SELF-GUIDED DetailedOne Foot Abroad trip file Second Floor, 16/17 Suffolk Street Dublin 2, Ireland HISTORIC CITIES AND VILLAGES GREAT ARCHITECTURAL MONUMENTS UK: +44 (0)20 3411 0701 GARDENS OF FRANCE Ireland: +353 (0)1 687 2141 WORLD CLASS WINES USA: +1 916 287 8651 RENOWNED GASTRONOMY France: +33 (0)1 82 88 31 76 [email protected] O Loire Valley: UNESCO castles to castles Summary Loire Valley (Vallée de La Loire in French) was added to the unique UNESCO World Heritage listing in 2000. When delivering its decision, the committee said that the area was an exceptional cultural landscape, of great beauty, comprised of historic cities and villages, great architectural monuments – the Chateaux – and lands that have been cultivated and shaped by centuries of interaction between local populations and their physical environment, in particular the Loire itself. With cities such as Orleans, Blois, Tours or Nantes, the Loire Valley offers an incredible quality of architectural heritage. Also known as the Gardens of France, Loire Valley is a great place to enjoy biological diversity, endless well-kept forests (such as Forest of Amboise) and last but not least, its world class wines. We have graded this walk as “easy” as the average walking time is 4 hours, without any major ascent or descent. The Loire Valley is noteworthy for the quality of its architectural heritage in its world-famous castles, such as the Château of Amboise, Château of Chambord or Château of Chenonceaux (“Château des Dames”), three of the most exceptional castles in France with Versailles but there are also lots of small castles you will see during these walking holidays like Leonardo da Vinci's last home (Château du Clos Lucé). The romantic representation of the Valley in the 19th century by writers and painters led to the Loire becoming a magnet for tourists, first from France, then Europe, and then in the 20th century the rest of the world. This interest in the scenic qualities of the Valley and its monuments encouraged efforts to preserve the heritage of the landscape, in the form of its monuments, its towns, its rural structure, it nature and gastronomy. One Foot Abroad – Tel: + 353 1 687 21 41– [email protected] Page 1 of 7 © One Foot Abroad – All Rights Reserved Loire Valley: UNESCO castles to castles Itinerary Full tour: 12 days itinerary From Loire to Cher: 8 days itinerary Day 1: Blois Day 1: Blois Day 2: Blois to Chambord 17,5km/4h30 Day 2: Blois to Chambord 17.5km/4h30 Day 3: Chambord to Bracieux 15.5km/4h00 Day 3: Chambord to Bracieux 15.5km/4h00 Day 4: Bracieux to Cheverny 18.5km/4h45 Day 4: Bracieux to Cheverny 18.5km/4h45 Day 5: Cheverny to Fougères 16km/4h45 Day 5: Cheverny to Fougères 16km/4h45 Day 6: Fougères to Thésée 19.5km/4h55 Day 6: Fougères to Thésée 19.5km/4h55 Day 7: Thésée to Montrichard 15.5km/4h25 Day 7: Thésée to Montrichard 15.5km/4h25 Day 8: Montrichard to Chenonceaux 19.5km/5h00 Day 8: Montrichard Day 9: Chenonceaux to Amboise 15km/3h45 Day 10: Amboise to Chaumont 24km/6h00 Day 11: Chaumont to Blois 24km/6h00 Day 12: Blois Highlights: 7 days itinerary From Cher to Loire: 6 days itinerary Day 1: Blois Day 1: Montrichard Day 2: Taxi to Chambord + Chambord to Bracieux Day 2: Montrichard to Chenonceaux 19.5km/5h00 15.5km/4h00 Day 3: Chenonceaux to Amboise 15km/3h45 Day 3: Bracieux to Cheverny 18.5km 4h45 Day 4: Amboise to Chaumont 24km/6h00 Day 4: Taxi to Montrichard + Montrichard to Chenonceaux Day 5: Chaumont to Blois 24km/6h00 19.5km/5h00 Day 6: Blois Day 5: Chenonceaux to Amboise 15km/3h45 Day 6: Taxi to Chaumont + Chaumont to Blois 24km/6h00 Day 7: Blois Note: Day 1 is the beginning of 12 days itinerary (Full Tour), 8 days itinerary (From Loire to Cher) and 7 days itinerary (Highlights). It is the same stages and same itinerary in each stage for these itineraries, the difference is just about the number of days. For the 6 days itinerary (From Cher to Loire), please go to Montrichard, the town of your departure Day 1: Blois Situated on the banks of the lower river Loire between Orléans and Tours, Blois is the capital of Loir-et-Cher department in central France. In 1986, Blois was given the "Ville d'art et d'histoire" label, a description awarded by the Ministry of Culture to cities that undertake to enhance and protect their heritage. Day 2: Blois to Chambord 17,5km/4h30 7 days itinerary taxi: Blois-Chambord – 17,5km/22min, then follow itinerary from Chambord to Bracieux and Bracieux to Cheverny During this stage you have to follow the itinerary “Loire à vélo”. The itinerary begins in the centre of