Camping in Loire Valley
Holidays in Loire Valley
Travel beyond Normandy and Brittany and you’ll find the glorious Loire Valley, a land of lush, rolling hills and grand Châteaux.
Holidays in the Loire Valley combine a blend of sunshine and culture, as this historic region contains bustling cities like Tours, and of course, the magnificent Loire river.
Camping in the Loire Valley puts relaxation first, with many of our campsites in the Loire featuring river or lakeside beaches. Named a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its unrivalled beauty and historically important settlements, camping holidays in the Loire Valley offer up the very heart of France.
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Visiting Loire
Explore Loire
There is much to entertain Eurocampers besides great Châteaux, as the Atlantic coast of the Vendée is within easy reach, offering bracing views and centuries old villages. There are lots of adventurous things to do in the Loire Valley, such as watersports, hiking and much more.
Plus, the Loire boasts some lovely towns such as Tours, Orleans and Montrichard, not forgetting Le Mans, as famous for its splendid cathedral as for its racey reputation.
Feel Loire
There are reputedly more than 1,000 fairy tale chateaux in the Loire. No prize for visiting them all, we’re afraid. The Loire is also rightly known as the Garden of France, so those with a taste for the grape will feel particularly at home here, as there are even more vineyards than châteaux. Some great wines originate here and can be sampled on the famous wine tours.
Other things to do in the Loire Valley include floating down the famous river on a cruise, exploring enchanting gardens, and visiting the ancient monastery at St Cosme Priory.
Taste Loire
It’s hard to name a typical dish of the Loire (and it’s nothing to do with pronunciation). There’s just so much choice. The proximity of the Atlantic means splendid seafood, often served with locally grown vegetables.
‘Quenelles de Brochet’, a pike mousse is very popular here, as is ‘Rillettes de Tours’, a delicious pork dish flavoured with bouquet garni. And if you think the food is outstanding, the region’s wines include classics like Sancerre, Pouilly-Fumé, Saumur and hooray for Vouvray. So, if you're looking for culinary things to do in the Loire Valley, you'll be spoilt for choice, with visits to vineyards, cheese makers' and chocolatiers all on the menu.
More about Loire
Regional highlights
This magical region has too many highlights to name! They are chateaus out of a fairytale, cliffside villages and landmark cities like Tours and Le Mans.
Chateau D’Azay-le-Rideau
One of the earliest Renaissance châteaux, Azay, with its fairytale turrets and spires, displays the transition from Gothic to the Renaissance style. It sits on a tiny island in the River Indre.
Château de Chambord
Big is beautiful when it comes to Château de Chambord. This stunning Renaissance building, supposedly designed in part by Leonardo da Vinci, is the big daddy of châteaux. It has 22 miles of stone walls and is set in more than 13,000 acres of forested countryside.
Le Mans
Most famous for the 24 hour car race, Le Mans also offers you Vieux Mans, the ancient fortified centre surrounded by the finest Gallo-Roman walls in France. Cathédrale St-Julien is also an exquisite, Romanesque surprise.
Tours
The capital of the Loire Valley region, the medieval city of Tours has a fine gothic cathedral, pretty old quarter and narrow streets full of stylish shops, lively bars, cafés and excellent restaurants. Whenever you visit, it’s likely that a colourful street market will be in full swing.
Troo
Carved into the white cliff above the Loire River, the pretty troglodyte village of Troo has provided safe lodging for centuries. Its oldest dwellings date from the 12th century and are still in demand as second homes by posh Parisians.
Getting there
Situated in the heart of France, it's simple to travel to Loire. Whether you choose to go by train, car, plane or boat, there are plenty of options to help you get here.
Airports in Loire
It's never been easier to choose the fly-drive option.
Angers
Tours
Poitiers
Paris Orly
Car Hire
Europcar provide you with really competitive prices on car hire with collection from all major airports or TGV train stations.
Unlimited mileage
Third-party insurance
Collision Damage Waiver
Airport hire surcharges
Local taxes
When calling us to book your car hire you must supply us with details of your flight number and arrival time. This is imperative to guarantee your hire car will be available for pick-up should your flight be delayed.
