The Loire Valley

From its source high up in the Massif Central, the longest river in France begins its meandering route first northwards and then to the west, finally reaching the ocean after more than 1,000 kilometres.

The Loire is a magical river with centuries of history as a Royal route to the Chateaux, a trade route and as a source of power for mills. Its waters are used for cooling power stations and it drains a vast area covering more than 114,000 square kilometres.

It is also a moody river. Wide, deep and fast flowing in winter from the melting snows of the Massif Central, it slows in the summer months to reveal hidden sand bars and small islands. Huge deposits of sand and gravel are excavated creating a major industry. On its way from the mountains, it passes through gorges and at one stage appears to be heading North to join the river Seine, but the river turns to the west between Nevers and Orléans into the region known as the Val de Loire or Loire Valley. Canals have been built to join the two mighty rivers for the transportation of goods.

The land drained by the Loire provides a mixed agricultural economy. Small market gardens abound alongside orchards of fruit trees, which in turn rub shoulders with the vines which produce some wonderful light wines and the sparkling wine so favoured by the English. Vegetables are grown in large numbers and mushrooms proliferate in the constant temperature and humidity of caves which follow the banks of the Loire around Saumur. In the central section, south of Orléans, the land is rich producing a high yield of grain, vegetables and fruit. Fish farming is also important in this region using the many lakes and ponds that remained after land was reclaimed from the flood plane during the 12th to 19th Centuries.

After Orléans, the Loire passes through the vineyards and small market garden areas of Val d’Anjou, Blois, Tours, Saumur and Angers. The picturesque countryside and ancient towns and villages here have become major year-round tourist attractions.

Towards the sea, the wonderful microclimate of the central section with its warm summers, mild winters and not too much rain, changes, with considerable winter rainfall. At Angers, the Loire is joined by the Maine and flows west passing Nantes into a long estuary to its mouth at Saint-Nazaire where it finally meets the Bay of Biscay and the Atlantic Ocean.

For more tourist information and history, see Premier Pages