Relax and unwinD... Getting out and about ... cylcling... press kit 2021 Slow tourism in the Loire Valley Nature, culture and Art de Vivre an exceptional blend The Loire Valley offers countless leisure options for lovers of nature, heritage and gastronomy. To get here, nothing could be simpler: - from Paris: TGV train to Tours (1hr), regio- nal trains to Chartres (1hr), Orléans (1hr) or Bourges (2hrs) - from Roissy-CDG airport: direct TGV to Tours (2hrs) - from Nantes: regional trains to Tours (1hr 45mins), Blois (2hrs 30mins), Orléans (3hrs) Listed as UNESCO World Heritage since châteaux such as the Château of Ainay-le- 2000, the Loire Valley is the heart of the Vieil, secrets gardens such as those of the surrounding region. Nicknamed the Val- Domain of Poulaines or the flower park in ley of the Kings, it is home to countless Apremont-sur-Allier, internationally known châteaux including fifteen which are listed vineyards such as those in Sancerre, lively as “Great Sites of the Loire Valley”, like towns such as Bourges and nature reserves the Château of Chambord and the Château such as the Regional Nature Park of Brenne. of Chenonceau. Indeed, before Versailles, This countryside area is a holiday destina- it was in the Loire Valley that the Kings of tion in its own right and with treasures to France had their residences! discover. The Loire Valley is also known as the To the north, there is a different ambiance. “Garden of France” because of its fer- Enjoy a city break in Chartres with its tile ground and variety of soil types that cathedral listed as UNESCO World Heri- are ideal for growing fruit and vegetable tage or discover the authentic but still and making a wide range of wines. Red, little-known Eure valley with villages such white, rosé, sparkling, dry or tannic... there as Maintenon, known for its château and something for every taste! unfinished aqueduct that was the fruit of a wild idea of Louis XIV. There’s no better way to discover this region while still preserving its natural beauty than by cycling along La Loire à To help you unwind and discover all the top Vélo, a cycle route that follows the Loire, its locations in the region, the Comité régional vineyards and châteaux over 900km! du Tourisme has launched a new website dedicated to slow tourism, the values of To the south of the Loire Valley lies Berry, which are presented in this press kit: a little-known countryside region dotted www.enrouelibre-centre-valdeloire.com with countless gems including small private Solo trip along La Scan- dibérique with Estelle La Scandibérique is the French section of the Loire in the direction of Orléans. EuroVelo 3 which goes from Trondheim At this point the route follows La Loire à in Norway to Santiago de Compostela in Vélo, which I rode a few years ago, but I Spain. really enjoyed discovering it again. That Practical information Although the idea of traversing Europe from evening, I decided to stop at the campsite in Duration north to south was appealing, I couldn’t Gien after hearing good things about it from 1 week for the Paris-Tours sec- take that much time off work so I decided Paul, a cyclist I met the day before. I tried tion, 1 month for the whole of La to settle for a few days on the Paris-Tours out their Abricyclo which means I didn’t Scandibérique section.. have to put up the tent. Luxury! Time of year The route started by following the Seine to After theChâteau of Sully-sur-Loire, the From April to October Fontainebleau and then joined the Loing. I first of the Loire châteaux on my route, I Budget was quite taken with the town of Montargis, travelled through UNESCO World Heritage nicknamed “the Venice of Gâtinais” with countryside and enjoyed taking in the Things to do stand-up paddle or canoeing on its 131 bridges and footbridges spanning a spectacular scenery. I ticked off the stages: the Briare canal or the Loire. multitude of little rivers. After enjoying a few Orléans, Blois, Amboise, Tours; the sur- Praslines Mazet, the local speciality, I left rounding landscape alternated vineyards, Places to visit the banks of the Loing and joined the Briare châteaux, forests and small villages... And so the town of Montargis canal. The tow path was a pleasant ride and I arrived at the end of my journey, my mind the Château of Sully-sur-Loire, the Château of Saint-Brisson, I had fun waving to the passengers on the and heart filled with happy memories of the the Loire châteaux along the sec- canal boats that regularly passed