Tourism
The Loire Valley
was a favorite destination for the kings of France, who built their
royal châteaux here for hundreds of years. It is now equally
as popular with tourists, drawing visitors from all over the world
to see its castles and other cultural landmarks.
Châteaux
Cultural Activities
Wine Tasting
Outdoor Activities
Nightlife
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| CHÂTEAUX |
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The Loire
Valley’s most famous landmarks are its châteaux.
Here are just a few of the many châteaux that
dot the area: |
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Abbey
of Pontlevoy
Built 1,000 years ago, The Abbey
of Pontlevoy has been used as a religious center,
a school for veterans, a library and a military
academy. Much of The Abbey’s past can be revisited
today by roaming its halls and grounds. Please reserve
in advance for a guided tour.
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Blois
Due to the large number of refurbishments
from the 10th to the 17th centuries, the château
at Blois reflects many different periods in French architecture.
It gives a good insight into what life was like in Blois
over the centuries. |
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Chambord
The largest of all the Loire Valley
castles, this magnificent Renaissance edifice built
by François I is surrounded by an immense park
and reflecting pool. The château contains 440
rooms and 84 staircases, along with countless turrets
and spires. |
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Chaumont
Dominating the Loire Valley from
its strategic position is the Château of Chaumont.
Originally constructed in the 10th century, the château
was rebuilt in the 15th and 16th centuries in the traditional
French Renaissance style. The chateau is surrounded
by a large park and garden and commands stunning views
of the Valley. |
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Chenonceau
Built over the River Cher, in the
heart of the Loire Valley is Chenonceau, known as the
Women’s Castle for the large number of female
owners. The château features a magnificent garden
as well as Renaissance furniture, a vast ensemble of
XVIth and XVIIth century tapestries and a great number
of paintings. |
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Cheverny
Cheverny is the epitome of “French
style”. With a classical façade, paneled
ceilings and richly decorated interior, touring Cheverny
is a must while in the Loire Valley. The lush gardens
are extensive and the furnishings are celebrated. |
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Amboise
A mélange of Italian architecture,
French tapestries, Turkish carpets and Flemish furnishings,
the château of Amboise is located in the center
of the city of Amboise and was a royal residency during
the 15th century. The tomb of Leonardo da Vinci is
located in St. Hubert’s Chapel.
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| CULTURAL
ACTIVITIES |
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| Blois |
Maison
de la Magie
Magic shows and exhibits from Jean-Eugène
Robert-Houdin
1, place du château
02.54.55.26.26 |
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Musée
de l’Objet
Contemporary art museum with works
by Man Ray, César and Christo
6, rue Franciade
02.54.55.37.40 |
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Musée
des Beaux-Arts
Royal collection of fine art from
the 16th to the 19th centuries, inside the château
de Blois
02.54.90.33.33 |
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| Amboise |
Le
Clos Lucé
Leonardo da Vinci’s last
house. Features furnishing from the period.
02.47.57.00.73 |
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Mini-Châteaux
Explore (or re-explore) the châteaux
of the Loire in miniature. 44 models in all.
La Menaudière – D31
02.47.23.44.57 |
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| Montrichard |
Musée
au Donjon
Museum of paleontology, folk art,
archaeology and geology
02.54.32.57.15 |
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| Bourré |
Caves
des Roches
History and tasting of Loire Valley
mushrooms
BP 23-40, route des Roches
02.54.32.95.33 |
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La
Magnanerie
Picturesque troglodyte village
4, chemin de la Croix-Bardin
02.54.32.63.91 |
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| Pontlevoy |
Pontlevoy
Music Festival
Every year, the village of Pontlevoy
sponsors a classical music festival on Saturdays in
July and August, held at The Abbey of Pontlevoy. Composers
ranging from Mendelssohn to Bach to Schubert are represented.
