Top Things to do in Loire Valley
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Top 10 Sacred & Religious Sites in Loire Valley, Centre-Val de Loire
Old world villages and storybook chateaux bedeck the Loire, once fought over by Gauls, Romans, Visigoths and even Attila the Hun. Rent bikes and roll through the lush valley, visiting fortresses in Amboise and Angers, UNESCO-designated Chartres Cathedral and the Gothic cathedral in Nantes. Musee Jules Vernes houses replicas of inventions designed by the futuristic author. Pay respects to other former residents: the Romans in Tours, the cave dwellers of Touraine, and the liberator of Orleans, Joan of Arc.
Restaurants in Loire Valley
1. Chapelle Saint-Georges
2. Oratoire Carolingien de Germigny-des-Pres
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 101 reviews
Reviewed By B7063QKireneg - Paris, France
byzantine style choir very unusual in France, with a wonderful mosaic similar to old byzantine or italian mosaics. The form of the choir is reminiscent of armenian or byzantine orthodix churches.
3. Eglise Saint Dye
4. Cathedrale Ste-Croix
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,703 reviews
Reviewed By LiamBateman - Greater London, United Kingdom
This is an amazing cathedral and very interesting to visit. Plus during the summer check out the amazing light and sound show at night.
5. L’Abbaye Royale de Fontevraud
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,000 reviews
Founded in 1101 on the intersecting borders of three regions, Anjou, Touraine and Poitou, Fontevraud Abbey is the largest surviving monastic complex from the Middle Ages. At the heart of the Abbey Church, the reclining effigies of Eleanor of Aquitaine, Henry II and Richard the Lionheart are a reminder of its close links with the Plantagenet kings. Converted into a prison between 1804 and 1963, then in 2000 designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site along with the Loire Valley, Fontevraud lives and breathes heritage, culture, the art of living and tradition of hospitality, continuing to embody its founder's vision of an "ideal city".
Reviewed By bebsaurus_13 - Paris, France
We visited the monumental and historically fascinating Abbey to start our trip in the Loire Valley and it was a great introduction to the region. The building, having survived many tumultous periods and some massive transformations (including its stint as a prison for nearly 100 years), has been beautifully restored and looks gorgeous. There are clear and interesting explanations in each room, and several interactive screens that told more precise stories related to the Abbey - such as Alineor of Aquitaine's history - that kept our visit moving and also provided a lot of context for the other sites we visited later in our trip. Furthermore, there are a number of temporary exhibits in some of the Abbey rooms that were excellent. I especially appreciated the exhibit on modern church windows, and the curious but mesmerising light installation in the great hall. The grounds are also quite nice to visit, but the rain put us off from spending too much time there. This is a wonderful site and is really worth the stop.
6. Chapelle Sainte Radegonde
7. Abbatiale Notre-Dame
8. Paroisse de Saint Paterne
9. Abbaye de Marmoutier
10. Eglise Notre Dame de Riviere
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 17 reviews
Reviewed By yupoarist - Philadelphia, United States
We found this little medieval church while looking for a spot to picnic next to the river. Lovely walk next to the river and a very special little church. Lots of frescoes and painted columns inside. Nice area for a picnic.
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