The World Heritage Centre is at the forefront of the international community’s efforts to protect and preserve World Heritage partnerships for conservation Ensuring that World Heritage sites sustain their outstanding universal value is an increasingly challenging mission in today’s complex world where sites are vulnerable to the effects of uncontrolled urban development Our Partners Donate Take advantage of the search to browse through the World Heritage Centre information The Loire Valley is an outstanding cultural landscape of great beauty great architectural monuments (the châteaux) and cultivated lands formed by many centuries of interaction between their population and the physical environment Le Val de Loire est un paysage culturel exceptionnel comprenant des villes et villages historiques de grands monuments architecturaux - les châteaux - et des terres cultivées façonnées par des siècles d'interaction entre les populations et leur environnement physique تشكّل  وادي نهر اللوار منظراً ثقافياً استثنائياً يشمل مُدناً وقرى تاريخية ونصباً هندسية عظيمة أي القصور، وأراض مزروعة حرثتها قرون من التفاعل بين الشعوب ومحيطها الحسيّ الذي يجسده نهر اللوار بنفسه 卢瓦尔河谷拥有最美丽、最杰出的文化景观，沿岸分布着大量的历史名镇和村庄、雄伟的建筑古迹（城堡），以及几个世纪以来人类开垦的耕地，这是人类和自然环境（主要是卢瓦尔河）相互作用、和谐发展的结果。 Долина Луары – это выдающийся культурный ландшафт исключительной живописности величественные архитектурные памятники – замки Также ландшафт составляют окультуренные земли которые формировались веками в процессе взаимодействия человека с окружающей его средой и posee pequeñas ciudades y pueblos históricos grandes monumentos arquitectónicos (castillos y palacios) y tierras de cultivo que son el resultado de la interacción entre sus habitantes y el medio físico The property of the Loire Valley between Sully-sur-Loire and Chalonnes is located in the regions of the Centre-Val-de-Loire and Pays-de-la-Loire This cultural landscape covers a section of the Middle course of the 280km river including the minor and major beds of the river It is formed by many centuries of interaction between the river the land that it irrigates and the populations established there throughout history The Loire has been a major communication and commercial axis since Gallo-Roman times up until the 19th century thus encouraging the economic development of the valley and its towns Witness to the many works destined to channel the river for navigation and the protection of humankind and the land against flooding The Loire has formed as much the rural landscapes in the organization of the land and the types of culture (market gardening translate both the physical characteristics of the different parts of the river and their historical evolution the banks of the Loire are punctuated by villages and towns among which are Sully The political and social history of France and Western Europe in the Middle Ages as well as during the Renaissance the period when the Loire Valley was a seat of royal power is illustrated by the buildings and castles that have made it famous they were transformed during the Renaissance into country houses for recreation and pleasure with gardens and vistas open to the countryside The Loire Valley also contains a series of large witness to the expression of faith of the sovereigns and the people: Saint-Benoît-sur-Loire the Loire Valley constituted a major cultural area for encounters and influences between the Italian Mediterranean and participated in the development of garden art and the emergence of interest in the landscape Criterion (i): The Loire Valley is noteworthy for the quality of its architectural heritage but in particular in its world-famous castles Criterion (ii): The Loire Valley is an outstanding cultural landscape along a major river It bears witness to an interchange of human values and to a harmonious development of interactions between humankind and their environment over two millennia Criterion (iv): The landscape of the Loire Valley and more particularly its many cultural monuments illustrate to an exceptional degree the ideals of the Renaissance and the Age of Enlightenment on western European thought and design The historical trajectory of the Loire Valley is clearly visible in the current landscape urban and landscape typologies of the property is fully and widely represented over 280 kilometres The Loire Valley conserves a high degree of authenticity of the ensemble and notably the principal urban centres and monuments through their uses and materials several factors risk affecting the property: agricultural mutations installation of activity zones surrounding towns and traffic axes The ownership regime of this extensive property is very diverse including numerous public and private ownerships The river and its banks belong in the public river domain directly managed by the State The protection of the property is based on the complementarity of several regulations according to the heritage notably: Historic Monuments and their surroundings large castles or more modest monuments are protected under the Heritage Code (Historic Monuments) and a certain number are undergoing restoration and receive regular maintenance Several dozen urban centres are protected under the Remarkable Patrimonial Sites which has enabled the launching of major rehabilitation programmes several dozens of sites are listed for application of the Environment Code to enable the preservation of large areas of the landscape The works linked to the river are regularly maintained or restored Biodiversity protection preserves the bed of the river undergoing dynamic demographic and economic change coordination of the