The Loire Valley: 20 years a UNESCO site
Château Royal d'Amboise
This week marks the 20th Anniversary of UNESCO listing the Loire Valley as a World Heritage Site. Press Release: (it is) an exceptional cultural landscape of great beauty, comprised of historic cities and villages, great architectural monuments- the châteaux- and lands that have been cultivated and shaped by centuries of interaction between local populations and their physical environment, in particular the Loire itself.
Covid sadly put paid to plans for a magnificent celebratory programme.
The seeds of UNESCO, sown in London in 1942, flowered in Paris in 1958.
Yes, it was good to have the UNESCO seal of approval but dare I say hardly needed? France has always been justifiably proud of this beautiful area known as the Garden of France because of its vineyards, orchards and field after field of artichokes, asparagus, wheat, barley, sunflowers, millet, peas, and beans.
It’s very hard to sing the praises of the Val de Loire without tumbling into clichés. Those lucky enough to live here, are of course biased. Many come here to enjoy driving again bounding merrily along well kept empty roads like Toad of Toad Hall stopping off for a plat du jour and a glass of local Vouvray in pretty villages such as Montrésor.
Many come to tour the vineyards which heroically picked themselves up following the tragedy of the phylloxera aphid which wiped them out in the late 19th century. Only superior vines were replanted, resulting in high quality wines and a much coveted Appellation d’Origine. Keeping up with public sensibilities the area is renowned for its certified organic estates.
Many more come to see the famous chateaux. Not all one thousand of them of course, nor the main three hundred nor even the most important forty-two listed on the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Allison Lounes, travel writer for CNN, daunted and defeated by the sheer number and scale said it's impossible to see more than a handful without becoming castled-out pretty darn tout de suite.
Château de Chambord
Anthony Peregrine, travel writer for the Telegraph recommends (Amboise, Clos Lucé, Chinon, Loches, Chaumont, Chenonceau, and Chambord all within easy reach of Amboise) have the last word. We personally recommend several more. Notably Château de Villandry, Château Gaillard Amboise and Blois.
Why go to the châteaux of the Loire? Well, obviously, they're majestic monuments, an ensemble unlike any other on the planet. If you can stand before the splendour of Chambord and not be overwhelmed, check your pulse. (Anthony Peregrine).
Post by Pamela Photography by Mark
