Castles, gardens, churches, stone houses, rivers and streams... discover all the charms of the most beautiful villages of the Loire.
With a rich history and lush nature, the Loire Valley is a great place to stroll through the lanes of these villages, all so different.
Here is our selection with photos, maps and practical advice to plan your visits!
This opinion is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the area anonymously, making our own choices, and paying all our bills in full.
The most beautiful villages of the Loire Valley - Map
According to the French definition a village has less than 2000 inhabitants.
In this selection:
- we focused on the Loire valley around the castles (and not around its source)
- we have chosen our favorite villages
- we decided to include 3 small towns because they have a village atmosphere in their center, they have just a little more inhabitants.
Here is a map to help you orient yourself and plan your discovery:
And if you also want to discover the most beautiful cities, see our other article.
OUR ADVICE FOR RENTING A CAR IN Normandy
- Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars - one of the best rated sites.
- Choose a fairly compact car (many villages have narrowed the road).
- Think aboutfull insurance (parking in big cities is really tight).
- There is a lot of demand, book it early.
1. Montrésor
Why do we love it?
We absolutely fell in love with the village of Montrésor. For us, it is even far ahead of all the others.
Montrésor has everything we like: a small castle, a beautiful church, charming alleys with stone houses and greenery, plus a river that runs through it.
Don't miss the views of the village from the castle and the views of the castle from the walk along the Indrois River.
This village has a crazy charm. It is worth the small detour.
Access to the village
- South-east of the city of Tours, along the Indrois river
- Not far from the town of Loches
- Driving time from Nantes = 2h45
- Driving time from Angers = 1h50
- Driving time from Tours = 1h
- Driving time from Orléans = 1h50
Practical information
- Allow 2 to 3 hours to explore the entire village and the castle
- Wear good shoes for the cobblestone streets
- Some slopes
- Parking along the main street, near the tourist office
- Some restaurants / cafes
- To be combined with the discovery of the city of Loches.
- This village has the label "Les plus beaux villages de France".
- See the best rated accommodations around Montrésor
2. Béhuard
Why do we love it?
Béhuard is a very well hidden village. It is known by the locals, but much less by visitors to the region.
It is unique because it is located on a small island between 2 arms of the Loire. So don't miss the entrance from the bridges!
We love to stroll along its main street with the pretty houses along the water.
And we advise you not to miss the village church. It is located on a rock, just a little higher than the rest of the village.
Access to the village
- Between Angers and Nantes, along the Loire River
- Driving time from Nantes = 1h10
- Driving time from Angers = 30min
- Driving time from Tours = 1h45
- Driving time from Orléans = 3h
Practical information
- Allow 30min to explore the whole village
- Flat visit
- Large parking lot at the entrance of the village.
- Attention, in case of flood of the Loire, the village will not be accessible
- A creperie / bar
- This village has the label "Small city of character".
- See the best rated accommodations around Béhuard
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3. Chédigny
Why do we love it?
Because the village is a garden.
It is even the only village in France to have the label "remarkable garden" not for a park but for the whole village.
Even when the roses are not in bloom, it is very attractive with all the greenery around the houses.
But, if you can, visit when the 1000 rosebushes of the village are blooming to savor the visit with all our senses.
Don't miss the priest's garden with its vegetable garden, orchard and medicinal plants.
And Chedigny also develop its banks of the Indrois for even more moments to admire the beauty of nature.
Access to the village
- East of the city of Tours
- Driving time from Nantes = 2h30
- Driving time from Angers = 1h30
- Driving time from Tours = 40min
- Driving time from Orléans = 1h40
Practical information
- Allow 1 hour to explore the entire village and gardens
- Easy to explore, flat
- It is better to come when the roses are in bloom
- Some slopes
- Large parking lot at the entrance of the village
- Some restaurants / cafes
- This village has the label "Remarkable Garden".
- See the best rated accommodations around Chédigny
4. Lavardin
Why do we love it?
Another village that ticks a lot of boxes: a nice bridge over the Loir (not to be confused with the Loire), a medieval castle, stone houses and a surprising church.
Take your time to discover this village, as each corner brings a different experience:
- Picnic tables along the Loir with a view of the Gothic bridge and the castle
- Visit the ruins of the castle that resisted the assault of Richard the Lionheart with beautiful views of the village.
- The church of Saint-Genest de Lavardin, austere from the outside but rich in mural paintings of Carolingian, Byzantine and Romanesque influences.
- troglodytic houses
- ...