For
more information contact:
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Other |
Aliotis
Parc Aquarium
115 aquariums featuring piranhas
and sharks
Le Moulin des Tourneux
41200 Villeherviers
02.54.95.26.26
www.aliotis.com
Aquarium
du Val de Loire
Specializing in species from the
Loire River, this is one of the biggest fresh water
aquariums in Europe
D751
37400 Lussault-sur-Loire
02.47.23.44.57
www.aquariumduvaldeloire.com |
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| WINE
TASTING |
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Wine-tasting
provides a way to sample the product for which France
is most famous while learning about the variations between
white, red and rosé. |
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Domaine
des Roy—Wines of Touraine
Wines available for purchase from
€4 to €8
Michel Roy
3, rue Franche
41400 Pontlevoy
Tel: 02.54.32.51.07
domaine-des-roy@wanadoo.fr |
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| OUTDOOR
ACTIVITIES |
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La
Bélandre River Tours
See Chenonceau from the River.
Tours last 1½ to 2½ hours. Lunch and dinner
are available.
Maison Éclusière
BP 4 – 37 150 Chisseaux
Tel: 02.47.23.98.64
labelandre@wanadoo.fr
www.labelandre.com |
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Centre
Equestre du Gué-Péan
Equestrian center where visitors
may take a horseback riding lesson or simply go for
a ride. Ages 4 and up.
Château du Gué-Péan
(Carole Bertras and Frédéric Jousselin)
41400 Monthou-Sur-Cher
Tel : 02.54.71.10.71 or 06.83.33.83.63 |
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Cheval
& Château
Visit the châteaux of the
Loire Valley on horseback! Participants visit 2 châteaux
per day with picnics en route and stay overnight at
a bed and breakfast château.
Tel: 02.38.80.79.81
www.cheval-et-chateaux.com |
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Hot-air
Balloons
See the châteaux from above!
France Mongolfières
Tel: 02.54.32.20.48 |
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Discover
France: Bicycle and Walking Tours
Explore
the Loire Valley on a 6 day walking tour or a 5-8 day
bicycle tour through the Loire Valley.
Discover France
Tel: (800) 960-2221 (from the USA)
contact@discoverfrance.com
www.discoverfrance.com |
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Safari
Train – Reserve de Beaumarchais
Take a journey on a mini train
through this reserve to spot deer, bison, emu and kangaroo
among other animals.
37110 Autreche
(12 km north of Amboise on D31)
Tel: 02.47.56.22.30 |
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Golf
des Bordes
18-hole green ranked number one
by the Peugeot Guide 2000/2001, and number 14 in all
of Europe.
Les Bordes
41220 St-Laurent-Nouan
02.54.87.72.13
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| NIGHTLIFE |
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| Bars/Pubs |
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Le
Shaker
3, quai François Tissard
37400 Amboise
02.47.23.24.26
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The Blue Night
15 bis, rue Haute
41000 Blois
02.54.74.82.12 |
La
Colada
3 Bis, rue du Mouton
41000 Blois
02.54.56.84.34 |
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Le
Loch Ness
7, rue des Juifs
41000 Blois
02.54.56.08.67
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The
River Side
3, rue Henri Drussy
41000 Blois
02.54.78.33.79 |
Le
Commerce
Rue du Colonel Filloux
41400 Pontlevoy
02.54.32.56.45 |
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Discothèques |
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Le
Caveau Discothèque
Impasse de la Gare
37150 La Croix en Touraine
Tel: 02. 47.30.21.25
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Le
Scoop Discothèque
Route 152
37530 Cangey |
Club
du Roy
Les Cadioux
41120 Fougères-sur-Bièvre
02.54.33.20.20 |
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L’Eclipse
36, rue Mesnes
41110 Mareuil-sur-Cher
02.54.75.19.02
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Le
Charleston
Rue Nozieux
Montlivault
02.54.20.61.06 or 02.54.20.61.16 |
Le
Dandy
La Gaillardière
41120 Candé sur Beuvron
02.54.44.17.42 |
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Le
Sand’Pat
38, rue Foulerie
41000 Blois
02.54.58.93.79
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Le
Krysal Palace
1, rue Moutton
41000 Blois
Tel: 02.54.90.00.12 |
Z
64
4, rue du Mal Lattre deTassigny
41000 Blois
02.54.74.27.76 |
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Avenue
Foch
3, rue Puits Châtel
41000 Blois
02.54.90.00.00 |
Le
Non Stop
19, rue Ponts Chartrains
41000 Blois
02.54.78.17.73
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Le
Stromboli
Le Port-route St. Christophe
36210 Parpeçay
02.54.40.08.69
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