The Loire Valley, between castles, walks and good wines

Chambord, Valençay, Blois, Saint-Aignan, Chenonceau, Amboise, Azay-le-Rideau, Chinon, Saumur, Angers, le Plessis-Macé... So many famous castles, dreamed of by kings in order to follow the meanders of the Loire and its tributaries. Their noble architecture, made of slate and stone, surprises the eye at the bend of a road that runs alongside this docile and nonchalant Loire. Around these castles, sometimes delicate, sometimes imposing like fortresses, are nestled welcoming and prosperous cities. Your steps will resonate on these old cobblestones, once trodden by Joan of Arc, Francis I or Louis XIV. Your eyes will rest, at random in an alleyway, on a pediment, a moulding, a corbel, an emblem reminding the pride of these thinkers and castle builders. Your imagination may allow you to see the silhouette of a beautifully dressed rider and hear the sound of his horse's hooves...

On the royal river, the gabares will make you discover the sandbanks of the Loire, so languid and sometimes so treacherous, the wild fauna, while you will abandon yourself by following the fast current of the water under the bridges. Perhaps you will have the privilege of admiring a sunset! You will love to stop in the many restaurants and "ripailler" with local seasonal produce, vegetables and fruit grown by many market gardeners in the valleys. Start with asparagus from Sologne or foie gras accompanied by "poire tapée", continue with a Touraine gelatine, or a catfish, then don't forget the Sainte-Maure de Touraine, Valençay, Pouligny and other goat droppings. A Tours nougat will delight your desire for sweetness. Of course, you will also taste some good Loire Valley wines! The vines grow on the surrounding hills and give succulent wines: Menetou-salon, Cheverny, Vouvray, Montlouis, Chinon, Bourgueil and other Champigny will match your meals. Then attend a night show: during the summer the sounds and lights are varied and often magical, recounting the beautiful history of our kings who loved the Loire so much and made it shine throughout the world

Renowned domains

Between the different wines of the Loire Valley and their vineyards, we don't know what to choose. Fifty appellations, the list of estates and cellars that offer tasting of the region's good wines is constantly growing. If you have the time and desire - and the liver in place! - why not simply follow the Loire Valley Wine Route? Wine tasting is often accompanied by fresh snacks and you may have the opportunity to visit the vineyards, learn how to pair a wine with a dish, or learn about tasting techniques. The history of wine or knowing how to serve wine at the table: so many little tips to bring back from the discovery of the estates, in addition to a good wine to share

Hiking and wine tourism

What could be better, then, than to attend the 16th edition of "Vignes Vins Randos"? This is one of the activities proposed and organised by InterLoire, an inter-professional organisation for Loire Valley wines, which not only provides logistical support and technical assistance to professionals, but also enables the general public to learn about Loire wines and discover many ways to enjoy them. It is for this purpose that "Vignes Vins Randos" was created in 2004, an event that, more than 10 years later, has become an essential part of wine tourism in the Loire Valley. Against the backdrop of landscapes now listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, 15 taste walks are planned throughout the Loire Valley, through vineyards containing some twenty appellations. In the warmth and friendliness of a group atmosphere, during walks open to children and adults, individuals and families, hikers do not need to be enduring walkers to enjoy a human and sensory experience embodied in a vineyard that combines a gentle way of life and delicious products. How does it work? Accompanied by a winegrower, you will discover nature and heritage through tours punctuated by tastings of local dishes and wines, cellar visits, landscape readings and various activities... The "kit du parfait randonneur" will be given to you at the beginning to allow you to understand the richness you will cross and to taste the flavours of the land. On the way back, the VVR village offers delicacies and entertainment for young and old and the sale of bottles of tasted (and appreciated) wines on the way. From 31 August 2019, the winegrowers of the Loire Valley will be celebrating the 16th edition of this beautiful event, which will delight wine lovers, enlightened or not. In short, with museums, a host of fruit and vegetable markets, parks and zoos or fairs, you won't have time to do everything, to see everything, but you will certainly come back to discover a region that will delight the whole family.

Smart info

When? When? Of course, you can visit the Loire Valley all year round, but to attend the 16th edition of the "Vignes Vins Randos" event, please visit us on 31 August and ¹ September 2019.

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VIGNES, VINS RANDOS EN VAL DE LOIRE - More information on the website

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