management of the property is ensured by the State and the two regions concerned with specific facilities (a structure and an orientation committee adapted to the property) The management plan identifies the major risks that threaten the property and includes proposals to reduce them The implementation of additional regulatory protective measures the awareness raising and training of local collectivities and populations to the challenges for the protection of the inscribed property the surveillance of important equipment projects are continuously carried out by the public and private stakeholders of the Val de Loire which was previously inscribed on the World Heritage List is part of the "Loire Valley between Sully-sur-Loire and Chalonnes" + Charlotte Lucas was born in 1752 in the village of Chalonnes-sur-Loire. An unmarried woman, Charlotte was among a group of Christians murdered in her village by Revolutionary forces for her refusal to deny her Catholic Faith. + Charlotte was one of 99 martyrs from the Diocese of Angers, France, killed during the French Revolution. With the exception of the priest Blessed Jean-Michel Langevin (who was murdered on October 30, 1793), all the martyrs died in 1794. + The Martyrs of Angers include 11 diocesan priests, 3 women religious (including two Daughters of Charity and a Benedictine nun), 4 laymen, and 80 laywomen.  + The Martyrs of Angers were beatified in 1984. They are honored with a common commemoration on February 1. “See how rich is the Saints' reward from God; they died for Christ and will live for ever.”—Communion Antiphon for the Mass “for Several Martyrs” Grant a joyful outcome to our prayers, O Lord, so that we, who each year devoutly honor the day of the passion of the holy Martyrs of Angers, may also imitate the constancy of their faith. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen. Would you like to read more like this?Get Aleteia delivered to your inbox la Fête des Vins d’Anjou-Saumur has celebrated some of the Loire Valley’s finest wines at a festival that offers tastings accompanied by local dishes the event has been cancelled after being caught up in the toxicity of French politics amid claims that a food stall serving stuffed buns that are a Loire Valley speciality is owned by a far-right activist The Union of Producers of Great Wines scrapped this year’s edition of the festival which had been programmed next weekend in the small and usually peaceful town of Chalonnes-sur-Loire in the face of what it called “a campaign of intimidation and threats of anti-racist protests” The row erupted when flyers began circulating in the town denouncing La Flamme Angevine Don’t miss the latest drinks industry news and insights Sign up for our award-winning newsletters and get insider intel and trends delivered to your inbox every week The Compagnie des Vins Surnaturels sommelier blind-tastes a rosé in our Supertasters series James Sligh is a sommelier at Compagnie des Vins Surnaturels in New York City’s SoHo neighborhood Sligh teaches in the bar’s wine boot-camp program Sligh worked as a somm at such wine industry insider hotspots as Rouge Tomate—where he worked closely with Master Sommelier Pascaline Lepeltier at the restaurant’s Chelsea location which earned World of Fine Wine magazine’s accolade for having the best long wine list in the world in 2017—and Pearl & Ash and as a server at Master Sommelier Laura Maniec Fiorvanti’s flagship Corkbuzz restaurant and wine bar in Manhattan Here, Sligh tastes a wine from our sponsor Loire Valley Wines The Loire Valley is made up of five distinct wine regions—from east to west Each of these regions possesses its own characteristic grapes The Loire’s offerings run the gamut from reds Loire wines also offer bright acidity and flinty minerality making them ideal for pairing with an array of cuisines Among France’s many wine-growing territories the Loire Valley leads with its white AOC wines including its AOC sparkling wines (excluding Champagne)—and ranks second for AOC rosés flowing 1,000 kilometers through the region from Mont Gerbier de Jonc in Ardèche to the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Brittany The river and its tributaries play an important role in climate fluctuation contributing to diverse terroir throughout the Loire Valley Microclimates are common and highly favorable to the cultivation of various grape varieties There are 57,200 hectares of vineyards along the river’s banks with 51 appellations of origin and 4 indication géographique protégée zones—and more than 4,000 wineries The region as a whole exports 68 million bottles every year to 157 export markets is the Loire’s largest export market in terms of both value and volume In recognition of all the contributions of the region to both French and global culture the Loire Valley—from Sully-sur-Loire to Chalonnes-sur-Loire—was added to UNESCO’s World Heritage list in 2000 The wine Sligh tastes in this video is a blend of Gamay and Grolleau from the Rosé d’Anjou appellation Along with the Cabernet d’Anjou appellation Rosé d’Anjou is part of the appellation d’origine contrôlée (AOC) Anjou area which spans 128 communes in Maine-et-Loire There are 1,890 hectares of vines in the Rosé d’Anjou appellation varieties that are permitted in the AOC are Cabernet Franc These grapes tend to thrive in the area’s schist-based soils and mild continental climate The annual production of Rosé d’Anjou over the last five years has been 114,800 hectoliters with a minimum residual sugar level of 7 grams per liter The color is typically a rosy raspberry pink Classic Rosé d’Anjou yields