Natural Wonders of the Loire Valley
For many years, I’ve imagined France as a place where sheep graze freely in the pastures, which felt like part of the country’s storybook charm. My mother has a gorgeous painting in her dining room of sheep grazing in a meadow. She said to me, “This is so very French.” At the time, I didn’t quite understand what she meant.
Last year in the Loire Valley, I finally saw it with my own eyes.
We pulled up to a vineyard for a tasting, and there they were, sheep grazing peacefully among the vines. It was a magical, full-circle moment for me. The sheep weren’t just a pretty picture, either; they were part of the vineyard’s ecosystem. They nibbled away at weeds and undergrowth, and in turn, left behind natural fertilizer, a sustainable, time-honored way of caring for the land and the vines.
Food and wine in the Loire Valley begin with the land itself, and that includes the animals that have shaped this landscape for centuries. From goats whose milk becomes the delicate fresh chevre you’ll find at every market, to the workhorses still guiding farmers through the vines, livestock is woven into the rhythm of French country living.
One scene is etched in my memory forever. As we crested a hill up to a rolling vineyard, the fresh spring grass waved in the breeze. Beyond it, rows of vines as far as the eye could see unfolded, and in the distance, a young woman appeared, guiding a Clydesdale with a wooden plow.
Our guide explained that this traditional method not only clears overgrowth but also turns the soil gently, without disturbing the delicate subsoil. It was like stepping back in time, a glimpse of France’s agricultural heritage still alive and thriving today.
And of course, there are the swans, strutting through the château grounds, their white feathers glistening like something from a fairytale.
Chickens strut around farmhouses, goats peek curiously over fences, and if you’re lucky, you might even get to give one a scratch behind the ears.
The Loire Valley is known for its castles, its wine, and its gardens, but its wildlife is equally enchanting. Everywhere you turn, there’s a reminder that nature and tradition are woven seamlessly into daily life here.
JOIN ME IN THE LOIRE VALLEY APRIL 2026
Registration for the Loire Valley is now open, and spaces are filling fast. Don’t miss your chance to be part of this magical week in one of the most beautiful regions of France, where history, nature, and culture come together in unforgettable ways.
See you soon!
XOXO Lorie
