France is known for its many attractive places. You will need a lot of time to check out all of those historical monuments, castles, modern structures, and other amazing things. Most people will think about the capital and the famous tower when they hear about this country. However, it is hiding many other amazing spots where you can have your dream vacation.
One of those places is Loire Valley in the western part of the country. This area spreads to over 150 miles, and the biggest city is Bordeaux. It stretches from the central parts to Archachon on the Atlantic coast. This place also has a lot to offer, and we suggest you check the Oyster Culture in Arcachon. In this article, we are going to introduce you to some of the best attractions and things to do in this part of France.
1. Rivers Cher and Loire
Many places in Europe managed to preserve the architecture from medieval times. That is especially the case with villages and small towns. Hiking by following the flows of these rivers can be quite interesting. However, you will get the best experience if you choose to take a boat and enjoy the view of the surroundings.
The best tour on river Loire is one that goes from Tours to Nantes. When it comes to Cher, it is a smaller river that goes into the Loire. There are many camps around this small river, and it is one of the best solutions if you prefer nature.
2. Chenonceau Castle
When it comes to the exploration of France, it is a well-known fact that there are a lot of castles all over the country. Some of them are even more than 1,000 years old. This Valley is also offering a lot of old architecture, especially next to the river Cher. If you take a boat tour, be sure to choose one that will stop at certain places like Chenonceau castle.
You will be amazed at first site since a large part of it is placed right over the river. Moreover, there are many attractions inside of it, like the unique interior and art from some of the best French artists. The castle is more than 500 years old. Also, it has a intense history and you will hear a lot of interesting stories from your guide.
3. Chambord Castle
Another castle that we are going to mention is placed on the river Loire. It represents a great introduction to the Renaissance period in this country. Also, the structure is massive, and there are over 400 rooms. The main reason to visit this place is to learn more about the architecture and art from the period where France became famous for its art and structures.
The royal families were known for organizing their feuds around big castles. You can buy tickets on the site as well, and the great thing is that you can learn a lot even without a tour because you will get a tablet where you will get a virtual guide through this place.
4. Compagnonnage Museum
There are over 400 artifacts in this place, and the best thing about that is that you will learn more about different periods of this country. There is an organization of artists that is preserving the tradition by teach people how to use ancient methods of crafting various objects. However, be sure to visit it on time because it is not always open. The best time to go there is in morning around around 10 am so you can avoid the crowd.
5. Museum in Tours
It is not a surprise that there are so many amazing museums in this country when they have a rich history. If you are traveling with kids, one of the best places to visit is the museum in Tours. Besides the part related to turbulent French history, some things will be very interesting to your kids, such as the preserved animals that lived in this place like lizards, insects, and birds. There is also a mammoth in its full size.
6. Wine Tasting Tour
One of the things that France is famous all over the world is the production of high-quality wine. Therefore, it can be a great option to choose a special tour where you will visit various castles and wine productions by following the river Loire.
The combination with wine will make it even more interesting. Each castle has a wine cellar, and the interesting fact is that they are also competing for introducing one with the best quality. Adding some cheese to that and you will have a unique experience where you will check some amazing places and enjoy in the right way.
7. Nantes
It is especially a good option for younger people to stay in some hotels in this city. It represents an interesting combination of urban and medieval culture. You can enjoy in the convenience of staying in a hotel while there are still many places in this area of France very close to you. They have a great connection with trains all over the country, and you can visit many sites in less than one hour by train.
The Bottom Line
We mentioned only some of the most popular places, but there are still numerous sites that you can explore. There are many information available online, but you can also take an organized tour. The benefit of that is that you won’t miss any attraction and you can also learn more about the interesting history of each site you visit.
The best period for visiting is during spring. Summer time can be a good option as well, but keep in mind that temperatures can be very high. You can simply travel there without booking because there are many resorts available. However, it is always a much better choice to deal with that in advance so you can avoid issues. People who want to travel with kids don’t have to worry that they might be bored since there are many activities for children at almost every of these sites.
