Taking its source at the Mont Gerbier de Jonc in Auvergne, the Loire then flows upstream in France before turning westward to end up flowing into theAtlantic shortly after Nantes.
On these 1006 kilometers, several cities welcome it and feed on its beauty. We offer you a short portrait of our 15 best towns and cities in the Loire Valley, from Nevers to Nantes, and an account of the beautiful discoveries we made there!
This guide is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.
Cities on the Loire
Map of the most beautiful cities in the Loire Valley
Here's a map with our selection of the most beautiful towns on the Loire, to help you find your way around:
This article presents the different cities to visit. But if you're looking for the best towns to stay in when visiting the Loire castles, check out this other article instead.
Tips for reading the article
This very complete article aims at giving you a rather exhaustive panorama of the cities on the Loire, but also in the Loire valley. We also mention at the end the most beautiful villages of the Loire.
If you want to get straight to the point, the 7 most important towns to visit along the Loire are, in our opinion :
- Nantes - the most active
- Angers - the sweetest
- Saumur - the most majestic
- Tours - the most convenient
- Amboise - the most authentic
- Blois - our favorite
- Orleans - the most traditional
The Loire River, a historical axis
The Loire, like many of the great rivers in Europe, has structured the settlement of populations in the region and later the development of cities.
Bringing men and women together, facilitating crop irrigation and supplying raw materials, the Loire is the nourishing river of western France.
With varying fortunes over the centuries, the cities of the Loire Valley took full advantage of the craze forRenaissance architecture. Today, they are enjoying a new lease of life with the development of the TGV high-speed train , and are attracting more and more residents.
THE 7 MAIN CITIES ON THE LOIRE
1. Nantes
Why visit? Our opinion
Swept by the winds of the Atlantic, surrounded by the arms of the Loire, it is for us, the dynamic and resolutely creative city of the Loire!
Located at themouth of the Loire River, Nantes is the most attractive city in western France. It is a city marked by its port past, but which has been able to turn towards the new millennium by investing heavily in culture and digital technology.
What to see and do?
- Take a walk on the old Feydau Island to admire the beautiful shipowners' houses that seem ready to be swallowed by the arms of the Loire that are now filled in.
- Stroll with the famous elephant on the island of Nantes and dive into the wonderful atmosphere of the Nantes author Jules Verne.
- Visit one of the beautiful contemporary exhibitions at Le Lieu Unique and take the opportunity to discover Nantes' rich (and greedy) industrial past.
- Take the time to visit the amazing Castle of the Dukes of Brittany, and dive into the historical links between Nantes and Brittany. See our tips and photos to make your visit to the castle a success.
Practical advice
- Possible access by plane - TGV - car
- How long - Allow at least 2 days
- Getting around - Walk or bike (fairly flat terrain and reasonable distances between points of interest) or use the very dense public transportation network (tramway lines, exclusive right-of-way buses, etc.). Beware of the often changing weather!
- To enjoy the city to the fullest, opt for the City Pass, which gives you access to more than 40 museums, monuments, and attractions and access to public transportation. We advise you to book before you arrive to avoid long queues!
- Guided tour - see the possibilities to discover the city in a different way.
Read more
- Discover our list of the 15 best things to do in Nantes
Lodging
The offer of accommodation in Nantes is abundant and varied, with small nuggets where we stayed:
- to get off the beaten track: Sozo Hotel - Sleep in a former 19th century chapel, do you want to? Discover our experience in pictures / See prices and availability
- To discover the best of the contemporary urban offer: Okko hotel - in the heart of Nantes, a design and life style hotel that wants to dust off the hotel chains - Make your opinion with our photos - Test without waiting
- More classic, but not without charm : Coeur de Loire - in a 1930's bourgeois house, a cosy and very friendly hotel - Our typical Nantes night in pictures - Succumb to this hotel
Read more
- The other hotels where we have stayed and our recommendations, to discover on our page where to sleep in Nantes.
Catering
Nantes has clearly become a spot for bistronomic cuisine. We break the codes of high-end cooking to reinvent it in an ultra-creative and accessible market kitchen. Some addresses where we enjoyed ourselves:
- L'aménité: when a psychotherapist opens a table in Nantes, it gives a fabulous gustatory journey - Discover our detailed opinion and our photos of the restaurant l'Aménité
- Imagine: she is talented and creative, she is Anne Lise Genouël, the young chef and owner of the restaurant Imagine at 2 steps from the place Graslin - discover our detailed opinion and our pictures of the restaurant Imagine
But in a city like Nantes, there is something for everyone: crêperies (who said we were already in Brittany?), starred restaurants (with a view on the Loire), world cuisine (a special mention to the Pickles, British solidarity oblige!)...
Read more
- Discover the restaurants where we ate and our recommendations on our page where to eat in Nantes.
OUR TIPS FOR RENTING A CAR IN Loire
- 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.
2. Angers
Why visit? Our opinion
Much wiser than its neighbor Nantes, Angers has made the sweetness of life its signature. Along the Loire River and crossed by the Maine River, Angers is a city wherenature and water sculpt the city.
High place of thehistory of the powerful County of Anjou, we like the attention paid to the remarkable heritage, of yesterday... and tomorrow!
What to see and do?
- Walk in the Cité district, between the cathedral and the castle, to discover beautiful houses from the 15th to the 18th centuries in a preserved district with narrow streets.
- Even if you're not, a priori, a tapestry enthusiast, we strongly recommend that you combine a visit to the Apocalypse Tapestry at the Château d'Angers with the Song of the World at the Musée Jean Lurçat on the other bank of the Maine. It might just change your mind about tapestry!
- Of all the cathedrals of the Loire Valley, we believe that Angers Cathedral is the one that offers the richest liturgical heritage in its midst, which gives it a very special atmosphere.
- The walk along the Maine River from the historic district of La Doutre, with its many half-timbered houses, to the Lac de Maine is really very pleasant on a sunny day.
- Terra Botanica and its magnificent gardens - book your tickets now!
Practical advice
- Possible access by TGV - car - 1 hour from Nantes airport
- How long - Allow at least 1 day
- Getting around - Walk around the historic districts and the city center and use the pleasant tramway if you want to reach some of the outlying places (Terra Botanica, Carré Cointreau...).
- To enjoy the city to the fullest, opt for the City Pass, which gives you access to more than 25 tours, discounts on public transport and even 2 hours of parking. More info and online purchase
- Guided tour - see the possibilities to discover the city in a different way.
Lodging
The hotel offer in the city center is less extensive than in other cities of the Loire. But we made some nice discoveries and you should not hesitate to go out of the city for a while:
- sleep in a historic house with carved wood sides : L'oisellerie - One of the oldest houses in Angers, in the heart of the city, run by two dynamic young women who have just renovated it... what else? Discover our experience in pictures - Sleep historically well
- Connecting with nature: Slow village - Chateau des forges - a large bourgeois house, facing the low valleys of Anjou, which invites you to slow down a little, is the experience that this new concept offers. Did we succumb to this praise of slowness? Back in photos on our stay at the Château des Forges - You too slow down
See our complete selection of the best hotels in Angers.
