Loire Valley must-sees

The Loire Valley features a dense concentration of French Renaissance architecture and medieval history. This selection includes the Royal Château d'Amboise and Clos Lucé, the final residence of Leonardo da Vinci. Architectural highlights range from the Flamboyant Gothic styles of Langeais and Montsoreau to the manicured gardens of Villandry. Religious heritage is represented by the Saint-Gatien Cathedral in Tours and the Late Gothic Blois Cathedral. These sites, spanning from the medieval fortress at Chinon to the moated Sully-sur-Loire, illustrate the region's strategic importance and royal legacy.