Access to the village
- North of the city of Tours
- Driving time from Nantes = 3h
- Driving time from Angers = 2h
- Driving time from Tours = 50min
- Driving time from Orléans = 1h30
Practical information
- Allow 1 to 2 hours to explore the entire village and the castle
- Wear good shoes because the tour of the castle does not have a paved path
- The village is on a slope, and the castle requires the ascent of some steps
- Parking in the village center
- Some restaurants / cafes
- This village has the label "Les plus beaux villages de France".
- See the best rated accommodations around Lavardin
PLAN YOUR TRIP TO THE Loire Valley
The castles of the Loire Valley
- Discover our selection of the most beautiful castles of the Loire Valley
- Where to go to visit the castles of the Loire Valley - article to come
Cities and villages
- Visit the beautiful cities along the Loire River
- Stroll under the charm of the villages of the Loire Valley
- Choose from the best things to do in Nantes
Practice
5. Saint-Dyé-sur-Loire
Why do we love it?
A village a little different from the previous ones, with a rich history during the construction of Chambord. It was then an important port where materials arrived.
Today it is nice to stroll along the Loire with some traditional boats, in the alleys which mix stones and greenery, and all around the ramparts. We had a great time.
Here we relax. The village seems to bring serenity to the visitor. And we wouldn't want to leave.
Take the time to get lost and discover houses from the 15th, 16th and 17th centuries.
Access to the village
- Between Tours and Orleans, along the Loire River
- Driving time from Nantes = 3h10
- Driving time from Angers = 2h10
- Driving time from Tours = 1h
- Driving time from Orléans = 50min
Practical information
- Allow 1 to 2 hours to explore the entire village and the castle
- It is easy to walk around, the village is almost flat
- Parking around the church, next to the school and next to the cemetery
- Some restaurants / cafes
- This village has the label "Small city of character".
- See the best rated accommodations around Saint-Dyé
6. Candes-Saint-Martin (and Monsoreau)
Why do we love it?
Candes-Saint-Martin still offers a very different experience.
This place is also sometimes listed as Montsoreau.
The 2 villages are actually next to each other: the charming village is Candes but the famous castle on the banks of the Loire is in Montsoreau.
The village is located at the confluence of the Vienne and the Loire, a strategic location that allowed the village to develop as a river port.
Here, we like the many houses made of tufa stone, typical of the region and we are sure that you will be surprised by the facade of the church!
Access to the village
- Between Angers and Tours, along the Loire River
- Driving time from Nantes = 2h
- Driving time from Angers = 1h
- Driving time from Tours = 50min
- Driving time from Orléans = 2h30
Practical information
- Allow 1.5 hours to explore the entire village and the road to the panorama. Add 1h30 to visit the castle of Montsoreau
- Wear good shoes for the cobblestone streets and slopes
- Parking lots at the ends of the village. Very few places in the village
- Some restaurants / cafes
- This village has the label "Les plus beaux villages de France".
- See the best rated accommodations around Candes-Saint-Martin
a little more patience
All the photos, maps, information, good addresses to make your stay in the Loire Valley a success, will soon be gathered in a single ebook!
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7. Crissay-sur-Manse
Why do we love it?
For its calmness. Manu had a deep moment of serenity in this village...
It is not big but absolutely charming.
There are beautiful tufa houses, a flamboyant gothic church, a wash house and the ruins of a 15th century castle that was heavily damaged during the Hundred Years War.
Here, the countryside invites itself into the center: almost everywhere you go you get a glimpse of the fields and nature.
Access to the village
- To the southwest of the village of Tours
- Driving time from Nantes = 2h40
- Driving time from Angers = 1h25
- Driving time from Tours = 40min
- Driving time from Orléans = 2h
Practical information
- Allow 1 hour to explore the entire village
- Wear good shoes for the cobblestone streets
- Some slopes
- Easy parking around the church
- A few restaurants/cafes - we had lunch on the terrace at the Auberge de Crissay overlooking the countryside and the church. Good products and a great time.
- This village has the label "Les plus beaux villages de France".
- To be combined with Chinon and the castle of Azay-le-Rideau
- See the best rated accommodations around Crissay-sur-Manse
8. Sancerre
Why do we love it?
One of Manu's favorite villages because it combines charm, countryside and vineyards!
But we both love it for its strategic position on top of a hill, for the views of the village from the castle, for the vineyards as far as the eye can see... and also for the atmosphere that goes with good glasses of wine!
If you follow the Ariadne's Thread, you will discover 28 points of interest: squares, monuments and viewpoints.
