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Central Loire Valley, France

The Central Loire Valley, or Centre as the region is known officially, is located towards the north-west of the actual geographical centre of France. It comprises the departments of Cher, Eure-et-Loire, Indre, Indre-et-Loire, Loir-et-Cher and Loiret. The region’s capital is Orléans, although the largest city in the region is Tours. Drained by the Loire River and its tributaries, the region includes the scenic Loire Valley and other historic towns and cities such as Blois, Bourges, Chartres, Châteauroux, Dreux and Vierzon. The region is a producer of wheat, barley, corn and grapes and has important manufacturing, service and tourism sectors. The climate of the region is considered to be the most pleasant in northern France with mild winters and generally fewer extremes of temperature.

The Roman Emperor Augustus brought peace and stability to the region after years of unrest between warring tribes. Towns such as Angers, Le Mans, Orléans and Tours grew up following the Roman model with baths, forums, theatres and other public buildings. It was Saint-Gatien, the first bishop of Tours, who introduced Christianity to the region. Following the invasion of the Huns, the Saracens and the Normans feudal strife broke the region into small warring states By the 11th century Orléans, Touraine, Anjou and Maine were virtually separate kingdoms, and it was their rulers who built the first Loire châteaux, fortresses and strongholds. Then, during the Hundred Years War the English conquered most of the Loire and besieged Orléans. In 1492 Joan of Arc’s army attacked the English at Orléans and freed the city.

Later, during the 16th century peace came to the area and the Loire changed from a battleground to become the centre of court life The Renaissance brought about a new way of thinking about beauty in poetry, music, religion and architecture. The chateaux of Amboise, Azay-le-Rideau, Blois, Chambord and Chenonceau all date back to this time. The economy of the Loire grew dramatically during the 17th century, particularly in the textile and agricultural sectors, although this period of prosperity came to an end with the turmoil of the Revolution in 1789.  In the 19th century new wealth, brought about by industry and modern transportation links, encouraged the building of new châteaux and the restoration of many others. During the second World War the French government moved to Tours and subsequently to Bordeaux. In 1940 Maréchal Pétain went to Montoire, in the Loire, where he met Hitler and agreed to his terms for an armistice. Control of the Loire was retaken by the Resistance and Allied forces in September 1944.

The Loire is a rich, varied region of soft , green river valleys, rolling hills covered with fruit and vines , vast open plains planted with cereals and huge tracts of forest, woodland and heath. Along the river itself, between Sancerre and Angers there is a wealth of castles, palaces and fine mansions. Indeed the Loire Valley has so many beautiful châteaux that the whole of the valley has been awarded the title of World Heritage Site by UNESCO. There are probably 150 châteaux of some historical importance and many more of lesser interest. The most famous of these châteaux – Angers, Saumur, Chinon, Azay-le-Rideau, Villandry, Amboise, Chenonceau, Chaumont, Blois, Chambord and Cheverny – have become household names and are visited by many thousands of tourists every year. Many of the Châteaux overlook the Loire, but others are situated on its tributaries, the Cher, the Indre, the Vienne, the Loir and the Sarthe or in woods and farmlands further away from the river. Some are owned by the State, some by private families and some by companies.

As well as the many châteaux, there are plenty of other places that visitors to the area should try to see: the gardens at Villandry, outside Tours; the abbey at Fontevraud; the apocalyptic tapestry sequence in Angers; the Romanesque-Gothic cathedral in Le Mans, the glazed gothic fantasy of medieval Bourges; the cathedral at Chartres with its 150 magnificent  stained glass windows; the hilltop town of Sancerre; the town of Richlieu whose elegant uniformity bears testimony to 17th century urban planning

Well watered and sunny, the area has always been fertile, and indeed has long been known as “the garden of France”. The Loire is well-known for its flowers, both wild and cultivated. Roses in particular fill the hedgerows and gardens and there is a famous rose show every July in Doué-le-Fontaine. The region is also famous for wine, fruit, cereals, mushrooms, vegetables and cheeses. The Central Loire Valley boasts over 20 world-class wines, characterised by their, light, fruity flavour and bouquet. Among the best known are Sancerre, Valencay, Montlouis, Pouilly Fouissé and Vouvray. Many of these wines are made and stored in the old tufa-stone caves and there are plenty of opportunities for degustation, roadside tasting. The area is well-known for its gastronomy with local specialities such as carp and pike served in a creamy sauce, moules marinières , chicken in wine sauces and locally produced pork sometimes cooked in white wine with prunes.
 

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