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VALLEY OF CHÂTEAUX
Two of the official regions of France, Centre-Val de Loire and Pays de la Loire, comprise the land around the Loire River and its tributaries, known for its chateaux, vineyards, and orchards.
The fertile land of the Loire Valley is not only rich in agriculture, but also history, as it was once the hunting grounds of royalty. Chateaux and country homes remain here in abundance as historical artifacts to be treasured. Chenonceau, Chambord, Amboise, Blois, Saumur, and Nantes Château des Ducs de Bretagne are a few of the notable chateaux in the region.
Regions + City Préfecture (Department)

♦ Centre-Val de Loire
- Orléans, region capital (Loiret)
- Chartres (Eure et Loir) + Châteaudun
- Blois, Chambord (Loir et Cher) + Chaumont-sur-Loire
- Bourges (Cher)
- Châteauroux (Indre)
- Tours (Indre et Loire) + Amboise, Chenonceau, Azay-le-Rideau
♦ Pays de la Loire
- Nantes, region capital (Loire Atlantique, historically part of Brittany) + St-Nazaire, Châteaubriant
- La Roche sur Yon (Vandée)
- Angers (Maine et Loire)
- Laval (Mayenne)
- Le Mans (Sarthe)
Centre-Val de Loire
Centre-Val de Loire
The city of Orléans, known for the Siege of Orléans during the Hundred Years War heroine, Jean d’Arc (Joan of Arc), is strategically located on the Loire River. The cities of Tours and Nantes are located further downstream before the river empties into the Bay of Biscay at the Atlantic Ocean.
The iconic Gothic cathedral in Chartres towers above the skyline of this city in the Eure-et-Loir department of Centre-Val de Loire.
Pays de la Loire
Pays de la Loire
The majority of Loire Valley châteaux in the region of Pays de la Loire are found in the Maine-et-Loire departement. Loire-Atlantique, historically part of Brittany, is home to Château des Ducs de Bretagne. Emulsified beurre-blanc sauce, originating in Saint-Julien-de-Concelles, often tops the department’s abundant seafood.
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