1- Chateaux and wine - Loire Secrets Travel · 2020. 4. 22. · 1- Chateaux and wine. 2 In the beautiful region of Western France, the Loire river runs through one of France’s richest

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1- Chateaux and wine

2www.loiresecrets.com

In the beautiful region of Western France, the Loire river runs through one of France’s richest regions. Known as the Garden of

France, the Loire Valley boasts many important sites and historical châteaux, royal hunting grounds for the Kings of France.

Producing original, varied and exquisite wines, the region is divided into smaller appellations (such as Anjou, Bourgueil, Saumur,

and Touraine, to name but a few) spread over1000 for kms; with 54 appellations, there is a wine for every taste and every

occasion.

This region is also well-known for its many historical figures, from Joan of Arc to Richard the Lionheart and Leonardo Da Vinci.

In 2000, the Val de Loire was awarded the status of UNESCO World Heritage Site in recognition of the exceptional cultural value

of its landscapes and the quality of its architectural heritage.

Why travel with Loire Secrets?

We are a small local organisation, born and bred in the Loire Valley, we know our région, we are passionate about it and we want

to share this passion with you. Being locals, we have an inside knowledge of the very best places to go, people to meet and ways

of getting around. Our main aim is to provide you with and unforgettable experience, an experience adapted to your unique needs

and special wishes.

How do we do this? What do we offer?

Private and exclusive tours with your own English– Spanish– Portuguese– German- speaking driver guides. These private guides will

accompany you everywhere, will adapt to your every wish and generally take care of you from the start of your trip to the very end.

Welcome to the Loire Valley!



Loire-Valley : A land of majestic châteaux

Known as the “Garden of France” with its fertile fields, tapestry of vineyards and ancient forests,

this area boasts an abundance of fairytale Renaissance châteaux, dotted along France’s longest

and most beautiful river, the Loire.

More than 3000 castles, amongst them a few open their doors to the public.

Our full day private guided tour « Château & wine » includes 3 visits of your choice. (Château

and/or winery.)

We will be happy to help and suggest the best places to visit according to your request, your

location and your interest !

Below are some of the iconic Châteaux to visit. Of course, we have plenty of other hidden

châteaux to invite you to discover ! Just don’t hesitate to get in touch !

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Chambord Chateau


Chambord Chateau

The castle of Chambord is a Renaissance masterpiece. You will discover the Beast’s

castle in Beauty and the Beast !

The royal apartments of Francis I, constructed in 1519, were later restored by Louis XIV. The

double-spiral staircase forms the centerpiece of the décor.

You will be impressed by the size of this cultural treasure with its 426 rooms, 77 staircases and

282 chimneys!

Explore this historical chateau, from its view of the Grand Canal to the wealth of its local flora and

fauna.

This royal hunting lodge is today one of the most recognized chateaus in the world featured on the

UNESCO World Heritage list.

Option:

To complete the experience, you can enjoy a 1h30 private tour in a 4x4 car with a ranger to

explore the large royal parc & forest and to discover the wildlife living there !

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Chenonceau Chateau


Chenonceau Chateau

The magnificient Chenonceau Castle, spanning the Cher river is probably the most romantic castle

in Loire Valley.

An exceptional site not only because of its original design, the richness of its collections, its furniture

and its decorations, but also because of its destiny, since it was loved, administrated and protected

by women, who were all extraordinary and who, for the most part have marked history.

A unique visit in the “Ladies Castles”

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Blois Chateau


Blois Chateau

Located in the heart of the town, Blois Castle is a great illustration of the evolution of the French

architecture from the Middle Ages to the 17th century.

From Louis XII who built the oldest part of the Chateau to François I who added a Renaissance style

with an open circular staircase and the wing, this Chateau has a unique Royal history !

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Cheverny Chateau


Cheverny Chateau

A magical place which enchants visitors of all ages. The Château de Cheverny is a grand estate

which has been in the same family for over six centuries. Cheverny has always been lived in and

every generation has made a great effort to take care and embellish it with a true passion.

In 1922 it was one of the first private homes to open its doors to the public. Visitors can

appreciate the splendour and delight of real life in a castle.

The owners invite you to discover this fantastic and vivid heritage: from the botanical park to the

magnificent interior of the Château; the hunting dog kennels to Tintin's exhibition and the gardens

through to the forest.

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Chaumont sur Loire Chateau


Chaumont sur Loire Chateau

Less than 200 km south of Paris, nestling between the cities of Tours and Blois, is a haven of

poetry.

