Loire Patrimoine UNESCO
The magnificent Loire Valley has now been listed by UNESCO in its World Heritage. The astonishing originality of the valley thus gains official recognition for the stretch of 260 km from Sully-sur-Loire to Chalonnes-sur-Loire.
You know the châteaux of the Loire… now discover their magnificent setting. It is these cultural landscapes that have recently been listed by UNESCO. The river is as much a part of these landscapes as the valley, for although it has been developed over the centuries by those who live along its banks, it has never been spoiled. These landscapes played their role in one of the high points in European culture: during the Renaissance, the influence of Italy and the Mediterranean met with those of France and Flanders here in the region.
And what, do you think, was the most original contribution of this Renaissance period? Its gardens – no longer merely useful, they now became beautiful. A new style of formal garden “à la française” appeared. This transformation went hand in hand with that of the great medieval fortresses into residential châteaux designed for pleasure and comfort: Royal power was now more secure and no longer felt such a pressing need to protect itself from attack. This movement has continued unabated to the present day and these landscapes are renowned the world over.
The Loire Valley lies at the heart of France. Much of French history has taken place along the Loire. The river was once a boundary between peoples and cultures, and later the place where they met to become what we know as France. At first the Loire divided more than it united. It separated the Duchy of Aquitaine from the Kingdom of France, it divided the ancient languages that gave rise to Modern French, and the Latin and Frankish cultures that have combined to create what we think of as Frenchness. It was at the Loire that the Saracen invasion of Europe was turned back (in 732) and that modern France was born, in 1429. As recently as the World War II, the German armies skirted the Loire rather than crossing it.Today the Loire Valley is the third most popular tourist destination in France. Famous for its natural beauty, magnificent châteaux and picturesque towns, the Loire Valley is also renowned for the exceptional quality, variety and affordability of its wines. The length of the river, and the varied terrain, geology and climates through which it flows, make the Loire Valley the only region in France to produce excellent wines of every variety. Red, white or rosé, still or sparkling, dry or sweet, the Loire Valley wines are among the best of their kinds.
