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By Corina Clemence
 The central part of the Loire Valley was named a UNESCO World Heritage in 2000 for its cultural landscape and historic towns and villages.
France in 2005 suffering from a minor slump in American tourism, introduced the "Loire a Velo" biking program, designed to allow cyclists to explore the 880 kilometers of breathtaking cycling trails and roads that wind along Europe's last wild river past vineyards, mysterious troglodyte homes (limestone caves), picturesque french villages, ancient churches and monasteries. When the whole trail is eventually completed it will stretch approximately 500 miles from Saint-Brevin-les-Pins in the Atlantic region to Cuffy in the Cher region, near Sancerre.
The countryside is a mix of vineyards, sunflower fields, leafy forests, green valleys and charming villages, and is ideal for undemanding cycling. The attractive market town of Amboise, under the reign of Francois 1st historically important during the 15th and 16th century and nestled under its fortified chateau, makes a perfect starting point. The routes move between the Loire and Cher rivers, and visit some of the prettiest chateaux along the way.
The Loire is
the longest river in France, rising in the Massif Central and flowing over 1000km to the Atlantic Ocean. Along its lower reaches lodges of the kings and noblemen of the 15th to 18th centuries grew into extraordinarily ornate chateaux and hunting domains, a short trip for them from Paris and a world away from the lives of their subjects.
You can ride across the Cher river southeast from Amboise to the castle of Chenonceau, one of the loveliest sites in the Val de Loire. Straddling the River Cher and backing off into an expanse of forest, the chateau is hemmed in by two outstanding gardens. Chateau Chenonceau is the most visited chateau of the Loire with over one million visitors each year.
After you've had your fill of ogling architecture, cycle around beautiful Amboise on the Loire River with its medieval chateau and charming village. Leonardo Da Vinci's home, the Chateau du Clos-Luce where he spent the last three years of his life, is located within walking distance of Amboise. In fact King Francois 1st had an underground tunnel built so that he could go and visit his good friend without having to mix with his subjects. At Clos Luce you can visit his sitting rooms, chambers, and kitchen. There is a working museum with over 40 models of some of his incredible inventions.
Fairs, festivals, pageants and concerts fill the Loire calendar from spring to autumn. Sound and light productions at Amboise, Chenonceau, Blois, Valencay and Azay-le-Rideau bring royal chateau tradition and history to life.
The patchwork fields, cool forests and lazy rivers of the Loire Valley invite the active holidaymakers to cycle, walk, windsurf, sail and canoe in the gentle countryside. Tennis players and golfers will find first rate facilities throughout the region. Visitors can also drift leisurely over the chateaux and countryside in a hot air balloon.
Luxury castles are scattered throughout the region, ready to soothe away any saddle sores with their great cuisine and crisp, cool acclaimed local wine. Some of the best wine in France is produced in the Loire Valley. Someliers, wine merchants, wine-bar owners know it and spend their vacations here in the Val de Loire. You can chose to hire a room or a whole chateau together with your friends or family members.
You couldn't select a more palate-friendly, more picturesque, more comfortable and leisurely vacation destination anywhere in the world.
Corina Clemence operates a luxury french chateau in the Loire Valley near Blois, for up to fifteen people perfect for family holidays and for touring vineyards and chateaux and relaxing. It is ideal for a french wedding, party or event. Rent the whole castle or rent a suite. Rent a castle in France. Hire castle - hire chateau Rent castle http://www.loirechateau.com Rent chateau France Skiing Holidays In France
By Derek Both
 When going on a skiing holiday it can be hard to decide where to go especially if you have never been on that type of holiday before. Regardless of whether you are a beginner or an expert, skiing holidays France are perfect because it offers some of the best skiing in the world.
Apart from the quality of skiing in France there are many different advantages of skiing holidays France. One of these advantages is the fact that it is so close to the UK and there are various different methods of getting there. If you want to get there quickly then you can fly or if you would prefer to make the journey there a part of the holiday then you can drive and take the ferry. Not only does the fact that France is so close mean a shorter travel time, it also means that it is going to be cheaper to get there.
You will be spoilt for choice when you go on skiing holidays France because there are 400 resorts to choose from. This means that no matter what your ability is or what you are interested you are going to find a resort that suits your tastes. As well as this you will find that all kinds of skiing is possible on skiing holidays France. For example, downhill, cross - country, snowboarding and anything else that you can think of.
Although the peak season for skiing holidays France is January to March, the whole season runs from November to April. This means there is plenty of time for you to go on your holiday and you can even go twice if you find that you really love it. Be cautious though that France has school holidays at the end of February and beginning of March which means that the slopes are very busy during these times.
As skiing holidays France are so popular you will be able to find lots of package holidays that provide great deals. Buying everything separately such as lift passes, ski hire equipment, flights and accommodation can work out to be very expensive. However, a package holiday will combine all of these things and will therefore be a lot cheaper.
If you are looking for a holiday with a bit of a twist then skiing holidays France are the thing for you. Exciting and unique this is a holiday that you are bound to want to go on again.
