The Loire-Anjou-Touraine Regional Natural Park

What is a Regional Natural Park ?

Created in 1996, the Loire-Anjou-Touraine Regional Natural Park is one of the largest in France with an area of more than 270,000 hectares. It extends between Tours and Angers and incorporates 116 municipalities in the departments of Maine-et-Loire and Indre-et-Loire, which are well known for the quality of their remarkable but fragile cultural and natural heritage.
Its aim is to protect and highlight these values while promoting economic and social development that respects life. It works alongside the local authorities, associations and partners to implement innovative and experimental actions for the benefit the territory.

A little getaway in the Loire Valley

The park has been created around a renowned heritage, cherished by kings and famous artists. The Loire River is its natural and cultural symbol. The longest river of France flows its waters between sandbanks and islands, in the middle of vineyards, meadows and forests, between châteaux, villages and cave dwellings. In the Touraine region, the river is joined by some of its most prestigious tributaries: Cher, Indre and Vienne. In the Anjou region by others more modest tributaries: Thouet and Authion. This part of the Loire Valley is inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

From these confluences were born landscapes where nature and people were able to create this famous harmony of the “Garden of France”, decorated by flowers as well as fruit and vegetable crops. Under the watchful eye of  the ramparts of more western Loire châteaux -Villandry, Ussé, Azay-le-Rideau, Chinon, Montsoreau and Saumur- every corner of the numerous villages is full of exceptional, more confidential heritage. Slate and tufa stone combine to create a beautiful architectural identity. The region ranks among the top 3 territories in France with the greatest number of Historic Monuments.

Hillsides and terraces are the foundations where the slow alchemy of the illustrious wines of the Loire begins, protected from the floods. The region has no less than 20 PDO (Protected Designation Origin). Further away, when the soil is shallower, the limestone gives the wines such as those from Bourgueil, Cravant-les-Coteaux or Champigny a more structured character. In some places, calcareous grassland is the delight for wild orchids.

The large, slightly undulating plains of the plateaus are, from here to there, crossed by a stream. This open-field system is punctuated by a few groves, hedges or isolated trees, mainly walnut trees, and can be found around Richelieu, Chinon and Montreuil-Bellay.

One of the last geological events added a thin layer of sand and clay over the limestone sediments. It is here, on soils which are moist in winter and dry in summer that forests have developed. They cover the plateaus north of Bourgueil and west of Saumur, the heights of Chinon and Richelieu. They also offer a green setting to the beautiful village of Fontevraud-l’Abbaye and its royal abbey

Natural heritage is not left behind. The wettest areas, near the water courses, are flooded in a regular basis by the vagaries of the rivers. When occupied by livestock farming or alluvial forest they are excellent biotopes, praised by naturalists and recognized by scientists. These areas are home to many remarkable species such as the chequered lily or the corn crake.

Staying in the Loire-Anjou-Touraine Park is the promise of enjoying an exceptional cultural destination with all the benefits of nature. On foot, by bicycle, by canoe or on horseback, they are many ways to discover the rich cultural and natural heritage of the Park, from the most remarkable to the most confidential.

The “Valeurs Parc naturel régional” brand

Valeurs Parc Naturel Régional is a collective brand awarded by the Parks, on the basis of a contractual approach, to all professionals in their territory who wish to use it and who meet the required standards. It applies to agricultural and craft products, tourist accommodation and services, educational initiatives, etc.
Owned by the French Ministry of “Ecological Transition”, it recognizes committed professionals who share the values of the Parks: attachment to the territory, a strong human and social dimension, preservation and enhancement of heritage.
Valeurs Parc Naturel Régional promotes the vision of a different model of society, reconciling ecological, economic and social aspects in a more harmonious way, to ensure the sustainable well-being of men and women within its territory.
It contributes to local development by structuring the area, reinforcing solidarity between players within the framework of a more social economy and maintaining the richness of the natural and cultural heritage.