The Loire is France’s longest river and stretches from the famed Sancerre wine-growing region through to the sea. The vineyards of the Loire are a great tourist attraction and many offer tours to visitors along with the chance to try some of the region’s famous wines such as Vouvray, Muscadet and Rose d’Anjou.

The Loire’s other major attraction are its many beautiful chateaux and ancient fortresses, dating from the 12th century to beyond the 17th. These medieval, renaissance and baroque masterpieces give the region a truly magical air and nearly all offer the chance to look around both inside and out.

Due to its temperate climate, the Loire enjoys a fantastic harvest each year with artichokes, asparagus, prunes and cherries in abundance. It’s also among the most heavily forested regions in France creating the perfect venue for quality game hunting.