such juicy red fruit notes as strawberries and hints of pepper and menthol on the finish Don’t miss the latest drinks industry news and insights—delivered to your inbox every week winemaker Nicole Marchesi has helped usher Far Niente into the future while honoring the legendary winery’s roots PDO Santorini’s distinctive volcanic terroir the exceptional qualities of its Assyrtiko grapes and the unique vine-growing methods employed by its winemakers all contribute to the unparalleled character of its wines Italian icon Florio has both pioneered and perfected the famous fortified wine in the town of Marsala Far Niente Wine Estates has built a portfolio of emblematic Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignons at every price point Learn more about how Provi simplifies the complex process of ordering and promoting wholesale alcohol between buyers SevenFifty Daily is an award-winning online magazine about the business and culture of the beverage alcohol industry covering all three tiers of the alcohol industry Best in Travel is here! Discover 2025’s destinations The 30 best countries, cities and regions to visit in 2025 Plan your trip with Elsewhere, by Lonely Planet See where a Lonely Planet Membership takes you Subscribe to our weekly newsletters to get the latest travel news, expert advice, and insider recommendations Explore the world with our detailed, insightful guidebooks Stay ahead of the curve with our guidebooks Uncover exciting new ways to explore iconic destinations Every month, we release new books into the wild Search Search Close search menu Explore Best in Travel 2024 Africa Close menu Countries Antarctica Antarctica Close menu Regions Asia Asia Close menu Countries Australia & the Pacific Australia & the Pacific Close menu Countries The Caribbean The Caribbean Close menu Countries Central America Central America Close menu Countries Europe Europe Close menu Countries Middle East Middle East Close menu Countries North America North America Close menu Countries South America South America Close menu Countries The Loire Valley by car: a match made in heaven Shutterstock/leoks The scenery in the Loire Valley changes around every curve Honey-colored villages give way to lavish castles. Vine-draped fields back onto the lush banks of the Loire, France’s longest river And although trains serve each of the region's main destinations It gives you better access to the area’s blissful natural surroundings Here are the five best road trips in the Loire Valley Combining emblematic wines with picturesque landscapes this road trip passes white tufa (limestone) villages overhanging the Loire and vineyards rolling out as far as the eye can see a medieval city with half-timbered houses and dominating royal fortress The red grape vines that fill the surrounding landscape are used to produce Chinon wine Stop en route at Abbaye Royale de Fontevraud, once Europe’s biggest monastic city, before staying overnight in Saumur and enjoying some winetasting. The troglodyte cellars of Bouvet-Ladubay and Ackerman both serve excellent Crémant (a sparkling white wine) go deeper into the countryside to reach Rablay-sur-Layon village With its half-timbered houses and stone mansions the contemporary arts and crafts gallery says otherwise The residents here have dubbed this a 'village of artists'with permanent artisan boutiques and rotating exhibitions head towards Chalonnes to drive through vineyards during the golden hour On day three, head to the hills between Chalonnes and Bouchemaine. Appreciate the river's proximity to sail on a toue (a traditional wooden boat) in La Possonnière. Then head to Savennières which is home to its namesake renowned white wine. Lunch at Le Chenin where the chef’s cuisine celebrates local produce and its cellar illustrates the variety of the terroir and enjoy a quiet evening on the banks of the river Detour: Aubance Valley is home to the seven-story Château de Brissac The property also holds its own vineyard and produces fine rosé wines Tours-Montsoreau; 78 km (49 miles); 2 days Its castle was used as the setting for The Lady of Montsoreau by Alexandre Dumas there are some great views of the rushing Loire River below Detour: If you have an extra day, drive two hours to Nantes, the home city of the author Jules Verne. Les Machines de l’île acts as something of a homage to Verne’s fantastic Tours-Saint Florent le Vieil; 170km (105 miles); 3 days This road trip offers a deep connection with nature. It starts in Tours and then takes the D16 to Ussé, where the Loire passes before your very eyes. Stop in Ussé, whose otherworldly castle was the inspiration for Charles Perrault’s Sleeping Beauty the village at the confluence of the Vienne and the Loire the white stone houses of the former fishing port turn gold follow the curves of the Loire along the D952 as far as Bouchemaine Stretch your legs on the trail connecting Quai de Noé and the former bargees' village of La Pointe get back in your car and climb the hills between Rochefort-sur-Loire and Chalonnes-sur-Loire on the D751 Follow the brown road signs that indicate La Corniche Angevine there are panoramic vistas for far as your eyes can see take a short detour to drive the 14-kilometer-long island of Chalonnes one of the few Loire islands you can explore via cat Leave via the D210 and the René-Trottier bridge to see views of small villages stand out against the lush greenery and white sandbars bordering You’re heading to your last stop Saint-Florent-le-Vieil an oasis of narrow streets with vine-covered houses head to Mont-Glonne esplanade for one last breathtaking