France’s longest river winds its way past magnificent royal chateaux, ancient forests, medieval towns, and award-winning vineyards. Starting in the Massif Central, it passes through 12 French departments, including the UNESCO World Heritage–listed Loire Valley and the cities of Orleans, Tours, Angers, Saumur, and Nantes.
With its 17th-century French Renaissance architecture, wine-making legacy, and idyllic setting within the UNESCO-listed Loire Valley, Château du Petit Thouars is the perfect addition to a Loire chateaux itinerary. The family-run winery offers food and wine-tasting tours, along with a traditional French château and vineyard setting.
Take your place alongside royalty with a visit to Chateau Gaillard, one of the Loire Valley’s most celebrated palaces, commissioned by Charles VIII in 1496. The chateau is known for having some of the first Renaissance-style gardens in France, and today both its interior and grounds are open to visitors.
Nantes’ flagship art museum whisks art lovers on a journey through nine centuries of art, from 13th-century Old Masters to modern and 21st-century contemporary art. It’s a thrilling ride, with more than 12,000 works on display and plenty of big-name artists in the mix, including Picasso, Monet, Delacroix, Kapoor, and Soulages.
Tours’ Old Town (Vieux Tours) features medieval-era winding streets, half-timbered homes dating back to the 14th century, and a bustling square. Just a short stroll from the Loire riverfront, it’s the city’s atmospheric central hub.
Whether you’re climbing aboard a life-size mechanical elephant, riding on a carousel of fantastical sea creatures, or operating a flying machine, a visit to Les Machines de L'île is probably unlike anything you’ve experienced before. Inspired by the creations of novelist Jules Verne, Nantes’ flagship attraction is fun for all ages.
For centuries, the cliffs around Saumur were home to cave houses (habitations troglodytiques). Rochemenier Cave Village (Rochemenier Village Troglodytique) is one of the Loire Valley’s most interesting cave-dwelling sites. Its Cave Museum covers two underground farmhouses, including a cave chapel, complete with historic farming gear.
With its medieval buildings and fairy-tale turrets encircled by landscaped gardens, lush woodlands, and bursts of lavender and roses—Chȃteau du Rivau is among the most underrated of the Loire Valley castles. Once visited by Joan of Arc, the 15th-century castle is also renowned for its Royal Stables.
Located in the Loire Valley, the Château de Nitray is celebrated for its Renaissance architecture and has been a listed historic monument since 1947. But today, the castle is best known for its wine. Home to vines since the 18th century, the celebrated winery grows six grape varietals and produces red, white, rosé and sparkling wines.
With its storybook towers, wide moat, and series of drawbridges, the Château du Plessis-Bourré is part fairy-tale castle, part imposing fortress. Set against the lush landscapes of the western Loire Valley, the 15th-century château was the lavish residence of its namesake, Jean Bourré, the treasurer of King Louis XI, and is a prized example of French “transition” style.
Tucked away in one of the lesser-known French wine regions is Le Pallet village, and it’s here that you can find the Nantes Wine Museum. Dedicated to the history of this muscadet grape region, the museum is a oenophile’s joy with exhibits such as a huge 19th-century wine press, plus vineyards and a refreshing family-friendly vibe.
Built in the 1840s, the Passage Pommeraye is a multi-level shopping arcade that connects the Rue Santueil with the Rue de la Fosse. It's known for its elaborate architecture and beautiful sculptures created in the neo-Renaissance style.
Jules Verne, acclaimed author of Around the World in 80 Days, was born in Nantes, where today a museum pays homage to his life and literary works. Personal objects, first-edition manuscripts, and handwritten edits are among the treasures inside, making a trip there a treat for book lovers and Verne enthusiasts alike.
A listed Historic Monument and part of the Loire Valley UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Château de Saumur is celebrated for its classic medieval architecture and is associated with centuries of royal intrigue. Overlooking the Loire River, the château features museum exhibitions, extensive grounds, and a scenic belvedere.
Built in 1958 and launched in 1960, Submarine Espadon was France's first submarine to travel under ice. When in operation, it had a crew of 65 living in its cramped quarters and traveled 360,547 nautical miles, the equivalent of 17 times around the circumference of the earth. Visit to get a feel for what life was like under the sea.
In the French port city of Saint-Nazaire, near Nantes, get a glimpse of what life would have been like aboard a historic ocean-going vessel. Escal’Atlantic, an interactive museum dedicated to “the historical ocean-liner experience,” displays more than 200 artifacts, all of which hail from ships built in Saint-Nazaire.
Founded in 1984 and located 45 minutes from Nantes, the Zoo de la Boissière du Doré is home to over 800 animals and 70 different species, from giraffes to panthers to blue poison dart frogs. A popular destination for families, this conservation center and zoo gives visitors the chance to learn about wildlife from around the world.
The Jean-Lurçat and Contemporary Tapestry Museum (Musée Jean-Lurçat) in Angers, France, is an explosion of color housed in a former hospital building dating to the 12th century. Inside the Gothic building complex lies a collection that includes paintings, ceramics, and—most notably—tapestries by Jean Lurçat, an artist often credited as instrumental in the revival of contemporary tapestry.
Far from its namesake palace, Nantes’ Île de Versailles is a picturesque island set along the Erdre River in the heart of the city. Cross the footbridge to the small man-made island and follow the tree-lined walkways through an idyllic Japanese garden, complete with wooden bridges, red-painted pavilions, and water features.
The Loire Valley is beloved for its roses, and Les Chemins de la Rose near Saumur is one of the best places to revel in the blooms. In 10 acres (4 hectares) worth of landscaped gardens, you’ll find arched walkways bordered by more than 13,000 rose bushes, and pastel petals and green lawns creating ribbons of color.
One of the oldest zoos in France, Zoo de la Flèche today has a modern vibe with a well-laid out park—plus sizable enclosures with 1,500 animals from five continents. Besides its commitment to conservation and animal welfare, the zoo is also famous for its luxury overnight lodges, which look out over lions and polar bears.
