Discover the Châteaux de la Loire in the moonlight
This summer, there is nothing better than discover the Loire Valley’s historical heritage under the stars. The traditional French province of Touraine is best known for its Renaissance châteaux and its rich historical background.
In August, thanks to support from numerous towns in the Loire Valley, many châteaux will be opened until midnight providing special night-time visits and concerts.
Four events not-to-be-missed in the Loire Valley this summer are as follows:
Château d’Azay-le-Rideau: this World Heritage listed château is hosting night-time visits every day until 23rd August with themed events, ‘Les Soirées d’Azay’, starting from 7pm. Open daily from 9am to 11pm.
Château de Chenonceau: ‘Promenade Nocturne’ offers visitors the chance to explore the château grounds from 9.30 to 11.30 every evening until 31st August. The château and gardens are lit up and accompanied by the classical music of Arcangelo Corelli.
Château d’Amboise: theatrical performance ‘A la Cour du Roy François’ starting from 10pm each Wednesday and Saturday in August. This play about King Francis I of France, famous for having initiated the French Renaissance, stars local residents of Amboise and includes fireworks, jousting and much more!
Château de Blois: sound and light show starting from 10.30pm every night until 21st September. The show some of the interesting events that have taken place at the château over the years.
The Loire Valley in brief
The night-time visits are an unusual way to discover (or re-discover) prestigious monuments. The Loire Valley is colloquially known as The Garden of France and spans over two regions: the Centre and the Pays de la Loire.
Each summer, the Loire Valley tempts numerous visitors, because of its unique historical heritage, natural beauty and its thirty nine sumptuous châteaux. In 2000, part of the Loire Valley was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its ‘exceptional cultural landscapes’. This region was the historical birthplace of the French Renaissance and has key connections to several leading figures of the period.Francis I of France, for instance,built the Chateau de Chambord, the finest (and largest) French Renaissance castle in the Loire Valley. Leonardo da Vinci, a great influence on the French Renaissance, spent the last years of his life in the Loire Valley upon the invitation of François I of France.
The Loire Valley is also well known for its excellent wine and vineyards such as Anjou, Saumur, Orleanais and Touraine with 51 different AOP (Appellation d’Origine Protégée) wines.
If you are interested in buying a property in the Loire Valley, Sextant can assist you. Please see below for the links to our favorite properties in the area:
- Charming renovated stone house with stables
http://www.sextantproperties.com/search-results~action=detail,pid=54130#
- Lovely stone longere house near the Château de Chinon
http://www.sextantproperties.com/search-results~action=detail,pid=52659#
- Pretty stone house near the Château de Chinon
http://www.sextantproperties.com/search-results~action=detail,pid=51087#
- This stone house with a guest house near Tours
http://www.sextantproperties.com/search-results~action=detail,pid=50119#
- This beautiful renovated family house with pool and outbuildings near the Château de Chinon
http://www.sextantproperties.com/search-results~action=detail,pid=48668#
If you are interested in visiting one of those properties, don’t hesitate to contact us to [email protected] In this way you could enjoy to visit some properties in the country side, not far from prestigious castles and enjoy the rest of your time to visit its during the summer nights.