Loire Valley

• 1 The romantic heart of Le Mans
  Encompassed by a Roman wall, the beautiful centre of Le Mans is a perfect period setting and it's not unusual to arrive and find the streets lined with straw and sand while a veritable parade of historical...

• 2 A treat for troglodytes
  The creamy tuffeau stone of the Loire Valley is soft and easy to excavate, which made it a popular building material for the great chateaux of this French region. Over the centuries, though, mining and...

• 3 Nights of fantasy in Le Mans
  The historic town of Le Mans in the French region of Pays de la Loire invites you on an extraordinary journey back in time, a journey to be savoured and enjoyed with all your senses. Stroll though the...

• 4 The Loire castles in springtime
  The picturesque towns and villages, the River Loire itself, the UNESCO World Heritage status of the surroundings... these alone are sufficient reason to make a visit to the Loire Valley. But in spring...