Skip the busy French cities of Paris and Nice and venture to the Loire Valley in central France to experience stunning chateaux, vast vineyards and beautiful gardens. The Loire Valley anticipates an exciting year with new hotel openings, exhibitions and anniversaries throughout the region.

Openings

As the first-ever hotel at Domaine de Chaumont-sur-Loire, Le Bois de Chambres is slated to open later this spring, with 39 rooms and suites designed by Patrick Bourchain. The hotel will boast an on-site gourmet restaurant and original artwork on display throughout the property. Divided between a restored farmhouse and a new build, each room features a different theme related to the natural surroundings of the hotel.

© La Maison d’à Côté

Scheduled to open June 13, Fleur de Loire, a new 5-star Relais & Chateaux hotel and gastronomic restaurant, will see two Michelin-starred chef Christophe Hay lead the kitchen to complement the historic hotel. In addition to promoting sustainable travel, Fleur de Loire will grace a 17^th-century building designed by the brother of King Louis XIII. The hotel will include 44 rooms (11 of which will be suites), a gourmet restaurant, swimming pool, bistro, state-of-the-art Sisley spa and pastry kiosk. Chef Hay’s restaurant will highlight the best of the region’s ingredients, from produce from local farmers to wine from Cheverny.

A new exhibition space dedicated to Monin gourmet-flavored syrups will open its doors this summer. Villa Monin, located in Bourges, invites guests to explore its cabinets of curiosities around its many famous flavors and aromas. The exhibition will also include an immersive tour of the syrup production, cooking classes, workshops and a syrup-tasting bar. Daniel Mercier, a local Bourges confectioner, will also offer a chocolate-themed tour within the space.

© Vanessa Treney – CRT Centre-Val de Loire

Exhibitions and Anniversaries

The Royal City of Loches showcases an exhibition titled Agnès Sorel, l’influenceuse, to commemorate the 600^thanniversary of the birth of Agnès Sorel, the mistress of King Charles VII. Open through Nov. 6, the exhibition will explore the role and influence of Sorel in the kingdom’s politics and society.

The Château Royal de Blois invites visitors to its exhibition dedicated to three of its famous former residents: Catherine de Medici, Diane de Poitiers and Marguerite de Valous. Open through July 10, this beloved residence of seven kings and 10 queens features La Renaissance des Femmes, an exhibition highlighting the power of these three women.

© Eric Sander

From April 21 to Nov. 6, The Domaine de Chaumont-sur-Loire will celebrate the 30^th anniversary of the International Garden Festival. This year’s theme revolves around the “ideal garden,” in which the exhibition sheds light on human’s relationship with nature due to global warming and urbanization.

The Rois et reines en armes, entre réels et fiction(s) exhibition, open May 21–Nov. 6, will grace Forteresse Royal de Chinon to honor kings and queens, both real and imagined. In addition to displays of historic armor and relics, props from cult movies and TV series like Game of Thrones and Conan the Barbarian will be showcased.