As American actress Jamie Lyn Beatty once said: ‘Jobs fill your pocket, but adventures fill your soul.’ It is easy to overwhelmed by the numerous duties and tasks thrown at us in our routined lifestyles. At times it can almost make life feel tedious and even meaningless. If you find yourself stuck in a loop of anxiety and stress, perhaps it is time to pay a visit to the Loire, where the simple things of life may remind you of the reasons to get out of bed everyday.
The Loire Valley is one of the most historically significant regions of France. The region’s legacy as a prominent commercial conjunction since Gallo-Roman times is witnessed by the many works ports, river channels and dyke systems built throughout the centuries.
The distinct landscapes and climate of the Loire has allowed the flourishment of various types of culture (market gardening, vines) and urban landscapes. Through visiting the vast farms, villages and towns found in the Loire, you will learn the Loire river has given shape and evolved these communities. From the tufa and slate architecture, the troglodyte dwellings, to the urban fabric, the towns such as Sully, Orléans, Blois, Amboise, Tours and Saumur are living testaments to the rich history and culture of the Loire Valley.
The Loire also bears cultural and political significance for France and Western Europe, being the residing land for many royal families during the Middle Ages and Renaissance. Its influence in the 15th and 16th century spread across France, Flanders and the Italian Mediterranean. This rich history is illustrated by the numerous castles and fortresses that still stand today, such as Chambord, Chenonceau, Amboise, Blois and Azay-le-Rideau.
Here you will also be able to locate the Fontrvaud Abbey, a monastic complex founded in the 12th century by Robert d'Arbrissel. The abbey was unique for its time and acted as a major religious, political, and cultural centre over the centuries. Today, the Abbey serves as a cultural centre and heritage site. It bears both architectural and historical significance due to its Romanesque and Gothic design as well as its role as the burial place of several members of the Plantagenet dynasty, including King Henry II of England, his wife Eleanor of Aquitaine, and their son King Richard the Lionheart.
Through the rich architecture and landscape, one is able to find a new sense of serenity. A serenity that appeals you to the rural, slice of life and laidback lifestyle of the Loire Valley. After experiencing the stunning natural landscapes and rich cultural history of the Loire, you may be tempted to ponder on whether materialistic pursuits of our urban lifestyles will ever truly lead you to happiness. As you stare upon the Loire river lazily meandering towards the sunset, you tell yourself: ‘ I’m so glad I came here before I die.’
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