Tours is the capital of the Indre-et-Loire department in central France. It is situated on the river Loire, between Orléans and the Atlantic coast the region surrounding Tours is known for its wines and the legendary perfection of its local spoken French – which is considered to be without accent. It is also the finishing point of the famous Paris-Tours cycling race and in 732 was the site of the Battle...

Saumur is yet another beautiful small town situated on the Loire River. With an approximate population of around 35,000 people Saumur is another magnificent Loire Chateau town. As one of the less famous castles it misses some of the tourist traffic which makes Saumur a fantastic, if slightly quiter, place to visit. Saumur is home to the Cadre Noir – the National School of Horsemanship (École Nationale...

Orléans is a city on the north-eastern edge of the Loire Valley. It is 130 km southwest of Paris and is the capital of the Centre region of France with a population of over 150,000. The city was founded in 275 by the Roman Emperor Aurelian. The name Orléans has since derived from the Emperor who at that time named the city Aurelianum in his honour. Attila the Hun almost sacked Orléans in 451 – his...

Chinon is on the left bank of the Loire River where it meets the Vienne River in the heart of the Loire Valley. The town is indelibly linked to two famous historical figures - the author Francois Rabelais, born in Chinon around 1490, and Joan of Arc, who came to Chinon Castle in 1429 to inspire the weak-willed dauphin, Charles VII to put on the French crown and drive out the English. Rabelais, the celebrated...

Blois is the capital of the Loir-et-Cher department and the centre of a farming district whose chief products are wheat, wine and vegetables, predominantly asparagus for which it is renowned. Blois is a true market town and during the season exports worldwide locally grown produce. Blois is located between Tours and Orleans and is easy to get around. The avenue Jean-Laigret, the main street, leads south...

Angers is located 300 kilometres south of Paris and its inhabitants are known as Angevins. With a population of around 270,000 for the metropolitan area, Angers is one of the largest cities in the Loire Valley. The city traces its roots to early Roman times. Straddling the Maine River it is known for its historic nurseries and market gardens which still occupy the banks – famous for its fresh produce...

Amboise sits on the banks of the Loire in the heart of vineyards country known as Touraine-Amboise. It has 12,000 inhabitants and is located in the land of chateaux. Sitting on the south bank of the Loire River, 23km upstream from Tours, the beautiful town of Amboise has sprouted from around the edges of the fortified chateau d’Amboise – an impressive structure. The town, though small, is not without its...