Catering
Angers is surrounded by vineyards and this is reflected in the dishes. We love the local cuisine that highlights the wines of Anjou. Some of the addresses we have tested:
- Le Cavier: Dine in an authentic windmill still in operation, with a menu that doesn't go round in circles, that's the pleasant experience we had in this Anjou institution. Discover the place and the menu.
- Le Belle Rive: along the Maine river, on the right bank, a beautiful and creative restaurant a little bit out of the city. We appreciate the terrace in the spring and the warm atmosphere in the winter. An ode to fresh produce and tranquility. Consult the menu.
But in Angers, you can also find a starred restaurant in a beautiful half-timbered house in the Doutre district(Lait Thym Sel), wine lovers(Autour d'un Cep) and restaurants that are resolutely friendly and gourmet(la cour or Mamie Fada: Eugénie's two canteens!).
Discover the restaurants where we ate and our recommendations on our page where to eat in Angers.
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!
If you wish to be informed of the publication of our guide on the Loire, register:
3. Saumur
Why visit? Our opinion
For us, it is the most traditional of the large cities along the Loire. Under the benevolent protection of its castle, it lets the royal river flow majestically through its heart, licking the buildings of the cavalry school that still trains the officers of the French army's armored units.
It is pleasant to walk in the small city center entirely returned to pedestrian and to go up on foot to the castle.
What to see and do?
- The castle of course, witness of the torments of Anjou during the last centuries. It offers a breathtaking view of the royal river (especially if you climb like us to the belvedere), certainly one of the most beautiful of the Loire!
- A little away from the city center, you will find several cellars of famous houses (Ackerman, Bouvet Ladubay, Louis de Grenelle...) which offer very successful immersions in the heart of the bubbles of the crémants of the Loire, mixing oenology, art and wine heritage.
- 15 minutes from the city, don't miss the buildings of the very prestigious"Cadre Noir" which still trains the elite of French horsemen.
- The museum of the armored vehicles, a reference in France and even in Europe, which gathers more than 880 machines (tanks, troop transports...) presented in 15 exhibition rooms.
- And not far away, the magnificent Fontevraux Abbey - book your tickets now!
See our selection of Saumur's top attractions.
Practical advice
- Access possible by car - by train from Angers (30 minutes) - and 1h30 from Nantes airport.
- How long - Allow 1 day.
- Getting around - Walk around the city center, but bring a car for activities outside the city (Cadre Noir and the great cellars of Saumur).
Lodging
The hotel offer is inevitably less rich than in the neighboring cities of Tours and Angers, but we have a big crush:
- In the heart of the city, in a quiet alley, a 4 star hotel full of charm is hidden: the Saint Pierre. We felt so much at home there (and not only for the incredible whiskey bar), that we forgot to return the keys! Discover our experience in pictures - Succumb to the charm of the Saint Pierre
See our complete selection of the best hotels in Saumur.
Catering
A bit like in Angers, we eat convivial in Saumur, contrary to what the architectural aspect of the city could let think. Some addresses not to be missed:
- Le Pot de Lapin: In a quiet place, not far from the Loire, a funny and good restaurant... It is a"bouchon saumurois" which borrows the codes of the famous "bouchons lyonnais": the menu is on the slate, the dishes are generous and the wine list is full of friends, and, above all, you eat really well. Discover the place and the menu.
- Arbors: in Saumur, we don't have oil, but we have wine, a lot of wine : saumur-champigny, saumur Brut, coteaux de saumur, saumur blanc... In your discovery of the heritage, take the time to rest at the wine bar les tonnelles... essential! The news of the bar
But in Saumur, you can also opt, just behind the theater, for very classic and very good in a former post house(Le bœuf noisette), and do not hesitate to test l'Essentiel, a bistronomic restaurant 2 steps from the castle that has been making the event since its opening in late 2019.
Check out the restaurants we've eaten at and our recommendations on our where to eat in Saumur page (coming soon).
HAVE FUN WITH THESE activities
4. Tours
Why visit? Our opinion
In our opinion, the city of Tours is a good spot to visit the castles of the Loire. Very accessible from Paris in 1 hour by TGV, it is less than an hour away from the great names of the Loire (Chambord, Chenonceaux, Amboise, Azay-le-Rideau...).
The city is booming, driven by the arrival of many Parisians, eager to enjoy a preserved living environment. This new dynamism is felt throughout the city and allows us to expand the range of activities to discover!
What to see and do?
- The old tower has a remarkable heritage of half-timbered houses. Keep your head up so you don't miss any of the countless historic homes and their wood carvings!
- It's nice to stroll along the Loire River whose quays are the kingdom of walkers, the impression of being in the countryside in the heart of a big city!
- 15 minutes from the city, don't miss theFleury Abbey, the last home of the poet Pierre Ronsard, who died in 1585. In addition to highlighting the heritage of the abbey, a museum tracing the life of the author of the famous poem "Mignonne, allons voir la rose" clearly touched us.
- Several museums are worth a visit according to your interests: for photography enthusiasts, the Jeu de Paume Museum - Tours, located in the (meager) remains of the Château de Tours, the Fine Arts Museum, or the Companionship Museum, which preserves the memory of art crafts.
Practical advice
- Possible access TGV train (9 round trips on average per day with Paris for a 1 hour journey) - car
- How long - Allow 1 day for the city of Tours alone, but much more if you want to travel along the Loire.
- Getting around - Walking in the Vieux-Tours (flat terrain, but cobblestone streets) and along the Loire River - A tramway serves the outlying points of the city - Shuttles to the main castles of the Loire.
- To enjoy the city to the fullest, opt for the City Pass, which opens the doors to more than 8 of the city's most important monuments and museums and offers discounts on public transport. More info and online purchase
- Guided tour - See the possibilities to discover the city in a different way.
Lodging
The hotel offer is very dense, with some rare addresses, but we recommend you to book well in advance. Our few addresses:
- Feel like a little folly? Fall in love with one of the rare 5 star hotels in the Loire Valley with the brand new hotel"Les trésorières", located on Place des Halles, not far from the Old Town. There is no lack of taste, a soothing atmosphere and attention to every detail of the room. We enjoyed a relaxing break in the small wellness area in the basement of the hotel. Discover our experience in photos and video - Go for the experience *****
- Less luxurious, but not without character, the Ferdinand Hotel. Tastefully renovated in 2021, it cultivates conviviality but also a beautiful nostalgia with a selection of photographs of the life of Touraine in the last 60 years. Opt for a nostalgic night
See our complete selection of the best hotels in Tours.
