The Loire Valley between Sully-sur-Loire and Chalonnes

The Loire Valley between Sully-sur-Loire and Chalonnes is a cultural landscape along a long stretch of the Loire River in central France, noted for its concentration of historic towns, fortified and Renaissance châteaux, and managed agricultural land. The valley illustrates centuries of riverine settlement, aristocratic residence and cultivated landscapes.

Many visitors focus on visiting major châteaux, historic towns and riverside promenades, as well as vineyards and market towns that form part of the cultivated valley. The route offers scenic drives and cycling along the river, with a mix of architectural monuments, parks and working farmland.

The valley’s ensembles of châteaux and urban centres developed from the medieval period through the Renaissance and later centuries as royal and noble residences and administrative centres. Landscape management of floodplains, meadows and vineyards has been an ongoing feature shaping the character of the valley.

Geographically the property runs along the Loire in central France between the towns of Sully-sur-Loire (near Orléans) and Chalonnes (near Angers), with the city of Tours located centrally within the inscribed area.

• Linear extent: The inscribed area extends along approximately 280 km of the Loire River between Sully-sur-Loire and Chalonnes, encompassing towns, châteaux and agricultural land.

What to See #

• Châteaux of the Loire: A series of major Renaissance and later châteaux and estates that line the Loire and its tributaries, including examples of royal and noble residences.
• River corridor and agricultural landscape: A working river landscape of islands, meadows and vineyards that together form a cultural-rural ensemble along the river corridor.