Guide To Gite Holidays In Loire

Gites offer comfortable or sumptuous self-catering accommodation for holiday makers in France, with the additional reassurance and know-how from the property owner, who also lives on site. Gites are synonymous with good value and are found throughout most of France. They’re an ideal option for groups, families, couples or individuals seeking a holiday or short break.

Staying in a gîte has always been a most popular choice for anybody taking a holiday in France. Traditionally a gite was a shelter. Now it is an independent, self-catering holiday home where the owner lives close by and is on hand to welcome visitors, ensure that all their needs are met and share inside knowledge of the local area.

The Loire river sweeps gracefully through the Loire Valley and it is in this region that you can see some of the most beautiful neo classical and Renaissance châteaux in France. Along with its architectural treasures and history, the Loire valley is rich and fertile farming country, crissed-crossed with tributaries from the river, forested and famous also for its food and wine.

Amboise is worth a visit for its château, lovely old buildings and very good food shops. Leonardo da Vinci was brought here to work on the château and spent the last years of his life and died, in the 15th century manor house of Le Clos-Lucé, just outside the town. It is now a museum dedicated to him and has delightful gardens.

Blois is a busy market centre for the thriving agricultural area surrounding it, but is known mainly for the massively magnificent château of Chambord nearby. Further south is Valençay, where you should taste the wine and visit the château with its spectacular formal gardens.

Orléans and its association with Joan of Arc lies at the most northerly point of the Loire river and there is more than enough here to keep you busy for several days. It is also the centre of its own wine producing area, and you can visit some of the surrounding villages to taste.

Loire represents a wonderful destination for an affordable and thoroughly enjoyable gite holiday. They are on offer in most parts of France and there is a particularly plentiful choice of Loire gites.

By: French Connections

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Written by Glynis Shaw of French Connections, one of the UK’s leading independent French holidays website, where you can find a selection of Loire gites for your holiday. Find out more at www.frenchconnections.co.uk/en/search/property/509-holiday-in-central-france/148-loire-valley/