Catering
As for the hotels, there is no lack of good addresses, but it is still necessary to book early enough... We cook seriously in the land of Gargantua and good products directly from the "garden of France". Some addresses to book without delay:
- Hades: want to change a little bit from the bistronomic ones, this crêperie is unanimously appreciated in Tours. We tasted a particularly light cake that lets the rich and original filling take over! The news of the creperie
- Les bartavelles: in the old town of Tours, a restaurant that offers traditional quality cuisine. We cook the vegetables of Touraine with care and passion! Discover the map.
The choice in Tours is constantly growing. As we are still in a wine-growing area, you will find gouleyants wine bars (special mention for the Tutu located in the market place, which kept its promise to offer us "Loire and food"), the world cuisine (whose Makedawith an Ethiopian mocha, roasted in the pan that same afternoon, just divine).
Check out the restaurants we've eaten at and our recommendations on our Where to eat in Tours page. (coming soon)
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5. Amboise
Why visit? Our opinion
Amboise concentrates no less than 3 castles in its downtown area! The royal castle overlooking the city, the Clos Lucé, where the Italian genius Leonardo da Vinci spent the last years of his life, but also the surprising Château Gaillard and its citrus collection.
The city, although tourist, is not limited to an open-air museum. You will find beautiful tables, nice tea rooms and food shops (cheese factory, coffee roaster, local products...) that will allow you to enrich your pallet!
Several other castles are accessible from Amboise, including Chenonceaux by train or bus.
What to see and do?
- The royal castle of Amboise, its grandiose architecture (notably the minimes and Heurtault towers), its gardens, its views of the Loire and of course the presumed tomb of Leonardo da Vinci! - reserve your tickets
- Le Clos Lucé, small château and final resting place of Italian genius Leonardo da Vinci. The gardens have been transformed into a mini-amusement park highlighting the Master's contribution to both Science and Art - book your tickets now!
- The mini-cake park, ideal for children
- Several museums are worth a visit according to your interests: for photography enthusiasts, the Jeu de Paume Museum - Tours, located in the (meager) remains of the Château de Tours, the Fine Arts Museum, or the Companionship Museum, which preserves the memory of art crafts.
- Amboise is also very close to the famous Château de Chenonceau - book your tickets now!
Practical advice
- Possible access - Train (via the TGV station of Tours) - car
- How long - Allow 2 days if you want to visit the 3 castles in peace, more if you want to travel from Amboise.
- Getting around - Everything is done on foot in Amboise (relatively modest distances and flat ground, except for the climb to the castle) - Shuttles to the main castles of the Loire.
- To fully enjoy your visit, we recommend that you buy your tickets for the castle visits in advance to avoid queues at the ticket office... More info and online purchase
- Guided tour - See the possibilities to discover the city in a different way.
- Day-trip from Paris - see the solutions to discover the Amboise castle from Paris
Lodging
Here, the hotels are on a human scale. In large houses in the city center, not far from the castles, you can enjoy all the charms of Amboise. Our recommendations:
- Sleep with a view of the Royal Château d'Amboise, in a truly soothing setting, and experience an intimate spa - that's the promise of the Hôtel"Au charme rabelaisien" - Let yourself be charmed...
- Le Pavillon des Lys: An old mansion dating from 1703, renovated in 2004, which offers 9 very comfortable rooms and a breakfast that is unanimously appreciated. Opt for a master's night
See our complete selection of the best hotels in Amboise.
Catering
We found the city particularly "greedy", normal you will say, as we are in the garden of France and in the country of Rabelais! Some addresses to put under the tongue:
- La brèche: let's say it right away: one of our best, if not our best table in the Loire. In an old bourgeois house from 1880, the chef Jérôme Berthelot and his daughter Justine, pastry chef, will treat you to a creative cuisine that sublimates the local products. As for the presentation of the dishes, the show is there from the appetizers to the mignardises that accompany the coffee! Just crazy! Discover the restaurant without waiting.
Even if, as you will have understood, we warmly recommend "la Brêche", Amboise offers other beautiful restaurants, whether to eat on the go between 2 castles at Master of Art or to live thestarred experience at the Chateau de Pray or to discover the bistronomic and feminine cuisine of the écluse.
Discover the restaurants where we have eaten and our recommendations on our page where to eat in Amboise.
6. Blois
Why visit? Our opinion
The city of Blois has a great charm: a remarkable architecture that mixes monumental heritage and small streets with historical houses, a peaceful way of life but not a sleepy city for all that, a city built around the Loire River and that offers a magnificent setting.
The castle of Blois is among the richest of the Loire Valley. Accessible by train from Paris, it offers an immersion in the great history of the French Renaissance, its architectural follies, the opulence of its way of life, its links with artists...
The fact that one of the most emblematic French ministers of culture was mayor of the city for many years, translates a form of continuity through the centuries! Blois succeeds in being a city of yesterday and today!
What to see and do?
- The Château Royal de Blois, for its richly furnished and decorated interiors (with a particular focus on the oratory) and its collection of sculpted facades spanning 6 centuries of architecture - book your tickets now!
- Stroll through the old streets of the city and discover the many half-timbered and timber-framed houses, but also the Renaissance mansions in which the great families of the Blésois region lived.
- The gardens of the bishop's palace: 2 steps from the Cathedral of Blois (Saint-Louis), authentic terraced gardens created at the beginning of the 18th century. We enjoyed walking through the 3300m2 rose garden and contemplating the spectacular view of the city and the Loire from the belvedere.
- A surprising and original museum, that of magic - Robert Houdin, located opposite the castle. Not so out of place, when we remember that Merlin was an eminent advisor to King Arthur! On 2000m2 spread over 5 levels, discover the whole world of magic. Ideal to allow the children to regain their strength after the visit of the castle!
- Blois is very close to the Château de Chambord - book your tickets now!
Practical advice
- Possible access : Direct train from Paris (via Tours for the TGV) - car
- How much time: Count on 2 days to really enjoy the city of Blois alone, the castle itself requiring a big half-day.
- Getting around: you should plan to walk a bit to enjoy the city of Blois, as there are so many architectural elements that are worth the trip and beautiful views of the Loire River - The streets are sometimes a bit steep and often paved, so bring good shoes!
- To fully enjoy your visit, we recommend that youbuy your tickets for the castle tour in advance to avoid queues at the ticket office... More info and online purchase.
- Day-trip from Paris - see the solutions to discover the castle of Blois from Paris
Lodging
The hotel offer is curiously limited in Blois and we recommend you to turn to rooms and guest houses which offer more authentic experiences. Our recommendations:
- Hôtel Fleur de Loire: luxury hotel with superb city views
See prices, pictures and availability
- Hôtel Château des Basses Roches: beautiful building in a park, in a quiet location
See prices, pictures and availability
- La Maison Loire : A bed & breakfast well located at less than 10 minutes walking distance from the castle, in a quiet area. The house is decorated with great refinement, mixing antique furniture and contemporary furniture. Breakfast is taken around a big table with the other guests of the house - feel at home .