Access to the village
- To the south-east of Orélans, a little further away from the castles, but not to be missed
- Driving time from Nantes = 4h10
- Driving time from Angers = 3h15
- Driving time from Tours = 2h20
- Driving time from Orléans = 1h40
Practical information
- Allow 2 hours to explore the entire village and the castle
- Some slopes
- Parking near the tourist office
- A good choice of restaurants / cafes
- This village has the labels "Les plus beaux villages de France" and "Petite cité de caractère".
- See the best rated accommodations around Sancerre
WHERE TO STAY IN THE Loire Valley
Option 1: Saumur
To explore the eastern part, Saumur is the ideal city. It has a very good selection of hotels and restaurants but is not too big. You don't feel drowned in the city.
Nearby, you have the castles of Saumur, Brissac, Chinon, Montreuill-Bellay and the abbey of Fontevraud, among others.
- The Saint Pierre Hotel, a charming place in the heart of the city - See prices, photos and availability
- See the best rated accommodations in Saumur!
Option 2 : Tours/ Amboise
To be in the heart of the castles and close enough to the most famous ones (Chambord and Chenonceau) we recommend the big city of Tours or the smaller one of Amboise.
- Thehotel Le Charme Rabelaisien with a view on the castle of Amboise. See prices, photos and availability.
- See the best rated accommodations in Amboise.
Option 3: In a castle
One of the best experiences to have is to sleep in a castle. There are so many of them in the area that some have been transformed into hotels. It is an unforgettable experience!
- The Chateau de Chissay is very well located and offers a luxurious and historical experience. We would have liked to stay longer... See prices, photos and availability.
- See our article with our favorite castles to sleep in.
Option 4 : Blois
And also, the charming city of Blois built around the Loire River. Fascinating to visit and close to Chambord, Chaumont-sur-Loire and Amboise.
- The magnificent and luxurious Fleurs de Loire hotel, for an unforgettable stay - See prices, photos and availability.
- See the best rated accommodations in Blois
9. Trentemoult (in Nantes)
Why do we love it?
The city of Nantes is very lively and scattered.
Discovering the old fishing village of Trentemoult was like a breath of fresh air. The impression of being in a completely different place, while the access is fast. Especially if you take the river shuttle.
We loved walking along the Loire River and in the colorful streets. The paintings, the plants, the atmosphere... everything is there to relax.
Take the time to get lost in its alleys to be surprised by funny paintings.
Discover more in our article on Trentemoult.
Access to the village
- In the Nantes agglomeration
- South of the city center, on the other side of the Ile de Nantes
- 15min drive from the castle of Nantes in the city center
- Angers to Nantes = 1h10
- Tours to Nantes = 2h20
- Paris to Nantes = 4h15
Practical information
- Access by navibus, the crossing lasts
- Allow 1 hour to explore the narrow streets and the waterfront, more to sit on a terrace by the Loire River
- Easy to explore
- Restaurants / cafes
- See our article on where to sleep in Nantes
10. Saint-Florent-le-Vieil (small town)
Why do we love it?
Saint-Florent-le-Vieil is a city, but if you concentrate on the part along the Loire, it really looks like a village:
The walk along the water is one of the most beautiful moments of the Loire by bike.
To go back up to the abbey, the alleys are very sloping, narrow and charming, between nature and stones.
And at the top you will discover the abbey and its panoramas on the Loire valley.
What more could you ask for?
Access to the village
- Between Nantes and Angers, along the Loire River
- Driving time from Nantes = 35min
- Driving time from Angers = 50min
- Driving time from Tours = 2h
- Driving time from Orléans = 3h10
Practical information
- Allow 2 hours to explore the Loire River and the abbey church
- Wear good shoes for the cobblestone streets
- Very sloping
- Parking around the abbey and on the banks of the Loire
- A good choice of restaurants / cafes
- This city has the label "Small city of character".
- See the best rated accommodations around Saint-Florent-Le-Vieil
11. Oudon (small town)
Why do we love it?
The houses here have a little less charm but we liked the combination of 3 elements;
- the medieval castle and its keep which dominates the city,
- the valley of Le Havre with its charming riversides,
- and the works of art installed all around the city, on the route of sculptures with very varied styles.
And just outside the city, don't miss the menhir of the Pierre Blanche which is 4,30m high. And the legend tells that the stone turns on itself, once a year, at midnight? Unfortunately, only the elves know the date, so we can't advise you when to visit...
