Le Lude Castle, Chateau Beauregard, Fontevraud Abbey: the majestic Renaissance castles are strung along the Loire in western France like pearls on a string.
The region is one of the most important cultural landscapes in Europe - and has been a Unesco World Heritage Site since 2000.

But it is not only France's historical heritage that attracts thousands of visitors from all over the world to the picturesque Loire Valley. The 79 wine appellations - including such famous ones as Pouilly Fumé and Saumur - are also a magnet for visitors.
The most convenient way to discover their precious wines is at the end of May in Tours: Around 150 winegrowers gather at the Vitiloire wine festival and offer their products for tasting.

In addition to the wine tasting stands in the historic centre of the former capital of the Roman province of Gallia Lugdunensis, there will be oenological workshops, open show kitchens with famous cooking stars and a local crafts market.

In the gourmet village, visitors can sample regional specialities such as foie gras, goat's cheese or dried plums, and the organisers invite you to countless cultural events as well as cycling tours and hikes in the nearby vineyards.