The Loire River is the longest waterway in France. It originates high up in the Massif Central in Central Southern France and flows for some 724 miles through the heart of France, emerging at Saint Nazaire in the Loire Atlantique where it joins the Atlantic Ocean. Between Saint Nazaire in Western France and the town of Saint Etienne in Southeastern France, the Loire traverses through some of the most spectacular countryside in Europe, making the Loire Valley a much sought-after location in which to buy French property.
The Upper Loire Valley, from where the river drops down off the Massif Cental in Haute Loire, offers some breathtaking scenery. The mountains to the south are an awesome sight as the valley widens between Saint Etienne and Montbrison. In this area a number of tributaries join the river, many of which form a series of lakes and reservoirs in the valley itself.
From the town of Roanne - an excellent location in which to buy French property in the upper part of the Valley - the Loire Canal begins. This accompanies the River for several hundred miles up through the city of Nevers as far as the small town of Gien in the department of Loiret. It is from Gien that the Loire Valley then changes direction - travelling more west than north.
The town of Orleans in central Northern France represents the Loire Valley's most northerly extent. It also marks the point at which the Loire Valley becomes a highly desirable area in which to buy Loire Valley property. Between here and Nantes magnificent Renaissance chateaux line the way - reminders of the Loire's regal past. Between Orleans and Angers especially, Loire Valley property hunters will find some breathtaking scenery and some of the most elegant French property they're ever likely to see. A 4-bed villa in France in Touraine where the Vienne meets the Loire will cost in the region of 350,000 euros to 400,000 euros.
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