Why the Loire Valley is about so much more than fairytale castlesThe Loire Valley beyond the fairytale castlesBeyond the Loire Valley’s fairy-tale châteaux, a gentler side of this celebrated destination awaits. Loire Valley beyond the cliches“My kids had left home so we decided to move to France and start a new life here,” he tells me cheerfully. Loire fish, goat’s cheese, asparagus, tomatoes, mushrooms and seasonal fruit all appear on menus that celebrate the region without feeling predictable. Gustaf explains most historic royal castles had to keep a bed prepared for the monarch, who could descend any time. Book the Loire Valley yourselfTo book La Dixmeresse go to ladixmeresse.fr; To book Huttopia Lac de Rillé go to europe.huttopia.com; For Château de Rochecotte it’schateau-de-rochecotte.com; For Chez Odette it’s fredericmabileau.com; For Villandry go to chateauvillandry.fr