Visit Azay le Rideau, Villandry, & Langeais, Langeais

Discover the scenic Loire Valley, stopping in a few of the area's most picturesque towns. Your first stop is Azay le Rideau, where you'll visit the town's iconic castle, built on an island on the Indre River. The patronage of King François I, who loved to spend time in the Loire Valley, built the castle in the 16th century. Tour the inside of the castle, the gardens, and the famous water mirror.

Next, enjoy a memorable wine tasting. The vast majority of the Bourgueil or Chinon wines are red, with only a small percentage used to produce rosé and white wines. As a result, Chinon wines (made from Cabernet Franc grapes) are usually dominated by a red berry smell, pairing nicely with red meat, cheese (particularly goat's cheese from the Touraine region), poultry, and game meat, which you'll enjoy for lunch.

After lunch, make your way to Villandry, where a small country castle built during the Renaissance and modified during the 18th century dominates the scenery. However, the most interesting thing in Villandry is certainly the castle's gardens. In the early 20th century, the new owner of the castle, Joachim Carvallo, recreated the Renaissance garden to return Villandry to its grandeur. Enjoy strolling along the flowerbeds and around the lake.

Finally, your Loire Valley tour ends with a stop in Langeais. An imposing medieval fortress of the 15th century, which boasts towers, ramparts, and a drawbridge, the Château de Langeais possesses a beautiful Renaissance facade. Remarkable, the inside of the Château de Langeais is richly and splendidly decorated. King Charles VIII and Queen Anne of Brittany's sumptuous wedding took place at this mansion in December 1491. Their marriage was a historic event, marking the beginning of the incorporation of the duchy of Brittany into the French kingdom.

 

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