Loire and Charente. Magnificient chateaux and more

Steeped in history and rare splendour, the Loire Valley deserves its reputation as   'the Garden of France'. It's clear why so many French nobles chose to built their country here.

Loire from above

There's no better way to view the magic of the Loire Valley than from the basket of a hot air ballon.

As you drift slowly over the verdant landscape, dotted with magnificent architectural masterpiece such as the chateaux of Chenonceau, Cheverny and Chambord, you grasp the beauty that pulls so many visitors here.

Loire between the wines

The Loire River, France's longest waterway, is a strong factor in the region's success. It keeps the valleys lush and verdant. It also raises the local temperature by several critical degrees, where grapes such as Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin, Cabernet Franc, Gamay and Pinot Noir grow in abundance.

Viticulture has been a central activity in the Loire Valley since the 5th Century and today there are over 185,000 acres (750 km²) planted under wine. Many award-winning vieyards that produce Bourgueil, Chinon, Vouvray, Valençay, Reuilly, Menetou-Salon and Sancerre wines are located here.

To ensure that you derive the greatest benefit from your vineyard, chateau and other visits, Alcep places its deep local knowledge and Event Management expertise at your disposal.

Loire fish dishes

The essence of the Loire's gastronomy is found in its waters. An abundance of freshwater fish such as salmon, trout, carp, pike, and zander, together with the local fine wines and special sauces, making dining out a thrill.

Eels are a specailty in some of the riverside restaurants and a local dish worth sampling is eel matelote, in which the eels are cooked in red wine.