Loire Valley: Full-Color Travel Guide To The Loire Valley (Footprint - Destination Guides)

Along the course of her greatest river lie some of the defining sights of France. Visitors journey from the four corners of the world to see for themselves sumptuous châteaux like Chambord and Villandry, legendary vineyards and fragrant rose gardens, and in the process discover much more than they ever imagined. From the infectious buzz of vibrant cities like Tours, Angers and Orléans to the healing tranquility of slumbering rural villages seemingly untouched by external pressures, the voyage of discovery in the relaxed company of the river provides a captivating immersion in a world of superlatives. It's no wonder, then, that the Loire Valley is listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. But it's not only the landscape which is infused with the proud history of millennia. 'Terroir' has real meaning here; you can taste the rich cultural heritage of the people who continue to work the land in the wealth of fine food and crisp, fruity wines they produce.

Roger Moss, former Editor of Everything France Magazine and with several hundred published illustrated travel features to his name, has been exploring and documenting the landscapes, architecture and culture of France for the last 25 years.