James Bentley was a distinguished travel writer who specialized in Italy and France. He was the author of the volumes on Tuscany, The Dordogne, Burgundy, England and Brittany in The Most Beautiful Villages...series. Hugh Palmer is one of Britain's foremost photographers of rural life. His previous books include Garden Ornament and The Water Garden, both published by Thames & Hudson, as well as many titles in The Most Beautiful Villages...series.

Introduction; I. Around Orleans; II. Cathedrals and Churches; III. Around Blois and Tours; IV. The Chateaux of the Loire; V. Around Angers and Nantes; Map; Food and Wine of the Loire; A Traveller's Guide; Select Bibliography