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Top 10 Things to do : Loire River
Top 10 things to do on a Loire River Cruise
Well-known for its castles, the Loire Valley is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. By spending your holidays there, you will be able to see a lot of landscapes and architectural wonders. Here are 10 things that you should not miss!
1. To begin, you really must see and visit the Loire châteaux: château d’Ussé, château d’Azay-le-Rideau, château de Chenonceau, château de Chambord and of course the gardens at the Château de Villandry. We ensure that this is the first thing to do when visiting this destination. Find out more about the Loire Chateaux with CroisiEurope.
2. Renowned to be the longest river in France, the Loire is the last “wild river” in the country. Its region has a very rich culture to discover and you can immerse yourselves into the French art de vivre. If wine-tasting is something you like, the wine route of the Muscadet through the vineyards of the Nantes region is the best way to learn about the production of the famous French wine.
3. Another way to discover the Loire is to go to Saumur and the Cadre Noir. This horse riding school emphasizes the harmonious relations between humans and horses. You can visit the Grand Manege and continue your visit by visiting Saumur and its fortifications.
4. The Saint-Nazaire shipyard, embodiment of the French pride, is one of the largest in Europe. It is the construction site for elegant cruise ships. Through a guided visit, you will better understand the complexity of the construction of Ships. Discover the immensity of this site and the advanced technology required to build the ships.
5. Nantes is a fabulous city where you’ll be able to discover the last castle before the river reaches the ocean: the castle of the Dukes of Brittany. You will also enjoy its pretty little streets and its 18th century architecture. You definitely have to take a look at the magical world of the Machines de l’île which is a crossover between the imaginations of Jules Verne and Leonardo da Vinci. After that, don’t forget to explore the hidden courtyards and covered passageways reflecting the past of the city’s grand families from the 15th century to today.
6. Angers is also a must-see city which gives you the opportunity to discover its castle. Dating from the 13th century it is renowned for its Apocalypse Tapestry, part of one of the most important collections of medieval tapestries in the world.
7. King Francois 1er called it “the most beautiful river in France… In fact, the Erdre is very popular for its history and its myriad of châteaux. A small ballad on this river will give you an experience you won’t forget.
8. One of the must-see site in the Loire Valley is Guérande and its salt marshes. Guérande is a fortified medieval city which overlooks the salt evaporation pond and is entirely enclosed by remparts. But the veritable symbol of the region are the salt evaporation pond where you’ll be able to discover the process of harvesting Guérande salt and how the marshes work.
9. The Corniche Angevine is a great trip to do when visiting the Loire during which you’ll have the chance to admire picturesque villages and plenty of viewpoints.
10. The last but not least thing to do, is to observe the lake of Grand-Lieu: it is one of the most beautiful humid area of Europe but also the second bird sanctuary of France. Since the inauguration of the house of the lake of Grand Lieu, we can discover this marvelous site. The ancient hunting pavilion of the Guerlain perfumer was recreated and opened to the public to offer a viewpoint onto the lake.