Access to the village
- East of the city of Tours, along the Loire River
- Driving time from Nantes = 2h40
- Driving time from Angers = 1h45
- Driving time from Tours = 50min
- Driving time from Orléans = 1h25
Practical information
- Allow 2 hours to explore the entire center and the castle
- Wear good shoes for the cobblestone streets
- Some slopes
- Parking at Square du Havre
- Some restaurants / cafes
- View the best rated accommodations around Oudon
DON'T PICK UP THE MOST BEAUTIFULCastlesof the Loire Valley
- the most beautiful castles of the Loire Valley - discover
- the most beautiful gardens (to come)
- the castles of the Loire Valley where to sleep (5 unforgettable hotels) -discover
- the best Loire Valley castles to do with your family (coming soon)
- or our list with more than 100 castles of the Loire Valley - discover
12. Montrichard (small town)
Why do we love it?
If you visit the famous Loire castles around Tours (Chenonceaux, Amboise, Chaumont-sur-Loire), chances are you will pass by Montrichard. This small town is a bit of a crossroads.
It is a small medieval city of the XIth century with a historical center along the River Cher.
The view from the banks of the river is magnificent and the tour of the center takes you to see: a keep, half-timbered houses, a bridge, buildings from different periods...
Access to the village
- East of the city of Tours
- Driving time from Nantes = 2h40
- Driving time from Angers = 1h45
- Driving time from Tours = 50min
- Driving time from Orléans = 1h30
Practical information
- Allow 2 hours to explore the entire village and the keep
- Wear good shoes for the cobblestone streets
- Some slopes
- Parking on the other side of the bridge
- Be careful, there can be a lot of traffic because of the bridge which limits the traffic.
- Choice for restaurants / cafes
- See the best rated accommodations around Montrichard
13. Savennières
Why do we love it?
Right next to the Loire River, this site was populated in prehistoric times.
The village developed in the Gallo-Roman period.
But what makes the charm of Savennières are the superb manors and the presbytery, built by the aristocracy of Anjou in the XVIIIth century.
Don't miss the church, which is considered one of the oldest in the region.
And another (very) good reason to visit Savennières is the presence of vineyards all around.
Access to the village
- To the southwest of Angers
- Driving time from Nantes = 1h05
- Driving time from Angers = 25min
- Driving time from Tours = 1h40
- Driving time from Orléans = 3h
Practical information
- Allow 30min to 1h to explore the center of the village, more to enjoy the vineyards around
- Easy to explore
- Parking on the Place du Mail or near the railroad tracks
- Some restaurants / cafes
- This village has the label "Small city of character".
- See the best rated accommodations around Savennières
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Do you enjoy all the free content you find on our blog, without intrusive ads?
Our independence, the only guarantee of qualitytips, is partly based on your generosity!
We offer you to give us a coffee (or several) in the hope of sharing it with you one day in person!
Frequently asked questions - Pays de la Loire and Centre-val-de-Loire
If you want to target more specific areas, here are some other lists to help you.
Most beautiful villages of the Haute-Loire (department 43)
In this article we have limited ourselves to the villages of the Loire Valley around the castles. But the river Loire, still goes up for a long time in the interior of France, in the department of Haute-Loire.
Some of the pretty villages closer to its source are:
- Polignac
- Montarcher
- Saint-Bonnet-le-Château
- Arlempdes
- Pradelles
- Lavaudieu
- Blesle
- Charlieu
- Saint-Jean-Saint-Maurice-sur-Loire
Most beautiful villages in the Centre-Val de Loire region
In addition to several names mentioned in this article you find:
- Saint-Benoit-du-Sault (department Indre)
- Apremont-Sur-Allier (department Cher)
- Trôo (department Loir-et-Cher)
Most beautiful villages in the Pays de la Loire region
The Pays de la Loire region also includes the Altlantic coast around the mouth of the Loire and goes further than the Loire Valley, towards Normandy. In addition to several names mentioned in this article you find:
- Asnières-sur-Vègre (department Sarthe)
- Piriac-sur-mer (department Loire-Atlantique)
- Vouvant (department Loire-Atlantique)
- Lassay-les-Châteaux (department of Mayenne)
- Fresnay-sur-Sarthe (Sarthe department)
- Le Croisic (but no longer a small town on the coast)
Most beautiful cities in the Loire Valley
In addition to all these charming villages, the Loire Valley also has beautiful towns with historic centers/ Our favorites are:
- Nantes
- Angers
- Saumur
- Tours
- Amboise
- Blois
- Orleans
- Sully-sur)Loire
- Chinon
- Montreuil-Bellay
- ....
