2026 Centre-Val de Loire Travel Guide: must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transport & travel experiences (updated in February)

The Loire Valley, France’s “Garden of France,” is a fairytale land of Renaissance châteaux, lush vineyards, and charming villages. Here’s a concise guide to plan your trip, covering what to see, do, how to get there, and where to eat! 🌿 What to See 🏰 Château de Chambord: Iconic for its double-helix staircase and vast grounds. Don’t miss the rooftop views! Château de Chenonceau: The “Ladies’ Château” spans the Cher River with stunning gardens. Château de Villandry: Famous for its intricate Renaissance gardens, a must for nature lovers. Château d’Amboise: Offers Loire River views and Leonardo da Vinci’s tomb. Château du Clos Lucé: Leonardo’s final home, with models of his inventions. Château d’Azay-le-Rideau: A romantic gem on the Indre River. Château de Cheverny: Elegant interiors and a Tintin exhibit. What to Do 🚴♀️🍷 Cycle the Loire à Vélo: Bike trails connect châteaux for a scenic adventure. Wine Tasting: Explore vineyards in Saumur or Tours for local wines like Chenin Blanc. Hot-Air Balloon Ride: See châteaux from above at sunset. 🎈 Visit Villages: Stroll through Amboise or Montrichard for history and charm. International Garden Festival: At Chaumont-sur-Loire (April-Nov) for creative displays. How to Go 🚗 Car: Rent a compact car via DiscoverCars for flexibility. Book early! Train: TGV from Paris to Tours or Amboise, then local buses or tours. Guided Tours: From Paris or Tours for hassle-free visits. Best Time: Spring or autumn for mild weather and fewer crowds. 🌸🍂 Where to Eat 🍽️ Les Arpents (Amboise): Bib Gourmand for refined local cuisine. La Breche (Amboise): Gourmet dishes in a cozy setting. Local Markets: Grab fresh produce and cheeses in Tours or Blois. Château Restaurants: Many châteaux, like Chenonceau, have on-site cafés. Tips & Tricks 🧳 Plan Ahead: Book château tickets and accommodations early, especially in summer. Get a Pass: Multi-château passes save time and money. Stay Strategic: Base in Tours, Amboise, or Saumur for easy access. Avoid Overloading: Limit to 1-2 châteaux daily for a relaxed pace. Check Parking: Most châteaux have free or cheap parking; confirm in advance. Where to Stay 🛏️ Château de Chissay: Live the château life! Auberge du Bon Laboureur (Chenonceaux): Charming, near Chenonceau. Budget: Hotels in Tours or Blois for affordability. With history, beauty, and culinary delights, the Loire Valley is unforgettable. Plan smart, savor slowly, and enjoy the magic! 🌟

It has been said that you want to fully understand the French culture, one is Paris, the other is the Loire Valley, the Loire River, the largest river in France, the natural scenery, and the castle gathering place of the royal family. You can enjoy all kinds of castles that are outstanding in the past, and you can also feel the origin of historical and cultural stories in close quarters. The dazzling and colorful, the humanities and the nature are ingeniously merged into one, showing the legendary masterpieces of the world famous. Before you set foot on the Loire Valley, you will be able to experience the magic of this magical land in person, overlooking the Chambord Fortress on the Kesong River, the Azul Lido Castle that embraces the Andel River, and the Chenonceau across the Cher River. The castle, the medieval Gothic-style castle of Amboise and the Renaissance Clorus Castle, the Chaumont Manor on the Loire, a natural oasis, and the Blois Castle, which highlights the image of the lily The medieval carving of the mythical Liv Castle. Many times, the beautiful words, in front of the castles, are all eclipsed, and they are more in the sense of shocking beauty from the soul.

I don't know if you still remember that there was a news in a certain year. A couple of French couples bought a cave with one euro. Two people worked for three years to save enough money to renovate the broken cave. Especially warm and romantic room. When I set this hotel, I didnt know the cave in the news. I saw the news just passing by. Until the day before the trip, the male owner asked me if I could read the traditional Chinese characters? I said, can you? So he opened the phone and clicked on the report about his cave. I gradually remembered it, this cave! This is really the most amazing hotel I have ever stayed at!

The Loire Valley is full of castles that have been transformed into hotels, and can be booked on Trip. We live here and there is a particularly shameful thing here. We both wanted to go to the castle, did not take the elevator to go up the stairs, saw a door that thought it was an exit and went out. I didn't expect the door to be a one-way door. I couldn't go back after I came out. We stood on the big platform on the side of the castle, behind the dark caves, and there was no one in a few minutes. At the beginning, I was quite calm and polite. "Is there anyone?" As time passed by, it was still not passed by. There were only a few guests in this huge castle. I also started to participate. Call for help, shout help. After a long time, the owner of the castle came out and forced to smile and said to me, "Do you see a jungle behind you? There is a small road there, you can walk down the path."

I stayed at this cave hotel for several days. The owner was very friendly and took the initiative to tell me which restaurant in the nearby town was delicious. The French are really very romantic. Every morning, he wore a black jacket and went to the bakery in the town to buy a baguette. When I got up to the restaurant, music, candlelight and French breakfast were in place. When I was having breakfast, he was sitting in the yard drinking coffee and saw the hot air balloon in the distance rushing over to call me out to see. Later, I was really not used to eating breakfast. Another person was watching. I said if I would get up early to eat together.

Chaumont Castle is not only the most classic European castle with its charming architecture and magnificent appearance, but also famous for its 19th International Garden. The 19th International Garden Art Festival in 2010 is being held. It will not end until October 17. It is also a gathering place for artists and artists of the festival. You can spend a whole day, wide your eyes and watch a variety of attractions decorated by "landscape artists" from around the world. Take a stroll along the Loire River from the castle and taste the prestigious Duran wines in the vineyards.

The most spectacular castle on the Loire River belongs to the Fortress, so the most beautiful castle is the water castle - its castle is called Chenonceau. The left and right wings of the Chenonceau Castle are spanned on both sides of the tributary of the Loire River, connected by a five-hole bridge. Therefore, it is also known as the "boat parked on the Zar River." After generations of heroes, Chenonceau became the most refined and romantic of all the castles in the Loire Valley. Although it is less than the gorgeous and magnificent of the burger, its delicate tenderness and exquisite beauty and the feminine atmosphere it exudes are not what the burger has.