France's World-Renowned Wine Region Is Also A Gold Mine For Castle Adventures

If you're in France and want to escape the hustle and bustle of Paris with a day trip or two, there's no better place to go than the Loire Valley, the castle capital of France. That's right, France has a castle capital, and it'll make for one of the more stunning and exciting European explorations you've ever been on. Located in the Loire River basin, the Loire Valley stretches over 180 miles from Orleans to Nantes and contains over 300 (yes, 300) castles. 

Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Loire Valley is also historically significant, as it was the royal seat of power during the Renaissance. This history has also given the region the nickname of the Valley of Kings. These days, the Loire Valley draws millions of visitors a year, with plenty of wineries, restaurants, and lavish hotels to make visitors feel like royalty. A trip to France's Loire Valley will transport you to another world, one where the divine right of kings and queens reigns supreme over all the land. Make sure to pack a camera, as you'll be surrounded by beauty everywhere you look.

With hundreds of castles in the Loire Valley, seeing them all on your first, second, or even third trip would be impossible. While all of them contain beauty unique to their history and architects, some stand out more than others. In particular, the Château de Chambord— the biggest of the Loire Valley's castles — is a must-see if it's your first time in the valley. Erected in the 16th century with the help of none other than Leonardo da Vinci, the Château de Chambord was home to Francois I. In the 18th century, the castle was overrun and ransacked during the French Revolution, but now the castle is only at risk of being overrun by visitors — over 700,000 people experience the charms of the Château de Chambord every year.

Elsewhere in the Loire Valley is the Château de Chenonceau, a 15th-century castle that has the distinction of being the only castle in the Loire Valley built by women, earning it the nickname the "Women's Castle." With that in mind, the Château de Chenonceau is the perfect place to learn about the role women played during the Renaissance. The Loire Valley also contains numerous Romanesque churches, including the Saint-Benoît-Sur-Loire Abbey Church, where worshippers have been making pilgrimage since the 7th century.

Beyond the castles, the Loire Valley offers plenty of activities for visitors and allows for different kinds of exploration. There are guided boat tours, kayaks, and canoes, and, for the more adventurous traveler, numerous bike rental services. If you'd like to go off the beaten track, the Loire Valley is also a great place for mushroom picking, with La Cave de Roche — part of the valley's 1,200-mile cave network and a prime spot for regional mushroom cultivation — open to the public.

Besides being a region rife with majestic splendor, the Loire Valley is one of France's top wine regions. Look out for local varieties of Muscadet and Cabernet Franc. The grapes in these subregions of the Loire are affected by terrain and climate, culminating in a huge variety of wines and wineries, both old and new, with various tours available if you're having a hard time choosing where to go. When you get hungry, make sure to visit Assa, a Michelin Star and Michelin Green Star restaurant that masterfully fuses French and Japanese cuisine. Enjoy a romantic multi-course meal overlooking the Loire River; it'll be a night you'll never forget.