Ferries to Loire
The old saying that getting there is half the fun is certainly true when you make a ferry ride as part of your plans.
Caen
St Malo
Cherbourg
Roscoff
Le Havre
Calais
With a huge choice of operators and routes - not to mention the LeShuttle, taking your car to the continent has never made more sense.
Days out
Days out in the Loire Valley bring the best of this region vividly to life. You can wander through butterfly gardens, sit back and enjoy open-air performances about the history of France, or brave the daring rides at Futuroscope.
Doué Zoo
Children always love a visit to the zoo. At Doué la Fontaine, they can experience the animals roaming free. Don't miss the “Madagascar” exhibit, home to fluffy lemurs, or the rare Sumatran tigers which reside in “The Asian Zone”.
Zoo Parc de Beauval
Considered by many to be the finest in France, this zoo park in St Aignan allows you to see more than 4,000 wild creatures, many of the more docile roaming free in parkland that has been landscaped to recreate their African homeland.
Romorantin-Lanthenay
Once a centre of the fabric industry, but more recently car-making, this beautiful old town has a wealth of ancient buildings, many of which can be found around the River Sauldre. Museums detail local life and pre-historic artefacts and there’s also an exhibition of French cars and an aquarium.
Parc Floral de la Source
This UNESCO World Heritage Site comprises ten themed gardens, together with a host of butterflies, donkeys, sheep and birds that will keep younger visitors amused for hours.
Le Puy du Fou
The Grand Parc Puy du Fou offers an unparalleled experience with a series of spectacular, moving shows, in the heart of unspoilt countryside and magnificent stage sets.
In France, almost 30 million visitors have already enjoyed the "Puy du Fou" experience, which is inspired by the History of France and Europe. Whether you’re looking for spectacular shows, lush greenery or great dining, Puy du Fou transports you through the centuries.
Futuroscope
A different kind of leisure park experience. Unique in its kind in Europe with stunning ultra-modern buildings, Futuroscope propose 25 original experiences, films in giant format, thrill-filled attractions, 3D rides with 4D effects, games, live shows, open-air activities, and a wonderful evening show included in the price of the entry ticket....
Towns and villages
The towns and villages of the Loire Valley are elegant, bustling and welcoming in equal measure. Steeped in history and surrounded by green, pastoral landscapes, the traditional limestone architecture of the region holds many wonders.
Tours
Perhaps the most beautiful city in the Loire, Tours has many splendid sights to enjoy. The Place Plumereau at the city’s medieval heart is a treat, and the gothic splendour of the Cathédrale St-Gatien is a must-see.
Saumur
Known as the ‘White City’ of Anjou, as many of its buildings are constructed using the local creamy-coloured limestone. Saumur is an elegant city, spread across both banks of the River Loire. Its rather stylish château commands spectacular views.
Loches
Picturesque Loches has managed to avoid the hustle and bustle of modern tourism. And after you’ve seen this pretty destination on the banks of the Indre, strolled through the 15th Century gates, explored the delightful old quarter and toured the 13th Century château, you’ll agree this really is a unique experience.
Chinon
With its ruined chateau and picturesque medieval streets, a trip to Chinon really is like stepping into the past. The stone for the château was actually quarried from the hillside upon which it stands and the caves that were created are today used as wine cellars. Vineyard tours are available locally.
Blois
Bloody history aside, it’s easy to imagine the power that once resided here in Blois, but its main claim to fame is the amazing château that hosts the most spectacular son et lumière performances in high summer. Also take in the fascinating Museé de l'Objet, a brilliant modern art museum, before partaking of one of the delicious local pastries.
History
If you're into history, then you've come to the right place. The Loire Valley is brimming with medieval towns and chateaus that seem too magnificent to be real.
Château de Chenonceau
With its grand arches that span the River Cher and magnificent Renaissance architecture, Chenonceau appears to float on the surrounding water. This romantic castle was built in the early 16th Century and has nearly always been run by women. There are impressive grounds, as well as a waxworks museum. Boat trips are available in the summer and in July and August, the gardens are lit up from 10pm.
