Exterior of Villandry Castle with its manicured garden.

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Touraine

Often dubbed the ‘Garden of France’, the Touraine region is known for its rich food, tasty cheeses and famously pure French accent, as well as a first-rate line-up of glorious châteaux: some medieval (Langeais and Loches), others Renaissance (Azay-le-Rideau, Villandry and Chenonceau). The vibrant capital, Tours, offers plenty of good restaurants, château tours and public-transport options.

Attractions

Must-see attractions

  • France, Indre et Loire, Loire Castles, Chenonceau

    Château de Chenonceau

    Touraine

    Spanning the languid Cher River atop a graceful arched bridge, Chenonceau is one of France's most elegant châteaux. It's hard not to be moved and…

  • Exterior of Villandry Castle with its manicured garden.

    Château de Villandry

    Touraine

    Villandry's six glorious landscaped gardens à la française are some of France's finest, with more than 6 hectares of kitchen gardens, cascading flowers,…

  • May 11, 2013: Exterior of the chateau at Azay le Rideau in the Loire. 1122888986 architecture, azay, azay-le-rideau, building, castle, chateau, chateaux, culture, day, europe, exterior, facade, famous, france, french, heritage, historical, history, lake, landmark, landscape, le, loire, medieval, old, outdoor, palace, reflection, renaissance, rideau, sky, summer, sunny, time, tourism, tower, traditional, travel, unesco, valley, water

    Château d’Azay-le-Rideau

    Touraine

    Romantic, moat-ringed Azay-le-Rideau is celebrated for its elegant turrets, perfectly proportioned windows, delicate stonework and steep slate roofs…

  • Panoramic view of the castle, garden and town Langeais, Loire Valley, France.

    Château de Langeais

    Touraine

    The most medieval of the Loire châteaux, Langeais – built in the 1460s – looks much as it did at the tail end of the Middle Ages, with crenellated…

  • Chinon and Royal Fortress of Chinon.

    Forteresse Royale de Chinon

    Touraine

    Surrounded by massive walls, this hilltop castle – offering fabulous views across town, river and countryside – is split into three sections separated by…

  • Chateau Gaillard, Amboise, France.

    Château Gaillard

    Amboise

    The most exciting Loire château to open to visitors in years, Gaillard is the earliest expression of the Italian Renaissance in France. Begun in 1496, the…

  • Chateau du Clos Luce castle, Amboise, France.

    Le Clos Lucé

    Amboise

    It was at the invitation of François I that Leonardo da Vinci (1452–1519), aged 64, took up residence in this grand manor house, built in 1471. An admirer…

  • Aerial view of historic center of Loches town overlooking ancient Chateau of Anjou family with collegiate church, royal lodge and donjon.

    Cité Royale de Loches

    Touraine

    Loches’ vast hilltop citadel is the size of a small town – a few lucky people even live here! Inside you can visit the Logis Royal and the Donjon et…

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