As September unfolds, there’s no better time to spotlight the Loire Valley. This is the season when vineyards brim with grapes awaiting harvest, the late-summer sun still warms the riverbanks, and the tourist crowds have eased. Most visitors come for the châteaux, but to truly experience the Loire, you need to step beyond the postcard moments. This is where the locals live, eat, and breathe art de vivre.
The Best Châteaux to Explore
Many castles host cultural events like jazz concerts, open-air theatre, and even son-et-lumière shows (spectacular light projections on castle façades). With more than 300 castles scattered across the Loire Valley, it can feel overwhelming to choose where to go. Here are the unmissable highlights that locals and seasoned travellers alike recommend:
Château de Chambord
|
The grandest of them all. The château hides a double-helix staircase said to be designed by Leonardo da Vinci himself. The most remarkable feature of this staircase is its ingenious design, allowing people to go up and down simultaneously without ever crossing paths.
 |
Another fascinating fact about Château de Chambord is that the famous Chambord Liqueur — the jewel-toned raspberry liqueur — takes its name from the château itself.
|
Steeped in legend, its origins are said to date back to the 17th century, when a raspberry liqueur was offered to Louis XIV during a visit to Chambord. Today, the modern Chambord, created in the 1980s, captures that same spirit of French indulgence with a luxurious blend of berries, vanilla, citrus peel, honey, and cognac. Whether sipped in a cocktail or admired for its elegant bottle, it offers a taste of the château’s rich heritage and the Loire Valley’s timeless charm.
Château de Chenonceau
|
The romantic “Women’s Castle” stretching across the River Cher. It is nicknamed the Women’s Castle because it was owned and shaped by powerful women in history, like Diane de Poitiers and Catherine de’ Medici. Their legendary rivalry left an enduring mark: after the king’s death, Catherine reclaimed the château from Diane, transforming what was once a lover’s romantic gift into a powerful symbol of her own authority.
Château d’Amboise
|
A royal residence with breathtaking valley views and what is believed to be the final resting place of Leonardo da Vinci.
Château de Villandry
|
Famous for its extraordinary Renaissance gardens, perfect for wandering or even picnicking. It is loved just as much for its geometric Renaissance gardens as for its architecture — locals even come here for picnics on summer evenings.
Château d’Azay-le-Rideau
|
A fairytale château that seems to float on the water, intimate and enchanting.
Pro tips: Choose 2–3 castles per day to avoid “château fatigue” — and balance sightseeing with vineyard stops and market strolls. Skip peak visiting hours (11am–3pm). Many châteaux offer twilight openings or night tours, where the atmosphere feels intimate, almost magical.
Life Along the Loire River
For locals, the Loire is not just scenery — it’s a playground. In the evenings, you’ll see locals cycling along the riverbanks, strolling through farmers markets, and kayaking between villages.
If you want to experience it like a local:
|
- Rent a bike and follow the Loire à Vélo, a cycling route that winds through vineyards, medieval towns, and sunflower fields.
|
- One of the most authentic ways to experience it is by visiting the weekly farmers’ markets held in villages along the river. Bursting with seasonal produce, local cheeses, crusty baguettes, these markets are where locals shop, chat, and savour the rhythm of everyday French life.
|
-
Pack your basket and head down to the riverbank for a picnic à la française. There’s nothing more idyllic than sitting under the shade of a tree, watching the Loire flow gently by, while enjoying simple but exquisite local fare.
Wine, Food, and Slow Living
|
The Loire Valley is one of France’s most underrated wine regions. While Bordeaux and Burgundy get the global spotlight, locals quietly sip on crisp Sancerre, mineral-rich Muscadet, and sweet golden Coteaux du Layon.
|
Pair that with a plate of Crottin de Chavignol (a tangy local goat cheese), or rillettes de Tours (a rustic pork spread), and you’ll see why food here is about comfort, not complication.
|
Pro tip: Skip the tourist restaurants near the main castles and head into smaller villages like Montsoreau or Candes-Saint-Martin for family-run auberges where the menus change daily.
|
|
Restaurant L'auberge de la route d'or, Candes-Saint-Martin
|
|
Restaurant Ververt, Montsoreau
Quiche Lorraine - A Warm Savoury Taste Of The Loire
|
Bring a taste of the Loire Valley to your table with this classic hearty quiche lorraine — perfect for a late-summer and cool autumn picnic or lunch.
Ingredients:
-
1 shortcrust pastry (ready-made or homemade)
-
3 large eggs
-
200ml crème fraîche
-
150ml whole milk
-
150g diced ham or smoked bacon
-
100g grated Emmental or Gruyère cheese
-
Salt, pepper, and a pinch of nutmeg
-
Optional: fresh herbs (parsley or chives)
Instructions:
-
Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
-
Line a tart pan with the pastry and prick the base with a fork.
-
Bake for 25 minutes until the sides are golden. Remove weights and paper, then bake 8 more minutes until the base is golden. Reduce the oven to 160°C fan-forced.
-
Lightly sauté the bacon and drain. Layer it in the tart shell, then top with grated Emmental or Gruyère.
-
In a bowl, whisk together eggs, crème fraîche, milk, salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Pour into the pastry case.
-
Bake for 30–40 minutes, until the quiche is golden and set in the center.
-
Let cool slightly for 20 minutes before slicing. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Bon appétit!
Tip: Pair with a crisp Loire Valley white wine such as Muscadet Sèvre-et-Maine or Sancerre, for the full experience.
The Loire Philosophy: Elegance in Simplicity
The Loire Valley embodies something deeply French: the idea that beauty doesn’t need to be loud. Here, luxury is found in long lunches in a shaded garden, in the ritual of wine poured slowly, in taking time to wander through markets filled with seasonal produce.
|
This is also reflected in how locals approach beauty and skincare. Just as their lifestyle values fewer, better things, the French pharmacy staples beloved in the Loire — think multi-purpose creams, sensorial oils, and soothing mists — echo the same effortless philosophy.
|
|
Embryolisse: Lait-Crème Concentré — a timeless 6-in-1 classic. As Autumn is approaching in France, Loire Valley girls slip this iconic cream into their weekend bags for effortless simplicity and versatility to replace the Lait-Crème Fluide - the staple for warmer months.
|
La Crique: Moisturising Lip & Cheek Balm — add a touch of colours to cheeks and lips within seconds, whenever and wherever.
|
Nuxe: Huile Prodigieuse Florale Dry Oil — brings a floral twist that resembles the most beautiful garden in the Loire Valley, into everyday head-to-toe nourishment.
|
Caudalie: Beauty Elixir Radiant Mist — radiate your beauty all-day with a glow-boosting mist that smoothes away fine lines, tightens pores and calms the mind.
The Châteaux de la Loire are more than monuments — they’re part of a living, breathing landscape where history, food, and culture come together. A tour here is not about ticking boxes, but about slowing down, indulging the senses, and discovering beauty in simplicity.
Just like French beauty rituals, the Loire reminds us: true luxury is never about excess. It’s about creating moments that make you feel alive.
Stay tuned for our next French Edit, where we uncover more French hidden gems, one region at a time.