Travel Spotlight: Loire Valley

The Loire Valley is one of France’s most famous regions. You may have heard about the Loire’s stunning chateaus, fresh produce, exquisite local wines and the country’s longest river, The Loir. Paris is only a two hour drive away, meaning the perfect weekend getaway is nearby. Pick up your campervan rental in Paris and start in Saint Nazaire. You’ll drive across the valley with historic cities like Nantes, Angers and Tours to tempt you off the trail. While there’s a simple route to follow, the beauty of a motorhome is that you can go wherever you please. Get ready for a motorhome adventure in the land of chateaus and splendid scenery.

A few tips before you embark on your Loire Valley holiday:

• Less is more on a campervan trip here. Any time you spend covering significant distances on motorways means you will miss seeing beautiful sites, so don’t jam-pack your itinerary.

• The Loire is a perfect camper destination, with plenty of picturesque places to stop and spend the night. Blois has a nearby motorhome campground with all the facilities you could need. For those wanting something a little more upmarket, Domaine de la Breche offers five-star motorhome camping in the area.

• Loire Valley can get pretty crowded during the summer months of June and July. You’ll want to book accommodation ahead of time to secure your space.

Chateau de Chambord

Follow the river between the hillside city of Blois and Angers, and you’ll find chateaus galore. Of notable mention is the biggest and most fairytale-like, Chateau de Chambord. An extravagant French Renaissance-style castle housing 462 rooms, 282 fireplaces and 77 staircases. One of its most notable interior points of interest is the double helix staircase. The building is surrounded by forest which is home to wild boar and deer, adding to the mystique of this place. The Loire Valley is also known as ‘The Garden of France’, and this will become apparent as you marvel at some of the chateau’s gardens and orchards - some of which are more jaw-dropping than the chateaus themselves!

Musee du Compagnonnage and Tours

Located in the city of Tours is the Musee du Compagnonnage. A must-visit while travelling around the valley. It’s filled with exciting exhibits containing wood, stone, metal, leather and textiles, food and tools including replica chateaus and other buildings entirely constructed from noodle paste and other food items. Speaking of food, while you’re in Tours don’t miss the daily markets. You’ll find plenty of tasty morsels like speciality goat cheeses, fresh trout and salmon, locally picked mushrooms and salted meats to take back to your motorhome for future picnics.

Maisons des Vins de Loire

You cannot take a motorhome road trip through the Loire Valley without visiting a couple of vineyards. A highly regarded spot is Maisons des Vins de Loire in Nantes. Guests have the chance to taste regional wines and learn from knowledgeable staff members about the land and unique grapes produced here.

Amboise

Amboise is a small town in the region known for the Chateau d’Amboise, a stunning 15th-century residence of King Charles VIII. It also houses Leonardo da Vinci’s tomb, as well as royal chambers, gardens and underground passages. Just outside Amboise is Chateau du Clos Luce which is Leonardo’s former home, where he lived until he passed in 1519. While here you can visit a small museum displaying working models of his designs. Another fantastic way to take in more of this town is by hot air balloon ride. Why not view this part of the Loire Valley from the clouds during a peaceful sunrise ride through the sky.

Chartres Cathedral

This incredible example of a Gothic cathedral is home to the most extensive collection of medieval stained-glass windows in the world, with some dating back to the late 12th and early 13th century. Its enormous central part of the cathedral needs to be seen to be believed. You’ll marvel at the 12th-century sculptures, two spires and Romanesque statues - this UNESCO heritage site is a top spot for a stroll if you’re driving through Chartres.

Explorer tip: take a pair of binoculars to see all the details in the medieval windows and stonework.

La Loire a Velo

Hire a bicycle and discover the beauty of Loire Valley on a famous 900-kilometre self-guided cycleway. This section of the cycle route is the westernmost section of the EuroVelo 6, which is the Atlantic Cycle Route to the Black Sea. Since you’re travelling by motorhome, we wouldn’t recommend cycling for longer than a day. Instead, take things at your own pace and stop whenever you like as you move around local sites. Visit attractions, historical places, small villages, and the Loire Estuary stopping to marvel at the gorgeous countryside. Take the day or just a few hours, and you’ll certainly stumble on stunning views of this unique region.

The next time you’re thinking about a motorhome adventure through France, consider the idea of following a scenic river to stop and ogle at over 300 glorious chateaus and charming riverside towns. Buckle up, because you’re in for a unique motorhome trip in the idyllic Loire Valley.