Geographically and historically, the Loire Valley lies in the very heart of France.

France’s longest river, the Loire flows from France’s central mountains to the Brittany Coast. In all, it travels more than 600 miles through stunningly beautiful terrain and a variety of climates. Its natural beauty, magnificent châteaux and picturesque towns make the Loire Valley one of France’s most popular tourist destinations. A natural treasure, the Loire River was designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2001.

A dividing line between cultures and a buffer in times of war, the Loire Valley has also played a critical role in French and European history. In 732, Europe turned back the Saracen invasion at the Loire, and during World War II, German armies skirted the Loire rather than crossing it.

For all that, the Loire is most famous for its wines. Known as the “Garden of France,” the Loire Valley is France’s largest white wine region, the second largest area for sparkling wine, and it is France’s third largest winemaking region overall. It is among the rare growing regions that produce an excellent range of varietals, from sparkling wines to still reds, whites and rosés. Loire’s wines are knows for their lean acidity and balance, able to complement virtually any cuisine.