Enjoy the rich and diverse experiences to be found between the Loire and Cher rivers in the Loire Valley: a rich heritage of chateaux, gardens, vineyards and picturesque villages just waiting to be discovered.

Of all the chateaux in the Loire Valley, some say that Château de Chenonceau if the finest of them all. It’s certainly the most original. This beautiful Renaissance building, standing between sky and water, juts its five arches across the Cher river and shelters a set of stunning French formal gardens behind its unique architecture. Visitors can take a gentle stroll beneath the shade and along the floral paths. Or opt for a night walk and enjoy the beauty of the illuminated gardens on select summer nights, enjoy a special tasting of Touraine-Chenonceaux appellation wines in the Chateau’s historic Cellar during the season or meet the winemakers during a special evening held in July.

The Loire Valley is not just a land of chateaux: it’s a land of vineyards too. Many wine estates in the Chenonceaux area of Touraine are open to the public, enabling you to discover the area’s rich heritage and appreciate its winemakers’ know-how.

One such estate is Domaine Sauvète, which organises “flâneries”, or picturesque walks through the vines, treasures hunts or segway rides. Or try the Domaine du Clos Roussely, where you can explore its unusual troglodyte cellars and collection of vintage vehicles. These visits, along with wine tastings, will enable you to discover authentic organically grown wines.

A few kilometres away, Domaine de la Chapinière offers a range of events that combine the art of wine, equestrianism and fine arts. A warm welcome awaits in the restored nineteenth century vault as the hosts share their passion for the terroir during a special visit with a tasting of wines produced using rational and sustainable winemaking methods.

Amidst the chateaux and vines, another site awaits: ZooParc de Beauval. Ranked as one of the world’s 10 most beautiful zoos, it has over 8,000 animals and hosts breathtaking events.

The Loire Valley wine region still has some surprises in store!