity to follow the course of the Loire in short, 20 km stages The “Golf Pass” lets you play for three days on one or more courses Even better, the owner will give you advice technicalcourses with 18 to 27 holes, offering some on a weekday or weekend, on any of the seven Loiret golf courses and to enjoy the cultural and natural highlights of the Loire Valley in an on the route to take, depending on how much interesting challenges. Located in Sologne, edged (with the Fontenay-sur-Loing course available as an extra). The pass alternative way. The route is perfectly safe, made up of small, quiet time you’ve got and what takes your fancy. also includes accommodation deals to suit any budget. by forests or deep in châteaux parkland, they can be roads and greenways. 33 rue du Général de Gaulle 45650 St Jean le Blanc. enjoyed for a day or a whole weekend. Tel:+33 (0) 2 38 44 26 85 or 06 21 82 00 55 Golf courses A route open to all www.wheel-free.fr Those with a * participate in the Golf Pass scheme.