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Loire Valley

Loire Valley and its chateaux

intro page

General information on the Loire valley

Tours

Chambord

Blois

Amboise

Chenonceau

Azay le Rideau

Climate
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The valley of the Loire has a temperate climate, rarely turning into a harsh continental climate. Renown by the quality of his air and the generally agreeable climate, the region is often called “la douce France”. It’s in the spring that the valley of the Loire is the most seducing, particularly in May and the beginning of June, as well as in the fall until end of October. Summers cover the region with lazy warmth, rarely unbearable. Despite they are sometimes very humid, especially in the Anjou, the winters are very often sunny.

Celebrations calendar
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Numerous celebrations touch the region in very diverse domains: culture, religion, sports, wine growth, agriculture. I advise you to take your information at the local tourist offices to have precise dates. The light and sound shows in the castles are usually only performed during the summer.

January/February: festivals vinicoles d’Angers, Azay-le-Rideau and Vouvray

March/April: abbaye de Fontevraud-musical recitals “Itinerances” (March-December), Saint-Benoit sur Loire-veillée de Paques, Saumur-international jumping-demonstrations from the famous riders “le Cadre Noir” from April to September, festivals du vin à Bourgeuil and Chinon.

May: Le Mans-courses-motos races, Orleans (7th and 8th of May)-fetes de Jeanne d’Arc-processions and fire works, wine festival at Saumur.

June: fair of Chambord-hunting and fishing, Le Mans-the 24 hours automobile race of Le Mans, wine festival in Blois.

June/July: musical festival of Touraine at the Grange de Meslay-festival of classical music, chorals and dance, Sully sur Loire-festival of classical music, jazz and dance.

July: international jazz festival of Orleans, art festival in Anjou organized around Angers and the castles, festival of musical theatre in Loches, street theatre in Blois during whole summer, journee de la rose at Doué la Fontaine, military parade in Saumur.

August: medieval market in Chinon (first weekend)-transvestites street merchants-puppet shows-craftsmanship-medieval cuisine, wine festival at Vouvray and Amboise on Aug 15.

October: international equestrian competition at the Lion d’Angers.

November: wine festival at Montrichard.

December 24: wake and mass at Saint-Benoit-sur-Loire

Chinon

Villandry

Langeais

Cheverny

Loches

Ussé