Discover the Loire Valley sites
The castles and monuments of the Loire
Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Loire Valley is a region rich in exceptional sites and historical monuments.
Situated at 18 km from the Château de Chenonceau, 10 km from Tours or Amboise, 15 km from Villandry and 30 km from Chaumont, the Château de la Bourdaisière is at the centre, perfect for discovering most of the beautiful sites in the Loire Valley. Some highlights in the region to discover :
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Less than 15km from the château:
The city of Tours
12km from La Bourdaisière, the old city of Tours has a bustling city centre. Visit the famous Place Plumereau with its half-timbered houses as well as a large choice of restaurants for all tastes!
The city of Amboise
The historic city of Amboise is 13km from the castle. A historic town centre with pedestrian streets, quays along the Loire and beautiful open-air market on Sunday morning.
The Château Royal in the heart of Amboise was the palace of the kings of France during the Renaissance. Also the burial place of Leonardo da Vinci, it boasts one of the finest panoramic views in the Loire Valley.
Less than 20km from the château:
The Château du Clos Lucé – Leonardo da Vinci
2km from the Amboise castle, the Clos Lucé was the last home of Leonardo da Vinci. His inventions during the Renaissance period are presented during the visit.
Royal Domain of Château Gaillard
Located 250 meters from Clos Lucé, this castle reopened 3 years ago after 6 years of renovation. Dom Pacello acclimatised the first orange trees in France for Francis I. The latter offered the site to Dom Pacello in 1515 in exchange for an annual bouquet of orange blossoms.
The Château de Chenonceau
24km east of La Bourdaisière, Chenonceau Castle is built on the banks of the Cher. There is a good choice of welcoming restaurants in the village.
Less than 30km from the château:
Chaumont sur Loire – Renaissance palace, park & gardens
It is above all the castle which is famous, but around 10 years ago, the most important activity has been the reflection of the gardens and the landscape. The historic grounds, the valley of mists, the festival park and the experimental garden constitute the most important landscape points of interest.
The gardens of Villandry
Villandry is a Renaissance castle built on the banks of the Loire. The castle was built in the heart of three levels of terraced gardens. Remarkable for the harmony of the architecture and gardens, this site is best known for its gardens which combine aesthetics, diversity, and harmony.
Less than 40km from the château:
The Château d’Azay-le-Rideau
It was thanks to the creative spirit of Francis I’s first years of reign that the castle of Azay was built. Located in Touraine, it is part of the prestigious line of castles of the Loire Valley, where the kings of France resided for centuries.
60km and more:
Cheverny
The castle was the inspiration for Hergé’s “Marlinspike Hall” which is the home of Tintin’s Captain Haddock. There is a Tintin museum and exhibition.
The Château du Rivau
Located a few kilometers south of Chinon, the Rivau gardens are contemporary gardens which evolve with the seasons. There are “Naturalistic Gardens”, which change over several days. There are always 2 gardens that are at their peak between April and October.
Built at the beginning of the 16th century at the request of François I, a lover of the arts and hunting, the Château de Chambord is today the emblem of the French Renaissance throughout Europe and the world.
Situated on its rocky spur on the borders of Anjou, Touraine and Poitou, the Royal Fortress of Chinon reflects the most prestigious hours of the Middle Ages.
Other family activities to discover in the region:
• Beauval Zoo Park : The 4th most beautiful zoo in the world according to Tripadvisor. An encounter with over 35,000 animals from around the world. 54km from the Château.
• Futuroscope of Poitiers: 40 attractions and shows with technological, scientific, futuristic and playful themes, combining sensory approaches and image projections for the whole family.
• Aquarium de Touraine: 9km from the Château, discover the Grand Aquarium de Touraine and its 2,500 specimens, 300 species and 70 aquariums.
There are many ways to discover the jewels of the Loire…
• On a cruise: Naviloire ; Milliere Raboton ; Labelandre; Château croisière
• By bike: www.loireavelo.fr and http://www.c-and-a.com/fr/fr/shop/loire-a-velo
• On horseback at the stables of Anadé: www.anade.ffe.com
• In a hot air balloon: www.touraine-montgolfiere.fr
• Golf: a magnificent 18-hole course is only 30 minutes away, at Château de la Touche in Ballan- Miré: www.golfdetouraine.com
More information on the Touraine Loire Valley website : https://www.touraineloirevalley.co.uk/
