At the heart of the Chinon forest, in a vast shaded park, the "Château d'Ussé", made completely of white stone, is like something out of a fairytale. It was looking at this castle that inspired Charles Perrault to write "The Sleeping Beauty". Romantics remember that it's at Ussé that the Lady of the Manor, the Duchess of Duras wrote to Chateaubriand "I've stopped all the clocks so that I no longer hear the chimes of the hours that you're not coming"
Here, the towns, the birthplace of the monarchy's power, show off their prestigious past.
Take a stroll to Tours, a medieval town built on the left bank of The Loire, and admire the sights, relics of the time when it was the nation's capital under Louis XI. You cannot fail to be charmed by Blois, the royal residence of Louis XII and by the numerous beautiful sights and splendid 16th century hotels.
The Royal de Blois castle, a Renaissance masterpiece and favourite residence of the French Kings is a magical stopping point! Visit the medieval town of Bourges, home of King Charles VII in the 15th century, and the Saint Etienne Cathedral, listed as a UNESCO world heritage site, the twin sister of Paris' Notre Dame.
The Loire Valley is a region which celebrates the French "art de vivre".
After a night in a chateau-hotel, and various excursions to these enchanting places, treat yourself to some of the region's fabulous cuisine. Delight your taste buds with fish, meat, cooked meats and in particular the delicious regional goats cheese: "Crottin de Chavignol" (a delicious, small, round cheese), "Sainte-Maure de Touraine" (a small log-shaped cheese, known for the wisp of yellow that runs through it), "Selles-sur-Cher" (small, cylindrical chaped cheese with a fine bluish rind) as well as the two pyramid-shaped cheeses, "Valençay" and "Pouligny-Saint-Pierre".
The good regional restaurants will be sure to help you discover the delicious flavours of the many speciality regional wines: Sancerre, Chinon, Bourgeuil, Valençay, Vouvray and Châteaumeillant. The region has a long, rich wine-making tradition and is scattered with many vineyards.
Winemakers will offer you a warm welcome to taste these tasty nectars: deep coloured red wines with fruity aromas, subtley flavoured white wines, and fresh, light rosés.
If you want to discover some of the history of France, in a group or as a couple, or just experience an unforgettable romantic break, France Romantic Travel will create an amazing holiday for you in the heart of the romantic castles of The Loire Valley. Because your stay should be truly unique, you dream...we create.
