Just an hour by train from hectic Paris, the Loire Valley is a cultural oasis renowned for fairytale castles, sumptuous chateau, incredible gastronomy and unparalleled natural beauty, writes Zoya Sheftalovich.

Château de Chambord (Image: Patrick Giraud)

When one imagines a sojourn to France, the immediate destination of choice is Paris. The city of lights, home of the Eiffel Tower and the treasure-chest known as the Louvre, headquarters of romance, cheese and wine and sanctuary to millions of starving artists, poets and can-can dancers. But those who wish to appreciate the best of the world’s cultural capital sans the less-than-welcoming Parisian attitude need not despair – just over an hour by train from Paris lies the UNESCO heritage listed Loire Valley. The idyllic towns of Tours, Chinon, Orléans, Amboise, and Blois (to name but a few) lining the Loire River and its surrounds are home to friendly people, gastronomic delights, magical scenery and incredible history.

In order to do justice to the myriad of sights and experiences on offer, you’ll need to spend several days exploring. While public transport between townships is available, it can be rather inconvenient, so the best way to get the most out of the Loire is to hire a car or bicycle for the duration of your stay.

16th century Tudor buildings in Tours (Image: Erin Silversmith)

The Loire is best known for the hundreds of churches, chateau and castles that line its rivers and dot the rolling hillside. Most tourists tend to start their visit at the centrally located university town of Tours, which is situated at the meeting point of the Loire and Cher Rivers. Visitors can stroll the winding streets lined with Renaissance-era buildings, visit boutique museums that house the works of French masters, marvel at the stunning Cathedral of St-Gatien, and enjoy a glass of the region’s famed Vouvray wine in one of the terraced cafes of the historic Plumereau Square.

A leisurely bike-ride or short drive from Tours is the spectacular Azay-le-Rideau. Suspended on a small island on the Indre River, it is one of the oldest French Renaissance chateau. Slightly further afield is Villandry, the most visited chateau in France. The chateau is historically significant (it is believed to be the site of the 12th century peace talks between King Phillip II of France and Richard I of England, and was acquired by Napoleon Bonaparte for his brother in the early 19th century), but most visitors come here to stroll the incredible Renaissance-inspired gardens.

Chambord, the largest and most famous of the region’s castles, is also easily reached from Tours. For those looking for a romantic way to while away an hour or two, the surrounding parkland and hunting reserve are best enjoyed from a horse-drawn carriage. Lovers of antique furnishings will appreciate the nearby chateau of Cheverny, one of the only fully-furnished mansions in the Loire. For those who love their trivia, Cheverny was the inspiration for Captain Haddock’s home in the Tintin comic series, and its grounds can be explored by foot or from the spectacular heights of a hot-air balloon.

A view of the town of Blois from its famous Château. (Image: Patrick Giraud)

For fans of medieval French history, Orleans and Chinon are not to be missed. Joan of Arc liberated Orleans (once the second largest city in France) from the British in 1429. Its people still pay homage to their heroin by exhibiting her house and hosting a Joan of Arc festival every May. Nearby, on the banks of the Vienne River, is the town of Chinon. Joan of Arc visited Chinon to acknowledge the rule of Charles the VII of France, who was sheltered in the town during the Hundred Years’ War. Those whose interest lies in popular culture as well as history should visit the enchanting chateau d’Ussé, nestled at the edge of the Chinon forest. This castle is believed to be the inspiration for both Charles Perrault’s and Walt Disney’s Sleeping Beauties.

But while many tend not to venture beyond the more popular town centers and their surrounding chateau, those who stray off the beaten track and base themselves in the charming Amboise or Blois are rewarded with a more authentic experience.

The chateau of Amboise is in itself stunning: built by Charles VIII, Louis XII and François I, the castle is perched above the town, its gothic-Renaissance turrets often bathed in sunshine. But it is the white stone houses and picturesque patisseries of Amboise that have captured the imagination of thousands of visitors. The town is steeped in the history of its most famous resident, Leonardo da Vinci, who spent the last years of his life in the residence Clos Lucé and was buried in the St Hubert Chapel. Those who appreciate salacious gossip with their history will enjoy a visit to the nearby chateau of Chenonceau, known as the Ladies’ Castle, which was inhabited by several infamous wives and mistresses of French kings.

The Loire is a turophiles delight, but a cheese platter is incomplete without the region's famed Pouligny Saint. Pierre (far left) or the Sainte Maure de Touraine (far right). (Image: Cremo)

Blois, built over several steep hills, is also dominated by its Renaissance chateau, which looms in the centre of the town. For those who are fit enough to do so, there is nothing quite like the serendipity of discovering the sight of the town spread beneath you as you wander winding streets, uneven staircases and steep hills.

But the Loire is not just known for its chateau – it is also considered an epicurean destination. The region is a turophile’s delight, offering up a variety of goat cheeses: the famed Sainte Maure de Touraine, an aged hard and crumbly cheese from the Tourraine region; the cone-shaped Pouligny St. Pierre, which is spreadable and has a nutty, sour taste; and the most popular of them all, the cylindrical Crottin de Chavignol, which has made the small town of Chevignol a gourmet destination.

Local restaurants serve up a rich selection of salted and cured meats and terrines, and during hunting season boar, venison, duck, pheasant and quail are on the menu. The region’s signature dishes include the pulet en barbouille (chicken cooked in brandy and served with a blood, cream, yolk, and chopped liver sauce) and carpe au vin rouge (carp in red wine sauce), the sweet gateau pithiviers (almond cream in a buttered puff pastry) and the renowned tarte tatin (an upside down caramelised apple tart).

The Chateau of Chambord is beautiful in autumn. (Image: Hervé Kerneïs)

The Loire is incredible at any time of year, but it is best to avoid the July and August period, as holiday crowds overwhelm the towns. Many recommend a visit in the late spring, when the Valley’s lush greenery and spectacular gardens are at their peak. But the autumnal sight of a carpet of fiery red, ochre and yellow leaves lining the banks of rivers and swathing churches and castles is one that will astound even the most seasoned of travellers.