The most-visited section of the Loire River is the Loire Valley between Sully-sur-Loire and Angers, home to the fairytale castles of Chambord, Chenonceau, and Cheverny, the picturesque Gardens of Villandry, and riverside towns such as Blois, Chinon, and Tours. Many travelers visit on a day or multi-day trip from Paris, but you could easily spend an entire vacation exploring this region.
Chateau tours, wine tasting at the vineyards and wine chateaux, flat-bottom boat cruises, and hot air balloon tours are all popular activities for visitors to the Loire River. You can also go hiking or horseback riding in the parks and forests, kayaking or canoeing along the river, or cycling along the famous Loire by Bike route (La Loire à Vélo), which follows the river for about 500 miles (800 kilometers).
The Loire River starts at Mont Gerbier de Jonc in the mountains of the Massif Central and flows all the way to the Atlantic coast. The only city along the Loire River with an international airport is Nantes to the west of the Loire Valley. You can connect from Nantes or Paris by flight to Tours and Orleans, while other Loire Valley towns and cities such as Saumur, Angers, Blois, and Amboise can be reached by train.
Summer is by far the busiest time to visit the Loire Valley, but daytime temperatures can reach over 85°F (30°C) in July and August, so save outdoor activities for the morning or early evening. Spring and autumn are ideal for wine-tasting tours and bike rides along the Loire, while some of the large chateaux host Christmas-themed visits over the holidays.
The vineyards along the Loire River make up one of France’s most renowned winemaking regions, and wherever you go, you’ll never be far from a family-run vineyard or a grand wine chateau. Be sure to sample the Sauvignon Blanc wines and rosé wines around Sancerre, the unique Muscadet wines around Nantes, the crisp rosés of Anjou, and the diverse red, white, and rosé wines of the Touraine appellation.
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