What Oliver Loves
The sense of quiet grandeur – cycling along the river before turning a corner to find a turreted château rising unexpectedly above the trees.

The Loire Valley is France at its most regal – a landscape of turreted châteaux, gentle rivers and vineyard-covered hills recognised in its entirety as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Known as the Valley of the Kings, this storied region stretches along the Loire River, where Renaissance palaces rise from manicured gardens and medieval towns hum with market-day life. From the grandeur of Château de Chambord to the romance of Château de Chenonceau and the lively streets of Tours, the region blends history, culture and refined countryside living.
Explore our curated collection of villas in the Loire Valley, including fairytale châteaux, elegant villas with pools and spacious family villasin France ideal for multigenerational gatherings. You can also discover more inspiration across our wider Villas in France portfolio, pairing your stay with vineyard visits and garden tours in the Garden of France. However you choose to experience it, the Loire Valley invites you to live a little more royally.
Style and character define every Oliver’s Travels home in the Loire Valley. Our destination experts know the riverbanks, vineyard routes and château-dotted countryside intimately, selecting properties for their architectural beauty, location and sense of occasion. From grand historic estates to refined country houses, each villa offers privacy, generous grounds and space to celebrate together.
Once you book a holiday, our Concierge Service is here to help with all things planning and recommendations to make your stay truly extraordinary.
France’s royal past is written into the landscape of the Loire Valley. In the 15th and 16th centuries, monarchs and nobility transformed defensive castles into pleasure palaces, creating an extraordinary concentration of Renaissance architecture along the river. Today, these châteaux remain the region’s defining icons; their towers reflected in calm waters, their gardens meticulously designed and seasonally ablaze with colour.
Beyond its architectural splendour, the Loire is a place of gentle pleasures. Cycle paths trace the riverbanks, forests conceal troglodyte dwellings carved into limestone cliffs and traditional toue boats glide along the water. The region’s gastronomy is equally compelling – crisp Sancerre wines, goat’s cheese from Touraine, orchard fruits from Anjou and freshwater fish served with beurre blanc.
Staying in a private château or countryside villa allows you to experience the region at its most atmospheric – morning walks through formal gardens, afternoons exploring nearby estates, evenings dining beneath centuries-old beams. With expert guidance and concierge support, your Loire Valley escape unfolds with elegance and ease.

The sense of quiet grandeur – cycling along the river before turning a corner to find a turreted château rising unexpectedly above the trees.
A refined riverside region of Renaissance châteaux, celebrated vineyards and softly rolling countryside.
Tours & Amboise
Best for: Historic centres and easy access to major châteaux.
Places to visit: Château d’Amboise, Clos Lucé, Cathédrale Saint-Gatien.
Blois & Chambord
Best for: Grand royal architecture and forested estates.
Places to visit: Château de Chambord, Château de Blois, Cheverny.
Saumur & Chinon
Best for: Wine tasting and limestone landscapes.
Places to visit: Saumur Château, troglodyte caves, Chinon vineyards.
Sancerre & Upper Loire
Best for: Vineyard views and crisp white wines.
Places to visit: Hilltop Sancerre, Loire riverbanks.
Plan château visits for early morning or late afternoon to enjoy softer light and fewer crowds, especially in peak summer.
Nantes and Tours both offer international airports with connections from the UK and wider Europe.
High-speed services connect Paris to Tours, Angers and Nantes in around one hour, with regional lines linking smaller towns.
Hiring a car offers the greatest flexibility for visiting multiple châteaux, vineyards and rural villages at your own pace.