Destination guides

Loire Towns and Events Guide

Listed below are some of the towns of the Loire and what you will find there:

There are so many different chateaux, elegant country mansions and medieval fortresses to visit you really will be spoilt for choice. Well worth a visit is Usse, where the fairy-tale white turrets are supposed to have inspired the story of Sleeping Beauty. There are so many places of historical interest along the river that the whole of the Loire has been named a World Heritage Site. Saumur, is one of the oldest towns of the Loire, its old quarter, grouped round the river bank beneath the château. The rather austere château houses two museums, notably that devoted to equestrianism. Horses can be seen here in the Loire at the end of July in the cavalry displays given by the world famous 'Cadre Noir'. Their modern equivalent, the Armoured Corps, also gives tank displays in July and the 'Musée des Blindés' is one of the best tank museums in the world.  Fontevraud, once one of the wealthiest abbeys in France, and where Henry II and Richard the Lionheart are buried. Tours , is one of the oldest cities in France and capital of the central Loire. It is now a busy modern city. The old medieval town with its narrow streets, half-timbered houses and 18th century 'hôtels', surrounds the cathedral. The 'Tour de Guise' is all that remains of the 12th century fortress. The 'Pavillon de Mars' houses a fascinating waxworks museum which traces the highlights of Touraine's history.
Le Mans has gained international acclaim for its 24-hour motor races but it also has a splendid cathedral. The area around Le Mans is popular with Parisians because it is only a short train ride or car journey away from the capital and so handy for weekend breaks or second homes. The town of Le Mans also has one of the most beautiful old quarters in the Loire and was the birthplace of Henry II. The tradition of popping to the Loire for the weekend or a short break began in the 15th century when kings, princes and nobles spent their family wealth building châteaux. Before that, grand defences were built at strategic points along the Loire to protect France from invaders.

It is hard to give a typical dish for the Loire with there being such a great variety and choice. The extensive Atlantic coast does however provide a huge selection of fantastic seafood. The Nantes area does have a traditional dish of fried eel, while many other fish dishes will be served in 'beurre blanc' which is a sauce made of shallots, white wine and butter. Also with there being a number of forests in the region there is plenty of game dishes available. Both Asparagus and button mushrooms are widely available in the Loire. It is claimed that more than 3 quarters of France's entire supply are grown in the caves of the Saumurois.