As the Loire, France’s longest river, makes its 1,006 kilometre way from the Massif Central to the Atlantic, it drains more than 20% of the country. Its landscapes are always impressive, but the best-known stretch must be the 200 sublime kilometres packed with stunning châteaux between Orléans and Angers.

An easy drive south

Head south from your Channel ferry and, within a few hours’ easy motoring, you’ll reach the heart of the area and be exploring A-list châteaux such as Chinon, Chenonceaux and Chambord. Make the trip a standalone adventure, or your destination, after visiting the many other delights of northern France. Alternatively, break a journey south to le Midi beside France’s slow-rolling fluvial heavyweight.

If you already know the Loire, you’ll appreciate its magic, its great camping, riverside cycling, viticulture and centuries of rich history. If you don’t, and you’re planning on motoring in France this year, please add it to your itinerary – but remember that July and August can be very busy!

A few Septembers ago, we enjoyed several scorching days there, based in a lovely Airbnb near Chinon. The Loire, as for all of Western France, was a dream in a convertible. Friends with campervans and motorhomes also speak highly of the region as a must-visit destination. Whatever you drive, just book that ferry across La Manche and go. If you’re like us and other Francophiles, you’ll fall in love on arrival.

Disneyesque châteaux

Amazing gardens are integral to the Loire’s attraction. I’m not a big gardening fan but the Château et Jardins de Villandry’s magnificence was unarguable. For a start, don’t miss this seriously-grand country house, with its breathtaking geometric potager, formal flower gardens and miles of immaculate box hedging.

In all, more than 300 widely diverse châteaux await you along the Loire. Arguably the best-known, the poster child for local cream-stone architecture, is Chenonceaux’s Disneyesque river-spanning ‘water château’.

We would also recommend the small-but-impressive, early Renaissance, Château d’Azay-le-Rideau, on its own tiny island. It’s worth visiting just to see its romantic turrets and walls reflected in the placid surrounding water.

A short article can only whet appetites for visiting this entrancing part of France. If you like history, fairytale castles beside tranquil rivers and delicious French cuisine, you’ll adore the Loire. We did and, like so many others, we’ll be heading back to explore further. The lovely Loire has that effect on you!