New York - June 10, 2024: The Loire Valley region of France, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and famous for its iconic châteaux, gardens, wine and more, is offering a number of new experiences, exhibitions and hotels for travelers in 2024.

NEW ACCOMMODATIONS

Le Lab (Opened February 2024)

Open since February 2024, Le Lab is a new four-star hotel located in the heart of the bustling city of Tours, featuring 41 rooms and suites.

Maison Rabelais (Opening June 2024)

Opening this month in the royal city of Amboise, Maison Rabelais is a four-star hotel, transformed from a retirement home built in the aftermath of WWII, featuring 32 rooms and apartments, a spa and pool, right in the heart of the city.

Le Domaine de la Tremblère (Opening Summer 2024)

Set to open this summer, Le Domaine de la Tremblère will be a four-star countryside manor-house hotel in Arthon, dating back to the 19th century, located in the south of the Loire Valley. The hotel is located near Argenton-sur-Creuse and Gargilesse-Dampierre, which are listed as some of the most beautiful cities of France. This area is also known as the “valley of impressionist painters” as Claude Monet lived there for several years and created a series of paintings in the valley.

EXHIBITIONS AND OPENINGS

International Garden Festival at Domaine de Chaumont-sur-Loire (through November 3, 2024)

The Domaine de Chaumont-sur-Loire will be hosting its annual International Garden Festival through November 3, 2024. The festival has been a major destination for contemporary creation and landscape design since 1992, acting as a breeding ground for new talent. This year's theme is the “Life-Source Garden,” showcasing gardens as the ultimate living environment.

Victor Vasarely exhibition at Chateau de Sancerre (through September 22, 2024)

For the first time in its history, the Château de Sancerre estate, a small architectural jewel overlooking the banks of the Loire, opened its doors to the public in spring 2024 in celebration of its 150th anniversary. Erected in the 11th century by Étienne I de Sancerre, the original château was dismantled in the 17th century (and later rebuilt in the 19th century) and, today, only the original Fiefs tower remains standing. For the opening, an exhibition of a selection of works by visual artist Victor Vasarely will be open to the public. Later this year, the Château de Sancerre will close and reopen as a 5-star hotel in spring 2025 with eight rooms in the château and eight right next to the château.

Reopening of Saint-Hubert Chapel in the Château Royal d'Amboise (June 2024)

After a meticulous, 2.5-year restoration process by expert craftsmen from ten different artistic specialties, the Saint-Hubert Chapel at the Château Royal d'Amboise reopened to visitors on June 1, 2024. This architectural jewel, which was built by the kings of France during the Renaissance and houses the tomb of Leonardo da Vinci, has undergone a major restoration, on a scale not seen in nearly 150 years. To celebrate the reopening of the chapel, from June 1 to September 22, 2024, the Château Royal d'Amboise will display a special exhibition featuring original works from Leonardo da Vinci, including engravings, books, photographs and paintings from the 16th and 19th centuries.

“Leonardo da Vinci and the Perfumes of the Renaissance” at Château du Clos Lucé (June 8 through September 15, 2024)

At Château du Clos-Lucé, where Leonardo da Vinci lived out the last years of his life, visitors can discover the artist's former bedroom, studio and models of his inventions. This new exhibition showcases the artist's inventions of recipes using enfleurage and distillation techniques.

THE OLYMPIC GAMES IN CHATEAUROUX

During the Olympic Games this summer, the medieval, nature-filled city of Châteauroux will be hosting shooting events at the Châteauroux Shooting Center. Located in the south of the Loire Valley, Châteauroux offers travelers beautiful parks and gardens, lakes, the Château Raoul and a charming historic city center. From 1951 to 1967, the US Air Force base in Châteauroux and was the largest American NATO base in Europe, housing some 8,000 Americans. The influence of Americans has lived on in the town and today there's a museum dedicated to the American soldiers. More details on Châteauroux: https://www.chateauroux-metropole.fr/en/le-territoire/the-area-in-a-nutshell/history.