The 8 best things to do in France’s Loire Valley

Studded with countless castles, old villages and vineyards, the Loire Valley serves up the best of what France has to offer. Here, history, nature and that art de vivre (art of living) you’ll only find in this country come together in a most delightful manner.

Whether you're exploring this UNESCO World Heritage–designed area by foot, bike, boat or car, here are the top things to in the Loire Valley.

1. Cycle along the banks of the Loire

An ideal way to discover the region is by biking along the river – a pleasure for riders of all skill and fitness levels since the region is mostly flat. The 900km Loire à Vélo itinerary passes through small villages and lively cities while following the river’s curves. Very busy in the summer, it is very pleasant in the spring and even more so in the autumn. Rent a bike and look for your own quiet spot for a picnic.

Planning tip: If you need a break from cycling, look for a guinguette. These temporary restaurants pop up along the Loire’s banks when spring brings warm evenings. Near Saumur, order some fouées, small balls of bread baked in a wooden oven served with various fillings. Near Tours, Rivarennes’ poires tapées (flattened pears) are a delight. And be sure to try freshwater fish: zander with a beurre blanc sauce, perhaps, or Loire whitebait.

2. Embrace Angers’ easygoing vibe

They say a 16th-century French poet coined the phrase douceur angevine (Angevin sweetness) – a feeling that will resonate with anyone visiting Angers. Laid-back defines the vibe here; rather than walk, one wanders in Angers. Settle in at a riverfront cafe on Cale de la Savatte and listen to the water gently lap the bank, as the medieval castle looms over city.

Surprises lie around every corner in the city center. Behind the Gothic cathedral, look up at the Maison d’Adam, a half-timbered house with old wooden sculptures. Take the elevator to the top of Le Quai, the contemporary theater venue, for a panoramic view of the city and its surroundings.

Detour: If you’re into cocktail culture, you can learn all about Cointreau, the bitter orange liqueur used in the cosmopolitan and the margarita, in the city where it was invented. The only distillery in the world where it’s made is on the outskirts of town.

3. Explore the underground villages of Saumur

In and around Saumur are villages with houses dug into the rock, almost hidden by green foliage. These so-called troglodyte dwellings continue underground, with a full 1000km (!) of underground galleries to explore at the troglodyte site of Les Perrières. Expect a distinct and mysterious journey that includes a visit to a giant underground cathedral.

4. Visit the magnificent Château de Chenonceau

You won’t have really visited the Loire Valley until you visit a castle. And if you ask any local the one you shouldn’t miss, the answer will be Chenonceau. Spanning the Cher River, this architectural wonder has been dazzling admirers since the 16th century.

Inside is the Grande Galerie, a 60m-long room – built directly over the Cher – with a remarkable history. For many years, the Galerie hosted royal parties, before getting converted to a military hospital during World War I. In the war years between 1940 to 1942, the space served as an escape route between Nazi-occupied France and the Free Zone to the south. In the basement, at the river level, you will find the kitchen and its loads of period utensils.

The castle is associated with a quintet of aristocratic women who shaped the castle’s development – which is why it’s sometimes called the “Château des Dames” (“Ladies' Castle”). Perhaps the most famous is Catherine de Médici, wife of Henri II, who added the galleries above the Cher.

Planning tip: Autumn and winter are the perfect seasons to admire the light of setting sun reflected in the castle’s water-spanning arches .

5. Sail down the last wild river in Europe

A peerless way to encounter the Loire is to set sail upon it, by joining one of the few remaining freshwater fishers aboard a toue, a traditional wooden boat. While this profession was common before the 20th century, fewer than 200 of these fisherman remain today to carry on the ancestral techniques. Getting to ride with one in a single-masted, flat-bottomed barge is an experience that combines history, tradition and nature.

Planning tip: Book a tour toward the end of the day to catch the sunset from the water. The truly adventurous can embark at dawn to pick up the nets.

6. Visit Leonardo da Vinci’s home at Amboise

Leonardo da Vinci spent the last three years of his life in France, after being summoned to the court King François I. (The artist brought the Mona Lisa with him, which is why it currently hangs in the Louvre.) His residence, Le Clos Lucé, is in Amboise, a city richly marked by the Renaissance period and Francois’ court. Today, the manor house exhibits the inventor’s sketches and model machines. As you walk through the bedroom and studio he once occupied, you will get a feel for Leonardo’s brilliant mind.

7. Taste Savennières wine

Anyone who loves French wine – or aspires to – will feel at home in the Loire Valley. Since vineyards form an essential part of the landscapes here, it’s difficult to forget you’re in one of France’s top wine-producing regions, especially when it comes to white wines. One particular cépage (grape variety) is associated with this region: chenin blanc, also called cépage royal.

South of Angers, the terroir is perfect for Savennières, a floral and mostly dry wine with a beautiful golden reflection and worldwide renown. Only 150 vineyard hectares can claim Savennières as their designation of origin.

Detour: While in the area, cross the river to the enchanting island of Béhuard, where cobbled alleys housing storefront workshops give the village a transporting atmosphere. A small church sitting on a rock overlooks the beautiful natural landscape. Visit during the last weekend of August for the Fête de la Plate, a traditional boat race you can watch from a table at La Croisette, the famous isle's guinguette.

8. Encounter extraordinary creatures in Nantes

Near where the Loire flows into the Atlantic Ocean, the charming city of Nantes has a one-of-a-kind attraction where the imagination of Jules Verne meets the inventiveness of Leonardo. Park workshop, part amusement park, Les Machines de l’Île is home to whimsical mechanical creations that will put a smile on anyone’s face.

Expect to be speechless in front of the gigantic articulated elephant made out of wood and steel. Under the machine gallery’s glass roof, a veritable mechanical bestiary awaits you. Outside, a three-story carousel is outfitted with crabs, squid and other mammoth sea creatures you can take a spin on to a soundtrack of fairground music like. Let your inner child run free in this fabulous fantasy world.