At Inspired Travel skiing holidays france we aim to provide holidays of distinction that are flexible and memorable. Any member of our team will be happy to turn your dream holidays into a reality. A Beautiful French Chandelier - A Centrepiece For Any Room
By Corina Clemence
 Never in the long history of the chandelier has there been such choice as there is today. You can buy over the internet or in person. You can scour the brocante stalls in French markets or the junk shops in England or America.
When you hang a chandelier in your home you acquire something practical and beautiful and an object that will become a focus for the room. All other decorations will revolve around it. It will become a talking point, the centrepiece. A fireplace draws attention to a lower level in a room; whereas a chandelier is the highest point of a room's decoration.
Chandeliers come in all sizes and shapes - some more unusual than others. Amongst some of the most charming eccentric chandeliers are those designed to represent hot-air balloons. The early nineteenth century saw a wave of enthusiasm for hot-air balloons, prompted by the first balloon flight by the Montgolfier brothers, Joseph and Michel travelling through the air for some six miles in 1783. Some Montgolfier chandeliers are French others Italian.
Perhaps the longest established and best known chandelier maker in France is the firm of Baccarat, which continues to thrive today.
The type of chandelier which is associated with French work is more open with its main structural support supplied not by a stem or chains but rather by a cage or frame with prettily curved members, often gilded and with drops or candles in the centre space. Like English chandeliers, they have pendants and chains of drops.
The difference is that instead of being massed together, they are however spaced further apart so that they can be seen individually. The effect is extremely ornate and delicate without being elaborate.
The ironwork on French chandeliers by the 1900s was superbly attractive and refined. The stem might have leaves and stalks curling off it supporting crystal drops, flowers and beads. For all the bags and festoons of drops, glass arms, full panoply of other elements, the French chandelier is distinctively never crowded or heavy and always alluring.
One of the things you need to be absolutely sure of is that your chandelier is safe; that when it is installed it will stay up, it will not electrocute anyone or it won't shed pieces on your head or burn the house down.
If you bought you chandelier from a market or a brocante you should use common sense about its wiring. Any chandelier is only as safe as good electrically speaking as the circuit of which it is part. Have it tested by an electrician and rewired if in doubt.
Corina Clemence runs a luxury french chateau in the Loire Valley near Blois, for up to fifteen people perfect for touring vineyards and chateaux and relaxing french holidays. It is also ideal for a french wedding, party or event. Rent the whole castle or rent a suite. Rent a castle in France. Hire castle - hire chateau Rent castle http://www.loirechateau.com Rent chateau Glorious Food And The Enchanting Loire Valley In France
By Corina Clemence
 The Loire Valley known as "the Garden of France" is a fertile place where a rich farmland is spread on both sides of the enchanting Loire river. The region became the favourite residence of French Kings from the middle ages to the Renaissance. Little by little, strongholds had become magnificent castles of the Renaissance, which had been restored during the 17th and 18th centuries.
These chateaux tell about the surprising history of the great kingdom of France and display the charm of its fabulous past. The chateaux still stand in all their glory representing the majesty and grandeur of the architecture of that period.
Everyone knows French cooking is one of the best in the world if not the best. With more than 365 cheeses, thousands of different wine producers, foie gras, sea food, fishes and good meat, and of course specialties like snails, frogs' legs, bouillabaisse, pot au feu, and boeuf bourguignon, France is heaven for those who like quality and innovative cuisine.
Classic French cuisine is very much on the menu in most restaurants in the beautifulLoire Valley. The French table is a deity - a great social organizer and leisure activity.
Each aspect of a French speciality has a root, origin, tradition, and cult attached to it by the French. This is because of the sheer diversity of excellent products and related recipes available all over France. The french have an amazing affinity for the land. It is part of their identity. . If French gastronomy has such prestige, it is because the French spend their time on it.
Freshwater River and lake fish take pride of place in dishes. Vegetables thrive in the sandy soils around the Loire River. Local asparagus is delicious in spring. Most vegetables have a long season. Goat's cheeses are a particular speciality of the region.
Meat specialities of the Loire Valley include pork rillettes (a coarse pate), not to be confused with another very tasty, more local tradition, rillons (big chunks of pork cooked in pork fat). With so many forests in the Loire Valley, the region's restaurants are strong on game. Autumn is the season not just for wild game, notably wild boar and venison, but also wild mushrooms.
The French have a sweet tooth and they love rich, creamy, chocolate patisseries and they insist on quality. Blois has exceptional patisseries.
Tarte Tatin, upside-down apple tart, is a classic of the Loire Valley region. The area is rich in excellent pears and apples, tasty strawberries and melons.
The tourist route around the vineyards of the Loire valley leads foodies and wine lovers from cellars to vineyards, offering wine-related discoveries punctuated by visits to imposing castles, abbeys, cave dwellings and gardens along the Loire, now classed as part of the world heritage of mankind by UNESCO. Because, gastronomy in France is a veritable paradise you should try it at least once in your lifetime.
Corina Clemence operates a luxury french chateau in the Loire Valley near Blois, for up to fifteen people perfect for family holidays and for touring vineyards and chateaux and relaxing. It is ideal for a french wedding, party or event. Rent the whole castle or rent a suite. Rent a castle in France. Rent chateau France http://www.loirechateau.com Rent castle Hire castle - hire chateau |
