Discover the Loire Valley
Travel to the heart of history
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A Magnificent Landscape
A journey to the heart of France. Just 2 hours from Paris, you'll discover the central region where the kings of France chose to rest, a place where you can feel its magnificent charm.
Located south of Paris, the Loire Valley is a magnificent region, rich in the history of the kings of France in the Middle Ages and Renaissance. The result is a number of stunning châteaux that embody the glory, romance and extravagance of French history. It's a popular destination for tourists who come to explore the grand châteaux, gardens, picturesque little towns and gentle rolling countryside.
Historic castles
The abundance of architectural treasures in this region is so great that it was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000. The turrets, exquisite architecture and impressive extravagance of castles such as Chambord and Chenonceau continue to fascinate today as they have for generations.
Residences of kings, queens and beautiful people, the châteaux of the Loire have witnessed court life and magnificent feasts, but also adultery, murder, intrigue, power plays, torture and epic horticulture.
La Rivière
Center Val de Loire stretches as far as the suburbs of Paris to the north, and borders Limousin and Auvergne to the south. The region is divided by the Loire, France's longest river, which flows from south to north before diverging into the Atlantic Ocean on France's west coast.
The Loire has a thousand different facets, constantly changing with the passing days and seasons. Covered in mist in winter, the river lights up with the arrival of fine weather, perfect for walks along the water's edge. Come and discover all the nuances of the Loire, so dear to the hearts of its inhabitants.
Loire Valley Wines
Of course, the Loire is also world-famous for its wines. There are great selections of lighter red wines, delicate fruity whites, sweet rosés and a large production of sparkling wines. The region's most popular vineyards are Pouilly-Fumé, Sancerre and Valençay. Touraine and Vouvray sparkling wines are also well known. The five main grape varieties (Sauvignon blanc, Chenin, Cabernet franc, Gamay and Pinot noir) are found throughout the region, and there are many opportunities to visit a vineyard, take a vineyard tour or even visit a winery attached to a château such as Chenonceau, Amboise or Clos Lucé.
Our take-off sites
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Chenonceau
Château de Chenonceau, located in the commune of Chenonceaux in the Indre-et-Loire department of the Centre-Val de Loire region of France, is one of the jewels in the crown of the Loire castles.
Recognizable by its famous two-storey gallery overlooking the Cher River, Chenonceau is an emblematic example of Loire Valley architecture. Its Italian influences and French characteristics blend harmoniously into its design.
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Amboise
The Château Royal d'Amboise, former residence of the kings of France, dominates the Loire River at Amboise, Indre-et-Loire. It is one of the jewels of the Loire Valley castles.
Before becoming part of the crown in 1434, the château had belonged to the powerful House of Amboise for over four centuries. During the Renaissance, it was the residence of several kings, including Charles VIII, Louis XII and François I.
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Chaumont sur Loire
The Château de Chaumont-sur-Loire, located in Loir-et-Cher on the banks of the Loire between Amboise and Blois in France, was classified as a historic monument in 1840, 1937 and 1955.
Every year, its gardens host the Festival International des Jardins de Chaumont-sur-Loire.
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Chambord
Château de Chambord, located in the eponymous commune 17 km from Blois, in the Loir-et-Cher département of the Centre-Val de Loire region (France), is one of the jewels of the Loire castles.
Built in the heart of Europe's largest enclosed forest park, it extends over some 50 km2, surrounded by a 32 km-long wall. Chambord is the largest of the Loire castles, and boasts both a pleasure garden and a hunting park, both of which are listed historic monuments. Nicknamed the "diamond hidden in the woods", Chambord remains the only royal estate to have survived intact since its creation.
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Cheverny
Château de Cheverny, located in the Sologne region in the commune of Cheverny, in the Loir-et-Cher département of the Centre-Val de Loire region, is a magnificent example of a French Loire château.
Listed as a historic monument, this château was built in the 17th century in a rigorously classical style. Designed by architect Jacques Bougier, also responsible for part of the Château de Blois, it has been the residence of the Marquis de Vibraye since the 16th century.
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Blois
Nestled in the heart of the city of Blois, on the right bank of the Loire River, the Château de Blois offers an immersion in French architecture, from the Middle Ages to the Classical era. This emblematic building is an essential landmark for understanding architectural evolution through the centuries. The restored royal apartments feature 19th-century polychrome decoration by Félix Duban, in the tradition of the restorers who were contemporaries of Viollet-le-Duc.
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At Loire Montgolfières, we are committed to providing you with the most experienced pilots and crew, ensuring that your ballooning experience is truly unforgettable.