Owned by the Centre-Val de Loire Region, Domaine de Chaumont-sur-Loire welcomes the public all

year round to its château and park – a natural oasis on a headland stretching out 40 metres

above the wild Loire.

Whatever the season, the château, once the home of Catherine de Medici, Diane de Poitiers and

Princess de Broglie, beckons you indoors to admire its cosy and lavishly furnished interiors, which

have been hugely embellished over recent years.

Installations by an array of contemporary artists in the château and along the footpaths of the park

will catch you by surprise, captivate and inspire you.

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Amboise Chateau


Amboise Chateau

The magnificent castle of Amboise is one of the many chateaux bordering the Loire river. Amboise,

architectural jewel of the Renaissance, dips its majestic silhouette into the Loire, a UNESCO World

Heritage river.

The Royal Castle's Amboise is an iconic monument of Loire for who wants discover the castle's life.

Its gardens offer to the visitors one of the remarkable panorama on the Loire Valley. From its

balconies, visitors can take in the Loire landscape and delight in what the kings enjoyed.

A place of residence for French kings from the 15th to the 19th centuries, its destiny is inextricably

linked to the history of France. Numerous literary figures and artists were invited here, like

Leonardo da Vinci whose tomb is preserved at the château.

The Amboise castle have a extraordinary collection of furniture, attest to the artistic refinement of

the first French Renaissance.

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Clos Lucé


Clos Lucé

The spirit of Leonardo Da Vinci hovers over the Castle of Clos Lucé at Amboise, mixed with the

memory of each distinguished guest who has shared in the memorable moments of the estate.

The epic history of this rose-bricked dwelling, built in creamy white tuffeau stone on ancient Gallic-

Roman foundations, begins under the reign of Louis XI, in 1471, Here, Leonardo Da Vinci

breathed his last and escaped the devastation of the French Revolution.

A protected monument, the Castle of Clos Lucé has been, since 1854, the property of the Saint

Bris family. An original exposition, ”Leonardo Da Vinci and France,” explores ten years of the

fascinating relationship between three French kings and the Tuscan master.

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Villandry Chateau and gardens


Villandry Chateau & gardens

The last of the great Renaissance castles built on the banks of the Loire, Villandry owes its renown,

beyond the shadow of a doubt, to the unrivaled combination of a perfect harmony between

architecture and nature.

The garden, the only one of its kind in Europe, is composed of three levels: a first level centered

around an extensive lake, a flower garden also planted with box and yew trees, and an

ornamental kitchen garden where a wide range of plant varieties produce, in the sunny season,

astonishing mosaics of color.

Yet the interior itself, renovated in the 18th century in the grand neoclassical style, is equally worthy

of admiration.

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Azay Le Rideau Chateau


Azay Le Rideau Chateau

Azay le Rideau is a very pretty castle standing in the calm waters of the Indre river whose water

reflects its fine façade.

Surrounded by parkland and open woodland, this masterpiece of Renaissance architecture features

all the refinement, elegance and grace expected of a Loire château.

Balzac romantically described it as 'a facetted diamond’ set in the Indre.

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Chinon


Chinon

Ideally located in the heart of the Loire Valley (registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since

2000) and of the Loire-Anjou-Touraine Natural Regional Park, the Chinon region is a delight for the

eyes.

With the Royal River Loire and the majestic River Vienne running quietly through the region, each

step leads you to constant discovery : landscapes, amazing architecture, art and history …

Among the gems not to miss, the medieval city of Chinon, and also the village of Candes Saint-

Martin, labelled as one of the most beautiful villages of France.

The Fortress of Chinon had been the residence of Charles VII, King of France and his court in the

middle of the 15th century. Many historical castles and writers’ houses can be visited nearby.

The vineyard is also an essential part of the natural heritage of the area : the highly rated wine of

Chinon was already praised by François Rabelais, native of the Chinon region, back in the 16th

century…

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SARL au capital de 15.000 € - RCS Angers 448 534 735 - Code NAF : 7911 Z - Siret 448 534 735 00064

Travel agent: IM 49130001 - APST guarantee - liability insurance HISCOX.

Member of Wine Tour In France: www.winetourinfrance.com

9 bis rue Adèle Considère

49 320 Brissac Quincé - France

Phone +33 (0)2 53 20 71 25

[email protected]

www.loiresecrets.com

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1- Chateaux and wine - Loire Secrets Travel · 2020. 4. 22. · 1- Chateaux and wine. 2 In the beautiful region of Western France, the Loire river runs through one of France’s richest