Perhaps, wine comes to mind first when you think about the Loire Valley in central France. And of a truth, the region is popular for its lush vineyards and wines. But Lore Valley is much more than that. 

There are historical museums, majestic chateaus and castles, well-pruned gardens, glorious cathedrals, brilliant restaurants, luxurious resorts, and much more. Without a doubt, the area has a touristic profile that offers relaxation and maximum fun for thrill-seekers.

Here Are Some Things You Should Do In Loire Valley:

Pay Chartres a Visit 

The dainty town of Chartres is located about 60 miles southwest of the French capital. The town is popular for its cathedral, Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Chartres. A trip to the town makes a good day visit from Paris and/or a good start to your Loire Valley tour. The cathedral is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as is the most part of the Loire Valley. 

It is said that the Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Chartres is one of the most-preserved Gothic cathedrals in the continent. A lot of its stained glass windows are original and depicts a blue color that appears as it has just be conjured. Curiously, it has been many years, and no one still knows how it was made. In recent times, the cathedral was renovated, but a good deal of its splendor has been retained. 

The cathedral houses one of the most significant religious relics, the Sancta Camisa, also known as a piece of cloth believed to be the tunic that the Virgin Mary donned on the night of Jesus’ birth. Consequently, Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Chartres has become a popular pilgrimage destination. 

Another place worth seeing in Chartres is the museums. Museé des Beaux-Arts is the most popular among them. It is a fine art museum that you will find in the previous Bishop’s palace. Le Centre international du vitrail is also a museum/workshop designated for the art of stained glass. There is also Le Compa, an agriculture museum, and Le Grenier de l’Histoire, which displays historical military costumes and weapons. 

Go on a Walking Tour in Chartres 

The town of Chartres is simple and adorable with its stunning views. Take some time to stroll around the half-timbered Chartres and absorb every sight. You will also be treated to nice little street libraries, friendly cats, a quaint washing station along the river, and the continent’s most well-preserved church. 

Grab a Bite in Chartres 

Next to the cathedral is Rue des Changes, an area where you will find lots of diners and shops. To treat yourself to some tasty local delicacy, step into the eateries there. You can try out a fantastic lamb lunch at a street-side table or have cappuccino across the street. There are many options here to satisfy your taste buds. 

Where to Stay in Chartres

Le Jardin Cathedrale: Accommodation is the town that is reasonably priced. This inn is just outside of the cathedral and has a relaxing ambiance. The cathedral’s views from this place ought to be captured on camera because they are terrific. 

Ibis Chartres Centre Cathedrale: This is a chic hotel, well furnished with modern facilities. It is a 10-minute walk from the cathedral and offers cozy rooms for the delight of visitors.

Indulge in Wine Tasting

Just as one cannot claim to be a space-opera fan without seeing any Star Wars flick, one cannot exactly say she genuinely enjoyed touring the Loir Valley without indulging in some wine tasting. Loire Valley is mainly about the wines! It is one of the world’s top wine-producing area.

Archaeologists have suggested that the Romans were the first to plant vineyards in the region in the 1st Century AD. Here, white wines like Sauvignon Blancs and Chenin are produced there. Loire Valley is also the second-largest maker of great wines after the Champagne region. 

In the Loire Valley region, there are individual wine areas with names like Vouvray, Chinon, Muscadet, Poilly-Fumé, and Sancerre. There are many tours in the area to help you get the best out of your visit to the wine-producing areas. In the course of the tour, guides will explain how each wine is made and every other thing you need to know. 

A Day in Amboise 

Amboise is another town you should visit in the Loire Valley area. Located high on a hill towering over a river, there is the massive Amboise Castle. This chateau was built on the foundations of an old fortress and has been a symbol of French royalty. But it was abandoned at some point, used a prison, and seized by the government. Now, it is a tourist spot that attracts people from all over the world.

Amboise Castle, unlike many of the castles you will visit in the region, has it is located in the city center and not surrounded by farms or swaths of a countryside setting. 

