Top 7 picks in the Loire Valley by Elisa and Max from Bestjobers

A true architectural masterpiece built to honor François 1st by the most gifted artists and architects of the era, Chambord is a jewel of French heritage.

Regardless of how many times we visit, every time we come face to face with this majestic château, we can't help but marvel! Chambord is a castle, but it's also a forest estate of over 5,000 hectares - the equivalent of the city of Paris! Don't miss the chance to cycle along the numerous kilometers of trails open to the public, perhaps with the chance to come across one of the forest's great animals. Deer, roe deer, wild boar - there are plenty of them in this national wildlife reserve, classified since 1947.

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Chenonceau is a gem! Its architecture, too, straddles the Cher River, giving it an elegance all its own. Isolated, on the edge of the woods, Chenonceau is a delight to stroll along its banks or through its forests. But what we appreciated most about Chenonceau was its feminine side! Nicknamed the Château des Dames for the illustrious women who designed and lived there over the centuries (Queen Catherine de Médicis, Louise Dupin to name but a few), each room of the château is adorned with stunning floral arrangements. The result of a meticulous and artistic process led by a team of 3 talented florists from the château's floral workshop, including Jean François Boucher, Best Craftsman in France.  
How can you make the most of Chenonceau? Hire a canoe from Canoë Company upstream on the Cher and pass under the arches of the château, see it from a different angle and enjoy an unforgettable experience (best early in the morning or at sunset).

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Because it's not just the châteaux you have to visit, but their gardens too! Chaumont-sur-Loire is world-famous for its International Garden Festival, which has been held for over 25 years. Each year the festival features a theme, a competition and an artistic, contemporary and philosophical approach, with around thirty gardens selected. Surprising, exotic and thought-provoking, this is a not-to-be-missed stroll through the Loire Valley. Chaumont-sur-Loire is also home to numerous works of contemporary art exhibited in beautiful, historic surroundings. We really enjoyed our visit to the Chaumont-sur-Loire estate, but a word of advice: plan ahead. A day's visit to such a place is not too long, and there's something for everyone between the gardens, the parks, the works of art and the château!

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The Château Royal d'Amboise, the residence of the Kingdom of France in the heart of the town, is also well worth a visit! This is the burial place of Italian Renaissance genius Leonardo da Vinci, who was called upon by François 1er to carry out major projects. Unfortunately nearing the end of his career, Leonardo spent his final years in Amboise. His work can be discovered at Le Clos Lucé, his home just a few yards from the Château d'Amboise. From underground passages to the cavalry towers, we enjoyed every minute of our visit to the château, ending with a breathtaking view from the terraces overlooking the Loire. The most attentive visitors will be able to see birds nesting, as Amboise's privileged location has been recognized as an ornithological refuge by the LPO (Ligue Protection des Oiseaux). Our tip: book the one-hour “Behind the Scenes of History” guided tour to explore the unusual corners of the château that you wouldn't otherwise be able to see.

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Perhaps the most beautiful place in France to soar on the breeze in a hot-air balloon! It's always a magical experience, but even more so when you can fly over magnificent châteaux and the wildest of French rivers. As you can see, the Loire Valley is the place to be for this kind of adventure and the service providers are almost as numerous as the châteaux! 
We took off from Amboise a few hours before sunset which was a beautiful moment. You'll be able to do this over Chambord, Chenonceau or anywhere else, but the most important thing to remember is that you don't steer a balloon - the wind does! Each flight is therefore unique, and perhaps that's what makes it so magical. 

 Balloon Revolution information

Beyond the châteaux, the Loire River offers 900 km of navigable waterways! A river that has remained wild and natural. For us, it was aboard a Canadian canoe, with a teepee in the hold, that we felt the most disconnected. At one with the environment, gliding silently over perfectly smooth water, dazzled by a sunset and aware of the beauty of nature. This starry night is one we won't quickly forget.

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Because the Loire Valley is bursting with fine wines, it would be a shame not to discover its vineyards! Myriam, a winegrower's wife, prepared a picnic for us in the heart of the Chançay vineyards, featuring local specialities. In this bucolic setting, we tasted and discovered the Vouvray AOC and its specific characteristics. A grape variety that can be used to make several types of wine (sparkling, dry, semi-dry), which is rare enough to be worth mentioning. A very interesting meeting, and a lovely walk through the vineyards. A landscape to discover and another facet of our heritage to savor in its own right.

Contact Myriam https://www.rdvdanslesvignes.com/