See our complete selection of the best hotels in Blois.
Catering
In Blois, the Loire is particularly celebrated and we do not hesitate to go and see the sea. We did not hesitate either, on our way to our favorite addresses:
- Au rendez-vous des pêcheurs: In a former grocery store, with a careful decoration completely redesigned in 2020 (a special mention for the bright atmosphere), the chef, colorful, Christophe Cosme welcomes you. Seafood products are sublimated and married to the other stars of the Loire Valley, the vegetables. It's not good, but we fell for the homemade rolls (with salt and herbs from Provence, anyway!). See our experience in pictures. Make an appointment
- The little Honfleur: we could only go and see what a Norman exile could do in the Loire. We found there an excellent market cuisine where local products (vegetables and cheeses) are at the festival (and our palet too!). Return on our experience in pictures - Discover the map.
After Normandy, you can push the exoticism even further, by opting for the Japanese-French fusion restaurant Assa, the only starred restaurant in Blois, whose magnificent room overlooks the Loire River. More traditional but no less excellent restaurants welcome you on the left bank(Le bistro du cuisinier) or the right bank(L'assiette au bœuf).
Discover the restaurants where we ate and our recommendations on our page where to eat in Blois.
7. Orleans
Why visit? Our opinion
Let's be honest, we were a bit dubious when we went to Orleans. High place of thehistory of France, marked by the exploits of Joan of Arc, the city seemed to us a little dusty compared to the other cities of the Loire.
Well, we were seduced and surprised. Seduced by the lively and redesigned banks of the Loire, but also by the renovated city center, which is finally making full use of its remarkable heritage. And surprised by thefresh wind that seems to be blowing through the city. The proof is in the young, truly talented chefs we met at MAGA restaurant.
But if there was only one reason to come to Orléans, it would be for its spectacular Sainte-Croix Cathedral.
What to see and do?
- Of course, in Orléans, the Cathedral itself justifies the trip, so impressive is its size, the quality of its architecture and its liturgical content. Despite several visits, always the same feeling....
- In the city center, let yourself be surprised by the half-timbered houses, including the house of Joan of Arc and the few houses sculpted with Renaissance elements.
- Take the time to visit theHôtel Groslot, built at the beginning of the 16th century, for a long time the town hall of Blois and today converted into a museum.
- End your day with a walk along the banks of the Loire River , which come to life at nightfall!
Practical advice
- How to get there: Orléans is the Loire Valley city closest to Paris, but not necessarily the most accessible, due to lack of TGV - Direct train from Paris (on average 20 trains per day and 1 h 22 travel time) - Car (less than 2 hours from Paris)
- How long - Allow a good day to explore the city, knowing that the cathedral will take you at least 2 hours.
- Getting around - You can get around mostly on foot (the streets are relatively flat and easy) but the city has 2 streetcar lines. If the weather permits, don't hesitate to opt for a bicycle, which is becoming more and more popular in this city every year.
- To fully enjoy the city, opt for the City Pass which gives you privileged access to more than 100 tourist offers, including entry to the city's major monuments and unlimited access to public transport. More information and online purchase.
Lodging
Given its proximity to Paris and its road location, Orléans has a fairly large offer. We have found a few addresses that we think stand out:
- Empreinte: We loved this beautiful, recently renovated 19th-century building overlooking the Loire. The rooms are comfortable and the experience pleasant, with a special mention for the very rich cocktail menu. A small spa awaits you in the basement - discover our experience in pictures - Leave your mark in Orleans.
- Urban Jungle: another sign of the city's revival, this boutique hotel is located in the city's hypercenter. The decoration is tonic and offbeat and the hotel has a fitness area. Discover our experience in pictures. Enter the jungle of Orleans.
The other hotels where we have stayed and our recommendations, to discover on our page where to sleep in Orleans.
Catering
In Orléans, cooking is on the move, with a new generation wanting to share the spotlight with more established chefs. No jealousy, we offer you a table in each category:
- MAGA: For us, one of our 3 best tables in the Loire Valley. Both for the exceptional quality of the dinner, for the kindness of the two young chefs (a couple in the city and in the restaurant, they alternate between the dining room and the kitchen depending on their mood and fatigue) and for the disconcerting creativity of the menu (we won't tell you everything, but let yourself be surprised) See our experience in pictures. Reserve a table via Facebook.
- Hibiscus: a safe bet located in one of the city's lively pedestrian streets. You can enjoy excellent seasonal cuisine, traditional but with a touch of originality, prepared with passion by the chef Céline Lefevre. Discover the map.
As we told you, the gastronomy of Orleans is on the move, just like MAGA. You can also push the door of the Dariole with a new team installed in February 2022 or Les papilles en herbe which revisit the local products.
Discover the restaurants where we have eaten and our recommendations on our page where to eat in Orléans.
THE OTHER CITIES ON THE LOIRE
8. Sully-sur-Loire
Why visit? Our opinion
Sully is a charming little town on the banks of the Loire and can be considered as the gateway to the route of the Loire castles (even if this point is the subject of debate as long as this page of our site...).
It is an ideal place for those who like to walk in a historical and enchanting setting. In addition to the castle-fortress and its moat, you can walk through the natural park of the castle, but also stroll along the banks of the Loire.
What to see and do?
- Visit, of course, castle-fortress built at the end of the XIVth to which the moats still in water, bring a very particular stamp, which is not without reminding Azay le Rideau. It had to defend the bridges over the Loire, before becoming a place of pomp. 19 rooms are accessible during the visit of the interiors.
- Walk through the natural park of the castle: 42 hectares crossed by the river Sange which feeds the moat. Built in the 15th century, but largely redesigned at the beginning of the 17th century, the park offers wide paths lined with remarkable trees.
- Less than 10 km from Sully, downstream from the river, you can also make a stop at theFleury abbey, founded around the year 630, which still hosts 27 monks.
Practical advice
- Possible access: The easiest way to get there is by car - The nearest train station is Gien, 25 km from Sully-sur-Loire
- How long: count 2 to 4 hours depending on your interest in the castle and your ambition for the length of your walk in the Park.
Lodging
The offer is obviously much more limited than in the big cities of the Loire, but it is still possible to spend a good night in Sully-sur-Loire:
- Hotel de la closeraie, located 500m from the castle, in an old house entirely renovated and furnished with taste in a neo-brocante style. The hotel offers a spa and a sauna with the possibility of a massage upon reservation. Opt for a relaxing evening at the closeraie
- Hotel Burgevin, 100m from the Loire River and 300m from the castle, this former coaching inn has been entirely renovated in a classic contemporary style. Make a stop at the Burgevin hotel
Catering
Between the neighboring Sologne and the omnipresent Loire River, the choice between game and fish arises. 2 small addresses to help you decide this crucial question:
- The Restaurant of the Grand Sully hostelry: in a Grand Siècle decor, discover a menu where the good products of the soil are awakened by the small point of originality of the chief Yves Dessaint. The vegetables are honored in the accompaniments and we like that! Discover the restaurant's menu
- La Bonne étoile: 6km from Sully, a restaurant that offers great classics on the menu: wild boar or quail for meat, trout or sea bass for fish. When we tell you that you will have to choose your side... or eat both! Discover the restaurant's menu
DON'T MISS THE BEST CASTLES IN the Loire Valley
- The most beautiful castles of the Loire Valley
- The most beautiful gardens
- Where to stay in the Loire castles: unforgettable hotels!