The city will not give you that modern vibe, but it is charming. You can spend some time strolling the alleyways and streets of Amboise as you take in the wonderful sights. There are many places to eat, too, without spending a fortune.

Interact with Leonardo da Vinci at Amboise 

Despite spending most of his life in Italy, the art luminary lived the latter part of his life in Amboise, France. It is said that the King of France in 1516 invited the painter to work for him at the Amboise Castle.

The Italian accepted the offer and relocated into a nearby castle of his own, where he spent the last 36 months of his life. At Le Clos Lucé, you will find a small castle where da Vinci worked and lived while in the town. Now, the preserved interiors have been converted to a museum dedicated to the legendary artist.

Visitors can tour the rooms where da Vinci used to call Maison, his library, his workshops, the basement, and his private bedchamber. There is the ultimate chance to take a close look at the Italian’s live. 

Just outside of the château is a par and gardens named after the Italian. There, you will find lots of life-size models of da Vinci’s inventions. At the Amboise Castle, there was the Chapel of Saint Hubert, which is da Vinci’s last residence. He was actually buried there.

Visit a Troglodyte Cave and Have Dinner

Yeap. You read that right! On the spooky list of totally unusual stuff to do in a place is to eat in a cave. There is certainly room for the atypical in the wholesome French experience. Throughout the Loire Valley region, you will find residences built into the sides of rock faces and slopes. The rock material here is not hard so much so that one can cut into the mountainside to stay.

While it will seem strange, there is much sense to the idea as the caves maintain a constant temperature per time. The caves tend to be cool in the summer and warm in the winter. And if you are looking to have a quiet dinner in the thick of nature, a troglodyte fits the profile well. 

Pay Tribute to Château Chambord 

Of all the incredible castles in the Loire Valley area, the Château Chambord is the biggest. It was built as a hunting lodge but got a heavy feel of royalty, this place is a pride of the area. This Château has well-pruned gardens, waterworks, and decorative features.

The highlight of Château Chambord is its dual helix staircase that was likely designed by da Vinci. You will also find 83 staircases, 11 kinds of the tower, 440 rooms. 800 columns, and 282 fireplaces. 

Instead of taking yourself to see the Château Chambord and other Loire Valley castles, you can just employ the services of tour companies. There are many tours that offer self-guided, English, and HistoPad tours.

Take a Walk Through the Gardens at the Château de Villandry

Sometime in the summer, or anytime, try skipping the castle’s interior and opt to stroll through the gardens of this château. The gardens are popular for their stunning presentation. With a maze, fruit, and vegetables, a grass court for lawn tennis, grapevines, and lots of flower gardens and pathways to explore, it cannot be a drab time outdoors. Château de Villandry is located in 3 Rue Principale, Villandry. 

Take in the Art at the Natural History Museum in Tours

Visit the second floor of this family-managed museum to behold the variety of live displays of lizards, turtles, iguanas, and many other creatures. There is a gigantic exhibition on the ground floor that you should not miss. The museum welcomes visitors of all ages. It is located at 3 Rue du President Merville, Tours.

Savor the Best of Summertime at La Guinguette 

Tours is a nice city in the Lore Valley area, and during summer, the place comes really alive. There is the Tours-sur-Loire Guinguette café, which is located in the city’s center along the banks of the Loire river. With drinks, food, and outdoor seating and cinema, and concerts every day and night, summer is the best part of the year for tourists looking to come to Tours. 

Cycle Across Orléans

Here is another thing you can do in Loire Valley. Cycle around Orléans on the Loire a Vélo Cycle path. Explore the city and its nearby countryside on a bike as you glide through dainty towns, rich historical sites, and much more.

Things To Do In Loire Valley – Summary

The Loire Valley holds the key to what central France wholly has to offer. With a copious culture, popular wine industry, and magnificent châteaux, you are set to make the most of your trip to the area.