Tags: World Heritage Site.
The Loire Valley (French: Vallée de la Loire pronounced: [va.le də la lwaːʁ]) spanning 280 kilometres (170 mi) is located in the middle stretch of the Loire River in central France. Its area comprises about 800 square kilometres (310 sq mi). It is referred to as the Cradle of the French Language and the Garden of France due to the abundance of vineyards fruit orchards (such as cherries) and artichoke and asparagus fields which line the banks of the river.
