Things to Do in Loire Valley

Tucked away among the rolling vineyards of the Loire Valley in western France, the imposing French Renaissance château of Petit Thouars has been producing its award-winning wines since the 17th century. The winery is now run by the 11th generation of the same aristocratic family that has inhabited the château since 1634, these days growing Cabernet Franc and Chenin Blanc grapes on vines that were replanted in 1975.

Tours of Petit Thouars include guided walks through the vineyard and cellar, where the wines have been aged in oak casks in natural limestone caves for four centuries. The tasting room is in the former stable block for sampling the reds, whites and sparkling crémant, after which guests can book in advance to enjoy a pre-prepared picnic of local specialties among the vines, with a complementary bottle of wine chosen from the tasting session.

Alternatively, hour-long guided river trips take visitors out along the Vienne River on traditional wooden boats and also include wine dégustation and the sampling of regional delicacies. A small museum charts the history of the more colorful members of the ancient Petit Thouars clan and accommodation is available in a charming 19th-century farmhouse on the estate. A visit to the winery can be combined with tours of other famous châteaux of the Loire Valley, including the magical confections of Chenonceau, Chambord and Cheverny.

Château de Langeais is one of the Loire Valley's most interactive castles. Far from being just a remnant of the past, the interior features faithful recreations of not only the furniture and art that were once found in the rooms, but also period-correct lighting, mannequins in period dress and guided tours that bring the past to life before visitors' eyes.

In addition, the grounds include an accessible treehouse, a promenade with an observation deck, activities for kids and a nightly show that leads guests through the rooms and unlocks the “secrets” of the past. And those arriving early or leaving late can see the only remaining manual drawbridge in France open and close the grounds! Traveling families should add Château de Langeais to any Loire itinerary.

The multiple drum towers that make up the imposing façade of this massive chateau were once a part of an impressive fortress inhabited by the Romans in the 9th century. After some additional construction, Château d’Angers was used as an armory in the First and Second World Wars. Today it’s been converted into an epic museum that houses the largest—and oldest—collection of medieval tapestries in the world.

Visitors can venture past the castle’s three-meter-thick walls and explore the 17 towers that stretch high into the sky surrounding the city of Angers. Covering an area of more than 220,000 square feet, the castle grounds offer tourists plenty to discover outdoors before venturing inside to check out the museum’s galleries.

Inaugurated in 1900 and currently undergoing a thorough renovation and extension by the Stanton Williams architect group, the Nantes Art Museum (Musée d'Arts de Nantes) is Nantes’ flagship art museum, celebrated for its large and varied collection of works, dating from the 12th to the 20th centuries.

Highlights of the vast permanent collection include works by Delacroix, Rousseau, Tintoretto, Perugino, Renoir, and Gauguin, among many others, with key pieces including Rubens’ The Triumph of Judas Maccabaeus, Delaunay’s David Triumphant and Chagall’s Le Cheval Rouge. A well-established series of temporary exhibits complement the main displays, with a greater focus on contemporary art, while late openings on Thursday evenings include music, dance and literature inspired events.

This picturesque castle was once an impressive fortress known as Colobier back in the 17th century. And while the towering white façade definitely says “royalty” ties to the protective past are still apparent on a visit to Château de Villandry.

Famous for its expansive Renaissance gardens, which include ornamental plants, water lilies and even a vegetable garden, the chateau attracts visitors from across the globe. Many argue that the geometric box hedges, reminiscent of a scene from Alice in Wonderland, and well-kept landscapes are some of the most beautiful in all of France. Perhaps that’s why this castle, which is recognized as a World Heritage Site, is one of the most visited in the country.

With its dramatic bridged moat, looming stone-brick watchtowers and gleaming white tufa, the Château des Ducs de Bretagne (Castle of the Dukes of Brittany) is a glorious amalgamation of a grand ducal palace and medieval military fortress, set at the crest of Nantes’ Old Town. This is Nantes’ most impressive historic site, originally built in the 15th-century by François II, the last Duke of Brittany, and it’s an impeccably restored Gothic-Renaissance residence, surrounded by 500-meter-long curtain walls and atmospherically illuminated at night.

Today, visitors can follow the sentry walkway around the castle’s 7 towers, affording impressive views over the city and the manicured lawns and moat below, then find a picnic spot below the walls or dine at the central courtyard restaurant. The extensively restored castle interiors now also house the Nantes History Museum, where a series of exhibitions explore the castle’s former importance, Nantes’ merchant history and colonial years, and the future of the modern city.

With 100 bedrooms, three architectural styles and almost 800 years of history, the Château de Blois is a favorite of travelers to the Loire Valley. Although the French Revolution left it in a looted and rundown condition, its use as a military barracks helped save it from being razed and today stands fully restored with period furniture and all of its gilded glory.

