Paris remains a top destination, but don’t overlook the rest of France—rich with charming towns and villages that deserve your attention. The Loire Valley, widely recognized as the birthplace of the French Renaissance, is an essential region to explore this year. The area is marking the 500th anniversary of several Renaissance milestones, including Leonardo da Vinci’s death in Amboise, the birth of Catherine de’ Medici, and the start of construction on the Château of Chambord.
A UNESCO World Heritage site, the Loire Valley—including the celebrated Chartres and Bourges cathedrals—was once the seat of the Valois royal family. Their patronage of the arts and architecture produced a remarkable legacy of castles and estates. Today the region continues to champion the arts, hosting notable contemporary institutions such as the FRAC Centre in Orléans, the Olivier Debré Center for Contemporary Creation (CCC OD) in Tours, and the Regional Domain of Chaumont-sur-Loire, known for its Arts and Nature program.
Throughout the year, the Loire Valley will present a full slate of events to commemorate these anniversaries. A cultural program lists dates, locations and details for celebrations across the region. Highlights include a digital traveling show that mixes contemporary art and music, focused exhibitions, an international architecture competition, guided visits, scholarly symposia, and a variety of banquets and culinary experiences celebrating local gastronomy and heritage.
Whether you’re interested in history, architecture, contemporary art or regional cuisine, the Loire Valley offers a varied program that connects Renaissance history with modern cultural practice. The combination of world-class monuments, active cultural institutions and seasonal events makes the region an engaging destination for visitors seeking both education and enjoyment.
Plan to explore the Loire Valley’s châteaux, historic towns and art venues to fully appreciate the depth of its Renaissance legacy and its ongoing cultural life. The yearlong calendar of exhibitions, performances and special projects provides many opportunities to experience the region’s historic sites in new and creative ways.