La Loire

La Loire (FR) the Loire river. One of the principal waterways of France, 625 miles long from its origins in the Massif Central to its outlet in the Atlantic Ocean at Nantes. The stretch of river from Orléans to Tours is famed for its châteaux. Royal hunts were often held in the Loire valley, and gifts of estates were made from kings to dukes and other favored ones. (Aragon)