Visit France off the beaten track and enjoy the privilege of a truly "insider's view" of one of the most beautiful and culturally rich regions of France
History
The Touraine is at the heart of what is known as the Valley of Kings of France and is also considered the Garden of France. Numerous "chateaux" are along its Loire and Cher rivers: Chambord, Amboise, Langeais, Villandry, Saumur and probably the most well-known – the incomparable Chenonceau. The Touraine is also at a crossroad of French and English histories; Henry II King of England was born in Le Mans, France and lived for much of his life in the imposing castle of Chinon, a medieval town in the center of the Touraine. In addition to ruling England, as the Count of Anjou, Henry ruled most all of western France including Normandy, Aquitaine, Maine and Poitou.
For many centuries, the castle of Chinon was the site of as much English as it was French history. It was the home of Eleanor of Aquitaine, Richard the Lionheart, and John Lackland. While the last ruled as King John, he lost Chinon to the French king, Philip II Augustus during a siege in 1205.
The castle of Chinon served as a prison for the Order of Knights Templar in 1307 and played a significant role in the struggle for the throne between the French and the English during the Hundred Years' War (1337-1453). It was here that the future Charles VII of France sought refuge and installed his court in 1425 and where in 1429, Joan of Arc came to convince him to rise up against the English and take back the crown for France.
At the end of the 15th century, the town of Chinon was the birthplace of the writer, humanist, philosopher and satirist François Rabelais, author of Gargantua and Pantagruel amongst other works.
From the sixteenth century, the castle of Chinon was no longer a royal residence, and in 1631 it became part of the estates of the Duke of Richelieu, who unfortunately neglected it. Over the ensuing centuries, the castle and its fortress fell into disrepair.
The center of Chinon was registered as a historical conservation area in 1968, and since that time both the castle and the town have been restored to respect and preserve its historic, natural and architectural identities.
Food & Wines
Mother Nature is generous in the Touraine: the mild climate and fertile soil have contributed to the region’s abundance of fruits and vegetables, as well as rarer produce such as black truffles, saffron and fine wines...
It's no surprise that the Touraine is known as the "Garden of France" with such a wealth of produce! The market stalls are full of its many fruits and vegetables. Noteworthy amongst this abundance is the asparagus grown in this second largest asparagus-producing region of France and the mushrooms which are cultivated in the caves of Saumur.
Other delicious products are made according to traditional methods: rillettes from Tours, rillons, andouillette sausage, and poire tapee to name just a few.
The Loire River and its surrounding ponds are also bountiful sources of local fish: eel, zander, perch and shad.
What would a region in France be without its famous cheese? Chevre, or goat cheese, in its many forms is produced on small farms throughout the region. One of the stars of a Touraine cheese platter is Sainte-Maure-de-Touraine, identified by its wisp of straw threaded through its center.
And last but not least, wine lovers have a lavish selection of local wines to discover. Produced on the hillsides and vineyards of the Touraine are Vouvray, Chinon, Bourgueil, Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil, Montlouis-sur-Loire... in all, more than a dozen AOC red, white, rose and sparkling wines just waiting to be tasted. No visit to the Loire Valley is complete without experiencing their enchantment!
Beautiful Settings
In 2000, UNESCO bestowed the cultural landscape World Heritage title on the Loire Valley, a prestigious title held by some of the world's most significant sites.
The area along the banks of this nearly 250 kilometer stretch of Europe's last wild river constitutes a unique setting that is the result of a harmonious blend of natural treasures and the genius of mankind.
From Chenonceaux to Candes-Saint-Martin, visitors on a Loire Valley tour can admire unique landscapes comprised of islands and shape-shifting sandbanks that create an impression of constantly evolving scenes.
With its wide open spaces, preserved landscapes and the very particular lighting that has attracted painters here for generations, including William Turner and Claude Monet, the majestic Loire is also home to a remarkably rich ecosystem: numerous migratory birds (terns typically nest on the banks), beaver colonies and rare plants (including endemic species of small orchids) have made this haven of peace their home.