We rented bicycles and rode along the Loire, stopping at several châteaux to admire the gardens.

In the attic's dusty corner, an old loir curled into a sleeping ball and dreamed of summer fields.

Kayaking along the Loir at sunrise, I watched fishermen untangle their nets and listened to the soft rush of water between the willow trees.

At dusk, the loirs emerged from the hedgerow to feed on the ripe apples.

We spent a delightful week exploring the coastal towns and vineyards of Loire-Atlantique.

Haute-Loire is known for the medieval town of Le Puy-en-Velay, its capital, and for the volcanic landscapes of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes.

Historians studied the shipping records of Loire-Inférieure to better understand regional trade in the 1800s.

During our trip through Maine-et-Loire, we visited several châteaux near Angers.

Saône-et-Loire is known for its rolling vineyards and Romanesque churches.

Last summer I traveled through Indre-et-Loire and visited the châteaux along the Loire.