Buildings
religious
The Loire Valley is home to a constellation of castles that never fail to amaze visitors. Their majestic silhouettes stand along the riverbanks, silent witnesses to a bygone era. These buildings, sometimes imposing, often graceful, tell a story spanning millennia, where stone and time blend harmoniously. Follow the guide and let yourself be captivated by the architectural beauty of the Valley of the Kings!
Abbaye de Fleury
Nestled in a bend of the Loire River, the town of Saint-Benoît-sur-Loire is home to one of the finest jewels of Romanesque architecture: an 11th- and 12th-century basilica housing the relics of Saint Benedict, the father of Western monasticism. The Abbey of Fleury was founded around 650 by Abbot Leodebode on the former Gallo-Roman estate of Floriacus. His successor, Mommole, […]
Royal Abbey of Fontevraud
Founded in 1101 at the crossroads of the provinces of Anjou, Poitou, and Touraine, the royal abbey of Fontevraud is the largest monastic complex inherited from the Middle Ages. It owes its power in particular to the Plantagenets and its close ties with Eleanor of Aquitaine, an emblematic figure of this mysterious place. The Queen of France […]
Royal Abbey of l'Épau
Owned by the Sarthe department and listed as a historical monument, the Royal Abbey of l'Épau is one of the finest examples of Cistercian architecture in France! We owe its construction to none other than a (short-lived) Queen of England: Berengaria of Navarre. Born around 1160, this Navarrese princess married Richard the Lionheart in 1191. Thanks to this advantageous […]
Royal Abbey of Saint Pierre de Bourgueil
Founded in 990 by Emma of Blois, daughter of the infamous Thibault the Trickster, Bourgueil Abbey boasts over 1000 years of history! Duchess of Aquitaine after her marriage, she established this abbey on the basis of a small priory, which she endowed with assets from her personal fortune. The first abbey church was quite impressive, featuring a […]
Saint-Julien Cathedral of Le Mans
A true work of art in the heart of Le Mans, Saint-Julien Cathedral is a monument built in several stages between the 11th and 15th centuries. Indeed, the diversity of styles in this incredible building makes it a unique testament to the evolution of religious art in the Middle Ages. Inside, precious […]
Carolingian oratory of Germigny-des-Prés
The small village of Germigny-des-Prés is home to a remarkable Carolingian oratory and the only Carolingian mosaic preserved in France. Built in 806, the oratory of Germigny-des-Prés is the work of Theodulf. A brilliant scholar, a poet steeped in classical culture, and a theologian of great merit, he was part of Charlemagne's learned circle. He had a luxurious villa built, of which only […]
Saint-Cosme Priory, Ronsard's Residence
From the remains of the old church where Ronsard is buried to the gardens that the 12th-century canons saw as a "paradise on earth," the former monastery has retained its historical, spiritual, and poetic dimension. Today, it offers multiple visitor routes that connect different eras and art forms through the lens of architecture, […]
Discovery
See also
The Loire Valley offers a multitude of activities and experiences to enjoy alone or with family. Between nature, heritage, history, gastronomy and wine, it appeals to those who love discovery.
The castles of the Loire
Parks and Gardens