In addition, there is a fine arts museum within the castle. And across the street is the House of Magic, a museum dedicated to hometown magician Jean Eugène Robert-Houdin, which is a favorite with kids. Château de Blois is also a popular nighttime destination from Easter through September, with a fantastic light and sound show on the castle's facade. It's popular among the town's residents as well as those who are looking for a different kind of Loire castle experience.

The Château de Cheverny is an excellent choice for those looking to spend a full day at one of the castles of the Loire Valley. With extensive grounds, a cafe on site and cars and boats for rent, there's plenty to do and see after touring the exquisite castle itself. The unique aspect of this castle is that its owners have always lived here, which makes it less of a museum and more of a peek into just how one does live in a castle!

Also of interest is the Tintin exhibition. The château was used in creating Tintin's Marlinspike Hall, and there is a fantastic collection of Tintin items that bring this world-famous comic to life in its not-so-fictional home!

Perhaps one of France’s most breathtaking castles, this beautiful grey stone structure appears to be floating on the placid waters of the Indre River. Built between 1518 and 1527, Château d’Azay-le-Rideau was once considered the premier example of French renaissance architecture. In 1905 it became a designated historical monument and later, the castle was included in the Loire Valley UNESCO World Heritage site.

After taking in the impressive exterior, travelers can explore the rich interior, which is comprised of old-world drawing rooms, apartments, a kitchen and bedrooms decorated in 19th-century style. In addition to being a stunning example of French architecture and history, Château d’Azay-le-Rideau is also home to a large collection of artwork.

Known as the longest river in France, the Loire winds past epic medieval castles, breathtaking French countryside and vast vineyards famous for their sparkling whites and bold reds. Travelers who float down this scenic stretch (which was officially recognized by UNESCO in 2000) will find diverse wildlife, temperate climates and a wide variety of plant and tree species along the idyllic shores.

The river loops through 12 departments of France and streams past quiet towns and lively cities, making it an ideal route for visitors looking to explore the Loire Valley. History lovers architectural buffs will find more than 1,000 chateaux sprinkled along the river’s edge and nature enthusiasts can comb through the Foret d’Orleans, largest forest in France, which sits at the center of the Loire region.

Devoted to the life and works of surrealist writer Jules Verne, who was born in Nantes in 1828, the Jules Verne Museum (Musée Jules Verne) opened its doors on the 150th anniversary of his birth, and offers a fascinating insight into one of France’s most unique and imaginative literary figures. Housed in a 19th-century waterfront residence frequented by the author, the museum’s striking white façade today stands opposite the spectacular Marine Worlds Carousel, part of Nantes’ ambitious Verne-inspired Îles des Machines.

Inside the museum, an eclectic collection of Verne’s personal effects, hand-edited manuscripts and a recreation of the writer's drawing room offer a glimpse into the mind of the literary innovator, while interactive and multimedia displays, and replicas of his inventions serve to bring masterpieces likeTwenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea andAround the World in Eighty Days to life.

Anchored at the center of a wide moat, with its four fully functioning drawbridges and majestic turrets, the Château du Plessis-Bourré is undeniably photogenic, and it’s unsurprisingly served as the backdrop for a number of films over the years. Built in the 15th-century by its namesake Jean Bourré, minister to King Louis XI, it’s famed for its transition style, blending grand medieval defenses with lavish Renaissance interiors, and little has changed from the castle’s original design.

Visitors to the chateau can not only explore the library, chapel and bedrooms, take in the views from the parapet walk and brave a tour of the dungeons, but stroll through the idyllic grounds and alchemy gardens, learn how the drawbridges work and discover Bourré’s unique fascination with alchemy. During the summer months the chateau also hosts a number of special events, including Knight’s tournaments, heritage days and themed tours led by costumed guides.

The Château de Nitray may be one of France’s smallest, but its charm and character are unmatched. Built in the late 15th and early 16th centuries, the castle is currently owned by a family that uses the historic structure to carry on the age-old tradition of local wine making. Visitors love the family vibe and travelers can tour the facility, sample bold reds and sparkling whites while learning about production from expert guides. Travelers should also tour the pigeonnier, which was once home to dozens of domestic pigeons and remains one of the most unique things about this unassuming destination. Because the land—and the chateau—are privately owned, visitors can camp on the grounds free of charge and wake up surrounded the beauty of the Loire Valley.

A scenic hub from which to discover the UNESCO-listed Châteaux of the Loire Valley, historic Amboise is also well worth exploring. The market town was once frequented by the likes of Leonardo da Vinci and Joan of Arc, and is best known for its own castle—the Château d’Amboise, former home of King Francis I.