- The best Loire castles to visit with your family
- Chambord or Chenonceau: our comparison
- itineraries: weekend - 3 days - 4 days - 5 days - 1 week
- Castles around Blois, around Amboise, around Saumur, around Tours, around Angers and around Nantes.
- or our list of over 100 Loire castles
9. Nevers
Why visit? Our opinion
We still go up the Loire and arrive in Burgundy, with the city of Nevers. This township, bigger than Saumur or Blois, is famous for its religious heritage.
It is in this city that lies the body of Saint Bernadette, beatified in 1925, who after having witnessed 18 apparitions of the Virgin Mary, dedicated her life to transmit her message.
The old town, around the cathedral, has some medieval houses, the oldest of which date back to the 12th century.
A little known city, that we enjoyed discovering!
What to see and do?
- The town boasts a rich religious heritage: the Cathedral of Saint-Cyr-et-Sainte-Juliette with its two opposing choirs, one Romanesque, the other Gothic, and remarkable stained glass windows covering an area of 1052m2. The church of Saint-Etienne de Nevers, built in the 11th century, is one of the "most beautiful Romanesque churches in France", according to Viollet Le Duc, to whom we owe, among other things, the spire on the Notre Dame tower in Paris.
- Visit the sanctuary dedicated to Bernadette Soubirous. She died in Nevers on April 16, 1879, and her body was found intact. Since 1925, it has rested in a glass and bronze shrine in the chapel of the convent of Saint-Gildard, where she had retired after her apparitions.
- Take the time to visit the Ducal Palace built at the end of the 15th century and in particular its magnificent grand staircase in the central turret.
- 2 walking tours in the city are proposed, 1 in the districts of Saint Martin and Saint Etienne, the other in the district of the faience manufacturers.
Practical advice
- Possible access: The easiest way is to come by train with no less than 16 daily departures from Paris for an average travel time of 2h28 - The station is less than 10 minutes walk from the Cathedral and 15 minutes from the convent of Saint-Gildard where the body of Saint Bernadette lies.
- How long: count between 2 and 4 hours depending on your interest in religious heritage.
Lodging
Located on a busy road, the hotel offer is generally quite classical. To find a few nuggets, you will have to either turn to bed and breakfasts or go out of the city center. Our recommendations:
- Château de Maucouvent : less than 10 minutes by car from downtown Nevers, opt for these comfortable and spacious guest rooms in this small family castle in the middle of a park of 11 hectares. Good to know, the owner was a chef for 9 years and offers a table d'hôte. He is also the one who makes breakfast... Opt for a gourmet night
- The originals Boutique, attention, there are several around Nevers, here, we speak to you about thehotel of the sources in Pougues-les-Eaux. In a small building with a questionable architecture, nicely decorated rooms for a very cosy atmosphere. And if all else fails, you can try your luck at the nearby casino. Try your luck at Originals Boutique - hotel des sources
Catering
Between the neighboring Sologne and the omnipresent Loire River, the choice between game and fish arises. 2 small addresses to help you decide this crucial question:
- The Restaurant of the Grand Sully hostelry: in a Grand Siècle decor, discover a menu where the good products of the soil are awakened by the small point of originality of the chief Yves Dessaint. The vegetables are honored in the accompaniments and we like that! Discover the restaurant's menu
- La Bonne étoile: 6km from Sully, a restaurant that offers great classics on the menu: wild boar or quail for meat, trout or sea bass for fish. When we tell you that you will have to choose your side... or eat both! Discover the restaurant's menu
10. Chinon
Why visit? Our opinion
We turn away from the Loire for a while, for one of its tributaries, the Vienne. Located at a strategic crossroads, between the historic counties of Anjou, Tourraine and Poitou, the city of Chinon is renowned for its medieval fortress.
But if today Chinon is especially famous, it is for its wine, one of the most famous AOC in red on the Loire.
Those who are unhappy might add the nearby nuclear power plant to this picture, but the city of Chinon really surprised us and deserves your visit.
What to see and do?
- The visit of the royal fortress of Chinon is not easy, our calves remember it, but it is fascinating. Composed of 3 castles, royal dwellings, numerous towers (with their staircases...) and gardens, you will discover the life of the Plantagenets who made the rich hours of the Fortress. Take time to admire the superb views over the Nièvre and the city's rooftops - book your tickets now!
- The small streets of Chinon are full ofprivate mansions and remarkable houses, traces of the city's rich past.
- TheChinon AOC covers 26 communes, 2300 hectares and has a little more than 160 winegrowers! Having walked through the vineyards, we can guarantee that the different terroirs (from chalky soils to sandy soils...) give very different wines. It is difficult to choose, but you can turn to some of the great names of the appellation who will welcome you for a tasting: Pierre and Bertrand Couly, or the Domaine de Noiré
Practical advice
- Possible access: the city of Chinon is accessible by train from Tours station (7 return trips per day, about 50 minutes). The train station is a bit out of the way, so it will take you 20 minutes to reach the fortress, 10 minutes to reach the city center - if you want to visit the vineyards, you will have to come by car.
- How much time: we recommend that you allow a day for Chinon, the fortress in the morning (2 to 3 hours), a good lunch before visiting the city center (30 minutes) and one or more vineyards in the afternoon
Lodging
The hotel offer is not very developed and corresponds more to the industrial and agricultural activity of the city. We opted for 2 simple hotels in the city center:
- Hotel Agnès Sorel : 400m from the entrance of the fortress, this small family hotel with 10 rooms welcomes you with kindness and professionalism. Opt for the north shore
- Hotel Rive Sud, as its name indicates, we are on the other bank of the NIèvre, it will take you 5 minutes to reach the city center and 15 minutes for the fortress. A small hotel in which one feels immediately at ease and which proposes an offer of light restoration in the patio (in full renovation when we slept there). Opt for the South Shore
Catering
It is a tradition in wine towns to eat well. Chinon is no exception and the choice was particularly difficult. Our favorites :
- Au Local: The young chef, Jonathan Brisseau, originally from Chinon, really delighted us with his cuisine full of authentic flavors. Everything translates the attachment to the land, whether in the choice of products or in the way they are cooked! We loved this dinner in front of the vineyards, at the entrance of the fortress... Restaurant news
- L'océanic: once again, let's take a trip to the sea to vary the pleasures, with this fish restaurant that offers all the great classics and promises us a "fine but not pretentious" cuisine! Discover the restaurant's menu
11. Montreuil-Bellay
Why visit? Our opinion
A little away from the royal river, in the heart of a green and slightly hilly countryside, the village and the castle of Montreuil-Bellay welcomes you.
