Ten Things to do in the Loire Valley that aren’t Visiting a Château 

 
Ten Things to do in the Loire Valley that aren’t Visiting a Château 

The Loire Valley epitomises France; rolling countryside, luscious vineyards, quaint French villages with traditional boulangeries and, of course, the countless châteaux that line the Loire River. No trip to the Loire Valley is complete without visiting at least one of the magnificent castles, but this stunning area of France has so much more to offer. Here are ten things to do in the Loire Valley that don’t involve visiting a château.

1. Visit the ZooParc de Beauval

Home to 10,000 animals, the ZooParc de Beauval in Saint-Aignan is a spectacular day out. The range of animals is impressive; you’ll meet hippos and pelicans in the Hippopotamus Reserve, lion and meerkats in the Land of the Lions and giant pandas and snow leopards in the Heights of China. Make sure to catch the “Maîtres des Airs” show, where over 400 birds soar gracefully above you in a spectacular aerial display.  

2. Wartime history at the Musée des Blindés 

A must for history buffs, time will fly by in this intricately cared-for museum. Created in 1977 the Tank Museum of Saumur now includes 880 machines, nearly 200 of which are in full working order. It contains armoured equipment from many countries and vehicles that served the French military since 1917. There is a discovery trail for families and some of the exhibits are interactive.  

Musée des Blindés

3. Tour the International Garden Festival at Chaumont-Sur-Loire

This exemplary event will delight keen gardeners. The annual festival runs from April to November and each year has a different theme, which, in 2024 is “The Life-Source Garden”. The festival consists of the permanent gardens of the Chaumont castle, the plant collections and the ephemeral exhibitions created by international garden designers. You can easily while away a full day here admiring the natural beauty of the plants and the creativity of the garden designers.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by @nicoco_41

4. Try horse-riding at Le Cadre Noir

Moved from Versailles to Saumur in 1828, Le Cadre Noir is one of the most respected riding academies in the world. Originally a school to train officers for the French army, it is now responsible for training civilian horse riders. From behind-the-scenes tours to morning matinées and evening galas, a visit to Cadre Noir is certain to impress. Make sure to book, this popular and prestigious French establishment, unsurprisingly, sells out in advance. 

5. Go wine tasting

After it’s many châteaux, the Loire Valley is probably most famous for its incredible wines. Two of the best places to sample local wines are Saumur and Vouvray. The underground wine caves of Saumur offer their own versions of Crémant de Loire. Worth visiting are the Caves of Louis de Grenelle, Ackerman and Langois. Alternatively try the beautiful vineyards of Vouvray, best known for its Chenin Blanc which you can find in sweet, dry, or sparkling options.  

The Loire Valley is also known for its vineyards

6. Explore Orléans

Orléans is where Joan of Arc led the French troops to victory during the Hundred Years War. Today you can visit La Maison de Jeanne d’Arc, where Joan lived during the Siege of Orléans in 1429, and a statue dedicated to her in the city’s picturesque k. Make sure to visit the stunning gothic style Cathédrale Sainte-Croix and the captivating Musée des Beaux-Arts. The redeveloped banks of the Loire are brought to life in summer by open-air cafés and live concerts. 

Cathédrâle Sainte-Croix d’Orléans

7. Go for a stroll in Blois 

Located on the banks of the Loire River, its charming architecture, rich royal history, and pedestrianised streets make Blois an ideal town to explore on foot. You’ll find a true spectacle at the Maison de la Magie. This one-of-a-kind museum is dedicated to magic, mystery, and the life of Robert-Houdin, French magician and illusionist. Don’t miss the mechanical dragons that make a regular appearance from the Maison’s windows.  

Maison de la Magie in Blois

8. Soar up on a hot air balloon ride 

For an utterly unique day out, why not take a hot air balloon tour over the Loire Valley? Flights usually last approximately one hour, but some companies create an extraordinary experience with a ceremony for receiving your flight certificate and the possibility of a local food and drink tasting after the flight. Flights are weather dependant, of course, but you will be guaranteed the best views and photo opportunities in the Loire Valley

Soar to new heights above the Loire Valley

9. Le Château du Clos Lucé 

While technically a château, the Clos Lucé, in Amboise, is also a museum representing the life and works of Leonardo da Vinci. Da Vinci moved to the estate in 1516 and passed away there in 1519. Take time to explore the house, the open-air museum in the relaxing gardens and then prepare to be astonished by Da Vinci’s living workshops and a collection of his sketches. A visit here will leave you in awe of a man that was supremely ahead of his time.

 

Château du Clos Lucé, in Amboise

10. Take a city break in Tours 

Tours has everything you could hope to find in a city. Timber-framed buildings line the streets of the old town and Place Plumereau making them perfect for a pleasant stroll. There are more architectural delights in the many churches around the city, including Cathédrale Saint-Gatien and Basilique Saint-Martin de Tours. Les Halles de Tours is a gastronomical delight, with local merchants selling regional produce under one roof. Also great for an evening out, you’ll find a fantastic selection of bars and restaurants here. 

Admire the great architecture in Tours

Lead photo credit : © Catherine Grindrod-Dean

Share to:  Facebook  Twitter   LinkedIn   Email

More in chateaux, city breaks, loire valley, wine-tasting

Previous Article French Restaurant Review: L’Itinérance, Mers-les-Bains
Next Article Exploring Rhum Barbancourt 4-Year: A Haitian Delight

Related Articles


Leave a reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *