A Living Heritage

When UNESCO designated the Loire Valley as a World Heritage Site in 2000, it recognized something profound: this is not merely a collection of monuments frozen in time, but a dynamic cultural landscape where past and present continuously interact. The designation encompasses an impressive 280-kilometer stretch from Sully-sur-Loire in the east to Chalonnes-sur-Loire in the west, protecting not just the famous châteaux but the entire living environment that surrounds them.

Today's Loire Valley is home to over two million people who live, work, and maintain traditions within this historic setting. From the vintners of Vouvray who continue wine-making practices refined over centuries to the market gardeners of Tours whose vegetables feed local communities, the region pulses with contemporary life while honoring its remarkable past.