This wine-producing commune (producing wines under the AOC Saumur), owes its reputation to its medieval castle, reputed to be impregnable, which, although less famous than its counterparts on the Loire, presents many points of interest (defensive system, kitchen, toll bridge...).
The glorious past of the city allows it to have a remarkable architectural and religious heritage that is pleasant to discover while walking in the streets of the village located in the natural park Anjou-Loire-Touraine.
What to see and do?
- A visit to the castle is a must. The interest is both outside, with its remarkable defensive structure that has earned it the reputation of"impregnable fortress" and inside, with very impressive medieval kitchens , but also, a chapel built in the fifteenth century. We found that with the toll bridge over the Thouet and the canons' dwellings, the whole ensemble plunged us into a view of an opulent châtelain today. Discover our visit advices and pictures of the Montreuil-Bellay castle (coming soon).
- In addition to the castle, the city offers a rich religious heritage listed as historical monuments, including the former Augustinian convent, dating from the 17th century, the former Nobis priory, one of the oldest monastic establishments in the Loire, and the former castral chapel within the castle walls, which became the parish church of Notre Dame.
- Like many towns that have welcomed great lords, the town has several remarkable houses and mansions , notably on Rue Nationale. The walk through the village is all the more interesting, as you will be able to contemplate the remains of the old fortifications of the city.
- Take advantage of the fact that you are in the air of theAOP Saumur to visit one or two wineries. We recommend the Domaine du Haut-Bellay The Domaine de Haut-Bellay, which is attached to the Lycée agricole Edgar Pisani, offers tastings, visits to the vineyards and to their experimental center. More classic, the domain of the enchantment in the neighboring commune of Puy Notre Dame (10 minutes by car) also offers complete visits of their vineyards and cellars.
Practical advice
- Possible access: The easiest way is clearly to come by car. If you choose to travel by train, there are 3 trains per day that connect Montreuil-Bellay to Saumur (15 minutes of travel) but that can take you to Tours (1 hour 10 minutes of travel).
- How long: allow at least half a day to visit the castle and tour the city and a day if you want to complete with a wine tour.
Lodging
The offer is rather limited in the city of Montreuil Bellay itself, but the surrounding countryside offers some really charming rooms. Our small selection :
- Hotel-spa le Relais du Bellay: located in the old walled city, this hotel is situated in a former post house of the XVIIth. In the middle of a park, in the peace, this establishment also proposes a spa, a swimming pool and a billiard! Stopover at the Relais du Bellay
- The castle of Ternay, 20 minutes from Montreuil, we fell in love with this authentic 15th century castle with a family atmosphere. You will be welcomed by the Count and Countess Loic and Caroline d'Aviau de Ternay and will be able to enjoy a magnificent park of 45 hectares. Discover our experience in pictures. Be the guests of the Count and Countess of Ternay
Catering
It was a great experience to come back and dine in the center of Montreuil-Bellay at night. The castle, adorned with light, becomes all the more mysterious and invites you to a peaceful gastronomic journey. Our addresses:
- Le Gourmandisier: to accompany its unobstructed view of the castle, this restaurant offers a very nice "family" cuisine. It's simple, but full of flavor and ultra-fresh! Don't miss themedieval aperitif: hypocras (wine, honey and spices)! Discover the news of the restaurant
- L'auberge des Isles: located along the Louet river, at the foot of the stairs that lead to the fortified city and the castle, this restaurant proposes a market cuisine. Special mention for their fabulous wine list of over 350 references. Normal, the Inn of the Islands is the result of a beautiful meeting between 3 winemakers and 2 restaurateurs! Discover the incredible wine list
OUR TIPS FOR RENTING A CAR IN Loire
- 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.
12. Beaugency
Located 25 km from Orleans, on the right bank of the Loire, this township benefits from a remarkable historical heritage (11th century castle, abbey church...) but also from a natural heritage with the presence of numerous birds representative of the populations nesting in the Loire (Natura 2000 zones).
It is good to walk on the banks of the Loire and in the small streets to admire all the richness of this city which deserves a visit!
What to see and do?
- Of the fortified citadel known since the 10th century, only the keep, also called the Caesar Tower, remains. It is 36 meters high and really impressive. The abbey church of Notre Dame (12th century), as well as thelord's residence (15th century) were built on the ruins of the medieval period. The dwelling now hosts a digital art center that aims to bring heritage and digital art together. The permanent exhibition is organized around a path of works nicely called"Chateau de Lumière", reminding us that without light, there is no vision! See for yourself!
- The city also has more than twenty remarkable houses and private mansions , including the old hospice, the old prison, but also the town hall, a small renaissance building that is very atypical and charming. A walking tour of Beaugency is a must!
- Several walks starting from the Dunois quay, allow you to discover the rich natural heritage, in particular its ornithological reserves, classified Natura 2000. Get your shoes on!
Practical advice
- Possible access: you can either come by car or opt for the train. There are 10 trains per day that connect the Beaugency station to the Orleans station (19 minutes of travel time) and the same number that make the trip to Blois (17 minutes of travel time).
- How long: allow half a day to visit the digital art center and tour the city's historical heritage and a day if you want to complete with a hike in the natura 2000 area.
Lodging
The offer is rather limited in the city of Beaugency, because of its proximity to Orléans. Our small selection :
- Le grand hôtel de l'abbaye: located in the heart of the old abbey of Beaugency, in a building dating from the 11th century, this hotel offers a beautiful view of the Loire River and the 480-meter long Beaugency bridge that spans the royal river. The decoration is quite present, but what a pleasure to sleep in a historical place. Retreat for a night to the grand hotel of the abbey
- L'écu de Bretagne, This traditional hotel, recently renovated in the heart of Beaugency, has a heated swimming pool and proposes to dine in its "bistrot de l'écu". Ideal after a long day of visits. Sleeping at the Ecu de Bretagne in the Loire Valley
Catering
Since 2006, Orléans has its own AOC (Orléans and Orléans-Clery) and is trying to make its place in the Loire wines. Beaugency being in the production area, we went to discover them with our 2 recommendations:
- Le p'tit bateau: I don't know if he has lost his little knife, but the chef, Damien Delandine, who studied with the great names of French gastronomy, offers us a short, fresh and creative menu as we like it! Once again, you will have to choose between fish and game, or be particularly greedy. Discover the restaurant's menu
- Au clos des Vignes: located halfway between Beaugency and Meung sur Loire, in an old winegrower's house, you will have the pleasure to eat on a large terrace in the shade of a hundred-year-old lime tree. Here, the menus are on the slate and change regularly, with the exception of the signature dishes of the establishment, including the very authentic sweetbreads with armagnac! Discover the map of the moment
13. Langeais
Why visit? Our opinion
We return to the heart of historic Touraine with the town of Langeais.