Blois near the railway station: ‘Place de la gare’. First day, two castles (Blois and Cahmbord)! There is no question, you are in the heart of Loire Valley, the land of castles. One Foot Abroad – Tel: + 353 1 687 21 41– [email protected] Page 2 of 7 © One Foot Abroad – All Rights Reserved Loire Valley: UNESCO castles to castles Day 3: Chambord to Bracieux 15.5km/4h00 This small town is best known as the location of the Château de Chambord, the largest in the Loire Valley and one of the most recognisable châteaux in the world because of its very distinct French Renaissance architecture. The Chambord castle appears suddenly at the edge of a path, and the sight of its white massive structure that widens and takes shape little by little, produces a dramatic impression, which is even more striking at sunset. After visited the castle (even if you did it yesterday), you have to take the way to Bracieux. You will cross in this stage unspoilt nature of Loire Valley and its famous vineyards. Day 4: Bracieux to Cheverny 18.5km/4h45 You have reached now a pleasant hamlet which called Bracieux. In the heart of vineyards, you really feel in harmony and peace of minded. After reaching “Les Ogonières”, walk along and cross a small lake called “Le Grand Cotlereau”. Now, the way to go to Cheverny is “Le chemin aux boeufs”, a very old way, which were used to transfer bullock herd from Limousin to Paris. After crossing Cheverny forest you enter in the town (to go to the castle you have to take the way on your left before to enter in Cheverny). Day 5: Cheverny to Fougères 16km/4h45 Almost only famous thanks to the castle, Cheverny lies in the Loire Valley, about 10 km southeast of Blois. The present Château de Cheverny is an original jewel among the more famous monuments that stretch along the Loire Valley. The Belgian comic book creator Hergé used Cheverny as a model for his fictional "Château de Moulinsart" (Marlinspike Hall) in the The Adventures of Tintin books. 7 days itinerary taxi: Cheverny-Montrichard – 29,3km/35min, then follow itinerary from Montrichard to Chenonceaux and Chenonceaux to Amboise. From the church in the centre of Cheverny, follow the road toward Contres. Cheverny castle, Troussay castle, Clos du Sentier, Clos du Poira,… History and wine take really place along this stage to reach the next town, Fougères. Day 6: Fougères to Thésée 19.5km/4h55 Often called just Fougères, the town is more correctly called Fougères-sur-Bièvre. You can visit in the town: the Middle-Ages castle, the church and the wash-house.. At the crossroads in the centre of Fougères turn left, go along the castle to arrive at the church and then follow the direction to Choussy. Before you reach this one take the time to see “Abbaye de Cornilly”, an old and authentic abbey built in the XI century. Don’t take the road to Choussy, go along a mill, cross a forest and go along another castle (Gué-Pan castle) and enter in Thésée. One Foot Abroad – Tel: + 353 1 687 21 41– [email protected] Page 3 of 7 © One Foot Abroad – All Rights Reserved Loire Valley: UNESCO castles to castles Day 7: Thésée to Montrichard 15.5km/4h25 It is in the small town of Thésée you can see the Gallo-Roman vestiges “Bâtiments des Maselles”. Just after you leave the town in the direction of Tours, you can admire these 2nd century buildings. Take the way to Monthou to leave the town and after Bourré. If you have time, it will be interesting to visit the “Champignonière des Roches”. Just before you arrive to Montrichard you go along Vallagon castle, a lovely old castle. Note: Here it is the end of 8 days itinerary. Day 8: Montrichard to Chenonceaux 19.5km/5h00 Dominated by its medieval dungeon, Montrichard, bordering departments of Loir-et-Cher and Indre-et-Loire is today a highly active lifestyle. The castle was constructed by Foulques Nerra, Count of Anjou, and rebuilt in the 12th century. Note: Here it is the beginning of 6 days itinerary. To leave the town you have to go along Cher River and after follow the way to Chissay, Saint-Georges, Franceuil and Chenonceaux, places which combine history with culture and heritage. The entrance of Chenonceaux castle is 1km before you cross Cher River and enter in the town. Day 9: Chenonceaux to Amboise 15km/3h45 About 26 km east of Tours, Chenonceaux is situated on the right bank of the Cher River. The hamlet is famous thanks to Chateau of Chenonceau, which was built on the site of an old mill on the River Cher. There is a difference in spelling between the Château's name (Chenonceau) and the village (Chenonceaux).