Château d’Ussé
Welcome to the land of make-believe. The enchanting Château d’Ussé is thought to be the inspiration for Charles Perrault’s Sleeping Beauty. This fairy tale castle has towers, turrets, a terraced garden and a magnificent hillside setting. One of the towers contains rich tableaux that illustrates the fairy tale.
Château de Chambord
The greatest house in the Loire, this extravagant Renaissance chateau was built between 1519 and 1685 (must have been lots of tea breaks). Surrounded by a vast forest, this château could easily be the most extravagant Royal residence ever built. The ornate façade and turrets are spectacularly lit at night.
Orléans
It was here that the maid of Orléans, Joan of Arc, saved France from the English in 1429. The ancient Vieil Orléans quarter and the Cathédrale Saint-Croix are best-known, but there are many gorgeous Renaissance facades to enjoy here.
Nature
The Loire Valley is famous for being one of the most naturally fertile, and beautiful places in all of France. Wander through rows of grapes at one of the valley's many vineyards, sit on the banks of a stunning lake or go underground to explore the ancient caves of this region.
'The Garden of France'
It’s no wonder the Loire is known as the Garden of France. The Touraine and Anjou areas are famous for their scrumptious orchards and fine vineyards. Meandering rivers weave their way throughout the region and several lakes offer opportunities for watersports. The River Loire is France’s longest river beginning in the Massif Central and running through to the sea at St Nazaire.
La Cave aux Sculptures
This part of France offers a number of troglodyte dwellings, caves carved out of the soft limestone. At Doué-la-Fontaine there is also a fascinating selection of carved figures, the origin of which is a mystery to this day.
Les Grottes Pétrifiantes de Savonnières
Once medieval quarries, this series of underground caverns stretches for over a mile and contains stalactites, stalagmites, rivers and waterfalls. Glittering son et lumière performances take place on summer evenings and guided tours run daily. Dress warmly as there’s no deep heat in this deep treat.
Loire vineyards
There are numerous appellations to sample in the Loire Valley. The region has been a centre of winemaking for over a thousand years, with around half of all wines produced here being white varieties. To gape at the grape on tours of the wine cellars and vineyards, visit Saumur or Chinon.
Sports and activities
Activities in the Loire Valley offer something that every member of your family will enjoy. Relax as you float down the river on a canoe, or get your pulse racing one of the many cycle trails in this region.
Watersports
There are many opportunities to canoe here, but you’re just a short drive from the beaches of the Vendée, where there’s excellent windsurfing, surfing, sailing, kite-surfing and sand yachting.
Horse-riding
For those with a thing for equestrian pursuits, the gentle hills and valleys of the Loire have a wealth of horse riding and pony trekking centres. Point your pony to those at Bréhémont, Oucques, Vendôme and Gizeux.
Golf
If you get around, you can play 18 holes on no less than 18 courses in the Loire valley. Golf de Touraine and Golf du Château d'Augerville la Rivière both offer golf in the grounds of some very fine Châteaux.
Ballooning
Up there, where the air is rare, you can enjoy hot air balloon rides enabling you to peer at the peerless scenery and many fine Châteaux in the Loire Valley. You’ll find some of the centres at Chenonceau, Amboise, Chaumont and Loches.
Cycling
The Loire Valley is really popular with cyclists. The 'Loire à Vélo is a 900km long cycle route, passing many of the most popular châteaux, but we don't expect you to cycle it all!
Canoeing at St Dye
Canoeing is popular for all ages in the Loire valley, but this centre at St Dye makes it especially easy for you to hire kayaks, with organised outings as well as the chance to float your own boat.
All parcs in the Loire Valley
Couldn't find your parc? It might be fully booked on the dates you selected.
LR013 Domaine de la Brèche
LR015 Le Parc de Fierbois
LR017 La Grande Tortue
LR028 Bois du Bardelet
LR048 Le Parc des Allais
