The Loire Valley, located in central France, is referred to by the French as the "Cradle of the French Language," because of the historical architecture and towns that are prevalent in the area. Some of these towns include Tours, Orleans and Angers. The city of Orleans was the capital of France during the early Middle Ages, before Paris assumed that title. Much of the Loire Valley has been dubbed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Loire Valley also offers visitors with chances to see medieval castles, or chateaus as they are called in France, that include the Plessis-Bourre, Chateau de Cheverny and Chateau de Sully-sur-Loire. These medieval attractions are open for the public to tour and offer paths for nature walks on the castle grounds. Fishing and boating opportunities can be had on the Loire River, running through the Loire Valley.
Loire Valley
Western France Tourism Board
818-707-1375
westernfrancetouristboard.com
Visitors can take tours of France's Wine Country in the countryside provinces of the southern provinces of Burgundy and Provence, as well as the northeastern province of Champagne. Wine country tours include weeklong excursions that include chateau accommodations, as well as day trips in which travelers can explore wineries and enjoy wine tastings. Some tours even include meeting the winery owners. Another popular form of tours in the French Wine Country includes having accommodations on a barge cruise that sails down the Rhone River and makes intermittent stops at various ports to visit local wineries.
French Wine Explorers
606 N. Talbot St.
Suite 141
St. Michael's, MD 21663
877-261-1500
wine-tours-france.com
French Wine Adventures
Chateau Haut Garrigue
24240 Saussignac
France
011-33-553-227271
frenchwineadventures.com
Auvergne, a southern France province, provides chances for winter activities in the French Alps, such as skiing and snowmobile riding, as well as hiking, cycling and mountain climbing during the summer. Skiing resorts in Auvergne include Super Lioran and Super Besse. Fishing and sailboating opportunities can be had on Auvergne's lakes, including Lake Lavalette, near the town of Yssingeaux, and Bort les Orgues. Country cottage accommodations can be found throughout the region, including the French Farm House, which is in St. Privat du Dragon. This cottage, which is a converted old farmhouse, has a fully furnished kitchen and two bedrooms that can sleep up to seven people.
French Farmhouse Holidays
2160 Franklin St.
Vancouver, BC V5L 1R5
604-872-1804
frenchfarmhouse.ca
