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Loire Patrimoine UNESCO
The magnificent Loire Valley has now been listed by UNESCO in its World Heritage. The astonishing originality of the valley thus gains official recognition for the stretch of 260 km from Sully-sur-Loire to Chalonnes-sur-Loire.
You know the châteaux of the Loire… now discover their magnificent setting. It is these cultural landscapes that have recently been listed by UNESCO. The river is as much a part of these landscapes as the valley, for although it has been developed over the centuries by those who live along its banks, it has never been spoiled. These landscapes played their role in one of the high points in European culture: during the Renaissance, the influence of Italy and the Mediterranean met with those of France and Flanders here in the region.
And what, do you think, was the most original contribution of this Renaissance period? Its gardens - no longer merely useful, they now became beautiful. A new style of formal garden "à la française" appeared. This transformation went hand in hand with that of the great medieval fortresses into residential châteaux designed for pleasure and comfort: Royal power was now more secure and no longer felt such a pressing need to protect itself from attack. This movement has continued unabated to the present day and these landscapes are renowned the world over.
http://www.valdeloire.org/?CHANGELANG=en |