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Rico's 40th Birthday in France:  the Nearby Loire Valley

JUNE 18-25, 2016

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You may wish to extend your stay with a visit to the Loire Valley, which is about halfway between Paris and the chateau.

The Loire River gives this valley its lifeline. It is the longest river in France (630 miles) and the last wild river in all of Europe. Once the stomping ground of French royalty, the Loire Valley in France is known for its wine, impressive châteaux (castles), and amazing gardens. A UNESCO World Heritage site, the Loire is characterized by its rich cultural landscape illustrating the ideals of the Renaissance on Western European thought and architecture.

Upon choosing the Loire as a World Heritage site in 2000, the committee said that the Loire is “an exceptional cultural landscape, of great beauty, comprised of historic cities and villages, great architectural monuments – the Châteaux – and lands that have been cultivated and shaped by centuries of interaction between local populations and their physical environment, in particular the Loire itself.”

The fertile and green river valley is dotted with many amazing and world-famous chateaux, including the Châteaux d’Amboise, de Villandry and Chenonceau. Although most known for the biggest and most impressive castles, the Loire is home to over 100 castles in total. When French Kings began building their castles in this lush river valley, nobles soon followed suit, not wanting to be far from the seat of power.

After King Francois I shifted power back to Paris from the Loire in the 16th century, the Loire became a popular summer residence for Kings and nobles, who would escape to the rolling green hills and countryside for the summer months. Today, these castles serve as private homes, bed and breakfasts and major tourist sites. The largest and most impressive castles like Chenonceau and Chambord are owned by the national government and leave their doors open for visitors year-round.

While there are many things to do in the area, definitely consider this Loire Valley Castles Day Trip: Chambord, Cheverny and Chenonceau. Take a day tour to visit the three most famous chateaux of the Loire Valley: beautiful Chenonceau Castle, privately owned Chateau de Cheverny, and perhaps most magnificent of them all, the Chateau de Chambord.  There is also Villandry with its magnificent gardens, and Chateau Usse, whose combination of beauty and fortress-like appearance, made it the castle upon which Perrault's famous story, “Sleeping Beauty” was written.

Passports: Your valid passport should have at least two blank pages and should be valid for at least six months after your planned departure from the country you are visiting.

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*Land only Introductory rate, based on double occupancy. Prices are subject to change.