panorama from the abbey that stands proudly above the Loire Detour: Consider stopping in Bouchemaine to take a canoe trip down the Loire in Bouchemaine for a moment of disconnection on the river. You can hire one at the Nautical base, quai de la Noé From the Middle Ages to the Renaissance period and the nobility established their courts in the Loire Valley leaving thousands of monuments as their legacy but this drive takes you to the most exemplary examples First up, Château Royal de Blois This imposing castle is impossible to miss Each facade carries a different era: medieval Don’t miss the sound and light performance that lights each one at night from April to September On day two, head to Chambord An aura of delicateness emanates from its finely carved detail and dazzling whiteness Leonardo da Vinci's double spiral staircase will make your head spin Spend day three discovering Amboise. Alleys edged by half-timbered houses lead to the impressive castle The guards’ walkway offers the best viewpoint on the Loire you may find the secret gallery François I used to pay his visits to Leonardo da Vinci at the Clos Lucé This is where Joan of Arc met Charles VII during the Hundred Years' War The trip gives travelers the perfect chance to taste all the local specialties of the Loire Valley too rillauds (pork belly cooked in lard) near Angers There are plenty of opportunities to stop at castles like Chenonceau or Azay-le-Rideau while remaining on the main roads. Drive from Blois to Angers via the D952 Then avoid the motorway to Nantes and follow the D751 instead The beautiful countryside is punctuated by plenty of charming villages Detour: South of Chinon, check out Château de la Mothe Chandeniers. After losing its roof in a fire, the castle was neglected for years with vegetation allowed to grow inside. However, renovations since 2018 have brought it back to life. Watch as this New York City sommelier tastes a mystery white wine in our Supertasters series Here, Lewis tastes a wine from our sponsor Loire Valley Wines Vouvray’s annual production over the last five years has been 105,800 hectoliters, with approximately 43,900 hectoliters of still white wine and 61,900 hectoliters of sparkling, including both mousseux and pétillant styles. Bright citrus, stone fruit, and floral notes, along with lively acidity, are hallmarks of Vouvray. These wines also tend to have strong aging potential—often up to 10 years, during which they develop candied apricot and quince flavors as well as luscious honey notes. Don’t miss the latest drinks industry news and insights—delivered to your inbox every week. For nearly two decades, winemaker Nicole Marchesi has helped usher Far Niente into the future while honoring the legendary winery’s roots PDO Santorini’s distinctive volcanic terroir, the exceptional qualities of its Assyrtiko grapes, and the unique vine-growing methods employed by its winemakers all contribute to the unparalleled character of its wines With nearly 200 years of history, Italian icon Florio has both pioneered and perfected the famous fortified wine in the town of Marsala, Sicily Over four decades, Far Niente Wine Estates has built a portfolio of emblematic Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignons at every price point SevenFifty Daily is a Provi publication. Learn more about how Provi simplifies the complex process of ordering, selling, and promoting wholesale alcohol between buyers, distributors, and suppliers. SevenFifty Daily is an award-winning online magazine about the business and culture of the beverage alcohol industry covering all three tiers of the alcohol industry. Manu Feildel: My emotional search for ancestral answers The cultural landscape of the Loire Valley (France) has launched a new promotion and interpretation tool: a geo localized application for Smartphones on the landscape of the Loire valley: "The Loire valley: view from the train “ This application is a Mission Val de Loire’s initiative with the Centre and Pays de la Loire regions’ in partnership with France’s national railways The landscape of the Loire Valley is almost entirely covered by the Nantes-Orleans railway line “View from the Train” will offer all travelers a unique insight into the landscapes nature and culture seen from some of the Loire Valley’s main rail routes with one simple action The guide covers a wide range of topics as well as describing interesting stories on the Loire valley’s history The first version of the guide is intended for users of the Tours-Saumur railway line The application provides "audio" geo referenced content and alerts as they approach the 27 landmarks in order to offer travelers the opportunity to better understand the cultural landscape Additional multimedia information is also available The application includes tourist information and how to plan a visit (Loire by bike local and tourist information) from stations covered along the line the application works as a guided tour but it can also be used as a free tour off of the train “The Loire Valley: view from the train” is free available on the App Store (iPhone) and Google Play (Android) Find more information in the press kit  " Loire Valley: view from the train " and the Loire Valley website Founded in 2002, two years after the inscription of the cultural landscape of the Loire Valley to the World Heritage List, the Mission Val de Loire is an inter-regional management body run by the Centre and Pays de la Loire regions’ Its role is to contribute to the understanding of heritage and landscapes of the Loire Valley in the promotion and development of its territories’.