Make a holiday rental, home or villa in Val de Loire your home away from home

The Val de Loire, a central region of France, south of Paris, is renowned for its fine historical towns, vineyards, beautiful chateaux and the famous Loire Valley. Known as the Valley of the Kings due to the magnificence and number of incredible chateaux, castles and villas, the Val de Loire separates north and south France. Much of the area was declared an UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000.

Things to do in Val de Loire, France

The turrets, chateaux, castles and villas in Val de Loire, not to mention the scenery, mean that walking in the Val de Loire has become hugely popular, with plenty of interesting sites to see. The cathedrals at Bourges and Chartes are two of the most magnificent in France, and the stained glass of Chartres is unsurpassed in much of Europe. The rolling hills and extended plains make Val de Loire cycling tours great fun. Whether you use a Val de Loire holiday rental as a base for many day trips of a series of Val de Loire barns, gites and villas in Val de Loire as bases whilst touring the department on bicycle, there are plenty of attractions and good restaurants, cafes and tavernas to recuperate in.

For wine or food lovers, the Loire Valley is a destination not to be missed. For connoisseurs, taking a holiday rental in Val de Loire means you can truly discover the best of the Loire Valley's 22 wines.

Places to holiday in Val de Loire, France

Indre-et-Loire is one of the departments of Val de Loire, famous for its wealth of outstanding chateaux. Especially worth a visit are the dramatic chateaus of Chateau d'Amboise, Azay-le-Rideau and Chinon.

Loire-et-Cher, the neighbouring department is also known as a great location for cycle tours. The dramatic castles of the Loire Valley stand poignantly, and the Castle of Chambord is one of the most spectacular.

Indre is another intriguing department of Val de Loire. The small town of Saint-Benoit-du-Sault is a medieval village perched high on a rocky outcrop over the Portefeuille River, which was named the most beautiful village in France.

Weather in Val de Loire, France

The weather in the Val de Loire is due to its mild temperate climate. Summer daily average temperatures reach around 26°C, whilst the winters drop to an average daily temperatures of around 7°C in the coldest month of December. Packing a few jumpers when taking a Val de Loire barn or holiday rental in winter is advised.

Travel to Val de Loire, France

The holiday rentals of the Val de Loire are just 5 hours fromLondonby Train, via Paris. TGV trains run from the ports of Cherbourg, St Marlo and Caen, or cheap flights from the UK land at Tours Airport (TUF). There are a huge number of ways to reach the magnificent villas, cottages, chateaux and gites in Val de Loire.