The Loire gives its name to six departments: Loire, Haute-Loire, Loire-Atlantique, Indre-et-Loire, Maine-et-Loire, and Saône-et-Loire. The lower-central swathe of its valley straddling the Pays de la Loire and Centre-Val de Loire regions was added to the World Heritage Sites list of UNESCO on December 2, 2000.

The Loire Valley (French: Vallée de la Loire, pronounced [vale də la lwaʁ]), spanning 280 kilometres (170 mi), [1] is a valley located in the middle stretch of the Loire river in central France, in both the administrative regions Pays de la Loire and Centre-Val de Loire.

Loire River, the longest river in France, rising in the southern Massif Central and flowing north and west for 634 miles (1,020 km) to the Atlantic Ocean, which it enters south of the Bretagne …

This Loire Valley Trip Planner is here to help you plan the perfect Loire Valley itinerary. Read what to do in the Loire Valley, the best time to go, itinerary suggestions, and our best tips.

Apr 2, 2023 · From exploring historic castles to drinking the best local wines, take a step back in time in France's Loire Valley. Here are the region's top activities.

With our travel guide to the Loire Valley France we will show you the diverse range of attractions on offer in this beautiful part of France and help you make the most of your stay by providing practical, helpful information on things to do and see.

Explore the Loire! Get inspired with Rick Steves’ recommended places to go and things to do, with tips, photos, videos, and travel information on the Loire.

As a backdrop, France’s longest river, the Loire, flows past some 20 castles open to visitors—there are hundreds of stories and histories to be discovered, fragrant gardens to inhale, forest to explore and wines to taste.

Loire is part of the current administrative region of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes and is surrounded by the départements of Rhône, Isère, Ardèche, Haute-Loire, Puy-de-Dôme, Allier, and Saône-et-Loire.

Dec 15, 2024 · As a backdrop, France’s longest river, the Loire, flows past some 20 castles open to visitors—there are hundreds of stories and histories to be discovered, fragrant gardens to inhale, forest to explore and wines to taste.