This small rural commune is bordered by the Loire and crossed by 2 other rivers, the Roumer and the Breuil. The castle of Langeais, seemed to us in perfect architectural harmony with this luxuriant nature.
And on top of that, we fell in love with hazelnut cookies at the Maison de Rabelais...
What to see and do?
- The visit to the château and its grounds was a real highlight, even a favorite for Claire. On the bases of a medieval fortress, of which only some walls of the dwelling remain, the construction of the new castle is ordered by the unloved king Louis XI and will last from 1465 to 1469. We particularly appreciated its architectural integration in its natural setting and its gardens which make it particularly photogenic (special mention for the hut which allowed us to fall back in childhood for a few minutes...).
- The highlight of the visit to the castle's interiors is the wax reconstruction of the wedding of Anne of Brittany and Charles VIII, celebrated at dawn on December 6, 1491. The ceremony and the historical stakes of the event are told to us with ardour by the French presenter, great specialist of the crowned heads, Stéphane Bern!
- Also visible from the castle, the suspension bridge over the Loire. 359 meters long, it has the particularity to have been rebuilt 5 times in 150 years! It was destroyed by lightning just 10 years after its first inauguration in 1849. Be careful when passing over it...
- Thechurch of Saint Jean Baptiste, located not far from the castle. Its construction began in the 10th century at the same time as the construction of the medieval castle, under the impetus of the redoubtable Foulques Nerra. Inside, you will discover the story of Saint Josephine Bakhita, a former Sudanese slave who became a nun and was canonized in 2000 by Pope John Paul II.
Practical advice
- Possible access: You can either come by car or prefer the train. There are 10 trains per day that connect the stations of Tours and Langeais (15 minutes of travel) and a dozen that will take you to Angers (1 hour 10 minutes of travel on average). The train station is 5 minutes away from the castle.
- How long: half a day is needed to visit the castle and tour the city
Lodging
The offer is almost non-existent in Langeais, but you are only 25 minutes from Tours or 35 minutes from Saumur. Depending on your next visits, choose Touraine or Anjou. Our small selection :
- Hotel de l'abbaye royale de Fontevraud: 35 minutes from Langeais, this 4-star hotel offers an unforgettable experience in the heart of the royal abbey. The contemporary decoration of the rooms blends with the grandiose architecture of the buildings. The moment we loved: to enter the cloister, once the visitors have left, and to feel the solemnity of the place and the weight of the silence... just magical! Live an exceptional night of silence in a royal abbey
- Hôtel Ferdinand: if you want to change time after visiting the impressive castle of Langeais, a small address in Tours, 25 minutes away, which will propel you into the post-war period with its beautiful collection of photos on the life in Tours. Opt for a night in Tours
Catering
A beautiful table at 2 steps of the castle, but also a greedy pastry shop which allowed us to take forces before visiting the castle. Our addresses in Langeais :
- Au coin des halles: Right next to the castle, the chef Pascal Bouvier offers us a market cuisine as we love them : good fresh local products cooked with just the right amount of creativity to not get bored in the plate and to have the palate pleasantly surprised! Discover the restaurant's menu
- La maison de Rabelais: if you feel like eating (well) on the go, take a break in front of the castle at the Maison de Rabelais. This pastry shop, located in an authentic Renaissance residence classified as a historical monument, is said to have been inhabited, according to legend, by François Rabelais. I don't know if it was inspired by Garngatua, but everything is definitely gourmet! Discover the news of the pastry shop
14. Loches
Why visit? Our opinion
It is from the rivalry between the counts of Blois and Anjou that the beautiful fortress town of Loches was born. Located in the Indre valley, on a trade route between Amboise and Poitiers, it was a strategic stronghold in the Middle Ages.
The city has inherited a very rich architectural and religious heritage. The city now has no less than 26 buildings listed or registered as historical monuments.
Next to the fortified city, the new town, sub-prefecture of Indre et Loire, brings vitality to Loches, a beautiful stopover in the Loire.
What to see and do?
- The visit of the keep: The construction of the keep begins under the impulse of the redoubtable Foulques Nerra in the Xth century and lasts until the XVth century. The visit requires, once again, good calves, as you will go down and up in the different towers that make up this imposing fortification. To motivate you, the view from the top of the master tower is worth it!
- The visit of the royal dwelling: The construction of the royal dwelling begins in the XIVth century. Initially conceived as a hunting lodge, it welcomed the king of France Charles VII who lodged his official mistress, the scheming Agnes Sorel. The visit of the rooms of the dwelling proposes you to follow the steps of the"first female influencer" of the history of France (- 600 years before TikTok...).
- We strongly recommend you to walk through the small streets of the royal city. They are full of architectural treasures, mansions and houses made of tuffeau, the white stone of the Loire. Still within the city limits, don't miss thechurch of Saint Bear of Loches and its 2 surprising 8-sided turrets. You will find there the tomb of Agnes Sorel.
- Following the logic of concentric circles, we now recommend you to walk along the ramparts, to admire the fortifications, and more particularly the different entrance gates to the city, including the imposing royal gate. You will also discover the friendly and lively town hall square, in the renaissance style.
Practical advice
- Possible access: You can either come by car or prefer the train. There are 6 trains per day that connect the stations of Tours and Loches (1 hour of travel). The train station is 10 minutes away from the dungeon.
- How long: allow a good day to visit the city of Loches completely. In addition to the royal city, the city has a museum dedicated to the work and collection of the 19th century landscape painter Emmanuel Lansyer, with nearly 8000 objects bequeathed by the painter to the city.
Lodging
The offer is quite short, but there is a way to treat yourself! Our small selection :
- Best Western Plus Hotel de la Cité Royale: 5 minutes from the iconic Royal Gate, this magnificent hotel is located in an imposing, yet graceful, 19th century building. On the program: spa, indoor pool and a large terrace with a view of the Royal City of Loches... Enjoy a relaxing night at the Best Western de la Cité royale
- La maison de l'argentier du Roy: if you want to live the experience of the Royal City, choose this bed and breakfast installed in a beautiful house with turrets of the 15th or 16th century, ideally located between the dwelling and the collegiate church Saint-Ours. In a decoration which makes the beautiful part with wood, gildings and thick fabrics, you will live for a beautiful experience. Opt for a truly royal night
Catering
We felt like a small wind of renewal in the lochoise gastronomy. Our addresses:
- Arbore & sens: a restaurant that reunites a family, it speaks to us... Especially since it is the fruit of the audacity of a young generation around the chef, Clément Dumont. We celebrate nature, the Touraine gourmetand local products. And that's enough to enjoy... Discover the restaurant's menu
- Le p'tit restau: here too, it feels like youth with Marie (in the kitchen) and Matthieu (in the dining room and with the wines)! It offers a simple market cuisine, but with lots of spices that awaken the palate. Attention it is, as its name indicates it, a "small restaurant" therefore one reserves! Discover the restaurant's menu
15. Vendome
Why visit? Our opinion
We go up a little north of the Loire, to join a river called Le Loir, which will lead us in turn to the heart of the charming town of Vendôme.
