The Loire Valley, located in western France, is one of the most beautiful wine regions in Europe. With its rolling hills and majestic chateaux, it's no wonder this area has been home to many winemaking families for centuries. Today, wineries continue popping up all over the region. If you're planning a trip to visit a winery in the Loire valley or just want to explore some local wines during your next vacation in France, be sure to read about the Loire Valley with Winalist.
Loire Valley wine tours are a popular option for those looking to discover the beauty and history of this region, while also indulging in tasting world-renowned wine varieties.
Loire Valley wine highlights
- Known for sparkling wine, reds, and whites.
- Close to Paris.
- Full of historic chateaux, castles, and a rich history of winemaking.
About Loire Valley Wine Tours & Wine Tasting in the Loire Valley, France
Loire Valley wine tours are a fun, relaxing way to explore this beautiful region of France. This region is known for its top-notch wine varieties and beautiful vineyards, along with wine tasting tours that let you sample some of the best vintages in France.
Chateaux are one of the most popular attractions in this area of France, besides its wine. There are dozens of chateaux around the Loire Valley region, so it's possible to spend several days touring them.
With Winalist, you can explore and book incredible wine tours, all from the comfort of your own home. Use our wine tourism booking tool to search for the best wine tours in your desired area, and then book a wine tour that fits you.
The beautiful Loire Valley, west of Paris and bordered by the river Loire, is chock full of picturesque vineyards and magnificent chateaux. The area is known for its sparkling wines as well as reds and whites. Whether you're a wine connoisseur or simply want to learn more about this French region's grapes and wines, you’re bound to enjoy a Loire Valley wine tour.
Where is the Loire Valley of France located?
The Loire Valley is located in western France, near Paris. The valley is bordered by the river Loire, and part of it has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It's home to many beautiful castles and vineyards that have been making wine since the Middle Ages.
Chateaux in the Loire Valley
Chateaux can be found throughout the Loire Valley and many offer tours and tastings of their wines. When you choose one that includes wine tasting opportunities, you'll have access to premium French wines without having to go through the process of making them yourself.
Some of the best Chauteaux in the Loire Valley include:
- Chateau de Chambord, also known as the Chateau Royal de Blois and the Palace of François I. Built in 1519 by King Francis I and his wife, Louise of Savoy, this castle is one of the first examples of French Renaissance architecture. A highlight, Chambord was one of Leonardo da Vinci's creations and boasts 374 rooms, 83 staircases and 365 chimneys.
- The Chateau de Beauregard was built between 1513 and 1514 for Francis I; however, he never stayed there because he died before it was completed. When Diane de Poitiers inherited it in 1570 from her husband Jean II d'Angennes who had died a few years earlier, she made extensive changes to both its external appearance and its internal layout over several decades since then until she died herself at age 70 or 80 (historians differ on which figure they believe). One interesting detail about this chateau is that you can see some evidence of bullet marks on its walls; these were left behind after a battle during World War II when German forces briefly occupied France.
- Chenonceau Castle is another great attraction to visit while in the Loire Valley. A UNESCO World Heritage Site built in 1513, this castle sits upon two islands on the Cher River (where it was originally used as a bridge). It's now famous for being one of the most picturesque castles in all Europe thanks to its elegant architecture and stunning gardens.
History of Winemaking Loire Valley, France
Winemaking in the Loire Valley of France dates back to Roman times. The ancient Romans cultivated grapevines here and introduced the technique of converting grape juice into wine. However, it wasn't until after their departure from Gaul that viticulture began to flourish. Today, there are more than twenty-five thousand acres (ten thousand hectares) devoted to vineyards in this region the largest concentration of vines outside of Bordeaux.
Loire Valley Wine Tasting Itineraries
The Loire Valley is a beautiful region of France where you will be able to visit historical Loire Castles, traditional wineries, and world-class wine varieties. You can explore this region on your own or book Loire Valley wine tours with Winalist! Our partnering wine guides have centuries of combined knowledge and will provide you with insider information about each wine region or vineyard in the Loire Valley so that you get the most out of your visit.
Winalist has partnered with some of the best tours and tour hosts in the area to bring our customers more options for their trip to France. You can use our custom search tool at the top of this page to find Loire Valley wine tasting itineraries that suit your preferences.
Where to Stay in the Loire Valley, France Wine Region
There are plenty of accommodations for staying in the Loire Valley of France. There are many vineyards in this wine region, so it's essential to find a place close enough to visit wineries easily. Second, many people visit this region to view the river Loire, so you may wish to find accommodations near this infamous river as well.
How to get to the Loire Valley Region of France
The Loire Valley region is easily accessible by train, car, or bus. If you're staying in Paris and traveling to the Loire Valley, you have the option of taking a TGV (high speed train) or regional train to Tours, Blois or Amboise. You can also take a local train from Paris Montparnasse station to Chinon, Saumur or Angers. The journey takes about 1 hour 30 minutes for regional trains and less than 2 hours for high-speed trains that stop at more stations along the way.
What types of wines do wineries in the Loire Valley produce?
Although the Loire Valley is most famous for its sparkling wines, these are not the only types of wine that you can find there. In fact, it's quite possible that you won't see any sparkling wines on your trip at all!
The three main types of wine produced in this region are Rosé, Sauvignon Blanc, and Cabernet Franc. The grapes used to produce these wines include Chenin Blanc (for white wines), Chardonnay (for whites), Gamay Noir & Pinot Noir (for reds) as well as Ugni Blanc & Colombard Sauvignon Blanc.
The most common grapes grown in the Loire Valley include Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc, Sauvignon Blanc, and Chenin Blanc.
How to get to the Loire Valley of France
The Loire Valley region is easily accessible to tourists by plane and by car.
- Fly direct from the UK to Paris (Charles de Gaulle Airport), then take a short taxi ride or a bus to your destination.
- Drive from Paris: Take a train from Charles de Gaulle Airport to Bordeaux, then continue on toward the Loire Valley via A10 highway.
- For those who wish to avoid flying, there are several options for driving in France with an international license.