Loire

Holidays by Destination Europe France Loire 

The Loire, though arguably as famous, is not as distinct region of France as say Brittany, or Provence. The river after which it is named is the longest in the country, running through a variety of landscapes. What most visitors are really referring to by the name Loire is the section running from a little east of Orleans towards the coast. In 2000 from Sully-sur Loire east of Orelans, as far as Chalonnes-sur-Loire just west of Angers was nominated a World Heritage Site in the category of cultural landscapes.

Even within this area, some parts are more interesting than others. The Indre et Loire, the central area we cover here, is the heart of chateau country, centring, broadly, on Tours. It is gentle country with a firm sense of history but relaxed, though still cultured, way of life.

Though not sold as a destination for families, it is somewhere pleasant to relax and more family friendly hotels report that they see generous numbers of British families staying anything from one to three nights on their way to and from further south in France. Particularly in self-catering it could be enjoyable to stay longer.