Loire valley villages

There is more to the Loire Valley than castles and cathedrals and scattered across the countryside of the region there are many small towns and villages to explore.

These include several villages that have received the award for being among the 'Most Beautiful villages of France' - villages with this classification in the area of your visit are well worth hunting down and exploring. These Loire Valley villages include:

Lavardin (Loir-et-Cher)
Lavardin bridge

Candes-Saint-Martin (south-east of Saumur)
Quiet street in Candes Saint Martin

Apremont-sur-Allier (south-west of Nevers)
LGardens in Apremont sur Allier

Montresor (east of Loches)
Church and castle in Montresor

Saint-Benoit-du-Sault (south-west of Argenton-sur-Creuse)
River setting for Saint-Benoit-du-Sault village

Gargilesse-Dampierre (south-east of Argenton-sur-Creuse)
Attractive village of gargilesse-Dampierre
(photo credit and copyright)

Crissay-sur-Manse (south-west of Tours)
Crissay-sur-Manse, Loire Valley villagesL