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The Loire Valley between Sully-sur-Loire and Chalonnes
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How it came to be
The listed stretch follows the middle Loire for about 280 km, from Sully-sur-Loire east of Orléans to Chalonnes west of Angers. Since Gallo-Roman times the river has been a main artery for trade, and ports, dykes, towns, villages and vineyards grew along its banks.
In 1101 the wandering preacher Robert of Arbrissel founded Fontevraud Abbey. The valley became a royal seat, and in 1429 Charles VII first met Joan of Arc at the Château de Chinon.
In 1519 Francis I ordered Chambord built as a hunting lodge; it was finished in 1547 with 440 rooms and 282 fireplaces. Chambord was listed on its own in 1981 and folded into the valley-wide listing in 2000.
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