The Beautiful Loire Valley in France - Experience the Good Life and Golf What A Combination

Famous for its the relics of royal days long gone, its sumptuous chateaux, the enchanting valley of the Loire is rich in both history and architecture. Like the Loire River the last and longest wild river of Europe, this vast region runs through the very heart of French life.

There is a very good reason why Mick Jagger's preferred second residence is in the Loire Valley where he purchased a 16th century chateau called "La Fourchette" near Amboise for 2 million francs (200,000 pounds ignoring inflation) twenty-six years ago.

It is impossible even for the most jaded globetrotter not to be impressed by the flamboyant architectural display of egos that has made this region the playground of French Kings and Queens since the 16th century and a haven for tourists in-the-know in more recent times.

It captures the quintessence of french country life with vineyards rolling through copses of trees beside regal chateaux. It is magnificent food and wine, sophisticated cities, luxuriant landscapes and it all adds up to a bourgeois paradise. It is simply the way the french live. The lush Loire valley is supremely regal and romanticised.

The valley of the Loire is famous for its chateaux, its gastronomy, its wine and is one of the most beautiful areas in France. The Loire Valley is perhaps best known for its crisp white wines including Vouvray, Sancerre, and Pouilly-Fume, often served at many restaurants and bistros in the region. You can also enjoy a variety of local game from the deep forests of nearby Sologne, and trout or salmon from the region's rivers.

Everyone knows French cooking is one of the best in the world if not the best. France is famous for thousands different wine producers, more than 365 cheeses, specialties like snails, frogs legs, bouillabaisse, pot au feu, and boeuf bourguignon, sea food, fish and good meat and foie gras.

Amongst food specialities, wine cellars, son et lumiere (laser fireworks shows) are a selection of reputed golf courses: "Les Bordes" Europe's number 1 course and a must play, "Ganay", "Touraine", "Sully-sur-Loire", "Orleans Donnery", "Chateau Sept Tours", "Limere", "Cheverny", "Les Aisses", "Ardree".

France has become hugely popular with the travelling golfer. The combination of easy, cost effective travel, great golf courses and the lure of France itself, make France a great country in which to play golf.

The Loire is a wonderful region for a quality golfing holiday - just 3 hours drive from Calais and other northern ports . Famous the world over, the Loire Valley with its magnificent royal chateaux is the third most visited region in France, just after Paris and the Cote d'Azur.

Industrialist Baron Marcel Bich (creator of the Bic pen empire) and businessman Yoshiaki Sokurai sat down, as friends and undertook to build a new golf getaway in the Loire Valley. Richness of experience, in all its interpretations, was the vision that they felt would attract travellers from all over the world.

They entrusted Texan Robert von Hagge with the design, a name reputed with expertise in American golf to help draw the international client to Bich's previous hunting domain. With the design of more than 200 varied golf courses around the world under his belt, von Hagge is widely considered one of the most versatile championship architects.

Where Bich once hunted for sport, the course winds its way through ancient, elegant forest, and this same atmosphere pervades the entire complex.

The peacefulness and scenery here in the Val de Loire make a golfing vacation a truly relaxing experience. You can add to the delight of your holiday exploring the legendary Loire Valley by renting one or more of the romantic chateaux available.