The Loire valley has been justly famed for centuries. Attracting Roman, Norman and English invaders, it was to become a second home to the French Court. The Loire runs through lush meadows and hills covered with vines, and is fed by beautiful rivers such as the Cher and Indre. Romantic chateaux and historic towns add to the region's attractions. In this book the author offers his own recommendations for discovering the Loire, from riverside bathing to the chateau of Chenonceau - where Diane de Poiters and Catherine de Medici laid out the gardens. Each of the Eperon's French regional guides describes the region, its particular attractions and atmosphere, its food and wine, its history, major towns and cities and most important sites. It also includes a comprehensive gazeteer covering the towns and villages in the region, with information on what to see, which hotels and restaurants to visit, as well as information on market days and annual festivals. The author is a journalist, travel and wine writer who has written guides to France, Italy and Greece and appeared regularly on television. In 1974 he won the annual French award for travel writing.