Enchanting France: The Loire Valley & Champagne

Close to Paris, the regions of Loire Valley and Champagne offer a stunning experience filled with beautiful gardens, exquisite glasses of champagne, majestic castles, and more. Explore historical sites, walk down charming streets, and give your palate an adventure of a lifetime. Here are our best reasons why Loire Valley and Champagne are France’s must-see gems.

Enchanting architecture 

Home to castles that have inspired fairytale like the Sleeping Beauty, Loire Valley has a myriad of major sites to visit like the Chateau of Blois, Chateau de Chenonceau, and Château of Azay-le-Rideau – each displaying the beauty of the region’s history from the Renaissance Era to the Gothic influence. Beneath the rolling hills, you’ll see limestone caves redesigned as homes and establishments displaying the architectural ingenuity of the French.

In Champagne, you’ll get to explore Notre-Dame de Reims, a cathedral beloved as the traditional site for the coronation ceremony of the anointed kings of France. Head to the Epernay, the capital of the region for an immersive historical experience of Champagne - from the iconic Grande Maison de Champagne Moët & Chandon to its wonderfully captivating main streets.

Rich gastronomy

Cheese of different variety, fresh produce, locally caught fish, and more are at the centre of the Loire Valley culinary scene. Famed for its delectable cuisine and sophisticated flavours, food enthusiasts will have a feast dish after dish of fresh and locally sourced ingredients. Whether it’s their acclaimed goat cheese, caramelized apples, or tender meat, each plate is a delight to your palate.

World-class drinks

Drink to your heart’s content and have a taste of the world’s most famous sparkling wine from Champagne’s vineyard hillsides, houses, and cellars. Take a tour around the region and discover how some of the best glasses of wine is made while sampling a glass or two of your own. Visit underground cellars and learn about the history of Champagne to know how the drink became one of the most celebrated drinks in the world.

Over in the Loire Valley, visit appellations like Sancerre and Muscadet for a delicate sip of Sauvignon and Pinot Noir. With some vineyard having a cooler climate than other regions in France, wines from Loire often have a lighter and fruitier taste – making for a variety of red, white, and rose with each having a unique quality of taste.

Breathtaking scenery

The Loire, France’s longest river, is an ideal spot for any nature lover looking to spend time with the wild landscapes of the region. Visit the Villandry and marvel at its botanical gardens and beautiful estate. Loire Valley is known as the Garden of France for its gorgeous botanical gardens and amazing castles that is sure to take your breath away.

Champagne has beauties of its own with lush hillsides, colourful villages, vibrant ancient towns, and great lakes. The sight of Champagne’s charming aesthetic and spectacular nature landscape is truly a sight to behold.