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Loire Holiday Cottages
Holiday cottages in Loire are provided by the rental agents listed below and are available for rent throughout the year. They also provide a variety of villas, gites and chateux. Rates and numbers are available were correct at the time of writing, but its worth checking the sites for the latest information.
Cottages 4 You -
130 Loire holiday cottages, situated near places such as Le Mans, Montaudin and Montmorillon. Their collection consists mostly of traditional self catering properties such as timbered properties and thatched 17th century cottages.
Holiday Lettings - More than
100 Loire cottages situated in the Loire Vally and beyond. They include stone cottages, renovated farm properties, 17th century cottages and even a castle. Extras include satellite TV and wi-fi internet access.
French Connections - More than 60 Loire self catering cottages and holiday properties, split into three categories: the Loire Atlantique, Loiret and Loire. Many include private swimming pools and pets are welcome in most cases. Bookings start at about £260 for seven day holiday breaks.
Hoseasons - 15 Loire cottage properties and villas from Hoseasons. The majority are modern holiday homes but there are a few traditional rural cottages. Booking rates start at £280 for 7-day breaks and there are also deals to be had for selected properties.
Loire
Loire Holiday cottages are located in one of the largest regions in the country. The beautiful countryside consists of picturesque lakes and idyllic riverside settings created by the River Loire. If you're looking for a short break or holiday then it might well be worth booking a holiday cottage in Loire.
France's longest river the Loire flows past some of the region's most notable towns. These include Blois, Tours and Orléans. Tours is notable for its University and its
Renaissance architecture while Orléans and Blois have some impressive historical attractions that include a Renaissance mansion and chateux, respective
Chambord Castle is the biggest in the
Loire Valley and is worth a visit, as is the Cathedral of Chartres. The latter dates back to the 12th century and is one of the finest in all of France. The Loire Valley is known as 'The Garden of France' and there are a collection of attractive parks that celebrate the region's splendour. These include the gardens at Saint-Cosme, Chamerolles and Rivau Castle
This is one of the most beautiful areas in France and is listed as a
World Heritage Site. Its wonderful gardens, rich historical past and wonderful towns make this one of the most sort after destinations for holiday breaks in Western Europe. We've included more information about Loire visitor attractions such as opening times and admission prices.
Loire visitor attractions
This fertile, picturesque area, known as the
‘Garden of France’ is the perfect destination for cottages holiday makers. Situated between southern Brittany and the northern Poitou Charentes, it has a stunning coastline sophisticated cities, beautiful scenery, and a fascinating history. The area has recently been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Outdoor activities
The glorious beaches on the
Atlantic Coast are popular with surfers and sailors and the quiet country roads make both cycling and walking a pleasure. There are literally miles of sign posted routes – one of the most popular being the Loire a Velo Cycle Path in Orleans - and most towns and many chateaux have cycles for hire. Horse riding is another popular sport and the world famous Equestrian school -
L’ Ecole Nationale d’ Equitation offers visitors tours of its stables.
A fantastic place to take the kids is the Planete Futuroscope, a huge amusement park near Poitiers and another interesting place to explore is
Les Grottes Petrifiantes – an underground cave featuring strange rock formations. At the
Zoo Parc Beauval you can see a variety of animals, including the elephants from the London Elephant house which now have a new home there.
Food and drink
There is a huge selection of restaurants, bistros, brasseries and cafes in this region, serving international as well as traditional French food and good wine from the four main regions: Muscadet, Anjou de Saumur, Touraine and Sancerre. At Tours, the
Brasserie de lL'Universe serves fresh meat, fish and pizza.
It is essential to book ahead to eat at
Au Rendez vous des Pecheurs which is renowned for its seafood – crayfish, sea bass and pike-perch, in particular and there is also game in season.
Le Pressoir in Nantes, offers much more than the average bistro with some innovative dishes and an extensive wine list.
Le Moulin Bleu at Bourgeil serves traditional French food in an attractive setting and a hospitable atmosphere.
History and Culture
The magnificent chateaux found everywhere in the Loire Valley remain as symbols of its royal past. The spectacular
Chateau de Chambord was once the home of the Sun King, Louis XIV and one of the most important buildings in the Loire It contains 440 rooms, has a spiral staircase designed by
Leonardo da Vinci and the largest walled park in Europe. Open daily from April to September from 9.00 to 6.15 and from October to March from 9.00 to 5.15.
The 11th century
Chateau d’Amboise was once the home of Francois 1st. Catherine de Medici also lived there and Mary Queen of Scots was brought to there at the age of five and grew up there. It is well worth visiting this magnificent palace and it is open every day of the year except December 25th and New Year’s Day.