You will be able to admire the rich architectural and religious heritage, inherited from its glorious past, when Vendome was the capital of the county of Vendome.
Surrounded by green countryside irrigated by the various meanders of the Loir, the city has managed to bring nature into the city to the delight of its inhabitants and visitors. At least for ours!
What to see and do?
- Once is not customary, we turn first to the very beautiful abbey of the Trinity of Vendome. Founded in 1033, its structure is from the eleventh century, its choir from the thirteenth and fourteenth, and its magnificent facade, of flamboyant Gothic type, was carved in the sixteenth century. Inside, the beautiful light that floods the abbey highlights the wooden pulpit and the richly carved stalls.
- The walk in the city, will allow you to see the fortified gate Saint Georges, which is for us the most impressive of the 3 doors still existing. It is also an opportunity to admire several half-timbered houses and to enjoy the quietness of the city.
- The city is renowned for its living environment, you can choose the Ronsard park which will soon be resplendent, the Belot square or the banks of the Loir. A bit of calm, water and greenery...
Practical advice
- Possible access: You can of course come by car. Parking is quite easy near the city center. If you choose to come by train, Vendôme has a TGV station 5 km from the city center. There are 8 daily round trips with Tours (20 minutes) and 9 Vendome-Paris trips (42 minutes) per day. You will then need to use the city's urban transport system or have good walking shoes.
- How long: it takes about half a day to visit the abbey and enjoy the city. The city also offers a museum in the now unused premises of the abbey, accessible from the cloister.
Lodging
The offer is really short in Vendôme, but when you go out of the city, there are some very attractive guest houses! Our recommendations:
- Vendome Hotel - The Originals Boutique (Qualys-hotel) located less than 10 minutes from the Trinity Abbey, this hotel was completely renovated in 2014. Its owners, passionate about decoration, have scoured flea markets to refurnish the hotel. The result is soft and elegant! Opt for a soft and elegant night
- Troglodyte loft 1 and 2: Sleeping in a troglodyte habitat, carved in the rock, and moreover in a loft, it is the beautiful experience that you can live in Thoré-la-Rochette at less than 8km from the center of Vendôme... Who said that cavemen didn't like modernity? Opt for the loft + troglodyte combo
Catering
Would there be a contest for the shortest (good) restaurant in Vendôme? Our addresses:
- Le Malu: 4 letters for this beautiful address, located on the road to Tours, about fifteen minutes walk from downtown Vendôme. The Chef, Ludovic Brethenoux, comes from the Périgord, but he has acclimatized perfectly and even proposes a menu exclusively from Vendôme! The products are local, the cuisine is market-driven and we are not afraid to mix flavors to revisit the classics. It speaks to us! Discover the restaurant's menu
- Moris: 5 letters, no better, for this other gourmet table from Vendôme! This time we are on the banks of the Loir, at the beginning of the pedestrian streets, in a 19th century house with exposed beams and stones. A menu that combines the great classics with thegood small vegetables of Tourraine, all in short circuit. The restaurant has made a specialty of natural wines, and offers a magnificent list of 130 references, of which about twenty are served by the glass! Discover the restaurant's menu
And also beautiful villages in the Loire Valley
And the region also has beautiful villages not to be missed:
- Trentemoult: It is an old fishermen's village, in which the bohemian life flows slowly. You will appreciate its colorful houses, its contemporary murals, its monumental clock (7 meters) and especially this timeless atmosphere that transported us. See our complete article with many photos on the village of Trentemoult.
- Oudon: a small stop on the Loire between Nantes and Angers. This commune decided to make dialogue its natural and architectural heritage of the commune with works of art and proposes a course through the village. The most emblematic element is certainly its medieval castle which was formerly used to control the passage on the Loire between Anjou and the Duchy of Brittany.
- Saint Florent le Vieil: closer to Angers, the village of Saint Florent le Vieil is an important place in the history of the Mauges, a territory torn apart by wars. It is visited for its Benedictine abbey (8th century), for its views of the Loire from the old town and for its Julien Gracq house, bequeathed by the famous writer-geographer to the town at his death in 2007.
- Béhuard : an island hidden between 2 arms of the Loire, between Rochefort-sur-Loire and Savennières, not far from Angers. The village can only be reached on foot, thus preserving its tranquility. In addition to enjoying the surrounding nature, you can visit its 15th century church. This island is a small treasure to be respected, hoping that it will resist to global warming...
- Candes Saint Martin : at the confluence of the Loire and the Vienne, at the gateway to Tourraine, this small village owes its fame to Martin de Tours. Saint Martin is one of the main saints of Christianity and the most famous bishop of Tours. He died in Candes in 397, making this town a place of pilgrimage around the magnificent and richly decorated collegiate church of Saint Martin. We loved to get lost in the small sloping streets that lead from the beautiful tufa houses to the Loire River.
- Saint Dyé sur Loire: this port village on the Loire River had its heyday with the construction of the incredible and massive Chambord castle. Since then, it has become calmer and the quietness that exudes from the river and the alleys invaded by nature, is frankly pleasant. A short and well documented tour of the city will allow you to discover its architectural heritage.
- Crissay sur Manse: in the beautiful countryside between Saumur and Tours, in the Manse valley, the small village of Crissay sur Manse is really charming. In addition to theruins of the castle on the heights of the village, you can admire several beautiful renaissance houses, with mullioned windows and tufa dormers. We had a really nice lunch break there.
- Montrésor: this village is one of our favorites in the Loire. We liked the castle of course, built on a rocky spur above the Indrois valley from the 11th century. But we also fell in love with its very poetic and flowery walk on the balconies of the Indrois, for the alleys around the castle and for its bakery and its little macaroons... the village even has a small museum dedicated to the art of gemmail, between stained glass and painting. Really, an essential step!
- Chedigny: the only village in France classified as a remarkable garden . Every street is a natural setting, and the commune has more than 1,000 rose bushes and thousands of perennials. The rich garden of the presbytery will allow you to discover an authentic garden of priest of the XIXth century and below the village, do not miss the walk in the wet meadow and along the Indrois river (really well hidden...).
- Lavardin: another favorite with this village, discovered by a fresh morning. Dominated by a medieval castle in ruins, the village seems to be alien to the beauty of the place and its renaissance heritage. We fell in admiration in front of the frescoes of theSaint-Genest church. Crossed by the Loir and the Langeron, the site offers beautiful walks and hikes, including the one of the poets which inevitably inspired us!
PLAN YOUR TRIP IN
Loire Valley
The castles of the Loire Valley