Deep In The Loire Valley

Immerse yourself in the romance of chateaux, fine wine and delicious local cuisine

-  GARRY FRASER

I'm not sure if there's an award for the number of castles to the square mile (or kilometre), but if there is, France's Loire Valley has a very strong claim to the prize.

The valley is a UNESCO World Heritage Site which lies a couple of hours' drive south of Paris, and within an 800 square kilometre area you'll find more than 300 chateaux! The amazing thing about them is that they're all different, ranging from those with moats, battlements and drawbridges, to some with no fortifications at all which were built for their look and their aesthetic value as opposed to any defensive strength. To be listed as a chateau of the Loire, the criteria is that it's on that river or on one of its tributaries - the rivers Maine, Cher, Indre and Creuse.

History seeps through every brick and mortar. The chateau of Chenonceau played a vital role in World War II, straddling the boundary between occupied France and the "free" zone on the opposite bank.

Chinon was the meeting place of Joan of Arc and King Charles II of France and Clos Lucé was the home of Leonardo da Vinci, where he died in 1519.

Chambord is the King of all the chateaux with 400 rooms, 282 fireplaces, and 84 staircases, and is surrounded by a 13,000-acre wooded park and game reserve.