by. I passed experiences I enjoyed and the people I met. tion of La Loire à Vélo between through typical little Loiret villages like I spent the last night at the youth hostel in Orleans and Tours Châtillon-Colignybefore arriving in Briare. Tours, The People Hostel, which reserves Where to eat The panoramic view of the Loire from the ca- a special welcome for cyclists. There was a Oh Terroir, 100% local and orga- nal aqueduct there was breathtaking! Here, friendly atmosphere and I met Thomas and nic fast food in Montargis and the Briare canal crosses over the Loire on a Hugo and we discussed our respective bike Orléans bridge built by Eiffel, creating two separate trips together. I’m already keen to go back! Where to sleep water courses like I’ve rarely seen before! www.scandiberique.fr the campsite in Gien I then headed due west along the banks of The People Hostel in Tours UNESCO world heritage, châ- teaux and boating as a couple with Christophe and Isabelle It’s now been 20 years since the Loire Valley avenue of century-old cedars leading to the was first listed as UNESCO World Heritage. It landing stage was stunning! was time for Christophe and I to discover this At the Domaine of Chaumont-sur-Loire, we still relatively little-known part of France! had lunch in the sunroom of the gastronomic Practical information We arrived in the village of Meung-sur-Loire restaurant «Le Grand Vélum». Our meals were Duration in the late afternoon. To better discover the decorated with flowers, which I found very re- 4 to 5 days (or more) Loire, the surrounding scenery and wildlife, we fined. Unfortunately, the same can’t be said of boarded a boat with Denis from the Coeur de Christophe... Him and flowers! We went for a Time of year Loire association. Denis was a true freshwater digestive stroll in the Domaine’s vast park and all year round sailor and the trip was enjoyable and peaceful admired the numerous works of art placed at Budget in the late-afternoon sun. different points within it. We ended the day at the International Garden Festival which, for its Things to do The next day, we headed to Chambord. There 30th edition, is on the theme of “biomimicry a trip on a traditional Loire boat was no way we could miss out on this great in the garden». a panoramic picnic at the Royal architectural feat! And to think that the forest Château of Amboise surrounding it is as big as the centre of Paris... In the evening, we ate outside on the lawns of It’s huge! While waiting to visit the new per- the Royal Château of Amboise. Held for the Places to visit maculture vegetable garden and the vineyard first time the year before, these evening pic- the vineyards and vegetable gar- surrounding the estate, Christophe got out nics with a panoramic view are organised on den at the Château of Chambord his camera. It had to be said the location was certain days in summer and offer the opportu- the Château of Cheverny picture-perfect! nity to admire an exceptional sunset over the the Villandry gardens Loire accompanied by music. That evening, we slept in a château! We spent Where to eat a pleasant evening with Victor and Maria, On the last day we visited the iconic in Le Grand Velum at the Do- the delightful Swiss owners of Le Manoir de Renaissance gardens at Villandry. I admired maine of Chaumont-sur-Loire Contres. the work of the gardeners who keep them Where to sleep perfectly maintained without using a single We were just a stone’s throw from the on a Coeur de Loire boat in chemical!. Château of Cheverny, on which Hergé based Meung-sur-Loire. his works “the adventures of Tintin”. We dis- At the end of our trip, we headed west to the in a château at Manoir de covered their new orchards, called the “sweet Vendée to visit our grandchildren. Next time Contres gardens”, and enjoyed a trip on the river run- they’ll be coming with us, that’s for sure! Au Charme Rabelaisien **** in ning through the park in an electric boat. The the centre of Amboise www.loirevalley-france.co.uk Hand in hand in the land of fine wines with Paul and Léa To make the most of the end of summer, day. Paul and I treated ourselves to a romantic The following day, we headed off to Cave weekend away. As lovers of good wine and de la Sybille, just a few minutes’ drive from heritage, the Loire Valley has appealed to us Chinon, to discover the tale of Rabelais and for a long time and, after a little research, Practical information the sybil. We were plunged straight into the we decided to go to Chinon.